Hello EnableMe member

For many, returning to driving is a major goal after a stroke, helping them to regain independence and mobility. In this edition of the EnableMe newsletter we look at driving after stroke.

Returning to driving can be one of the best and most nerve-wracking parts of recovery, but it won't be possible for everyone to drive again and we look at both sides of the coin.

Being able to get around after a stroke is important, and while safety is always an issue when a person gets behind the wheel, it’s even more important after a stroke. 

Paul Fink shares his journey of returning to driving after his stroke, which left him with aphasia and hemiplegia.

Adrian talks about why he did not succeed in getting back behind the wheel. He describes the impact of not being able to drive on his life, and how he manages without it. 

For Tania, it took 18 months to get her licence back and she is making the most of it by driving from Adelaide to Alice Springs in National Stroke Week. 

All this and more!

P.S click here for all EnableMe newsletters.

National regulations state you shouldn’t drive for two weeks after a TIA or four weeks after a stroke, and that you need medical clearance to start driving again.

Many people find getting back to driving helps their independence and their sense of returning to a normal life, but there can be obstacles. In our next podcast, we’re going to talk about the process of returning to driving after a stroke, the issues that can affect someone’s ability to drive, and what can be done about them.

Simone from StrokeLine will also talk about what happens when you can’t return to driving and the emotional impact this can have.

What would you like to know about driving after stroke?

If you need an answer for your specific situation, make sure you include a contact email address. Alternatively, you can call StrokeLine on 1800 787 653, email strokeline@strokefoundation.org.au or go to Ask a health professional.

Click here for the full EnableMe podcast series.

Forums:

• BellaJasmin: Young Stroke Survivors - WA Support Group
• Marcus: Highly Recommend Book: The Diving Bell and the Butterfly
• Kimnott: Best PlayStation VR GAMES FOR STROKE RECOVERY AND BALANCE
• JenniferH89: Nightmares from stroke

For all forums click here

Blogs:

• Joelv: Setting goals helps keep my recovery moving
• Katrina: The days that followed (part 2 of my stroke journey)
• Sue Bowden: It started with a stretch......
• Marcus: Double life

For all blogs click here

Ask a question:

• What is the best way to tackle dizziness after an ischaemic stroke?
• Carer: How can I help my partner realise rest is critical to recovery & physical symptoms of headaches, nausea, being grumpy can indicate fatigue is too high?
• James Bradshaw: Recovery process after brain stem bleeds?
• Bas-INCITO: I am unbalanced when walking, what exercises can I do?

For all questions click here

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?

In EnableMe, we have resources outlining your legal responsibilities and the process for returning to driving. You can download our driving fact sheet and access other important information. 

If you’d like advice or support about driving, please give us a call on StrokeLine 1800 787 653. 

Remember we are here to provide information whether you return to driving or not. 

I am driving now (woohoo!)

I received my licence back two years and eight months ago - July 2016.

My licence had been suspended by VicRoads because of my stroke, in particular due to my paralysis and seizures.

I have epilepsy because of my stroke which caused a delay in getting back to driving. In order to re-qualify to drive I needed to be seizure-free for at least 6 months. For more

Young survivor Tania, and her friend David, who lost his father to stroke, are driving from Adelaide to Alice Springs in National Stroke Week to raise money to fight this insidious disease.

Tania set a goal that when she got her licence back, she’d do the ‘Long Drive Up’ to Alice.

She says "It took me 18 months, a fabulous OT and lots of patience to get back to driving.”

David is supporting Tania and is looking to change his life for the better. David watched his Dad, who was living in a care home, slowly succumb to the effects of a stroke he suffered at age 66.

Hypertension runs in his family and David plans to make some changes in his own life this Stroke Week to arm himself against stroke. For more.

Homonymous Hemianopia is a blindness in half (hemisphere), or quarter in which case it’s called a quadranopia, of both eyes caused by damage to the brain.

If I didn’t tell you I had a hemi you’d probably never notice.

But it means I can’t drive.

The least inconvenient and least noticeable part of my stroke has the greatest impact on my life and is the greatest inconvenience. Not having a licence affects my earning capacity, ability to compete in the job market and my independence. Bit of a bastard really.

In the lead up to the Victorian election, we are looking for people who would like to join us to advocate for stroke by writing to their local MP.

We will support you by supplying an email template, Victorian Election document and advocacy advice.

We are asking the Victorian government for support for people to get back to work after stroke, F.A.S.T and funding for StOP (Stroke Outreach Program).

Click here to join us. 

 

The Australian Government in partnership with Stroke Foundation and Cochrane Australia is set to revolutionise the rapid translation of medical discoveries into clinical practice, saving lives and improving health outcomes.

In a world-first, ‘living stroke guidelines’ are set to be piloted, accelerating access to world-class, evidenced based treatments and care.

This National Stroke Week (3 to 9 September), Stroke Foundation is encouraging Australians to fit healthy habits into their day and in doing so, reduce their stroke risk.

Sue Bowden has shared the changes she has made this year to get healthy, in a blog called: It started with a stretch...

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 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