05/09/2005

Charity calls for employers' help with stroke victims

Northern Ireland’s top stroke charity has appealed to employers to have more consideration for younger people who have had a stroke.

The Northern Ireland Chest, Heart and Stroke Association (NICHS) said more and more people under the age of 60 were suffering strokes - with one of the biggest problems being getting back to work.

The charity’s Director of Health, Myrtle Neill, said: “Most people in Northern Ireland don’t appreciate the seriousness of stroke in younger people. It involves loss of earnings, loss of self-esteem, depression, and the knowledge that you are in a club whose members are often 30 years older than yourself.

“We are doing all we can, with several projects aimed at helping young stroke survivors, but nothing will change unless society adapts its attitude.

“Young stroke survivors have a great deal to contribute, but not enough people or employers recognise that. If you could imagine that everyone you meet during the course of a day assumes that you have been drinking, then you have about ten per cent understanding of what it’s like to be a stroke survivor.”

The NICHSA runs stroke services throughout Northern Ireland, including three pioneering projects for younger sufferers.

The Association’s Stroke Awareness Week, from 5 to 9 September, is designed to alert people to the difficulties of the condition.

(MB/SP)

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