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Stroke Foundation

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Stroke Foundation

The Stroke Foundation partners with the community to prevent stroke, save lives and enhance recovery.
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We do this through raising awareness, facilitating research and supporting stroke survivors.

18/07/2025

Alert: Media call out!
Stroke Week is just around the corner (August 4–10). This is a fantastic chance for the Stroke Foundation to shine a light on stroke awareness and help educate Australians about the signs, risks, and impact of stroke.
As part of this important week, we’re inviting anyone who would like to share their story with the media to get involved.
Here’s how you can take part:
Email us a brief outline of your story, along with your name and location, at media@strokefoundation.org.au or private message here.
One of our friendly media team members will be in touch for a quick chat.
From there, we’ll either prepare a media release to share your story with local outlets or add you to a list of willing participants for any media opportunities that come up during Stroke Week.
Your experience could inspire and educate so many people. Thank you for considering sharing it with us. - Media team (Alex, Roman and Farrah).
Photo: Thank you to Joel who shared his experience for

17/07/2025

From Duncan, "In 2016, I was in a hospital bed, unable to walk, needing help just to get to the toilet. I’d just been allocated a motorised wheelchair to help me get to physio sessions. That moment, sitting there with my three children beside me, was a turning point. The thought of being stuck using a wheelchair lit a fire in me. I wanted more for myself and for them.

Upon reflection, one of the things I did was change the language I used around myself and my stroke. I was conscious not to use the word victim for myself. I survived a stroke, which was bloody hard graft.

I used and still use that word intentionally - survived. Because for me saying I was a victim felt passive. Saying “I survived a stroke” changed my perspective. It reminds me, and others, that I’ve overcome something life-altering.

Recovery hasn’t been easy, but it’s been a journey of rebuilding, not just physically, but mentally and emotionally. One of the most helpful things I’ve learned is to set big goals, goals that scare me a little, but I break them down into smaller, achievable steps. I celebrate the little wins along the way. Even if the big goal shifts, I find the progress you make builds your confidence and gives you something to focus on.

One of those big goals for me? Earning a black belt in Aikido.

Two years ago, I stepped into a dojo for the first time. Aikido, a Japanese martial art, has been incredible for me both physically and mentally. It’s structured, philosophical, and steeped in discipline and etiquette. That structure gives me a sense of direction, and working toward each new belt rank, four tips at a time gives me purpose. I’ve now reached the Intermediate Green Belt, and I’ve even started coaching kids at the Dojo.

I won’t lie, when I started, the idea of getting a black belt felt wild, especially considering where I was a few years ago. I may not hit my original goal of achieving it before my 10-year stroke anniversary in July 2026, but that’s OK. It’s not just about the belt anymore. It’s about enjoying the process, committing to self-improvement, and showing up for myself.

As I approach nine years since my stroke, it’s a good moment to look back and take stock. I’m driving again. I live independently. I’m about to move in with my new partner. Something I never could have imagined in 2019 when I was admitted to the hospital with severe depression. I’d sold my house, my marriage had ended, and I was in a very dark place.

I can’t stress this enough: please reach out for help if you’re struggling with your mental health. There’s no shame in it. Thankfully, the stigma around depression is shifting, and there’s more support available now. Asking for help saved my life in more ways than one.

People sometimes tell me how far I’ve come. But the truth is, it took me a while to see it myself. When you’re in the middle of “the fight”, progress can feel slow or invisible. But when I look back now, I can honestly say I’ve come a long way. And while there’s still a road ahead, I finally feel like I’m on the right track.

If you’re reading this and you’ve survived a stroke, or you’re supporting someone who has, please know this; there is hope.

Try something new, step outside your comfort zone, and set a goal that matters to you. Even if the path changes, the journey itself will move you forward.

Reading other survivors’ stories gave me hope. I hope mine does the same.

16/07/2025

Our latest Research: Advancing the Fight Against Stroke webinar shines a spotlight on the Stroke Foundation’s vital research efforts. Thanks to the generosity of our supporters, seed grants are driving breakthroughs and opening doors to even more funding for life-changing projects.
Link to watch: https://youtu.be/13GQn4cS67k (YouTube - 43 mins))

Stroke Foundation CEO Dr Lisa Murphy was joined by an inspiring panel:
Dr Jade Dignam, recipient of the 2022 Lady Marigold Southey Aphasia Research Grant (University of Queensland)
Associate Professor Kate Hayward, Departments of Physiotherapy and Medicine (University of Melbourne)
Paul Fink, Lived Experience Expert

Together, they explored how research is transforming stroke recovery. For example, the Aphasia Tech Hub team is working to improve access to technology for people living with aphasia. With speech pathologists and people who have lived experience of aphasia collaborating side by side, the team is passionate about helping others achieve their communication goals.

Thank you to all the supporters who make this work possible. Your generosity is advancing research that changes lives.

