December

Strokenews
Y E S ,
T H E R E
I S
L I F E
A F T E R
A
S T R O K E
The
Sunny
Side of
Caring
KDN PP 10647/04/2009(021208)
08
December
EDITOR
Margaret Chang
CONTRIBUTORS
Elaine Chong, MaryAnn Willis, Shen Chan
DESIGNED BY
Xpress Print (KL) Sdn Bhd
PUBLISHED BY
National Stroke Association of Malaysia
No. 12, Jalan 7/2
46050 Petaling Jaya
Selangor Darul Ehsan
NASAM HEADQUARTERS
Address as above
Tel: 03 7956 4840 / 7956 1876
Fax: 03 7956 2275
Email: nasampj@nasam.org
Open: Mon-Fri: 9am-5pm
NASAM AMPANG
No 9, Lorong Awan 1
68000 Ampang
Selangor Darul Ehsan
Tel: 03 4256 1234 Fax: 03 4256 5360
Email: nasamampang@nasam.org
Open: Mon-Fri: 9am-5pm
NASAM PENANG
No 9 Jesselton Crescent
10350 Penang
Tel/Fax: 04 229 8050
Email: nasampenang@nasam.org
Open: Mon-Fri: 9am-5pm
NASAM PERAK
No 9, Lorong Pinji, off Jalan Pasir Puteh
31560 Ipoh, Perak
Tel: 05 321 1089 Fax: 05 322 4759
Email: nasamperak@nasam.org
Open: Mon-Fri: 9am-5pm
NASAM MALACCA
5132-C, Jalan Datuk Palembang,
Bukit Baru, 75150 Melaka.
Tel/Fax: 06 231 0177
Email: nasammalacca@nasam.org
Open: Mon-Fri: 9am-5pm
NASAM JOHOR
No. 59 Jalan Cendera Serene Park,
80300 Johor Bahru, Johor
Tel: 07 223 0075 Fax: 07 223 0076
Email: nasamjohor@nasam.org
Open: Mon-Fri: 9am-5pm
NASAM SABAH
Kompleks Badan-Badan Sukarela
Wisma Pandu Puteri, KM4 Jalan Tuaran
88801 Kota Kinabalu
Tel/Fax: 08 826 1568
Email: nasamsabah@nasam.org
Open: Mon-Fri: 9am-5pm
www.nasam.org
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Chairman’s Message
There are many people who have real needs not met, and yet all of us
seem to have a difficult time differentiating between needs and wants,
especially when there are so many tempting sales on. Here in NASAM,
we are fortunate to know of people who willingly give of themselves to
those who are in need.
To celebrate this season of giving we have devoted this issue of Stroke
News to stories of people and organisations who have voluntarily taken
steps to improving the quality of life for stroke survivors and in helping
NASAM in general.
The cover story features two caring young adults Jim Lim and Penny
Sun who selflessly put their lives on hold to care for their parents
stricken by stroke. On page 8 we highlight the personal contribution
of individuals who went out of their way to devote time and effort to
making NASAM a better place for our strokees.
Page 9 focuses on some organisations which not only gave us
donations but also took a keen interest in the activities of NASAM.
As CSR (Corporate Social Responsibility) is beginning to take a hold
in Malaysian corporate life, more and more companies are showing
interest and involvement in community work. This augurs well for
NASAM which depends so much on voluntary efforts to help maintain
our level of activities. For example, UBS Malaysia Sdn Bhd’s active role
in our Food and Fun Fair has set an example for other companies to
follow suit; they have also supported us in our training programmes
for physiotherapists and sponsored the publication of the book
Understanding Stroke. BP Asia Pacific (M) Sdn Bhd sponsored our
Bahasa website so we can reach out to a greater number of people.
The donation from a BP charity dinner has enabled us to do some
renovation work at NASAM PJ.
In the face of an extended economic down-turn we hope companies
will keep CSR a priority because we will need their support more then
ever. It’s not possible for me to name everyone who’s helped NASAM
throughout 2008 but with gratitude in my heart I would like to say a
big thank you. Your support has given us the incentive and fortitude to
carry on with our work.
Wishing you all a Happy Holiday Season
Yours sincerely
JANET YEO
Founder Chairman
Cover: Jim Lim with his mother Bee
Bee in Cameron Highlands.
