The Road to Recovery

The Stroke Association is helping stroke survivors back on the road to recovery in a special driving edition of Stroke News, The Stroke Association’s quarterly magazine, published on Tuesday 29th March 2005. The new look magazine includes a host of driving and mobility related features including in-depth interviews, articles and details on innovative new driving initiatives.

Leading the way with his personal story is London cab driver Ian Starkey who had a stroke in 2003 when he was just 40 years old. After the stroke left him paralysed down the left side of his body, Ian thought he would never work as a cabbie again. However with help and support from health professionals, charities and the London Carriage Office, Ian finally got back on the road in his newly adapted black cab.

“I didn’t even know what a stroke was at the time. You never think that things like this are going to happen to you,” comments Ian. “When I had to hand my badge in I thought my life as a cabbie was over. In many ways getting back on the road was like starting out as a cabbie all over again. It was frustrating but worth it in the end.”

The spring edition features practical advice and support for anyone like Ian who wants to drive again after a stroke. Information is provided on current Driving and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA) procedures for people affected by stroke and details of organisations that help people regain their independence through driving. Also included are details on a new initiative organised by The Stroke Association and the British School of Motoring. Stroke News readers will be offered the opportunity to take part in a free trial of specially designed driving lessons in the next issue.

The Stroke Association is also making its mark on future driving regulations. With funding from The Stroke Association, researchers at Nottingham ‘s City Hospital have developed the Stroke Drivers Screening Assessment. This simple three step test has been found to be a much more accurate predictor of driving ability than independent advice given by a doctor. The assessment has also now been adapted for assessing driving skills in other conditions: including head injury, multiple sclerosis and dementia.

To read more about this and other features detailed here, call 01604 623 933, email Stroke News or read the Stroke News.

ENDS

For further information please contact the Media Team at The Stroke Association on 020 7566 1515 or e-mail the Media Team.

Notes to editor

1. Stroke News is a free quarterly magazine published by The Stroke Association, for all people affected by stroke and professionals who care for them. The magazine features the latest developments in stroke medicine and rehabilitation, topical information on stroke, and ways that readers can get involved with fundraising events for The Stroke Association in their area. Readers can find out about the experiences of others who are affected by stroke through the pages dedicated to regional stroke clubs, people and letters.

2. Each year over 130,000 people in England and Wales have a stroke. Of all people who suffer from a stroke, about a third are likely to die within the first 10 days, about a third are likely to make a recovery within one month and about a third are likely to be left disabled and needing rehabilitation. Stroke has a greater disability impact than any other medical condition. A quarter of a million people are living with long-term disability as a result of stroke in the UK.

3. The Stroke Association is the only national charity solely concerned with combating stroke in people of all ages. It funds research into prevention, treatment and better methods of rehabilitation and helps stroke patients and their families directly through its community services. These include dysphasia support, family support, information services, welfare grants, publications and leaflets. We also campaign, educate and inform to increase knowledge of stroke at all levels of society and we act as a voice for everyone affected by stroke.

4. A stroke happens when the blood supply to the brain is disrupted. Most strokes occur when a blood clot blocks the flow of blood to the brain. Some strokes are caused by bleeding in or around the brain from a burst blood vessel. When the blood supply is disrupted, parts of the brain become damaged or destroyed. Some strokes are fatal whist others can cause permanent or temporary paralysis to one side of the body and loss of the ability to speak, read or write. Recovery may be slow and can vary from person to person.

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