Driving stroke awareness in the outback
September 12, 2017
Stroke survivor and former farmer Rodney Hopson is on a mission to raise awareness of stroke and to save lives across the Queensland outback.
The Central Queenslander is set to clock up some serious kilometres as part of National Stroke Week, driving from Bluff to Winton. Rodney will stop in at communities along the way sharing his experience and raising stroke awareness.
“It’s been seven years since my stroke and I will be honest with people about the impact it has had on my life, on my loved ones and my business – which I had to give up,” he said.
Rodney has labelled the drive ‘Rodney’s Roadshow’ and said he was looking forward to taking vital health messages to regional Queenslanders.
“I was a truck driver and a farmer for a long time,’’ Rodney said.
“I’ve seen a huge gap between stroke treatments available to city, coastal and country people.”
A recent Stroke Foundation report found people in rural and regional areas were 19 percent more likely to suffer a stroke. Regional and rural Australians were also likely to suffer poorer outcomes from stroke due to limited access to best-practice treatment and care.
“This is a worrying situation. The best thing country people to do is to look after their health and try to prevent having a stroke,’’ Rodney said.
Stroke Foundation Executive Director of Stroke Services Toni Aslett said stroke can be prevented and it can be treated.
“Stroke is largely preventable, little things can make a big difference in reducing your risk stroke.
“Monitor and manage your blood pressure to ensure it is not high, don’t smoke, exercise regularly, eat healthy and don’t drink too much alcohol,’’ she said.
“It’s also important to understand the FAST signs of stroke and to call 000 immediately as stroke is always a medical emergency.”
Rodney echoed Ms Aslett’s comments encouraging Queenslanders to look after their health.
“I know what it’s like to be so busy you can’t get into town for a regular GP check up, but you have to make health a priority,” he said.
Stroke kills more men than prostate cancer and more women than breast cancer in Australia and is a leading cause of disability. It can strike at any age. In 2017 Queenslanders are set to experience more than 10,000 strokes. Many of these will be experienced by those living in regional areas.
The Lions Clubs of Boyne Valley and Boyne Island are supporting Rodney’s journey, which starts on September 11 and wraps up on September 20. It would not be possible without the organisational and driving skills of fellow Lions club member and friend Rick Bischel.
The Central Queenslander is set to clock up some serious kilometres as part of National Stroke Week, driving from Bluff to Winton. Rodney will stop in at communities along the way sharing his experience and raising stroke awareness.
“It’s been seven years since my stroke and I will be honest with people about the impact it has had on my life, on my loved ones and my business – which I had to give up,” he said.
Rodney has labelled the drive ‘Rodney’s Roadshow’ and said he was looking forward to taking vital health messages to regional Queenslanders.
“I was a truck driver and a farmer for a long time,’’ Rodney said.
“I’ve seen a huge gap between stroke treatments available to city, coastal and country people.”
A recent Stroke Foundation report found people in rural and regional areas were 19 percent more likely to suffer a stroke. Regional and rural Australians were also likely to suffer poorer outcomes from stroke due to limited access to best-practice treatment and care.
“This is a worrying situation. The best thing country people to do is to look after their health and try to prevent having a stroke,’’ Rodney said.
Stroke Foundation Executive Director of Stroke Services Toni Aslett said stroke can be prevented and it can be treated.
“Stroke is largely preventable, little things can make a big difference in reducing your risk stroke.
“Monitor and manage your blood pressure to ensure it is not high, don’t smoke, exercise regularly, eat healthy and don’t drink too much alcohol,’’ she said.
“It’s also important to understand the FAST signs of stroke and to call 000 immediately as stroke is always a medical emergency.”
Rodney echoed Ms Aslett’s comments encouraging Queenslanders to look after their health.
“I know what it’s like to be so busy you can’t get into town for a regular GP check up, but you have to make health a priority,” he said.
Stroke kills more men than prostate cancer and more women than breast cancer in Australia and is a leading cause of disability. It can strike at any age. In 2017 Queenslanders are set to experience more than 10,000 strokes. Many of these will be experienced by those living in regional areas.
The Lions Clubs of Boyne Valley and Boyne Island are supporting Rodney’s journey, which starts on September 11 and wraps up on September 20. It would not be possible without the organisational and driving skills of fellow Lions club member and friend Rick Bischel.