NEWS 1
First NASAM Centre in the East Coast
NASAM Kuantan, our eighth NASAM club will be opening by
early 2009. The committee, headed by Dato Ng Koong Sinn,
has located a bungalow in Kuantan Garden − a quiet and
pleasant suburb not far from the town centre.
The idea for the club was mooted by some members of
the Rotary Club of Indera Mahkota after they met NASAM’s
representatives at the 2007 NASAM East Coast Roadshow.
Over the years, we have had many requests from stroke
survivors and their families in the East Coast to help them cope
with the effects of stroke. At long last help will be there soon.
The front view of NASAM Kuantan House which
will soon be undergoing renovations
NEW Chairmen
NASAM Ipoh, NASAM Kuantan and NASAM Sabah are fortunate to have
three volunteers Surine Ho, Dato’ Ng and Jasminah Ali who have offered
their invaluable services to become Chairman of their respective clubs.
Surine Ho - a dedicated
homemaker, businesswoman
and church worker - she has
managed also to squeeze in
time to be a caretaker chairman
for the past one year after the
former Chairman Ann Cheam
retired. She recently organised
the Ipoh Food and Fun Fair
at short notice and made it a
resounding success.
Dato’ Ng Koong Sinn is a Senior
Vice President with 20 years
experience in the manufacturing,
bulk storage and logistics
industry. He is also the Rotary
Club Assistant Governor of
District 3300. Dato’ Ng heads
the newly formed NASAM
Kuantan committee.
Jasminah Ali (left) has been
Acting Chairman for NASAM
Sabah for almost two years after
former chairman Dr Heather
Yong left for the U.S. In August,
she received an award from
the Chief Minister of Sabah in
recognition of her outstanding
voluntary community service.
A warm welcome to:
Chitra Guruswamy (second left), administrative
assistant at NASAM Ampang receiving a donation
cheque from Datin Freida and Dato Hamzah (right)
at a charity concert by the Hale St Mary’s Chamber
Orchestra of Perth.
Alice Teng, started work at NASAM Ipoh in
October. Prior to joining NASAM, Alice was a
nurse at a polyclinic. Her favourite pastimes are
reading and listening to music.
2 FOCUS
Get Help for Post-stroke Depression
Post-stroke depression (PSD) is considered the most
frequent and important neuropsychiatric consequence
of stroke, since approximately one-third of stroke
survivors experience major depression. Moreover this
condition can have an adverse effect on cognitive
function, functional recovery and survival.
A
U.K. study on post-stroke depression reveals that about 30
percent of stroke survivors suffer depression six months to
two years after a stroke. The disabilities and the adjustment
period are the main causes of depression.
Dr Siow Yuen Chin, consultant psychiatrist at Subang Jaya Medical
Centre says that some patients become so withdrawn they don’t
even want to move. – “In medical term it’s known as psychomotor
retardation. If these patients are not treated by a psychiatrist they
will not co-operate in the other aspects of the rehab treatment.
Carers must understand that depression is an illness.
“Carers must understand that
depression is an illness.”
Dr Siow Yeun Chin, consultant
psychiatrist at Subang Jaya
Medical Centre
Sometimes patients don’t even realize why they are in that condition
and some of them get criticized for not having the moral fibre to
get on with life.” Dr Siow says we should not put blame on the
patient but to seek the help of a psychiatrist.
Dr Siow advises that a stroke survivor in such a situation would need a good support system from
the family and the community. “The depression depends on the severity of the stroke. In severe
cases, counselling alone is not enough. The patient needs to be treated with anti-depressants. It
will normally take the medication about three weeks to start working and the treatment has to be
sustained for two to four months.”
Dr Siow quoted a case of a patient who at first was resentful of the treatment and refused
medication because “it would be of no use.” After several sessions talking with the patient, she
became less negative and agreed to take the medication. Three months later, the patient became
more optimistic and by six months she came out of the depression, responded to her other rehab
treatment and has gradually made progress in regaining her physical functions.
Dr Siow adds that she treats more carers than the patients. “ I refer to the condition as carers
burn-out. I often advise carers to take care of their own needs, not to take on the responsibility of
caring for a stroke patient by themselves. Mobilise a support system – don’t be shy to ask for help
from friends or neighbours. A tired and stressed carer will vent anger and frustration at the patient
and then the patient feels guilty and both are sucked into a depression cycle. This is a psychosocial problem.”
