Testimonial 1 I started at WAGS approximately 2 months after leaving Wyong Rehab and have thoroughly enjoyed everything about the organization. Originally I thought there would be many people my age of approximately 50 years but I found I was one of the youngest persons attending which at first was off-putting but as soon as I got to know the lovely people at WAGS I was very comfortable and found out all about the trials and tribulations of both post stroke and carer persons. Both groups of people have very different dilemmas and issues and problems. As a single person looking at all stroke situations, my view is the carer suffers almost as much as the victim i.e. the carer usually sees the stroke take its heavy toll in most cases, then goes through the grey time of no idea how Or what is going to transpire, then the incredibly slow recovery if any at first and at all times having to stay positive and give all support to the equally Unknowing victim who must be extremely daunting as the carer has to still carry on with general daily life and problems. One-minute life changes from Normality too sheer stress and terror for both victim and carer. At WAGS these people have one great luxury that is to gain incredible support from people who are going through the very same traumas and the genuine love and support is very emotionally received and appreciated in ways, which are extremely hard to explain. Sufficient to say all WAGS members are unknowing Councilors that due to their own experiences can help new members both victims and carers just by talking of any problem or questions that need to be said. Also at WAGS there is a wealth of information on post stoke aids i.e. house cleaning, meals, other support groups, doctors and physics and social workers. WAGS also have outings, which are usually well attended, and as a group of peoples with obvious disabilities other people seem to admire a group of people just tiring to enjoy their lives. And within the WAGS the new members seem to hold themselves up more so than if they were alone. At the meeting we have once a month we introduce new members, which sometimes can be very gut wrenching, and discuss the outing and the month just Gone and upcoming event and of course any happy events. Also if anyone would like to say anything at all they can have the floor. Most meetings we laugh Very hard as a group and this medicine is fantastic for all and sundry. Finally, WAGS is a diverse group of people thrown together by the misfortune of stroke but in my experience of social groups, these people have no arguments Fights or bitchiness, which is very much shown by the dedication in just getting on with, the cards dealt to them. WAGS is a fantastic tool to aid stroke recovery and hopefully will soon all persons involved with stroke encourage a natural post stroke activity. Measuring the severity of strokes is only for people that have no idea of lose of dignity, Lose of self esteem and lose of respect, in other words, only stroke victims understand how they feel and the hard road to recovery, if any. Hope this is some help to you your immenseness. |