Stroke survivor and avid lawn bowler, Janice has not let her stroke put her at a disadvantage.
The Ladies Club champion had the opportunity to keep up her passion for the sport when she heard that she could participate in carpet bowls as part of the Stroke Rehabilitation Program at Golf Links Road Rehabilitation Centre.
“Being able to play carpet bowls brought fun to rehab because it was my sport,” says Janice. “I would play for 15 minutes, and it was an exciting way to end the day.”
Designed to engage and enhance movement, the intervention is a meaningful way to regain strength in the arms that are often left weak after a stroke.
Janice first realised that she was experiencing a stroke when the right side of her body had become weak, and her face had begun to droop. She was taken by ambulance to Frankston Hospital where she spent three days being cared for by staff.
“I then went to Golf Links Road Rehabilitation, and with my right hand I could actually touch all my fingers with my thumb,” says Janice. “A couple of days later I couldn’t, so I had to go back into hospital.”
After an MRI revealed no further warning signs, Janice joined the eight-week Stroke Rehabilitation Program, where she recovered as an in inpatient at Golf Links Road. There, she experienced special access to rehabilitation services including pool and gym.
“The people were good,” she adds, “Everyone was extremely welcoming, their humour and light-heartedness made me feel comfortable in a foreign environment — they made rehab fun.”
Help others to keep enjoying life too by sharing the F.A.S.T. (Face, Arms, Speech, Time) signs of stroke with your family and friends. If you or someone you know experiences the signs of stroke, call triple zero (000) immediately.