15/07/2025

"Stroke recovery is incredibly tough - especially in the early days.
At first, you have no idea what your outcome will be. There’s so much uncertainty. You’re trying to process what’s happened while hearing worst-case scenarios from doctors and health professionals. Staying positive in that moment felt like a real battle.
But I truly believe my mindset made a difference. Holding onto hope, even when it felt hard, helped me keep moving forward." - Joel
If you’re in the early stages of recovery, be kind to yourself. It’s okay to feel overwhelmed. Just take it one day, one small win at a time.
Hear Joel talk more about his recovery in The TakeAway: https://ow.ly/SFG250WhcTe

14/07/2025

Learning from Māori Research to Improve First Nations Women’s Health - By Dr Katharine Brown
(Thank you to all the fundraising and donor supporters who helped make this happen!)
"I am so grateful to have received a Stroke Foundation Future Leader Grant. This funding gave me an amazing chance to learn and grow in my work. I traveled to Aotearoa New Zealand with a senior Aboriginal Health Practitioner to learn from Māori researchers' ways of mahitahi - Māori way of working together. This experience has helped us improve how we work with Aboriginal women, leading to stronger and more effective programs.

In Aotearoa New Zealand, we spent three days in Auckland at a leading Indigenous heart health centre. There, we saw how Māori and Pasifika women are involved in research and were warmly welcomed by the Heart Foundation NZ. We then traveled to Tauranga and Whakatane, where we spent five days with a Māori health and research team. We visited different healthcare services and learned about their models of care.

This trip has changed the way our team works. Instead of figuring things out on our own, we learned from Māori researchers who have been doing this for a long time. Their knowledge has helped us create programs that are safer and more effective for Aboriginal women, focusing on heart and brain health. We also formed strong connections with our Aotearoa New Zealand colleagues, which has already led to new projects together.

On a personal level, this opportunity has strengthened my relationships within my team and expanded my connections worldwide. Our visit to Aotearoa New Zealand helped create a growing international group focused on Indigenous women’s heart and brain health, including members from Canada. We will continue working together, with a meeting planned in Sydney in June 2025.

I am also working with our Aotearoa New Zealand hosts on a research paper about Indigenous heart and brain health, which could be very important in this field.

The Stroke Foundation Future Leader Grant has changed my career. It has given me the knowledge, connections, and opportunities to grow as an independent researcher. But the impact goes beyond me, it has improved how we work with Aboriginal women and will lead to better health outcomes.

To everyone who supports the Stroke Foundation, thank you! Your generosity makes programs like this possible, helping the next generation of leaders improve stroke and heart health care. Please continue funding the Future Leader Grants - they truly make a difference!

Photo: Katharine Brown, Karrina DeMasi & Aunty Regina Williams at the mahitahi, Heart Foundation NZ, Auckland

11/07/2025

Ten years ago, Ian Baird was told he’d never walk again. This Sunday, he’ll get out of his wheelchair and walk the final kilometre of Run Melbourne, surrounded by his family. (Ian pictured here with his children, Hannah and Angus.)

It’s a powerful milestone that Ian has spent months training for. It shows just how far determination, rehabilitation, and the support of loved ones can carry you.

Since his life-changing stroke in 2015, Ian has faced challenge after challenge. A former builder and farmer, he had to rebuild everything he knew. And he has done exactly that, finding his “new normal” and now raising vital funds so others can find theirs too.

As one of our top fundraisers in this year’s event, Ian isn’t just walking. He’s inspiring all of us. His story is a reminder that recovery is possible, one determined step at a time.

10/07/2025

From Hailey, "In this photo, Mum and I are holding a photo from when I was a little girl.

I had a stroke when I was six years old, more than 25 years ago now. It took a long time to get a diagnosis, and during that whole time, I felt so confused and scared.

I remember having these overwhelming feelings I couldn’t even put into words. I was really terrified. I was a little kid dealing with aphasia, constant fatigue, and balance issues. It was beyond my understanding.

For a while, I felt ashamed of what had happened. I became really frustrated and annoyed with myself.

To make things even harder, the paediatric system at the time wasn’t equipped to deal with childhood stroke. So, most of my treatment happened in adult settings. I remember asking Mum, “Where are the other kids like me?”, and she didn’t have an answer. Which made me feel isolated.

Things changed for me when we found out about Heads Together (Victoria). They run camps for families who have a child with an acquired brain injury, places where you can connect with others and build friendships. I found it a good space to just be myself without the weight of stigma I sometimes felt in the wider community.

It gave me a sounding board and a network to get advice from people 'living ít’ too. I think kids need that kind of support, because as a young person, thinking about your goals can feel really overwhelming.

I needed a place, and I found one.

Now, I’ve got a partner, a stepson, and I work part-time as a disability support worker for young people with mental health challenges and acquired brain injury.

In my spare time, I do a lot of awareness work co designing around brain injury and stroke, and I still volunteer and work for Heads Together.

Growing up, I felt so alone, and that’s not something I want anyone else to go through.

This is what I have learned, I hope it helps other people:

Just know - you’re not alone. There are others out there who get it, especially now with Facebook and support groups.

My family always put me at the centre of decisions. Mum always pushed for the things I cared about most at the time. - "Thanks Mum".

