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IT IS ESTIMATED THAT 1 IN 6 PEOPLE WILL SUFFER A STROKE IN THEIR LIFETIME! (*World Stroke Organisation)
What is a stroke ?
Simply defined, a stroke is an injury to the brain or a brain attack.
The World Stroke Organisation recently sent out the following letter to it’s members notifying them of the re-classification of stroke, differentiating it from “Diseases of the Circulatory System”, which is a heart related condition.
Having been incorrectly classified as a heart condition has disadvantaged victims of a stroke, as practitioners and professionals treated the heart, instead of correctly diagnosing and treating the stroke.
We applaud the World Health Organisation as well as the World Stroke Organisation for highlighting the importance of stroke and the role it plays on the nervous system.
The Stroke Survivors Foundation embarks on a mission to educate the larger population as well as professionals and medical practitioners on the importance of correctly identifying stroke attacks, and equipping people with the necessary skills to correctly treat victims and reduce the impact of the attack.
During a stroke, time is of the essence, and properly treated, the impact of the stroke can be greatly reduced, and could save lives, as well as the future livelihood of the victims and their families.
Strokes can happen to anyone regardless of age, race or gender.
A number of communities and cultures still believe that victims of a stroke are bewitched or that women are immune to a stroke, while a major part of the population believes that strokes only happen to older people. Many times a stroke is still incorrectly diagnosed as a heart attack or a seizure, and treated as such.
Charlene Murray and George Scola were in their 30's when they had a stroke. After having survived the stroke, they faced the monumental task of adjusting back into society. Fortunately, both had devoted friends and family to support them, and they had the right financial recourses to access the professional help they needed to re-enter society and forge a new future. This support was vital to their recovery.
However, not everyone is so lucky.
Understanding this, they felt compelled to create The Stroke Survivors Foundation (SSF) to offer support to other stroke survivors and their families.
The SSF is registered as a non-profit organisation and has been in existence since[U1] 2010. Under the leadership of founder and director George Scola.
Through the support and generosity of people and organisations like Nolands Advisory Services and The Accounting Room, The SSF has been able to exist and help other stroke survivors.
It is our mission to help create a support network that provides post-discharge rehabilitation and support for stroke survivors, their families and caregivers.
In order to establish ourselves as a professional body, we are in need of office space from where we can operate and build a team of support specialists. As an organisation we continue to integrate and partner with
the World Stroke Foundation,
the Heart and Stroke Foundation,
Stroke Aid and
the Helderberg Stroke Support Group,
as well as national government departments and health professionals, who have a similar objective of providing the best support to stroke victims, their families and caregivers.
As a support foundation we are constantly partnering with professional service providers, who are able to help stroke survivors and their families, either through empowerment projects, life coaching, business coaching as well as therapeutic services, health care and rehabilitation programs.
We encourage our survivors to participate in community programs, as well provide support and inspiration to other survivors and their families. Being a victim or a stroke does not have to mean the “end” but could potentially spell the “beginning” of a new way of life, and new goals and ambitions.
Some of our strategic partnerships include:
Thelle Mogoerane Regional Hospital in Vosloorus that provides a Family Support Group
The support group is managed by Paul Sellmann (wife is a stroke survivor) together with Kerrie Hoff, an Occupational therapist working in the hospital.
Heidelberg Hospital Support Group that includes an occupational therapist
This support group is managed by Ammamarie Conradie, an Occupational therapist working in the hospital.
Pietermaritzburg Group
This support group is in the initial stages and is managed by Carol Pritchard. She is an occupational therapist from the UK who has immigrated to SA.
Hope Stroke Survivors Talk in SA - managed by a young stroke survivor, Lillian Muller
Lillian Muller encourages stroke survivors to speak about their journey and overcome their fear through talk.
Young Stroke Survivors (Strokies) - a whats-app support group for stroke survivors
This support group is managed by George Scola and is operated as a WhatsApp group. George is the oldest stroke survivors on this group with the average age of members being in their early 30’s.
The foundations core purpose is to provide the right environment and coaching to help stroke survivors, their families and caregivers with understanding the impact of the stroke, and the opportunity to deal with this disease with a positive attitude and work towards achieving success despite the disease.
The foundation does not provide for financial support in terms of debt management, loans or otherwise. We do however provide programs, projects and training opportunities to help these stroke survivors achieve some sort of financial income through either gaining employment, starting their own business or assisting in projects.
National Registry
In association with Medical Practice Consulting, a private company that is revolutionizing healthcare, together with other stroke support groups nationwide, the SSF has taken the initiative, and heading the project which is underway, to develop a national database/registry of stroke survivors.
The database aims to provide an updated register of
Stroke survivors,
available support networks,
Hospitals and rehabilitation centres,
Health care professionals
As well as provide access to resources such as:
a Frequently Asked Questions portal,
Self-Help videos, exercises and information,
Community Support Forum
Gauteng Health Department Stroke Work Group
The Gauteng local health department has realised the magnitude of the stroke crises in South Africa. The goal of the working project is to educate the public, the relevant stakeholders and governing bodies around the history of Stroke, the importance of diagnosing a stroke early, and the necessary treatments that can be implemented to reduce and minimise the effects of the stroke.
The SSF and KES Project
In association with King Edward VII School (KES) , a video was scripted, created and produced by school kids to raise awareness amongst other young adults and schools in SA and promoting the ‘Know the signs’ message of B.E.F.A.S.T (Balance, Eyesight, Face, Arms, Speech and Time).
