OUR STORY
OUR STORY
It all began with a passing thought, a solid vision, and an ambitious revelation. One which snowballed into action after years of hearing the same story over again. Founded by Bridie — a stroke survivor since aged 17 — The Stroke Sisterhood is a community based organisation aimed to create and facilitate safe spaces for all women and girls (including trans and non-binary individuals) affected by stroke. We're here to support you, to raise awareness and to make recovery feel less lonely.
The Stroke Sisterhood was brought to life by liberation and built upon the journey it’s taken to reach a point where you’re not afraid to own your story anymore. The purpose is not to exclude other demographics but to elevate those underrepresented and forgotten, acknowledge that medical misogyny does exist and remind women it’s okay to articulate their feelings and air their experiences.
It’s been underway for a while now — not so much as a work in progress but up above in the realms of grey matter crying out for a social haven. Thinking about doing something means nothing when it’s just a wish, it’s the doing it that matters and there is no time like the present!
Setting up a club exclusively for a specific group of people was inspired by several things:
The duty of care; where personal experience and getting to know stories with great resemblance, entered a conscience of needing to provide recognition for women undermined, disbelieved and failed by the healthcare system.
A desire for community; when an overwhelming sense of loneliness collides with a burning desperation to be understood, it’s peer support and the healing power of female friendship that will pave the way.
A sense of empowerment; there are never enough spaces to allow offloading about mistreatment in a patriarchal society. Women and non-conforming people being let down and ignored, by a hierarchy of authorities, down to ordinary people around them, should be able to be spoken about freely without fear of repercussion and regression.
To raise awareness; it’s proven that women aged 35 and under are disproportionately affected by stroke and we carry risk factors that aren’t always considered without education and advocacy. Falling between the cracks means often enough we’re isolated from our peers with little to no support and that does nothing for enabling change.
Having a virtual platform that’s accessible at all times; not everyone has somewhere they can go to when they need it. Services aren’t always local, friends aren’t always available, environments aren’t always a safe and relaxed space to be the true version of yourself, but we will be.
This is a place where people can feel part of something, have the freedom to express themselves, talk to others in a safe environment with other sympathetic and understanding, like-minded women who’ve shared a comparable experience, and most of all, be reminded they’re not alone.
There’ll be many of you reading this who are well versed in feeling neglected or not being taken seriously, especially when signs and symptoms of stroke can manifest differently in women. Most of us have disabilities because of our stroke but this is a very specific type of trauma. Minority amongst minorities, a suburb of stroke survivors perhaps.
Entering the community because of stroke doesn’t even have to be the main talking point. In fact, it’s merely just an added bonus. We want to be the source of connection whether that be voicing your opinions or bonding over your interests.
We may have never met before but we’re all bound together by the one thing we have in common. Wouldn't it be great to make friends and alliances because of that? It’s what we’re here for, to give women a sense of belonging — to be heard, seen and believed.
2024 is officially the year The Stroke Sisterhood has come to light and we hope you stick around as we are proud of welcoming many strong women who deserve to have each other in their lives.
This is just the beginning!