Читать книгу Standing Up - Vicki Steggall - Страница 8

Preface

This story gives a compelling insight into the effects of a major stroke that strikes down a vibrant businesswoman, mother and grandmother and her amazing recovery.

Kathleen Jordan, with Vicki Steggall, recounts her stroke journey through the acute trauma, the stroke ward, short and long-term rehabilitation units and, finally, her return to semi-normalcy and everyday life.

There are numerous lessons for every reader in this accessible, emotional and raw story of triumph over adversity.

Standing Up! offers a unique and privileged view of the treating medical staff, the amazing nurses and allied health professionals and, above all, what an extended but close family and friendship network can do to rehabilitate their loved one.

Advocacy, determination and constant belief shine through. The sheer tenacity of the patient in confronting and conquering the challenges of stroke requires an extraordinary sense of self-belief, founded on core values and working with professional advice.

As Kathleen is recovering, she shares with the reader her personal anguish at the loss of her parents and, tragically, her daughter to cancer.

The second part of this story provides a framework of the literature and resources available to support stroke survivors and their carers. Kathleen’s international experience with leadership coaching and consulting bears directly on the techniques she offers, with simple, effective ideas and quotations that will stir your soul.

In closing, to have worked with Kathleen in her former capacity on the board of a major medical research unit and now to have followed her stroke journey is a unique privilege which reinforces the need for the community to know more about stroke, that is preventable, treatable and beatable.

Kathleen is a heroine and her story must be read.

Professor James Angus AO

President, National Stroke Foundation