JOHN’S LEGACY LIVES ON
HEART FOUNDATION AWARD IS NAMED IN MEMORY OF SLIGO STROKE CAMPAIGNER
WHEN the late JohnO’Hara walked down the street, he always had a book of fundraising tickets in his pocket and was never afraid to produce it.
“No body could refuse him. He knew everyone. He was a great man for the chats, a real people person,” recalls wife Margaret from Ballisodare.
The Collooney native who sadly passed away from Cancer in 2014 was instrumental in setting up and running the North West Stroke Group. Himself a stroke survivor, John helped to establish the support group for victims and their families in 2003.
Now the Irish Heart Foundation is to honour the dedicated campaigner by naming an award in his memory. The John O’Hara Local Heart Hero Award will be given annually to a group or person who has worked on behalf of the Irish Heart Foundation.
Spokeswoman Martina Greene explains: “This is a fitting tribute to John’s legacy and his outstanding achievements. He helped to raise awareness of Stroke in the community and much needed funds for Stroke survivors all over the North West Region.
“He was a larger than life character who was determined that stroke victims should be encouraged to enjoy activities and not be afraid to go out and socialise as often people affected by stroke are very concscious of their disability.”
And the late John O’Hara knew only too well the difficulty of living with the aftermath of a stroke. At the young age of 46, the father-of-five was out fishing at Ballisodare Falls when his first stroke struck. His wife Margaret recalls: “He lost his vision, was totally disorientated and was alone. After a while he came around and somehow managed to drive home. When he came in the back door, I knew immediately that something was wrong. I asked him had he been in the pub. He couldn’t walk properly.”
John went on to develop a second stroke that night and the next morning was admitted to hospital. Everything changed for both him and his young family. John would never be the same person again. The stroke stole his independence.
“His outlook on life totally changed. It was a massive shock. He had no memory of how to do his job as a computer manager with Sligo Heritage. Physically and mentally he was a changed man. He lost the power of speech and power on his right side,” says Margaret.
Years of speech therapy helped to restore John’s speech but he never regained full power to his right side. At first it seemed impossible but his love of nature helped him to recover.