The Kerryman (South Kerry Edition)
A helping hand for stroke victims
OCCUPATIONAL THERAPIST SUSAN CONTINUES PROVIDING A UNIQUE SERVICE TO RECOVERING SURVIVORS OF STROKE
A KILLARNEY-BASED occupational therapist’s innovative not-for-profit business continues to make a huge difference in providing a quite unique service to those who have suffered from stroke – and the registered charity has recently gained further exposure through participation in a social-enterprise incubator programme.
Occupational therapist Susan Forde founded Slánú Stroke Rehab two years ago after spotting a gap in care available to those who suffer a stroke.
Ms Forde found that stroke rehabilitation tended to focus on lower limbs and regaining the ability to walk, but Slánú is gears towards upper-limb care and training patients to regain function in their hands or arms.
“The case with a lot of people who suffer a stroke is that one side will be affected, while the other side will be fine or less affected,” she told The Kerryman.
“A lot of care focusses on regaining walking or speech while the upper limb stays pretty non-functional. It was that gap that led to Slánú being founded.”
Susan described upper-limb functionality as a key in regaining independence and quality of life after stroke, and the programme she developed drew on expertise abroad.
She explained that Slánú teaches service users about their individual difficulties, and then designs and implements an intensive training plan around their needs after they have been discharged from hospital or rehab unit. The service – which combines homebased, on-site and tele-rehabilitation – is also geared towards supporting survivors’ families in learning about their injuries and how to adapt their home environment.
The company recently took part in a social-enterprise incubator programme run by the Irish Social Business Campus (ISBC), geared towards helping businesses which make a positive social impact.
Over the course of some six months, Slánú took part in workshops and sessions with consultants and mentors, and it concluded in recent days with a showcase via Zoom and YouTube.
Susan described it as an invaluable experience.
“It was to conclude with a live event in Ballymaloe, but great credit is due to the organisers for making it work,” she told The Kerryman. “I came accross the programme about six months ago online, and after applying I went through an interview process before being lucky enough to be accepted.
“I learned so much from those involved about business, learning how to go about understanding and developing as they had.
“It was great to be included, and I hope I can get it out there to stroke sufferers that there is hope of improvement, and they can avail of our services after discharge without need for a referral.”
Further information is available on the Slánú website at https://slanu.org/; emailing info@slanu.org; or phoning Susan herself at (086) 382 4134.