In 1976, Dad had a stroke in his early 50’s – a really bad one. My father in law had one in 1973, but he was able to return to work – but not so Dad.

Mum and Dad became involved in the Northern Illawarra Stroke Support Group from the 1980’s, when it was set up by Sister Anna Borg. Dad passed away in 1990, however Mum still maintained her involvement in the Stroke Support Group, as well as getting joining other groups like War Widows, Laurel Club and Legacy. Inevitably, she became Treasurer or Secretary of Groups like these, as well as lobbying for a stroke unit at Wollongong Hospital.

In 2005, Mum became seriously ill, so she had to curtail her active roles in some of her community activities. Although Mum soldiered on for another seven years, ultimately, she passed away in late 2012.

In early 2026, some of Mum’s old Stroke Support Group mates visited the Black Diamond District Heritage Centre where I am President and Curator. They reminisced about the delicious morning teas that Mum prepared, and how she would get up as early as 5am to do the cooking.

So for half a century, Stroke Support initiatives have been part of my life, to a greater or lesser degree.Some links I’d collected some time back – probably needing a review and update – inevitably under review and & reconstruction:

An Interrupted Lunch – A book by Helen McIntosh about recovering from a stroke
Stroke Recovery Plan – Hewer & Wade
Stroke Association of Victoria
Boxhill & Camberwell Stroke Support Groups
Carer’s Association of Australia – Stroke Factsheet
Seniors Information Service – Stroke & other health information
Stroke Clubs & Support Groups in the USA
Stroke Definitions & Simple Explanations
Strokes – A Doctor’s Guide to the Internet
Yahoo! – Stroke
Stroke Survivor’s Guide – An Online Resource
Prisoner of Silence

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Stroke Discussion List

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