Stephen McAloon, Nuala White, FDC Chairman Bert Johnston and Grace Maguire with a cake donated by Wilkins Bakery
A FERMANAGH man who had a stroke five years ago has been instrumental in setting up a local support group for stroke survivors.
Stephen McAloon was involved in setting up the Fermanagh stroke support group at the end of January this year and the group recently held a volunteer’s day to recognise the good work of their volunteers during volunteer week (June 1 – 7).
“I had a stroke five years ago but I have made a good recovery, although I didn’t make it back to work.
“The stroke left me paralysed down my entire left hand side and I was in a wheelchair for a couple of months but with a lot of hard work with the physio I regained the power and the ability to walk.”
Stephen said after he suffered the stroke he discovered the nearest support group was in Omagh, and he realised it wasn’t convenient for people to travel to Omagh so he asked if a group could be set up in Fermanagh.
Stephen, who is chairman of the Fermanagh Stroke support group, said about twenty people now regularly attend the group’s meeting, and this has continued to grow since inception – there was only one at the first meeting, he recalls.
The group meets in Fermanagh House in Enniskillen every Tuesday (11am-1pm) and organises a range of activities for members including social events and talks.
“We try to get away from just sitting around and talking to each other on a weekly basis.”
However, he points out that not everyone who is part of the group is able to attend meetings, and Stephen regularly visits people in their homes.
“We have a fairly young group – six people are in their early 40s and one is under 40. And a girl in the Omagh group is just 20.
Stephen said most of those who suffer strokes the cause is down to ‘pure pressure’.
“I was 54 when I had mine and it was down to pressure and stress.”
Although supported by the Stroke Association the group is self-funding and recently held a fundraiser at Castle Hume Golf Club where chef Noel McMeel put on a cooking demonstration.
This was a joint fundraiser with Parkinson’s Society and a total of £2,000 was raised.
With money the group raise they spend it on the group, bringing professionals like speech therapists in to work with the group.
The Stroke Association, the only UK wide charity solely dedicated to combating stroke in people of all ages, is in need of volunteers in the Fermanagh area to work as part of a communication skills development programme for stroke survivors.
Mr McAloon said: “We rely on our volunteers to help us provide support to the thousands of stroke survivors across Northern Ireland.
The Stroke Association Stage 3 communication support volunteer will assist group members in activities and social events during weekly meetings.
Volunteers are needed to assist with a range of activities.
Other aspects of the role include spending time listening to and supporting group members, as required; to assist group members in becoming more independent as well as to present a positive image of the Stroke Association and its work.
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