Metro vs Regional
Hi, I'm Michael, and I'm a stroke survivor.
Last year, I was invited to join the Board of the Stroke Association of Victoria (SAV). SAV’s mission is to support stroke recovery in regional areas, where there are far fewer resources than in metropolitan centres. Our main activity is establishing—and supporting already established—Stroke Recovery Centres in regional towns. So far, we’ve launched two in the Bass Coast region: one in Cowes on Phillip Island and another in Wonthaggi.
Supporting stroke survivors in regional Victoria
Last week, I drove to Cowes with a fellow Board member named John to represent the team. I didn’t know what to expect—it was my first time attending one of these sessions. We had three groups join us for the two-hour session: a stroke survivor on his own, and two couples where the husband had experienced a stroke and the wife was the primary carer.
Unique challenges for regional stroke recovery
SAV is working to understand how best to support local stroke communities, since each region faces different challenges. So, we asked a lot of questions—and what I heard shocked me.
Stroke recovery typically unfolds in three phases:
Initial hospitalisation
Public health rehabilitation
Long-term recovery, where individuals organise their own ongoing support
For example, I’m still doing speech therapy and working with an occupational therapist (OT) on my hand function. Unfortunately, for these attendees, that third phase—ongoing support—was virtually non-existent.
Lack of access in regional areas
Within 90 minutes of their homes, there are very few rehabilitation services for stroke survivors—and all have long waiting lists. For a condition that requires continuous therapy to rebuild muscle, coordination, and neural pathways some of these stroke survivors haven’t had any access to rehab for over 18 months.
Because they’re retired, they don’t qualify for the NDIS (National Disability Insurance Scheme). Instead, they fall under Aged Care, where the waiting list for an assessment can stretch into years. That gap in support is devastating.
Sharing stroke recovery tools and resources
During the session, I shared some of my own experiences and discoveries—things that have helped me along the way. These included:
The Hidden Disabilities Sunflower lanyard and wristband, which can discreetly communicate a need for assistance in public
A dexterity training app I use on my iPad to help improve movement in my hand
Everyone seemed to enjoy the session. A few people even commented on how nice it was to have a “half-day activity” to get out of the house. It was clear how much the survivors—and their carers—valued having a safe space to talk openly about their stroke recovery journey.
The emotional impact on stroke carers
What brought me to silent tears was hearing one of the wives gently reassure her husband: “You’re doing really well.” I often worry about the burden I place on my wife—and I’m not as physically restricted as this gentleman. I can only imagine the weight he must carry, worrying about being a burden to his loved ones.
Finding hope and support in regional communities
Overall, I think everyone took something valuable from the session. I know I did. These kinds of meetings are not just about information—they’re about connection, compassion, and community. That’s something we all need, no matter where we live.