Life After Stroke Grants
After a stroke, some stroke survivors experience financial difficulties. Julie Byng, a 49 year old stroke survivor from Walsall in the West Midlands, had to leave her job as a result of her stroke in 2009.
With the help of her Family and Carer Support Coordinator, Julie was able to successfully apply for a Stroke Association Life After Stroke Grant that helped cover a utility bill.
Click the play button to listen to Julie’s story.
012: Life After Stroke grants
Life After Stroke grants are only possible due to your donations
Thanks to Laura Williams for the background music.
Text version of the podcast:
Julie: I was on my way home from work. All of a sudden, just waiting for the bus, I just went a little bit light-headed and my legs felt like jelly, so I went and sat down. Next thing I know, I'm on the floor in front of the seating area. People were helping me up onto the seating and an ambulance was called. The young lad who helped me at the time said "It looks like she's having a stroke". It was a real shock to me to hear that.
Robbie: A stroke can cause significant financial strain for those affected by the condition. Some survivors are unable to return to work, need modifications to their homes or require full time care because of the disabilities a stroke can cause. Julie Byng, a 49 year old mother of one, was unable to return to her job in the local hospital after a stroke almost 2 years ago. Her husband Mark was forced to quit his job in order to care for her. The loss of income had a huge impact on their family.
Julie: Biggest challenge, really, is coming to terms with actually having a stroke and not being able to do what you used to be able to do. Then I suppose, really, as time goes on, as you're getting bills coming in for, you know, utility bills, gas, electric and that, you think 'We're ok' and then you realize that you're not ok. I only heard, really, about The Stroke Association through a friend.
Robbie: At The Stroke Association, we rely on the generosity of our supporters to help survivors cope with the effects of stroke. One way we use your donations is to help alleviate the financial strain people like Julie and her family experience through our Life After Stroke grant program. Grants can be used to help survivors and their families replace household items, install disability aids around the home, or to assist with travel costs for hospital visiting. Pat Whelan is a Family and Carer Support Coordinator for The Stroke Association.
Pat: I see, every day, the absolute turmoil and upheaval that a stroke can cause within families.
Calculations to entitlement to state benefit and payment can take many many months, sometimes eighteen months. In the meantime, fuel bills have to be paid, families have to be fed, and other household bills mount up.
That's why The Stroke Association Awards for Life After Stroke Grants give practical, life-changing assistance to people whose lives have been turned upside down by stroke.
Robbie: Pat helped Julie and Mark understand what financial assistance they were eligible for, as well as providing welfare advice and much needed emotional support. With Pat’s guidance, Julie received a Life After Stroke Grant in June 2010 to assist with paying her utility bill.
Julie: The only way I can explain Pat is, basically, a rock. She's given us the insight into what we are entitled to, because we just didn't know. When you're sat worrying about where the money's going to come from to pay the next gas bill, and there are funds available, it's a great relief to know that that's there. So these other grants that Pat's put us in for, they've helped immensely because it takes the stress and the strain off as well, because there's enough stress and strain there already so that helps alleviate that a little bit as well.
Robbie: For others experiencing financial difficulties because of their stroke or that of a loved one, Julie had this advice:
Julie: I would say to people who have been in the same situation as us not to be worried about contacting The Stroke Association and not feeling that you're going cap in hand, because you're not.
If you're not working and you're not able to work because of a stroke, you should never be frightened to ask for help.
Just, initially, get in contact, and you just take it from there really because, perhaps, you think that they might not be able to help you - you don't know until you ask the question. So just go and ask because you need that help and support.
Robbie: That's the end of our podcast featuring stroke survivor Julie Byng. For more information on our Life After Stroke Grants or our other services, please visit www.stroke.org.uk/information. If you’d like to make a donation to The Stroke Association and help people like Julie, please follow the 'donate' link on our website. Thanks for listening.