Going back to school wasn’t just about academics, it was about making friends and finding my place again. And we built that game plan together.

At the time of my stroke, there were doubts about whether I’d ever speak again. But I’ve come a long way, thanks to my family’s support and my own determination.

You never know what you can achieve. Just because one medical professional says, “Maybe that’s not a good idea,” doesn’t mean you can’t work toward it as a long-term goal.

You’ll be surprised how much a child will push if they believe in the goal.

My parents never said, “You can’t do that.” They just said it might take a little longer. That was the culture I grew up in. I wasn’t treated differently to my siblings, and that really helped me back myself whenever I was learning something new.

Over time, I’ve learned to accept that these are the cards I’ve been dealt, and I’ve found my own way around the challenges.

I can do everything anyone else can do - I just do it a little differently."

09/07/2025

These aren't just socks. They could save a life.
This National Stroke Week (August 4–10). Wear your support and help spread a life-saving message with our F.A.S.T. socks.
Grab your pair now and help us put the F.A.S.T. message on everyone's radar: https://ow.ly/5Pl450Wm55h
🧦
Every pair is a conversation starter that helps people learn the F.A.S.T. signs of stroke:
Face – Has their mouth drooped?
Arms – Can they lift both arms?
Speech – Is their speech slurred?
Time – Time is critical. Call 000 immediately.
Stroke is always a medical emergency. The faster you act, the better the chance of survival and recovery.
🧦
Keep looking out for your mum, dad, partner, and mates.
Know the signs.
Wear the socks.
Save a life.

08/07/2025

Jennifer’s poem is a powerful reflection on life after stroke; the fear, the frustration, and the quiet strength it takes to keep going. It’s a reminder that even when things look 'fine' on the outside, recovery is an ongoing journey. Read her words below and let them sit with you.

You’ve had a stroke - Four words that change everything.

You've had a stroke. Four words, no more,
But they slam like a sledge on the soul’s quiet floor.
One moment you're fine, then nothing’s the same,
And now every breath feels tethered to shame.

You live in fear of what comes next—
That flutter in flight, that climb up the steps.
A walk too far, a laugh too loud—
Will it strike again, silent and proud?

Did I forget, or never know?
Is this a gap or just life’s ebb and flow?
Is my mind slipping or simply slow?
These answers, elusive, refuse to show.

Sensible shoes—my balance is thin.
A stumble, a sway, a fight I can't win.
The fatigue is a fog that swallows the day,
And no one can see it, but it won't go away.

Did I take my meds? I can’t recall.
Was it morning, or not at all?
The pillbox blinks, accusing and cold—
A daily riddle, a story retold.

They say it was “mild,” not much to see,
But every inch of life changed for me.
I laugh, I talk, I walk the same,
But deep inside, I’m not the same.

Am I senile, or still in repair?
I search for myself, but I'm not quite there.
And still, I rise, though questions remain—
Each day a triumph, each breath through pain.

You've had a stroke—four words, one war.
A battle inside that’s hard to ignore.
But here I stand, though nothing feels right,
Still holding the line, still fighting the fight.

07/07/2025

Nominations Now Open – First Nations Stroke Excellence Award
During , we proudly celebrate the theme The Next Generation: Strength, Vision & Legacy a powerful reminder of the strength and leadership that continues to shape brighter futures across First Nations communities.

As part of the 2025 National Stroke Awards, the First Nations Stroke Excellence Award recognises individuals making a real difference in stroke prevention, treatment, recovery or research within First Nations communities.

This award recognises the tireless work being done by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples to improve stroke outcomes and achieve health equity - work that builds a legacy for generations to come.

Do you know someone who embodies this strength and vision?
These are some of the people who make a real difference:
- survivors of stroke
- carers, family members
- health professionals
- researchers
- advocates

Nominate them today and help us celebrate their impact.
https://strokefoundation.org.au/how-you-can-help/get-involved/stroke-awards
Nominations close Friday 29 August 2025.
Please note, the First Nations Stroke Excellence Award is exclusively for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.

03/07/2025

Michael shares what he calls 'The Mirror effect', which is one of those unexpected moments when your own reaction reflects back just how much life has changed.
“It’s not someone else pointing it out - it’s you, facing yourself. The fear, the frustration, the grief of not being able to do what you once could or explain it in the moment.”
Thank you, Michael, for sharing so openly and reminding us that vulnerability is part of our strength. Read more on Michael's blog:
https://ow.ly/Jp4550Whcr8

02/07/2025

Save the Date: Stroke Week is coming up from August 4 –10.
National Stroke Week is all about empowering our community to learn the F.A.S.T. signs of stroke - because knowing them could save a life.

The F.A.S.T. test as a simple way to remember the most common signs of stroke:
Face – Check their face. Has their mouth drooped?
Arms – Can they lift both arms?
Speech – Is their speech slurred? Do they understand you?
Time – Time is critical. If you see any of these signs, call 000 immediately.
Learn the common signs of stroke - you could save someone’s life, or even your own.

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