Written by Margaret Chang
Some of the signs and symptoms of depression are:
1 Weight loss / weight gain
2 Sleeping problems – does not sleep
well or wake up too early
3 Loss of interest
4 Feeling of worthlessness
5 Thoughts of suicide
6 Withdrawn – don’t even want to move
Tips For Stroke Survivors
INFORMATION 3
Encouraging Awareness of the Stroke-affected Side
hen a stroke has damaged parts of the brain that deal
with perception/awareness (ie the way we process
information from our senses such as sight and touch and
the way we understand things) abilities that we normally
take for granted can be turned topsy-turvy. Often the stroke
survivors can’t describe or explain or don’t realize they
are experiencing a disability. It is, therefore, important that
caregivers, family and friends understand that such problems
are caused by the stroke survivor’s loss of awareness of the
stroke-affected side.
• The left side if the RIGHT SIDE OF THE BRAIN was
damaged
W
• The right side if the LEFT SIDE OF THE BRAIN was
damaged
Carers / family members
can encourage awareness
by gently turning the head
toward the involved side.
Here’s another more
effective method. Choose
a task that is interesting
and motivating to the
patient. Place all objects
on the involved side.
Some exercises which can be incorporated into activities
of daily living can help stroke survivors overcome their
disabilities.
Incorporate the involved
hand into the activity by
placing your hand on the
weak hand. Then ‘guide’
their hand through the
task.
The problem is more common when the stroke has
damaged the right side of the brain (i.e. when the left side
is affected). The stroke survivor may:
• Dress/undress only on one side (putting on one sleeve of
the blouse/shirt, putting on the shoe with only one sock
on)
• Shave only on one side of the face (the other half is
‘absent’)
• Eat only the food on one half of the plate
• ‘Lose’ things which might be nearby, but on the affected
side
• Bump into things (furniture, railings on affected side appear
not to be there)
• Get lost (because if there is a choice of direction, the person
always turns the same way, right or left only, never paying
attention to the affected side)
• Write on only one side of a page
• Knock things over (because they appear not to be there)
• Doesn’t shut the door after getting into the car (because the
door is on the affected side)
• Let the affected arm dangle down the wheel of the
wheelchair.
Helpful hints that may help:
√ Wear a watch on the affected arm as a reminder to look for
that arm
√ A suitably placed full-length mirror (eg in the living room) will
allow the stroke survivor to see both the good and affected
side
√ Teach the stroke survivor to make visual checks so that
the affected arm leg is not bumping into furniture or
dangerously placed
√ Frequently remind the stroke survivor about the side that’s
ignored – touch it, talk about it
√ When talking to the stroke survivor, stand in front or on the
good side
√ Place things that the stroke survivor may need – a drink, box
of tissues – near the good side to encourage independence
and success of activity
An interesting ‘hand-eye’
phenomenon occurs
during ‘guiding’: the eyes
will follow the hand. This
method in highly effective
in training stroke survivors
to compensate for visual
field deficits.
As soon as the stroke
survivor gets any
movement in the hand,
encourage its use by doing
functional tasks. Slow
stretching can be helpful
before starting on activity.
When selecting a
task, choose objects,
which fit the shape
of the hand, keeping
it open but not flat. A
mug/glass is perfect.
When choosing activities,
think of other objects
with round contours such
as a jar. It encourages
more opening of the
finger joints and still keep
hand in good position.
Adapted from StrokeHelp & I.C.E.
4 EVENTS
Fun for All Nasam Ampang Fifth Anniversary Dinner
On Saturday 24 May, volunteers and strokees transformed the modest, two-storey Mei Keng Fatt
Chinese Restaurant in Kuala Ampang into the most happening party site the village has ever seen. David
Chew the emcee set the pace and tone, delighting the guests with his witty introductions and jokes. The
evening opened with NASAM Ampang Rockers belting out the theme song “Knock on Your Door” then
followed by strokees performing a Bollywood-style dance and a rendition of the Peter Sellers/Sophia
Loren duet “Goodness Gracious Me”.
Our guests happily entered into the spirit of the evening by participating in the singing contest and the
Elvis Presley impersonation.
Thank you to the organising committee comprising Tunku Rafidah, Chitra Guruswamy, Patsy Soo,
Sheela Kalaivanen, Marie Antao, Irene Wong, Teo Chin Inn, Doreen Tan, Kani s/o Chelliah, Patricia Ariffin,
Sheila Joachim and Sharifah Khiriyah and all the strokees whose performance made such a fun-filled,
action-packed evening.
