At Completely different Strokes, we’re delighted to share an inspiring interview with Jim Currie, a devoted stroke survivor and the coordinator of the Whitstable Completely different Strokes Group.
Jim has been a useful a part of our neighborhood for over 17 years, bringing hope and assist to many stroke survivors.
This 12 months, as he approaches his seventieth birthday on July twenty sixth, Jim is marking this milestone with a collection of unimaginable fundraising challenges to assist his native group.
His journey from a stroke survivor to an advocate and volunteer highlights the defining spirit of Completely different Strokes.
We invite you to examine Jim’s experiences, his contributions, and his formidable fundraising targets.
How lengthy have I been concerned in Completely different Strokes?
I’ve been concerned with Completely different Strokes, over 17 years. I suffered two strokes in 2006 1st in August and 2nd in November aged 51 years, I used to be in the course of coaching for the New York marathon after I had my first stroke.
What roles have you ever undertaken as a volunteer on this time?
Moreover being a coordinator for Completely different Strokes assist teams, I’ve been concerned with many tasks regarding stroke. A few of these tasks embrace:
I used to be on the Bexley Stroke medical spherical desk Commissioning Group.I used to be a member of the stroke panel for the Princess Royal College hospital when it was to change into a HASU.I used to be one of many first stroke survivors to be on the UK Stroke Discussion board (UKSF) which I used to be a member of for 3 years.
Throughout that three years I used to be invited to hitch different tasks by members of the discussion board in varied elements of the nation and I nonetheless do to today.
I’ve additionally been invited to provide talks about the way it feels to be a stoke survivor and run workshops
What impressed you to change into concerned in Completely different Strokes?
I first heard about Completely different strokes in 2007 from my spouse who was instructed about Completely different Stroke by one among her work colleagues.
I had a glance on their web site and thought ‘Sure’ it is a web site / group I might fortunately be capable of join with as different websites I had checked out weren’t for me.
There have been no Completely different Strokes teams within the space I lived in (Sidcup, South East London). The closest one was in Central London on the YMCA and the coordinator is Jeffy Wong, so I went together with my spouse as I used to be not in a position/able to travelling by myself YET!
That is the place I met the stunning Jeffy and his great group who made me so welcome. Now I realised I used to be not alone.
I attended the group after I might, nevertheless it was a little bit of a journey. So I phoned Completely different Strokes head workplace and requested why there wasn’t a gaggle in my space, the reply was ‘sorry we simply don’t’, however i merely requested ‘can I set one up?’ and so they stated ‘sure’ – the remainder was historical past! That’s how the London South East group Bexleyheath began, which I used to be the coordinator for about 10 years together with the assistance of the incredible individuals and their household and buddies who supported the group.
I left the group as we had been seeking to transfer home to the seaside and we ended up in Tankerton, Whitstable.
On my transfer to Tankerton I met a couple of individuals who had suffered a stroke and thru chatting with them I contacted Completely different Strokes and requested how they felt about me beginning one other group right here in Whitstable and so they stated ‘sure’.
As most coordinators are conscious it’s not simple to arrange a gaggle as there are a couple of hurdles alongside the best way however with a little bit of willpower you may get there, and so the Whitstable group began within the Umbrella Neighborhood Centre, Oxford St, Whitstable and meets each 1st and third Thursday of every month from 2-4pm
How did stroke influence your life?
In varied methods, my first ideas had been how and why did this occur?
Previous to my first stroke I had by no means been sick. I had served within the Navy and within the Police Service, the ironic half two weeks earlier than my stroke I had a medical test by the police and handed with flying colors, then two weeks later I’m in A&E having a stroke and to high all of it I used to be in the course of coaching for the New York marathon.
The influence on my life was like most of us traumatic, I had issue with my speech, I had a weak proper aspect, my cognitive talents had been shot to items – studying/writing/comprehension/steadiness/partially sighted/confused/indignant/felt alone.
I wasn’t a pleasant particular person to be round my character had modified I used to be indignant, why did this occur to me. My household took the brunt of this however they may not have been extra supportive of me and this I thank them from the underside of my coronary heart, if it wasn’t for them I don’t know the place I might be now.
As a serving police officer I needed to get again to work that was my objective and after six months I did though I used to be workplace certain, it didn’t final I used to be having difficulties in day after day duties after which I used to be off work for almost 12 months. I went again and located I used to be nonetheless fighting sure duties that’s when the realisation got here in, it was time to retire which I did.
