South Asian community urged to get involved
THE Stroke Association is calling on all South Asian stroke survivors in the UK to take part in a national survey.
The Daily Life Survey will run until December 1st 2011 and will help to show what life is like for Britain’s stroke survivors.
Stroke is the third biggest killer and the leading cause of adult disability in the UK affecting around 150,000 people every year. There are around 1.1 million people in the UK who have suffered a stroke.
People from South Asian Communities are at greater risk of stroke. The reasons for this are not fully understood but conditions such as high blood pressure and diabetes which can help cause a stroke are more common in these communities.
Stroke survivor, Rakesh Ramanlal Shah, 51, had a stroke in 2006 while in Mumbai but was lucky enough to make a full recovery. He said: “My stroke came as a complete shock to me. I woke up one morning with no speech, not knowing what my right hand was doing and a sharp pain behind my left eye. I honestly thought I was too young to have a stroke!
“I would urge all stroke survivors to fill out the Daily Life Survey. It is very important for stroke survivors to let people know what challenges and difficulties they face so that appropriate solutions can be introduced.”
The Daily Life Survey will help The Stroke Association understand how changes to public services like health, social care, benefits and housing are having an impact on the lives of people affected by stroke and their families.
Joe Korner, Director of Communications at The Stroke Association, said: “More people are surviving their stroke, this means that more of us are living with the effects of stroke in our daily lives.
“The Daily Life Survey will be an important tool in helping The Stroke Association to better understand the challenges stroke survivors face.”
A copy of the Daily Life Survey can be found at www.stroke.org.uk/dailylife or you can contact: 0303 3033 100