Strokee Catherine Saw
making the welcome
speech
The sold-out
dinner raised
RM114,000.00
NASAM Ampang Rockers
comprising strokees and
volunteers
Mahani binti Ahmad and strokee
Goh Tuck Hong as Sophia Loren
and Peter Sellers
Performing “Pretty Woman”
Bollywood-style
NASAM PJ/Ampang
Wettest Food and Fun Fair
Rain came down in buckets the day before the fair and again at around noon on the day of the
fair (24 August). So what did we do? Grinned and bore it with a brave face. In spite of the bad
weather, we managed to raise a staggering RM245,000.00.
The success owes largely to the pre-event coupon
sales and the hard work put in by friends of NASAM,
sponsors, volunteers, strokees, carers and staff.
Two weeks before the fair ….
Carers and strokees preparing
ingredients for Mike’s popular
sambal udang kering
EVENTS 5
Day before the fair …
Two hours before the opening …
e stalls …
Setting up th
to
Preparing for the move
n
ma
Ta
at
e
nu
the Fair ve
ya
Ja
ing
tal
Jaya, Pe
Wet feet, war
m
Tough ladies …
hearts …
At the fair …
And the rain came down …
Kite painting for the
young ones
Dressed for the
occasion
Here c
omes t
he crow
d
ay
Rain rain go aw
Another Successful Food and Fun Fair
Chairman Surine Ho of NASAM Ipoh was naturally nervous about organising a food and fun fair for the
first time. But thanks to the support from the local community and volunteers the event was a resounding
success. Sales were brisk, customers were happy and unlike the PJ fair, the sun shone throughout the
day. We thank the following for their support:
NASAM Ipoh
Crafts Group
Love and Care
society
Rotary Club
The Ipoh Japan
Club
Farmers from
Cameron Highlands
for their vegetables
and flowers
6 COVER STORY
The Sunny Sid
Would you look after your parents if they have a stroke? Without the devotion of fam
with severe disabilities would not be possible. Stroke News talks to two exceptio
uprooted their lives abroad to come back to care for their parents.
he mother of five boys, Bee Bee’s life revolves largely around her
family. Even when the boys have grown and left home she was
still the matriarch – until September 2006 when she was felled
by a stroke at 56.
T
At that time Jim (then 26), the third son, was studying graphic design
and multimedia at the prestigious RIMT college in Melbourne. He
says: “The news came as a shock when my family told me she could
not walk or talk. But it was not entirely unexpected because she has a
history of high blood pressure and had had three small strokes.
“Being so far from home I kept in touch by phone – I kept wondering
if she would ever recover and how my family is going to cope. My
two older brothers, who help my father run a supermarket chain in
Terengganu, did their best to take her to the hospital in Dungun once
or twice a week for rehab but she didn’t make much progress. I was
torn between staying in Australia for a year to get my PR status or to
fly back immediately.”
Jim returned in April 2008 to look after his mother full time. After reading
about NASAM on the internet, he decided to bring his mother to Kuala
Lumpur to attend rehab daily at NASAM. He rented an apartment in
Taman Sri Sentosa and is now his mother’s main carer.
Jim (right) with his mother Bee Bee at NASAM PJ
Life couldn’t be more different from his relatively
care-free student days in Melbourne. Jim’s day
begins at about 7.00am when he cooks his mother
breakfast. Later in the morning, he will try to coax her
to do some exercise although she hates it. Cleaning
and cooking are next on the schedule. “We used to
order meals, from a caterer but my mother prefers
home-cooked meals so I had to learn by trial and
error. Sometimes my mum calls out instructions.
We get in to NASAM for the 2.30pm session and
after 4.30pm we leave for another centre for electro
therapy which ends at 7.00pm. Dinner is about
8.00pm. My mother goes to bed at 11.30pm after
she has watched her favourite TV programmes and
I turn in at about 12.30pm.
“ I try to go out at least once a month to meet friends
for about two hours. I daren’t stay out any longer
although I tell the neighbours when I go out.” says
Jim simply and without a trace of self-pity about his
social restrictions.
He brightens up when we asked about his mother’s
progress. “My mother still cannot walk by herself
but she’s not as depressed as before. She likes
coming to NASAM – it gives her a sense of purpose.
