Still serving survivors of strokes at age 92
Own experience with late husband drives Brewin’s desire to help others going through same journey at Memorial City hospital
Anne Brewin may be 92 years old, but that doesn’t stop her from volunteering to support stroke survivors and caregivers at Memorial Hermann Memorial City Medical Center.
When her late husband had a stroke in 1998 and was treated at a hospital out of town, Brewin felt like she received little support about what recovery and life would look like when they went home.
“I didn’t know anything about stroke, and ‘What do I do with him? How do I treat him? How do I take care of him?’ ” she recalled. “So I had to find out little by little, and I joined a stroke support group, which was extremely helpful. And I’ve been with stroke groups ever since.”
She said access to information for survivors and their caregivers has improved over time. More people know about strokes through the help of organizations that promote awareness and through a wider availability of reading materials.
Brewin’s husband recovered but became partially paralyzed on his right side. She said giving up driving was the hardest part for him. He died eight years ago.
In the early years of caring for him, Brewin began giving back to others in need. Timid at first, she quickly realized her service could provide a “little boost into the future, of trying to ease the transition from the stroke into the after-stroke situation because they are so shocked and disoriented, they don’t know what to do.”
She offers them some hope for the road ahead, and tells them while things will change, they may improve some with the help of their families.
Today, the group has 12 to 15 active members. Family members, often spouses, who are caregivers hear from Brewin about how they should work with their patient, how important having an “up attitude” is and how to find available resources. She said heart attack patients can often recuperate and return to their daily living, but a stroke often impacts more of the body. Therefore, caregiving after a stroke and the need to have the whole family pull together are important.
The group has developed into Brewin’s second family because they walk the arduous journey together. Sometimes, just socializing — rather than talking about medical issues — brightens their spirits.
Stroke support groups began forming in the Houston area in the 1970s, but Brewin explained many have dispersed over time. Continuing to assist people after a stroke, she said, is still necessary. One patient with significant aphasia following a stroke attended the group with his wife and left encouraged when he found other people like him struggling and fighting to get better.
Memorial Hermann Memorial City Medical Center has the only comprehensive stroke center on the west side of Houston, said Tressa Sumners, stroke coordinator. So, the hospital can treat the sickest stroke patients who will need lots of support in recovery.
Brewin plans to continue volunteering as long as she is able: “I am totally healthy. I keep on going. You’re not going to keep me down.”
To learn more about the group, people can call 713-2423038 or email mcstrokecoordinator@memorialhermann.org.
Additionally, the hospital is always looking for volunteers 18 years and older to serve in a variety of roles. Visit https://tinyurl.com/ybu7nfta for more information.