Isabel Albrecht, a member of the Nanaimo Curling Centre, was curling Jan. 31, 2011, when she experienced severe pain and was taken to the emergency department.
While it took some testing, it was determined Albrecht needed open-heart surgery and was flown by air ambulance to Victoria. She also suffered a stroke, leaving her with loss of mobility on her left side.
During recovery, she went to therapy to regain movement, to re-learn how to write and to work on her memory. It has been a long process, but it’s worth it – Albrecht has a new way of life and a new look at life and she’s giving back.
Albrecht is one of the volunteer facilitators for the Heart and Stroke Foundation’s new Living with Stroke program. The free program is designed to help stroke survivors and their families improve their quality of life, cope with challenges and connect with others.
“Our goal is to help people who have suffered a stroke to live with more confidence in the community,” said Deborah Rusch, manager of survivor support at the Heart and Stroke Foundation.
The next session takes place Oct. 4-Nov. 15 at the Beban Park Social Centre. To register, please call1-888-473-4636.