
Dedicated to Reconnection after Stroke
Welcome to “A Head of Stroke” a New Zealand blog, website & connection dedicated to those affected by Stroke re-contributing to their community.
Having taken the time to research the literature on Stroke, I found that much of the existing literature on the impact of major life trauma such as stroke and its relationship to work is written from an expert point of view.
It focuses on either the factors that contribute to an individual’s ability to return to work or on the ways in which experts can facilitate return to work. There is a particular focus on assessment and rehabilitation. There is less evidence from the survivors’ point of view, of factors that motivate them to return to work; their own assessment of the feasibility; opportunities for returning to work; the meaning and importance of work or their experiences of returning to work.

If rehabilitation services are to be person-centred it is important that they are based on and take into account the personal experiences of individuals who have survived a stroke. Without these insights it is likely that important factors which influence recovery from stroke will be missed and therefore efforts to help individuals who have had a stroke may not meet their needs and aspirations.
A study conducted by an International Stroke Association in the UK; emphasised the needs of the Forgotten Stroke Survivor. They found that an alarming rate a stroke survivors were not receiving the proper long-term information on rehabilitation and recovery after a stroke.
Is the same situation true in New Zealand?