As the number of persons acquiring disabilities grows, the Barbados Council for the Disabled continues to work hard to ensure that our mission of championing the rights of all persons with disabilities are equally represented.  With the affiliation of our nineteenth organisation, the Stroke Support Group, the Council expands its scope.

The formation of The Stroke Support Group in 1996 is guided by a number of objectives, which seeks to be reinforced by aligning them under the umbrella of the Barbados Council for the Disabled.

Primary goals of the Group address the issues of rehabilitation for stroke survivors as well as to educate and sensitise the caregivers and associates of survivors. The lack of knowledge and awareness of the public on the subject of strokes, the symptoms and the treatment are important information, which the Group is determined to share with the Barbadian public.

Constant updated research is necessary in order to make available information relating to the incidence and treatment of stroke victims. Investigating the conditions under which strokes occur is extremely relevant in ensuring the public is mindful of habits and situations, which can lead to a stroke.

In 2001, the Chronic Disease Research Centre developed the Barbados Register of Strokes (BROS) and through statistics gathered by this initiative, it was discovered that the majority of stroke patients are female and in there 60�s, however, persons as young as age twenty-three have been victims of strokes.

Smoking, bad diet and excessive alcohol use, diabetes and high blood cholesterol is often precipitating factors in the cause of strokes.

The ischaemic and the Hemorrhagic are two major categories of strokes.  The Ischemic account for 80% of all strokes and occurs when a blood clot cuts off blood flow to the brain.  Hemorrhagic strokes occur when ruptured blood vessels lead to bleeding in the brain.  The result of both strokes is that the brain cells begin to die which in turn increases the chances of disability to the individual.

Although some strokes �Passover� can occur without warning, there are often symptoms, which if recognised and acted upon may reduce the chance of long-term damage.  Some of the more common warning signs are:
Unexplained weakness in limbs and or face, especially on one side of the body.
Inability to verbally express oneself.
Blurred vision or partial/complete vision loss in one or both eyes.
Dizziness, difficulties walking, loss of balance and lack of coordination.
Sudden severe headache with no apparent cause.
There is sometimes unexplained nausea.
Symptoms can lead to convulsions and loss of consciousness.

Post Stroke rehabilitation involves a systematic approach to recovery and involves therapy and life style changes. 

It is estimated that approx 13,000 persons in Barbados live with impairments, which can be very difficult to manage. Disabilities do not only occur at birth but also as a result of a variety of reasons including accidents, ill health, violent incidence and other trauma. We are also mindful that with an ageing population some persons develop impairments.

As society moves towards a higher level of inclusion of Persons with Disabilities, the Barbados Council for the Disabled is committed to working with the Stroke Support Group in attaining their objectives.

For further information on the Stroke Support Group you may contact: Pres. Mr. Richard Leslie � Tel: 424-6118 / Secretary, Cyllitta (June) Neblett � Tel.416-3284 or Barbados Council for the Disabled - 427-8136; www.bcd.org.bb