Priscilla Symes and Sally Allen with their awards.
Camera IconPriscilla Symes and Sally Allen with their awards. Credit: Supplied/Emma Reeves

Big award for stroke group

Margaret Price, Joondalup WeekenderWanneroo Times

President Priscilla Symes, herself a stroke survivor, accepted the award from Premier Colin Barnett at Sunday’s Australia Day celebrations.

Late last year, group co-ordinator Sally Allen won the National Stroke Foundation’s 2013 Improving Life after Stroke Award.

‘We were absolutely thrilled, it’s a great honour,’ Mrs Allen said of the latest award given for the group’s support and encouragement of stoke victims.

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Royal Perth and Sir Charles Gairdner hospitals, and Joondalup Health Campus, refer patients to the volunteer-run support group, which has about 100 members.

‘Some of these patients lose the ability to walk or talk, others suffer epilepsy, memory loss and depression,’ the citation said. ‘Husbands, wives and children become carers ” a role they know nothing about.

‘The group shows its members there is life after stroke.

Mrs Symes, who improved significantly since a stroke about 15 years ago, said winning was fabulous.

‘I knew we’d been nominated, which was a thrill, but to win and having the Premier present it on Australia Day was very special,’ she said.