We are a national charity launched in September 1996 by younger stroke survivors for younger stroke survivors, for the purposes of active self-help and mutual support. Stroke is this country's third biggest killer after cancer and heart disease, and the largest single cause of severe disability. Stroke is commonly seen as an affliction of old age, yet it frequently strikes people in the prime of life, often for no known reason. In the UK, each year over 10,000 people of working age have a stroke - an average of nearly 200 every week. Over 1000 of these are under the age of 30 - 250 of them are children.
Recovery can be slow, difficult and sometimes only partial.
However, with the right attitude and support, especially in the early stages, dramatic improvements can be made in the quality of life for most stroke survivors. Complete rehabilitation is often possible. Different Strokes recognises the need for a wider choice of services for younger stroke survivors to help them return to a full life and an active role in their community. Stroke survivors have to learn everything from new, slowly moving and improving one day to the next, learning to talk, walk and live again. We also publish a quarterly newsletter to keep members in touch with what is going on.