Strides For Stroke 2010 - Reconnecting

I received an email asking me to participate in a walk to raise money for Stroke Survivors. I was looking to participate in a charity walk and thought great, I’ll do this walk, it’s in Ottawa and I’ll be supporting my cousin who’s the spokes person for the event. Registration is at 9:00am and the walk begins at 10:00am.  I live two hours away.

I prepared for the at least a 10K walk, training took several months doing 3.1K daily walks and several 6.1K walks  intermittently throughout the training period. Purchased a backpack and brought lots of hydration unsure what the organizers would provide. I arrived early to a shopping centre where the event was begin 8:00am. I didn’t notice anything out of the ordinary from the parking lot. So, being early, I thought I’d go in and get a coffee while I waited. Entering on the door were several posters highlighting the Stroke Survivors Stride for Stroke with today’s date on it. I felt much better, knowing it’s here and I’m on time. As I travelled up the escalator at the top there were tables set up in the aisle way with several people hovering about. Signs were posted with Stroke Survivor stories and article from Survivors who’ve written books about their successes. Among the tiny group was my cousin Dale. It was good to see her. She warmly greeted me and introduced me to people about. There was Abe and his wife of the Stroke Survivors Association of Ottawa.  Abe was genuinely pleased to meet with me as with Abe’s wife Fay.Then Claire in her wheelchair who beamed with delight and a chance to get out of her chair and entre the walk. Claire came early to support Dale and Abe and visit with whomever shows up prior to the walk. Like Marlene, who introduced herself to me.  Marlene was able to share her success story by highlighting the help from other stroke survivors who reached out to her and helped her come through a depression. These past 3 months she has progressed with a brighter outlook and positive approach to each day. She engaging, spirited and eager to support anyone participating in the walk. I was taken with her drive, friendliness and enthusiasm. Then as I met others prior to the walk everyone seemed to have similar traits, friendly, positive, supportive and eager to learn/share and be open with strangers who have come to support them.

There were very few strangers this day! The number of participants involved in the walk was small, as was the distance since the lion’s share of participants were stroke survivors. Walkers came to help themselves and did so with gusto. One stroke survivor insisted on walking. So after the official start of the walk she got up out of her wheelchair and took a step, another then another. Eight steps in all. Many walkers stopped to cheer her progress. That was amazing and uplifting to see such reinforcement of effort from so many.

The fund raiser helped the tiny organization by adding to their needy budget to pay for gas and expenses of volunteers to go into the homes of recent stroke patients and assist with their recovery process. The biggest hurdle is fighting the will to regain what was once taken for granted functional abilities.  Volunteers often pay their own expenses and don’t have the support of an agency which has provincial funding or celebrity status to attract high profile fund raiser status. So many agencies are needy and stroke survivors often have other issues. But stroke survivors have no other agency support. Their funds come from their own efforts which require so much more support and awareness. It’s a struggle to get attention and prominence with so many fund raising agencies competing for which weekend to host their fund raising event and who gets what attention in the public eye. Event organizers often compete for sponsorship and leadership candidates to assist with their effort. Here too the brightest event managers go where the biggest sponsors require get the best management of their brand during an event.

I was disappointed that there wasn’t a 10K walk. But then again I can do that anytime. I was filled with joy seeing my cousin as one of the spokespeople for this charity and her words seemed to touch the soul and spirit of all in attendance.  Her words were warmly received and gratefully appreciated.  I met so many people who have come back from unimaginable difficulties, who have such a grounded, positive and vibrant outlook. Many still struggle and will continue to do so all the while seem grateful for a miracle of life and the determination to enjoy all it has to offer.  Every second counts I heard again and again. I give thanks and have a feeling of renewal for being among such brave and courageous group.  I will look forward to participating in future endeavours and thankful to the Stroke Survivors Association of Ottawa in making a difference in my outlook.

Bob Johannsen

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