The project aims to produce a series of videos that will engage young audiences on the importance of correctly identifying the signs of a stroke, the types of treatments that can be administered and the urgency in getting the right medical treatment.
The Glove Initiative (TGI)
The Turquoise Glove Initiative (TGI) is a registered trademark which belongs to The Stroke Survivors Foundation. The initiative aims to:
raise the awareness of Stroke, nationally and internationally,
assist local stroke organisations and societies raise funds,
serve to inform and educate society about stroke,
Spread the message of B.E.F.A.S.T[U2] .
Create a symbol for Stroke Awareness
The Turquoise Glove Initiative will launch on International Stroke Awareness Day on 29th October 2017. The public will be encouraged to don a turquoise glove on one hand, and perform simple tasks for 60 minutes without the use of that hand, to help them better understand the challenges encountered by a stroke survivors.
The wearing of the glove on Stroke Awareness Day will become a symbol of support shown by the wearer for all stroke survivors around the globe.
In order to make the initiative viable we have identified the need to partner with local and national retail brands that will give maximum exposure to highlight the importance of stroke and its effects on families and the lives of stroke victims. The initiative will also assist the foundation in raising funding in support of the Stroke Survivors Foundation and the projects we drive.
Adams and Adams Paige and Kirst to complete
All funding raised and sponsorships received will be used for the support of the foundation, and for use in support of the projects and initiatives driven by the foundation. Major expenses incurred by the foundation are:
Rental for office space / telephone and support services
Refreshments for support group activities and projects
Transportation for members to and from support groups where needed
The marketing and running of campaigns and awareness programs
Media campaigns and educational literature that is made available
Travel and accommodation expenses when attending conferences and meetings
The coordination of social responsibility programs in both the corporate and private sectors to provide key services such as therapy and other medical services that are needed
The purchase of equipment for rehabilitation programs such as wheelchairs, walking sticks etc.
Stationery and printing office supplies for the efficient running of the foundation
Information Technology and software costs
Remuneration to administration staff and volunteers when possible
‘Bring It On’ Campaign
One of the challenges that faced George and Charlene at the onset of the foundation was a complete lack of awareness surrounding[U3] stroke survival in South Africa. Once the Foundation was formed, it was time to get it some nation-wide exposure and thus, the Bring It On! Campaign was incubated. The goal was to walk from Beit Bridge (Messina), in the far north of the country, to Cape Point (Cape Town), in the far south.
On the 15 th of August 2010, George started off midway on the Beit Bridge which joins South Africa and Zimbabwe and finally reached Cape Point to completed the walk on the 26 th of February 2011. 6 1⁄2 months, 2473 km’s (1537 Miles), 18 kilos (40 Pounds), 4 pairs of hiking boots, highest temperature 52 degrees Celsius (125.6 Fahrenheit).....and 1 x albino python! Is it possible? When George was discharged from hospital in a wheelchair, little seemed possible.
The SSF aims to assist every future stroke survivor walk their own journey, overcome their challenge and achieve their goals.
The following were sponsors or supporters of the “Bring It On” walk campaign:
Global Stroke Bill Of Rights (Bor)
In June 2013, George Scola was approached by the Heart and Stroke Foundation SA to participate in the World Stroke Organisation (WSO) working group, made up of seven core members from regions around the world, to develop a Global Stroke Bill of Rights. This bill was aimed at stroke survivors and caregivers. George did not hesitate at the opportunity contribute towards the development of such a bill that would benefit others like him and their caregivers.
The BOR project was led by Dr. Erin Lalor (CEO National Stroke Foundation Australia) and very closely assisted by JJ Divino together with a team from WSO in Geneva. The working group was brought together in Vienna, Austria for four days in September 2013. The initial meeting took place in Vienna and the initiative continued through a number of emails, telephone conferences. A number of drafts were sent to each member and revisited. A number of surveys were conducted in Arabic, Chinese, English, French, German, Hindi, Japanese, Portuguese (Brazil), Russian and Spanish. The final draft was approved and accepted and released to the world at the Istanbul WSO conference in October 2014. These rights identify the aspects of care that are important for ALL stroke survivors and caregivers from across the world.
The Stroke Bill of Rights is not intended to be a legal document that mandates care, but rather as a guide to the elements of stroke care that are important to drive to the best possible outcomes and experiences associated with stroke. It is a tool that can be used by individuals and organisations to communicate with stroke care providers and with governments and their agencies about what people affected by stroke think are the most important things in their recovery. Many aspects of care considered important by those affected by stroke, and included in this document, have been shown to reduce death and disability after stroke. The document considers stroke survivor’s rights across the field from prevention, acute care and very importantly, long-term care.
Awareness Outreach Program
The SSF works closely with Bongi Nyathi, director and founder of the Sibahle National Disability Project which is an NGO currently based in Letlhabile (Oskraal), Brits, North West Province. At the heart of their vision is empowering members of the disabled community, many of whom are stroke survivors, by promoting disability right and responsibilities, empowering people with disabilities with skills and information, provide treatment, care and support, providing education through workshops and training to disabled people and non-disabled people and provide advocacy and lobbying for the disabled.
It is not what happens to us, but how we deal with it that dictates the quality of our lives. Having survived the stroke is the easy part. Next comes the recovering, adjusting and acknowledging the disabilities for both the survivor and their families and friends.
Nedbank proof of account 2014.pdf
