Stroke victims shouldn't isolate themselves after their stroke, Stroke Recovery Association coordinator Barbara Park said.
Park helps organize weekly stroke group meetings at the Duncan Seniors' Centre, which take place every Monday, from 10 a.m. to noon.
She'd like to see Cowichan Lake area residents attend the meetings.
"I don't believe there is a group in town, and people have strokes here, too," she said.
The weekly group began last spring, and includes things like speech therapy and socialization among people who have had a stroke.
"It utterly changes your life," Park said, of having a stroke. "Things you did with confidence, you can no longer do after a stroke."
But, she added, "There is a life after your stroke, and you recover."
There's a distinct difference between the Stroke Recovery Association and the better-known Heart and Stroke Association.
"Heart and Stroke is a well-known association, but their mandate is education and prevention," Park said. "Our mandate is to provide service to people who have been affected by strokes. Our mandate is to help people get back on their feet. We don't want people to be isolated in their homes."
There is quite a gap between initial post-stroke hospital care and recovery, she said, though the Cowichan District Hospital has begun referring patients to the association.
It would be nice to see a group of Cowichan Lake area residents carpool to Duncan every Monday, she said, adding that she'd like to see a volunteer come forward to drive a group out every week.
For more on the group, Park can be contacted at 250-246-4952.