Launching a stroke survivors’ community in the Middle East and North Africa

07 Nov 2024 Stroke support

The Middle East North Africa Stroke Organization (MENA Stroke) is the active voice for stroke management in the region. Alongside its other committees including research, media and education, a stroke survivors community has now been launched. Coordinated by Gamze Öztürk, the community is a dedicated space for stroke survivors, their loved ones, and allied health professionals. Our mission is to support, connect, and advocate for those affected by stroke.

Gamze is an osteopath and pilates instructor and with nearly a decade of experience, she has helped patients with neurological damage regain strength, balance, mobility, control, and confidence. As a stroke survivor herself, Gamze has faced the challenge of a serious, life-altering medical incident. This not only informs her understanding of the patient’s perspective but drives her empathy, underlying passion, and commitment to her patients' recovery journey and well-being.

The vision of the community is to empower stroke survivors and their families by providing resources, support, and a platform to share experiences and raise awareness about stroke-related issues. The community will offer:

Online Forum: A safe, inclusive space where survivors, loved ones, and healthcare professionals can connect, share stories, seek advice, and offer support.
Advocacy: We are the voice for stroke survivors, advocating for their needs, challenges, and rights.
Free Membership: Join our community to stay informed about events, updates, and survivor stories. Membership is open to survivors, caregivers, and allied health professionals.
Awareness Campaigns: Through online platforms and community events, we increase awareness about stroke prevention, treatment, and recovery.

Gamze recently attended the World Stroke Congress in Abu Dhabi and she spoke about her experience of stroke treatment, highlighting that access to optimal stroke care can depend on where you are located in the world. At the congress, Gamze took the opportunity to promote the Stroke Survivors Community, and said ‘as a stroke survivor, I can say that many stroke survivors feel alone and isolated and we need to support them to come together and assist their community reintegration. We also want to support family members.’

If you are living in the MENA region you can sign up to the Stroke Survivors Community here

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