By this time I had began the Completely different Strokes group in Bexleyheath. I then decided throughout this time to go to college and examine for my grasp’s diploma in Therapeutic Counselling.
This wasn’t a simple resolution and happened on how greatest I might assist others and their households who’ve had a stroke.
I used to be being requested for assist / steerage on take care of or come to phrases with having a stroke and the way it impacts not simply the stroke survivor however their household and buddies and so I started a 3 12 months counselling journey.
It wasn’t simple and at instances I needed to surrender however with the assistance of my household, buddies and my very own cussed willpower I succeeded. It’s not what you may’t do it’s what you may.
What’s the most important rewards of being a gaggle coordinator
I used to be motivated to begin the group after visiting Jeffy’s group and seeing the nice that it does.
One of many biggest rewards of being a gaggle coordinator is the stroke survivors you meet from all walks of life and their nice willpower to get on with their life in one of the best ways they will and to find abilities and expertise they by no means knew they’d.
Additionally, to satisfy individuals who with their complete coronary heart wish to make a distinction for the stroke survivor and the family members even at instances we expect they don’t! It’s what retains me going. The one factor we must always always remember is the unsung heroes our carers.
How vital is fundraising for what you do?
Fundraising is essential for a teams sustainability as a result of we’re self funding and we’d like these funds to maintain us going with the good work we do for one another.
Being concerned in fundraising is a technique for a gaggle to bond collectively and to share their concepts and ideas on fundraise you’ll be stunned at among the incredible / loopy concepts that come up from sponsored walks, runs, style reveals, quizzes, craft work and portray exhibitions together with summer season and Christmas craft festivals.
You can be stunned at how many individuals will wish to aid you, all you need to do is ask. You may additionally have a whizz within the group that may apply for grants from varied sources or a member of their household or good friend. On the finish of the day it must be enjoyable and to get pleasure from it.
How does the neighborhood reply to your fundraising campaigns?
The neighborhood responds very generously to our fundraising efforts both by publicising it on varied social media websites, making posters, volunteering to assist at an occasion or donating money, items, making objects to promote at craft festivals or simply wishing us luck.
I discussed in the beginning, this 12 months I have fun my seventieth birthday and to mark it I’ve given myself a couple of wee challenges…1) 10k run (accomplished in March), 2) Half marathon on sixth July, and three) 70 mile stroll in 7 days twelfth July.
What’s the significance of elevating consciousness about stroke and youthful stroke survivors?
There are a selection of campaigns on the market concerning the consciousness of stroke particularly on tv just like the FAST provides however then these provides story off then there’s a lull. What occurs subsequent the place is the continuity how will we preserve it rolling. When was the final time you heard a stroke add on radio?
Or go into your native GP’s surgical procedure and noticed a stroke leaflet or poster… in my space they won’t permit me to go away leaflets or Completely different Strokes info posters in any of the surgical procedures or pressing care centre. Requested why, provided that it has an NHS official brand on it! So how will we do it…social media on varied platforms, youth teams, sports activities and leisure centres, religion teams…we have now to be ingenious not all younger individuals are sitting at house watching TV when the quick add comes on and doubtless gained’t take any discover as some really feel it’s not directed at them (older individuals) If doable getting on the market to satisfy them in their very own house (Younger stoke champions) Assume exterior the field. Final however not least clinicians additionally must be conscious that strokes occur in youthful individuals and to not assume the signs they’re displaying just isn’t a stoke due to their age.
What are you most pleased with?
That’s simple, my spouse and household and the good, great and vibrant individuals who I’ve met on my stroke journey.
This contains stroke survivors, their household and buddies and the clinicians who’ve taken care of us and for Completely different Strokes for being there and the good work they do for younger stroke survivors
My piece of recommendation: just don’t surrender, push that little bit additional and you can be stunned at what you are able to do.
Finish of interview
We lengthen our heartfelt congratulations and deepest gratitude to Jim for his unwavering dedication and noteworthy efforts.
His ardour for supporting fellow stroke survivors and elevating consciousness is really inspiring. Jim’s dedication to fundraising for the Whitstable Completely different Strokes Group will guarantee continued assist for stroke survivors by important actions and sources.
We encourage everybody to assist Jim in his endeavors and assist make a distinction within the lives of youthful stroke survivors.
Thanks, Jim, for being a unprecedented ambassador for Completely different Strokes and for demonstrating the ability of perseverance and neighborhood.
Click on right here to donate to Jim’s fundraiser
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