Stroke survivors, health professionals and researchers come together to provide you with practical advice to enable you on your journey to reclaim your life after stroke. Join the conversation at enableme.org.au. This series is presented by Australia’s Stroke Foundation and sponsored by Allergan.

enableme podcast

Stroke

stroke

The number one topic stroke survivors ask us about is neuroplasticity, and how to take advantage of the brain’s amazing potential to change itself. But there’s still a lot of confusion about what it actually entails, what to expect, or even who can help you with it. We speak to physiotherapy lecturer Michelle McDonnell, neuroscientist Lavinia Codd, stroke survivor Karen Bayly and occupational therapist Simone Russell about their experience of retraining the brain.

Stroke Foundation #1 - Neuroplasticity

For anyone who’s had a stroke, one of the biggest fears is whether it will happen again. We speak to general practitioner and author Dr Bill Williams, stroke survivor Nikki Mennel and occupational therapist Simone Russell about how not to let that anxiety hold you back. And with Australia’s Biggest Blood Pressure Check underway, we discuss what you can do to reduce your risk.

Stroke Foundation #2 - Fear of a second stroke

People often associate stroke with muscle weakness. After all, that’s one of the F.A.S.T. signs. But after a stroke you can sometimes find your muscles are too tight, leading to stiffness in your legs, arms and fingers. This is what is known as spasticity, and it can cause spasms, it can affect your limb positions and it can be painful.

Stroke Foundation #3 - Spasticity

Fatigue is one of the biggest disabilities that stroke survivors face. It’s more than just regular tiredness that can be relieved by a good night’s sleep. Fatigue can hold back your recovery and keep you from getting your life back to normal. It’s also an invisible disability, meaning it can be hard to get support. But there are things that can be done: we look at the latest research evidence and advice about dealing with post-stroke fatigue.

Stroke Foundation #4 - Fatigue

Communication is a very important part of life. This means that losing the ability to speak can have very big impact. About one-third of stroke survivors have speech and language problems, such as aphasia.

In this podcast, we talk about what it's like living with a communication disorder and what can be done to help.

Stroke Foundation #5 - Aphasia

Stroke doesn't discriminate, and we're hearing more and more about young people having strokes. When you're younger you can experience the same physical effects, but the impact on your life can be very different. The nice, smooth path that you've mapped out can drastically change course.

In this episode, we talk about what it's like to have a stroke in your 20s and 30s, and to have to set a new path towards goals like a career and relationships. And to deal with invisible stroke impacts while trying not to become invisible yourself.

Our guests are Ali Earley, a young stroke survivor, former nurse and now Stroke Foundation volunteer; Assoc. Prof. Maree Hackett from the George Institute, who has researched the psychological and social factors affecting young stroke survivors; and Lisa Mangwiro from StrokeLine.

Stroke Foundation #2 - Fear of a second stroke

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