Stroke Recovery Canada®, a program of March of Dimes Canada holds a Photo Awareness Contest to celebrate Stroke Recovery Awareness Month

May 1st, 2009 – Ontario – Every ten minutes a Canadian will have a stroke.  There are over 300,000 stroke survivors in Canada, and every year another 50,000 join their ranks.

Stroke Recovery Canada®, a program of March of Dimes Canada, helps stroke survivors across the country to more easily re-engage in their communities, and affirm that there is meaningful and quality life after a stroke.  With May designated as Stroke Recovery Awareness Month, Stroke Recovery Canada® has increased its efforts to educate the public about stroke recovery. 

As part of the awareness month campaign, the program created a photo contest called ‘From Your View’ inviting stroke survivors and their family members to submit original photos, showing how surviving a stroke has changed their view on disability, day-to-day life or the world around them.

The winning photo is titled “Stroke Vision”, and was submitted by Jeff Wolfenden, a stroke survivor from Hamilton, ON.  Kodak Canada provided the winner with a new Kodak Digital Photoframe.

“The shot was taken at night in Toronto outside of Sick Kids Hospital. I shot hand held with a slow shutter speed producing a shot that reminded me of how my vision was directly after the stroke. I am happy to say that vision is much better now however the whole process is painfully slow,” says Jeff.  Read more about Jeff's stroke recovery experience.

Photos from four runner-ups are available here.

“Jeff is just one of the thousands of Canadians who have survived a stroke and can share their personal experiences with stroke recovery,” says Donna Mackay, Associate Director of National and Provincial Programs for March of Dimes Canada.

“We celebrate Stroke Recovery Awareness Month in May to remind Canadian stroke survivors and healthcare professionals that many resources including community engagement and peer support are paramount for a successful and ongoing stroke recovery,” she continues.

Stroke Recovery Canada® a program of March of Dimes Canada, is a national service offering post-recovery support, education and programs for stroke survivors, their families and health care providers. Through its work with local peer support groups, Stroke Recovery Canada® provides Canadians with the resources needed to survive and thrive after stroke.

For information or to join Stroke Recovery Canada call the Warmline® at 1-888-540-6666 or visit the Stroke Recovery Canada website at www.strokerecoverycanada.com.

March of Dimes Canada is a nationally registered charitable organization providing support services to people with disabilities, their families and caregivers across Canada.

Cathy Feniuk – Spring in the Secret Garden

Cathy was a teacher and has retired after her stroke. She says “The camera is such an outlet for me! This photo-collage almost says ‘Come into my garden, have a cup of tea and mingle with the flowers.’”

Catherine Low and participants of the Aphasia Institute – Steppin’ Up

This photo features members who participate in Cardio Step program at the Aphasia Institute, living up to the Aphasia Institute’s model of ‘ Life Participation’

Deanna Uhl – Never Give Up

Deanna writes “Right after my stroke I could not say anything. I was unable to walk. Now I have hope that things will get easier – attending Conductive Education^® and the aphasia group in Niagara. My goal is to keep having hope.”

Velma Czerlau – I Haven’t Changed

Velma shares “Life has changed after my stroke, but I can do everything that I want to do. My goals are to continue meeting my friends at the aphasia centre and getting to casinos, movies, restaurants, and short trips with my husband."