Life changing stroke care

Sue and husband Frank were overseas on holiday when she had her stroke in 2016, which she described as completely “sudden and unexpected.”

She ended up in hospital in Scotland. When her family moved back to New Zealand shortly after her stroke she followed, and chose St John of God Hauora Trust for her ongoing rehabilitation to help regain her skills affected by the stroke.

“I have a more positive attitude and have more opportunities to get home,” Sue said.

“I like the choir… undergo physiotherapy and have access to hydrotherapy to continuing my rehabilitation.”

Sue’s initial prognosis suggested she was unlikely to walk again and definitely not be able to negotiate stairs – but she is doing both now, and enjoys walks in the facility’s grounds with her husband.

Registered Nurse Angela Lewis said St John of God Hauora Trust provided care that looked after all aspects of their client’s wellbeing – physically, intellectual, social and spiritual.

“People who have had a stroke normally come from a hospital where they’ve had acute rehabilitation and then are able to continue their rehabilitation path with us,” she said.

“It has been wonderful to see Sue’s progress.”

A little more about stroke

A Stroke is commonly referred to as a “brain attack” - a medical emergency when the blood supply to an area of the brain is cut off.

When this happens, brain cells are deprived of oxygen and begin to die.

When brain cells die during a stroke, any abilities that is controlled by that area of the brain such as memory and muscle control are lost.

People are affected by a stroke in various ways depending on where the stroke occurs in the brain and how much the brain is damaged.