Hello EnableMe member

Welcome to the first EnableMe newsletter of 2019.

The beginning of a new year can be both an exciting and a challenging time. You may be making plans, reassessing, prioritising, doing some housekeeping or dreaming big!

You may also be feeling some strong emotions, whether positive or negative. Remember, it's okay to feel your feelings. As Sue said in a recent blog, EnableMe is a safe space to get things off your chest. She has kicked off the year by sharing her thoughts about vulnerability.

Paul has blogged about his experience with occupational therapy and how he had to shift his mindset to get the most out of his sessions.

The Australian Physiotherapy Association has explored the tricky question of ‘How many repetitions are needed to reach recovery goals post-stroke?’

We've listened to your feedback and lauched a new goal setting tool in Enableme. Melita from StrokeConnect takes you through five steps in setting effective goals and reminds you that you are not alone. You have the EnableMe community behind you. This encludes experts from StrokeLine who are all here to motivate and guide you to set goals and stay motivated to achieve them.

All this and more!

• Click here for all EnableMe newsletters.

 

Melita shows how to take the first step to set goals effectively by making a goal statement. 

Setting goals is a great way to give yourself direction, focus and motivation. Whether your goals are big or small, the first step in achieving them is deciding what they are! Learn how to define your goals and to put together a plan for how you'll achieve them.

Click here to set a goal. 

Forums:

• Amz83: First time posting - stroke 4 weeks ago
• Michael: Stroke of the right carotid artery
• Corey: 40 years old and I've had a stroke
• Lara210: An app called Constant Therapy

For all forums click here

Blogs:

• Sue Bowden: Still work to be done.....
• Jim: Logistics is the watchword
• Steve51: Facing Ableism

For all blogs click here

Ask a question:

• Dee: Is it recommended to do weights post-stroke?
• garrylawson: Should I take Panadol for my headache? And is a tens machine a good investment to get my blood circulating in my leg?

Member questions answered by StrokeLine health professionals click here

Member Goals: 

• Julianne: I would like to get my licence back.
• Kelly: I would like to engage in conversation confidently.

For all goals click here

Perhaps you can contribute some of your own experiences, learn something new or ask a question.

By the Australian Physiotherapy Association

When attempting to learn a new skill, or improve an old one, people often ask – how much practice do I need to do in order to reach my goal? This very same question may be asked by a stroke survivor who wants, for example, to improve their walking ability, or retrain the use of their arm.

 

I know I've been a bit of an Eeyore lately, I've let things get on top of me. I let go of some of the things that were keeping me grounded and stable.

But I am reminded of a speech Jim Carey gave in which he said "You only have two choices: love and fear." And I realise that much of what I have been subjecting myself to over the past few months is born out of fear. 

Are you ready to set your own goals?

Paul shares his experience with Occupational Therapy (OT).

He says” Speaking honestly, OT was my least favourite of all my therapy sessions. Mainly I was disheartened because couldn’t see obvious progress, while in the other areas like my speech and mobility, I was seeing lots of obvious and quicker changes.” 

Looking for information from experts about recovery? Look no further than the EnableMe podcast series.

Listen to researchers, StrokeLine allied health professionals and survivors talking about everything from neuroplasticity to fatigue and much more. 

Photo L - R: Chief Exectutive Officer Australian Physiotherapy Association (APA) Cris Massis, Brendan Cutts, Sophie and Amanda Clayton and Julie Dwyer (APA).

Stroke Foundation is on a mission to find and celebrate the inspirational Australians who are making a difference in stroke.

Nominations are now open for the 2019 Stroke Awards, which recognise the stroke survivors, carers, volunteers, health professionals and researchers who work tirelessly to improve the lives of people affected by stroke.

Stroke Foundation Chief Executive Officer Sharon McGowan said the Stroke Awards are a wonderful way to say thank you.

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.

Cheers,

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