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Hello EnableMe member

In this edition of the EnableMe newsletter we profile EnableMe heroes, share with you their recovery stories, tips and advice on what has worked for them.

Survivors and family often comment on a 'black hole' period after stroke. Many find support from people who understand what they're going through can help provide sign posts for recovery and make them feel less alone.

EnableMe den-mother Sue Bowden, has a wonderful recovery buddy in Marcus. Their friendship has spilled into real life via Facetime. Watching how Sue and Marcus support each other warms the cockles of our hearts!

We're excited to be seeing Marcus in November at Stroke Foundation Melbourne and Hobart for his tour downunder. We are working with Marcus on some public events - we will let you know the details later on in the year.

Jimbo in Limbo shares how he deals with isolation and giving yourself permission to set goals and achieve them. We hear about his recent adventures and what he has learned about travelling with a wheelchair.

Follow Katrina's recovery journey, as she traces her highs and lows and shares openly the feelings that grip her heart.  

Read StrokeSafe Ambassador Toni's stroke story. You will see Toni throughout EnableMe providing support and encouragment.

We also give a big a shout out to Bob, who writes about balancing two chronic diseases, what this means for him and how he is coping.

All this and more!

P.S click here for all EnableMe newsletters.

Next podcast: Emotional and personality changes after stroke

Having a stroke can affect your emotions and personality, and sometimes these changes stick around. Many people also experience emotional lability, which can make you laugh or cry for no reason. In our next podcast, we talk about the emotional and personality changes a stroke can bring, and what you can do to cope with them.

What would you like to know about emotional and personality changes after stroke?

Ask your questions here.

Click here for the full EnableMe podcast series.

Featured conversations for this week

Forums:

Blogs:

For all blogs click here

Ask a question:

Click here for questions asked by your fellow community members. Perhaps you can contribute some of your own experiences, learn something new or ask a question?

Simon talks about caring for his wife Leisel

Jim and Sal - keeping it in the Team Stroke family

Sometimes life in EnableMe spill into the halls of Stroke Foundation HQ!

Jim 68, lives alone and is 14 months post stroke, he is also a much loved member of EnableMe.

Through his blogs Jim has shared his thoughts and dreams for his recovery, and recently shared his goal of travelling from Queensland to see his family in Melbourne.

He says "Goals are mentioned a lot in EnableMe, but I was not setting myself for fear of failure. I have kept my secret dreams well down inside...." 

Katrina's journey and making a difference

If you're a blog junkie like us then Katrina's blogs are a must read.

As teacher and keen writer, Katrina shares her journey from dealing with he emotional toll of stroke, getting back to work and music.

Bob Carey Grieve facing off on stroke and cancer

We’re social creatures. We survived and evolved by being tribal, working together, finding safety in numbers and hunting success in packs. We’re meant to be together. It’s in our DNA.

We yearn for companionship. We yearn to belong, even when we want to be left alone. Sometimes, we’ll go and sit in a bar or a café, not wanting to meet anyone or converse, but just to absorb a little human radiation, soak up that vital energy of the tribe.

Meet Bob here.

I get by with a little help from my friends

One of the most beautiful qualities about frienship is to understand and be understood - Lucius Annaeus Seneca

With Marcus in Japan and Sue in Bathurst there hasn't been an opportunity to meet face to face so they've been Facetiming - community support knows no boundries.

For those that follow Marcus, hell be touching down in Melbourne and Hobart in November and popping his head into Stroke Foundation HQ. 

Toni shares; We did not realise I was having a stroke

I had my stroke on a Wednesday in September 2013 at the age of 46. We didn’t realise I was having a stroke.

My husband and I were on holiday and I'd woken up to feed my dog around 6am. I went to the toilet and fell against the wall as I was walking out. I had an experience of looking down on myself from the ceiling. I called my husband to help me back to bed and I felt nauseous and had a small headache.

Meet Toni here.

EnableMe survey: We'd love to hear from you...

We're collecitng feedback from the community about your experience in EnableMe.

The answers you provide will help us to plan EnableMe's next steps, plus there are five $50 Coles Myers gift vouchers to give away. Complete the survey by 5pm this Friday to go into the running.

Remember, if you need help or have any tips to help improve EnableMe, we would love to hear from you at enableme@strokefoundation.org.au

We look forward to assisting you in your recovery and helping you to live your life well after stroke.

Many thanks,
 

Diana Kerr | Online Community Coordinator
National Stroke Foundation | Level 7, 461 Bourke St, Melbourne VIC 3000
T +61 3 9670 1000 |StrokeLine: 1800 787 653