Art brings peace to Kyneton stroke survivor
September 27, 2018
There was a time when Kyneton man John Damrow didn’t care about tomorrow, as depression took hold following a stroke in 2004.
But, this September marks 14 years since his stroke, and he has a new lease on life, all thanks to art.
John is even planning to open his own art gallery in October, where his work and the work of local artists will be displayed and available for sale. John said he feels invigorated by what lies ahead.
“When you have a stroke, your whole life changes in an instant. I was 42 years old. I was a corporate high flyer but was unable to return to that world after my stroke,” John said.
“I experienced issues with the left side of my body along with fatigue and concentration, memory and vision problems.
“It’s incredibly hard to adjust to a new life you never expected while watching your friends and colleagues continue on the path you used to travel.”
Stroke Foundation Chief Executive Officer Sharon McGowan applauded John for his tenacity and commitment to his recovery, adding stroke was more common among Victorians of working age than many realised.
“Recovering from a stroke can be a long and extremely difficult journey. Around 65 percent of people are left with an ongoing disability, while ‘hidden’ issues like fatigue and anxiety are common,” Ms McGowan said.
“These issues can have a lasting impact on independence, family life, finances, careers and the ability to live life well after a stroke.”
Ms McGowan said current health and social services systems were not designed nor equipped to help younger stroke survivors.
“Working-age stroke survivors have very specific needs, however there are no specialist services and supports currently targeted to them,’’ she said.
“Survivors, like John and their families are too often left to navigate the recovery journey alone and this is something we must act now to address.”
John wants to encourage other local stroke survivors to pursue something that makes them happy.
“After my stroke, I went back to university, I volunteered, but nothing seemed to fulfill me,’’ he said,
“I spent 13 years trying to find myself, but art has allowed me to pull myself out of the gutter and has given my life new meaning”.
In the lead up to the Victorian election, Stroke Foundation is calling on the next state government to deliver a world-first project to support Victoria’s increasing number of working-age stroke survivors, maximizing their physical recovery, and life post stroke. The program is a key element of Ready to Live: a $5.1 million plan to give Victorian stroke survivors and their families a better future.
But, this September marks 14 years since his stroke, and he has a new lease on life, all thanks to art.
John is even planning to open his own art gallery in October, where his work and the work of local artists will be displayed and available for sale. John said he feels invigorated by what lies ahead.
“When you have a stroke, your whole life changes in an instant. I was 42 years old. I was a corporate high flyer but was unable to return to that world after my stroke,” John said.
“I experienced issues with the left side of my body along with fatigue and concentration, memory and vision problems.
“It’s incredibly hard to adjust to a new life you never expected while watching your friends and colleagues continue on the path you used to travel.”
Stroke Foundation Chief Executive Officer Sharon McGowan applauded John for his tenacity and commitment to his recovery, adding stroke was more common among Victorians of working age than many realised.
“Recovering from a stroke can be a long and extremely difficult journey. Around 65 percent of people are left with an ongoing disability, while ‘hidden’ issues like fatigue and anxiety are common,” Ms McGowan said.
“These issues can have a lasting impact on independence, family life, finances, careers and the ability to live life well after a stroke.”
Ms McGowan said current health and social services systems were not designed nor equipped to help younger stroke survivors.
“Working-age stroke survivors have very specific needs, however there are no specialist services and supports currently targeted to them,’’ she said.
“Survivors, like John and their families are too often left to navigate the recovery journey alone and this is something we must act now to address.”
John wants to encourage other local stroke survivors to pursue something that makes them happy.
“After my stroke, I went back to university, I volunteered, but nothing seemed to fulfill me,’’ he said,
“I spent 13 years trying to find myself, but art has allowed me to pull myself out of the gutter and has given my life new meaning”.
In the lead up to the Victorian election, Stroke Foundation is calling on the next state government to deliver a world-first project to support Victoria’s increasing number of working-age stroke survivors, maximizing their physical recovery, and life post stroke. The program is a key element of Ready to Live: a $5.1 million plan to give Victorian stroke survivors and their families a better future.