Stroke In New Zealand June 2002

LIVING WITH STROKE IN

NEW ZEALAND

By David Ray

June 2002

Autumn is slowly moving into winter with the nights getting seemingly longer and the days colder. Since my last report our Stroke Club has met twice. First we had a session with a dietician who gave us some very useful tips for healthy living. So many of our members are elderly and live alone. They welcome the very practical advice on healthy eating. We were told that healthy eating does not mean giving up those little treats. It is important to exercise restraint when temptation comes our way. The session took the form of seeking questions from members. This allowed them to have their queries answered. Just having the speaker put her views across could possibly stop stroke victims from having their own concerns addressed.

Two weeks later we had a most interesting talk by one of New Zealand's well-known actors. Grant Tilly has appeared in many New Zealand plays, television productions and films. He gave an talk on his life as an actor. He covered many productions, which were very well known to our members. Craig also brought along examples of his handwork that is not only his hobby but is also a source of extra income. He makes wooden ornamental storage boxes, beautifully designed, crafted and hand made. They are intricate, funky in a way and make very desirable presents for birthdays, Christmas or some other suitable occasion.

I have written about the chap who lives next door to my wife and myself who had a very bad stroke some years ago. His son and his wife live in Christchurch and rear Llamas as a profitable hobby. Last weekend they traveled up to Wellington from Christchurch, crossing Cook Strait in the inter-island ferry. They spent the night in our neighbour's yard. The next day they took them up to a farm in the Wairarapa district. Before they left for the Wairarapa, the Llamas were taken for a walk along the beachfront outside our house and naturally attracted much attention. Llamas are gentle creatures and their large soulful eyes are beautiful. You can see two of them, together with one of their sons, on their website www.llama.co.nz.

All around the neighbourhood there is a frenzy of gardening, preparing for winter. Leaves have to be swept up and placed into compost bins, the soil dug over and spring bulbs sown so that we can all have a wonderful and colourful display in the spring. Even though I have had a stroke I can help my wife in pulling out weeds (but hiding any desirable plants that I pull out by mistake) and do many other chores. This is great therapy as I work strenuously just thinking about nothing in particular. As I finish this the sun is shining brightly - I think I will go and sit outside for a while. Until next month, take care everyone - goodbye from New Zealand.

The Stroke Network, Inc.

P.O. Box 492 Abingdon, Maryland 21009