Sometimes, she wakes up in the night crying. I used
to worry about it but now I think it’s good for her to
release her emotions. Looking after my mother by
myself is tough – I need to be even more positive
than her to understand what she’s going through.
Yet for all the adversity, there are moments of tenderness
and humour.
Yet for all the adversity, there
are moments of tenderness and
humour.
“These last few months have brought me closer to her. I
got to know things about her which I didn’t know before.
Like when I take her shopping I notice she likes things
in pink. I also found out she used to enjoy singing with
her friends in the Hainanese Association. My mother a
karaoke performer!”
“I realise I didn’t know my
mother that well when I
was growing up. I was too
busy doing my own thing
but she was always there
for us. It’s difficult now but
my mother deserves to be
well cared for.” says the
filial son.
Jim is hopeful his mother
will recover well enough for
him to return to Australia to
pursue his career in about Jim cooking sambal for the
12 months’ time.
Food and Fun Fair
ide of Caring
COVER STORY 7
of family members, recovery for some stroke survivors
eptional, young carers Jim Lim and Penny Sun who
ne of the first things you notice about Penny Sun
is her fluent American-accented English. She
has spent 20 years in the U.S.A. and has built a
life there with her husband and her church. In her early
30s, Penny Sun was educated in the U.S. and worked
as an I.T. Manager until 2006 when her father Sun Yew
Lum (76) was struck down by stroke. The youngest of
three siblings she returned to Malaysia to look after
her father. She says: “To be uprooted from my life in
Memphis was a very difficult decision. But in reality, we
didn’t have much choice. Though I’m married, I don’t
have any children. Furthermore, I had accumulated a lot
of sick time which I could use for my leave. And I can
drive. So all these factors made me the natural choice
for an extended visit to Malaysia to look after my dad.”
O
The ‘extended visit’ ran into two years during which her
husband managed to get leave to visit her twice. When most
families find it more convenient to send their maids along
with the stroke survivors to NASAM, Penny would come
cheerfully to NASAM every day with her father for speech
and group physiotherapy. She was usually at her father’s
side encouraging and guiding him through his routines even
when there were times he appeared to have lost interest.
Penny said one of the most rewarding things in looking
after her father was: “ When I arrived at the hospital I was
shocked to see my father like a lump of jello – he couldn’t
sit up on the bed or chair without support, he couldn’t
stand or walk. But gradually, he began to walk again,
although a bit slow and unsteady, and to see him regain
some semblance of his old self was a great relief. Every
Penny with her Dad at NASAM
small step he took made all the hard work worthwhile.
One of my fondest memories of my dad’s pre-stroke
days is the family fishing trips. When I was little he
would wake me up very early in the morning to go
fishing. I loved those trips. Memories like these make
me want to care for him. Having said that, looking
after a stroke survivor is not easy– my father has his
mood swings, although a gentleman in public he can
throw temper tantrums at home when he cannot make
himself understood. So caring for him requires my
mother and I to make adjustments, understand and
anticipate his needs. I have to constantly put myself in
his shoes – if I were to lose my language ability, I’d also
find some everyday situations difficult and frustrating.”
“I have to constantly put myself
in his shoes – if I were to lose
my language ability, I’d also
find some everyday situations
difficult and frustrating.”
After two years, strokee Sun has recovered sufficiently
for Penny to return to Memphis. In September Penny
left with mixed feelings – eager to return to her life
with her husband and her job but also apprehensive
about leaving her mother to care for her dad. But she
said she will return to see them.
Pre-stroke Sun Yew Lum (standing) at one of the family
fishing trips
Written by Margaret Chang and Shen Chan
Carers Also Need Help
Penny Sun says:
“ There is a lot of emphasis on rehabilitation and therapy for stroke survivors, which is of paramount importance,
but secondary to that some level of support should be given to carers and the maids. Strokes affect more than
just the patient, it also affects the rest of the family. Carer education on how to care for the stroke survivor
physically and emotionally would be helpful.
It’s so easy to get upset when your loved one is not able to perform tasks that used to be so simple. You have to
be patient – understand that stroke survivors have been through one of the most traumatic experiences of their
lives and like it or not, from now on, things are not going to be what they used to be. As soon as you accept
this fact, the stroke survivors too can accept it and ultimately, everyone will be much happier.”
8 PEOPLE
Making Strokees Whole and Well
Doctors are always rushed off their feet attending to their numerous patients.
