Helping stroke victims cope

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Stroke survivors Mark Batters and Nicole Karow volunteer at the Stroke Recovery Association of Manitoba to help others recover from the illness. (MIKE.APORIUS@FREEPRESS.MB.CA)

Nicole Karow was just 38 years old when she experienced a devastating and life-threatening stroke. A mother to two children, she spent more than two months in the hospital recovering, learning how to walk, talk and eat again.

Following her stroke, she found help through the Stroke Recovery Association of Manitoba, an agency which assists stroke survivors by providing resources, peer support and activities for those recovering. Now, just four years later, Karow has a new lease on life, volunteering with the small non-profit organization that helped her so much.

At least twice each week she donates her time to do reception work and help clients during their visits to the agency. She also speaks on the agency's speaker's bureau, telling her story to other stroke survivors at Riverview Health Centre and providing information on the Stroke Recovery Association to them. She said the agency has become one of the best parts of her life, helping her to not only recover, but also to make new friends.

"This is my family now. This is where I stay out of trouble. I absolutely love it here," explained Karow, a St. Vital resident and new grandmother.

It was at the agency where she met fellow volunteer Mark Batters, whom she calls her best friend and supporter. Like her, he suffered a massive stroke and sought assistance from the organization, later becoming a volunteer because he believed so strongly in the services it provides. Spending almost every day volunteering at the organization, he said he has found great satisfaction in being able to help others.

"Some people may ask me, 'Why are you here so much? Have you got nothing better to do?' You can do a lot of things in life and make a lot of money, or you can do something like this where it's infinitely more meaningful. You impact people's lives literally every day and there's nothing that can top that. It's a very fulfilling," said Batters, 51, who serves on the agency's board of directors.

A construction worker before his stroke, he says he finds joy in helping people regain their lives after a stroke -- particularly the younger survivors. As a volunteer, he facilitates a support group for young stroke survivors.

"If you're a stroke survivor, you've been through a very traumatic thing. It's literally life-changing, but it doesn't mean that your life comes to an end -- it just changes a little bit," said Batters, a North Kildonan resident.

It is estimated that each year 50,000 strokes occur in Canada and that there are currently about 300,000 Canadians living with the effects of a stroke.

If you would like more information or would like to become a Stroke Recovery Association of Manitoba volunteer, please call 942-2880. More information can also be found at www.strokerecovery.ca.

The Stroke Recovery Association of Manitoba accepts volunteers in a number of areas, including as speakers for the organization's speakers bureau, and peer support group facilitators. Volunteers can also assist with office jobs, telephone reception and special events.

If you know a special volunteer who strives to make their community a better place to live, please contact Erin Madden at erinmadden@shaw.ca

Republished from the Winnipeg Free Press print edition July 6, 2009 B2