The Courier & Advertiser (Angus and Dundee)
Pioneering Perth clinic for stroke services has expanded to Tayside
PRI facility saved from closure helping to support survivors
A pioneering stroke clinic has expanded across Tayside, after it was saved from closure at its base in Perth Royal Infirmary.
In March stroke survivors campaigned alongside Chest Heart & Stroke Scotland (CHSS) to raise £30,000 in less than 30 days in order to save and expand the service, which provides survivors with one-to-one support and helps people adjust to home life.
Nine months later CHSS has rolled out the pilot across Dundee and Angus with funds being provided to give staff extra hours and resources to improve the service in Tayside.
One of the survivors using the new service is Karen Taylor, 40, who lives in Broughty Ferry with her 10-year-old daughter Emily.
Karen suffered a stroke in March which left her with serious aphasia – she can only say and write key words.
It also affected her right-hand side –
“The service has changed my life... it has been so important for me to be able to get back to a bit of normalcy. KAREN TAYLOR
she is unable to use her hand and arm effectively and has impaired mobility.
Following the expansion Karen now receives help from Darlene Drummond, lead rehabilitation support coordinator at CHSS.
Darlene also helps Karen communicate and can translate using drawings, gestures and facial expressions.
Karen said: “The service has changed my life.
“The support I have been getting from Darlene has been so important for me to be able to get back to a bit of normalcy.
“I can’t work or drive at the moment and taking my daughter to school and walking the dog are extremely difficult now.
“Darlene is helping me to get back to doing these things and have goals to work towards.”
Karen has been attending the Stroke Exercise Group in Dundee, which is affiliated to CHSS, where she meets other stroke survivors who help push her onward in her recovery.
Darlene believes that Karen has already made great progress in her recovery and is looking for more volunteers to help with the Tayside project.
Anyone interested in volunteering should call 01382 775 854 for more information.