But it did not stop Dr Edward Nathan, a Preventive Medicine specialist, to offer
his time and advice to the strokees at NASAM Penang. From April to August,
Dr Edward visited NASAM Penang once a week to give talks on the prevention
of subsequent strokes, various topics on maintaining a healthy lifestyle. He also
gave one-to-one attention to strokees regarding their problems.
Dr Edward’s special interest in Preventive Medicine is in the field of health risk
assessment and wellness as well as helping those who want to quit the smoking
habit.
He has conducted smoking cessation classes in Penang since 2003. He will
also be conducting research and classes in stress management, exercise
and nutrition, and behavorial change. Dr Edward speaks English, Malay and
Hokkien.
Text by Elaine Chong
(NASAM Penang)
Dr Edward Nathan at
NASAM Penang
Pain and Agony for NASAM’s sake
Urs Weisskopf from Switzerland fought against stomach ache, dizziness and
cough to reach the top of Mount Kinabalu and then he had to race back to the
starting point to finish the annual Kinabalu Climbathon.
All the aches and agony was to raise RM4000 for NASAM Sabah. Urs’ decision
to enter this tough competition was inspired by a friend who suffered a stroke.
His friend has since recovered and is keeping an active life to maintain his
health.
Text by MaryAnn Willis
(NASAM Sabah)
Urs’ Weisskopf at the start
of the Climbathon
Crossing the KLCC Skybridge
All the staff at Dell Global Business Center in Cyberjaya are encouraged to give something back to the
community by doing some form of charity work. The staff was told to organise a program which will not
take up more than four hours. Teng Cheng Foong and her colleagues took strokees to the KLCC Twin
Towers Skybridge on 9 October. The strokees had a great time and Teng Cheng and her team were
awarded certificates by Dell for the most imaginative community work.
Upon reaching KLCC, stroke survivors
waiting in line to go into KLCC building, while
drivers park their cars
Volunteers from Dell Global Business Center in Cyberjaya
DONATIONS 9
Doing Good is Also Fun
In the last 12 months NASAM has been fortunate to be nominated as a beneficiary to several interesting
events organised by various corporations and organisations. We are appreciative that these companies
not only gave us donations but are also actively interested and involved in NASAM’s activities.
The Annual Guardian Walk
The Edge/Bursa Malaysia Rat Race
Participants at the starting line for the
2008 The Edge/Bursa Malaysia Rat Race
Strokees waiting eagerly
for the Walk to start
The event held at the Sunway
Lagoon Theme Park on 26
April gave our strokees a
chance to participate in a
public event. The strokees
also enjoyed an acrobatic
show after the walk.
MARGMA Dinner
On 19 August, CEOs and staff
of finance companies ran a
4-kilometre race to raise funds for
charity. This year, 20 charities were
given a donation of RM87,000
each. NASAM will use some of
the funds to help NASAM Kuantan
open a stroke centre.
Annual Charity Rugby dinner
The UBS Prize-winning
cake stall
The face changing act of
Candy Chong entertaining
guests at the dinner
UBS staff helping at NASAM
Food and Fun Fair
UBS Securities Malaysia Sdn
Bhd cake stall at NASAM PJ/
Ampang Food and Fun Fair
was the top-selling stall for
the last three years. This year,
their Hari Raya hampers raised
additional funds for NASAM.
Their involvement with NASAM
includes the sponsoring of two
training programmes and the
publication of Understanding
Stroke.
The Malaysian Rubber Glove
Manufacturers’ Association and
representative from 87 related
supplier/support companies,
both local and overseas, raised
RM30,000 for NASAM at their
annual dinner on 2 September,
in support of NASAM’s work for
stroke survivors.
The Truly Loving Company
The Truly Loving Company,
founded only a year ago, by
Julia Chong, presented donation
cheques of RM10,000 to NASAM
and four other beneficiaries. TLC
also supports NASAM by selling Julia Chong (centre) with Khaw
TLC products at NASAM PJ/ Chee Tay (left) and Jonathan Teoh
at the TLC stall at NASAM Food
Ampang Food and Fun Fair.
and Fun Fair
Guest- speaker Brian Moore’s
anecdotes of his rugby days had the
audience in stitches
CEO of BP Asia Pacific (M) Sdn Bhd
Datuk Peter Wentworth (second right)
with Janet Yeo ( third right) at the
cheque presentation ceremony
BP Asia Pacific (M) Sdn Bhd and
Standard Chartered Bank jointly
hosted the dinner on 4 June at the
Shangri-La Hotel to raise funds for
NASAM and the Malaysian “Living with
HIV/AIDS” programme. Guests were
entertained to 5-star hospitality which
includes guest-speakers who were
top Rugby players from England and
Australia. NASAM will be using part of
the RM80,000 donation to convert the
back verandah in NASAM PJ into a
therapy space.
