Weekly club a lifeline to survivors of stroke<\/p>\n
JAKARTA (JP): If experience is the best teacher, then Berry
\nTanukusuma is the most fitting person to lead the Indonesian
\nStroke Club at Cipto Mangunkusumo Hospital.<\/p>\n
As club president, Berry has come a long way on his journey of
\nregaining independence since his stroke in 1986. He was 46 years
\nold then, and working at state oil company Pertamina.<\/p>\n
\"My biggest problem was I couldn't speak at all, and I had to
\ngo to a speech therapist, but I was also paralyzed on the left
\nside of my body,\" he said.<\/p>\n
Even after he completed therapy it was still difficult, but
\nBerry got through by \"singing popular songs at every opportunity\"
\nand reviving his amateur radio hobby.<\/p>\n
\"I could contact every member I wanted to meet and that made
\nme use my speech.\"<\/p>\n
He credits his singing with helping him get his speech back,
\nand he continues to this day.<\/p>\n
Dr. H. Suhardi, the secretary of the Indonesian Stroke
\nFoundation, said a multidiscipline approach was needed to help
\npatients live with their problems and to cope with their erratic
\nemotions due to stroke.<\/p>\n
To facilitate that need, the stroke club was started at
\nseveral hospitals, where patients could gather to exercise, share
\nexperiences and motivate one another to find quicker
\nindependence.<\/p>\n
\"That's really important: The patients should not be in a
\ndependent situation for a long time as that starts depression or
\nother problems,\" Suhardi said.<\/p>\n
The club is also open to family members of survivors.<\/p>\n
There are 10 clubs at various hospitals around Jakarta
\nboasting a combined membership of over 1,000 stroke patients,
\nwith neurologists, physiotherapists, speech therapists,
\ndietitians and cardiologists on hand to help them, depending on
\ntheir individual needs.<\/p>\n
Psychiatrists and psychologists are also ready to give support
\nto families as well as patients.<\/p>\n
Dr. Hardhi Pranata, a neurologist at Gatot Soebroto Army
\nHospital, said a speech therapist, one who knows the patient's
\nnative tongue, is needed to improve their ability to communicate,
\nas it motivates the patient to be independent.<\/p>\n
Since paralysis is almost always involved, a physiotherapist
\nwill help a patient with controlling their movements, aiding them
\nto learn how to get up, gain coordination and manage their
\nactivities of daily living again.<\/p>\n
Suhardi said the club also provides information on how to
\nprevent secondary attacks, as once a patient has had a stroke,
\nthey could easily have another one.<\/p>\n
Hardhi added that survivors were six times more likely to have
\nanother stroke than someone who has not had one yet.<\/p>\n
But patients need that family support, both emotionally and
\nphysically.<\/p>\n
\"We must educate the family on suitable emotional responses
\nfor the patients and their anger, and to help solve any problems
\nbecause it's all very normal,\" Suhardi said.<\/p>\n
At Cipto Mangunkusumo Hospital in Central Jakarta, about 30 to
\n40 active members of the 400 who are enrolled in the club meet
\nweekly to exercise and spend time with each other.<\/p>\n
For Syahrul, 71, the exercises and his friends were essential
\nfor him to regain his health since he joined six years ago.<\/p>\n
\"Gathering with my friends has been my good therapy -- not
\nmedicine!\"<\/p>\n
Depression is still a problem for Toerino, 74, who is the
\nchief of the stroke club at the hospital, 12 years on.<\/p>\n
\"I always have to take things slowly,\" he said, adding that
\nhis wife, children and friends were the main source of his moral
\nsupport.<\/p>\n
Unfortunately, there is no suitable public transportation for
\nhandicapped participants to reach the hospital, and that is the
\nmain problem preventing a higher turnout for the sessions, one
\nmember, Liswar Saybi, 56, said.<\/p>\n
Yet every Thursday morning, Liswar, Berry, Syahrul and Toerino
\nmanage to make their way to the hospital to faithfully take part
\nin their exercises, but more importantly to enjoy a social outing
\ntogether and provide support for one another.<\/p>\n
Berry said he wanted people who have just had a stroke to know
\nthat it is important not to give up.<\/p>\n
\"It's OK to lose your health, but don't ever lose your
\nspirit.\" (Maria Kegel)<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/weekly-club-a-lifeline-to-survivors-of-stroke-1447893297",
"image": ""
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"sponsor": "Okusi Associates",
"sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com"
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