10 OUTINGS
Rediscovering the
Life in NASAM is more than just therapy exercise. To put fun into the rehab progra
strokees and carers. The trips give everyone a break and is certainly the most look
“Learning to get in and out of buses and even boats, eating in public, climbing
up and down steps to get to a location – doing all these things together with
fellow strokees encourages camaraderie and also help to boost their self
confidence. After each trip strokees inevitably ask when is the next one” says
Annie Ng, physio-in- charge at NASAM Ampang.
Highland Fling
Time for strokee
Margaret from
NASAM PJ to
smell the roses
“This is the life…”
says carer Jim Lim
Cruising down
Malacca River
Physiotherapists Tracy, NASAM PJ
(centre) and Annie, NASAM Ampang
(right) taking a tea break while
stokees enjoy the scenery
Visit to USM
Strokees from NASAM JB enjoying a
boat cruise on the Malacca River
Strokees from NASAM Sabah visit Universiti Sabah Malaysia
he Joys of Living
OUTINGS 11
ogramme, every couple of months, therapists and volunteers organise outings for
looked- forward event for the strokees.
Island Escapades
Strokees from NASAM Penang enjoy a day out
at the Butterfly farm at Teluk Bahang
Fresh air and exercise at Batu Ferringhi
with lunch to round up the day
By Boat to Shopping Mall
… now we are safe on land
Strokees getting on
the boat to the Mines
Shopping Mall
Freedom of Expression
NASAM PJ Speech therapist Dyani says that taking small groups of strokees with speech impairment
to public places is helpful in getting them to overcome their shyness and fear of not coping socially.
The excitement of an outing also gets them to express themselves more - by gestures, sounds or
saying a few words at a time.
“I’ve noticed the positive changes in my strokees
since we started our regular outings.”
Something to eat, something
to talk about
Aiyah! Didn’t get a strike
Overcoming the fear of
printed words at Borders
bookshop
If Tiger Woods can, I can
12 DIARY
June
May
The NASAM Sabah extension, sponsored by the Rotary Club
of Kota Kinabalu, was officially opened by the State Minister of
Community Development and Consumer Affairs Datuk Hajah
Azizah on 12 June
Volunteers at NASAM PJ gathered round the
‘appreciation’ cake to celebrate Volunteers Day
organised by strokees and their carers
July
H
Heah
Hock Heng
the most popular
cook at our annual
Food and Fun Fair
giving a char koay
teow demo to
volunteers
View of the
extension from
the garden
August
September
The NASAM booth set up by students of TAR College
for the ‘Truly Loving Campaign’ aimed at creating
awareness for the Truly Loving Company and its five
charity partners, of which NASAM is one of them
Margaret Chang (left) and Tracy Chan represented
NASAM at the Sixth World Stroke Congress held in
Vienna. Margaret spoke on Stroke Support in Malaysia.
A video of NASAM’s activities was also shown to the
audience
All NASAM physiotherapist came together for a
Neurological Rehabilitation Workshop from 21 -23 August
at NASAM PJ. The workshop was sponsored by UBS
Securities Malaysia Sdn Bhd
CLUBS 13
The Story of Victor’s Recovery
Dear F
D
Friends
i d off NASAM
During the festive season please give generously to those who need your help. By giving NASAM a donation you
will help stroke survivors to help themselves. Your contribution is vital. Your kindness you can make a strokee’s
wish come true.
YES! We want to give.
Full names:
Address:
Tel: (O)
(H)
Enclosed is a cheque / bank draft / money order payable to NASAM for RM
I would like to pledge RM
per month for one year.
Yes, please include me in the NASAM mailing list.
I would like to sponsor a therapist. Please contact me.
Please provide me with more information to serve on a voluntary basis.
Note: Your donation will be acknowledged with an official tax-exempt receipt.
Mail your cheques to:
National Stroke Association of Malaysia (NASAM) 12 Jalan 7/2, 46050 Petaling Jaya, Selangor. Tel: 03 7656 4840 Fax: 03 7954 2275