Stroke and Conductive Education

By Cliff Goodall

Understanding the rehabilitative effects of stroke in today’s society eludes the majority, unless they have had actual contact with someone with this neurologically debilitating condition.

Great progressive strides have been made in the past two or three decades in the reintegration of stroke survivors into society. The improvement in the quality of life has been encouraging. Much of the printed material available today has been written by spouses and stroke survivors in the family unit or caregiver role.

The medical community has been responsive in realizing the importance and value of this first-hand information. Two pamphlets on the subject of stroke education and social rehabilitation can be recommended. They are On the Road to Recovery and Sequel to the Road to Recovery by Agnes R. Harvie.

Conductive Education:
What appears to be another "breakthrough" in stroke survivor recovery is the Petö system of Conductive Education for adults and the younger segment of society. As the recent conference Discover Conductive Education unfolded, the proven experiences of research work, pioneered in Hungary, became increasingly evident, as it can be applied to the stroke survivor. We, in Canada, must build on the foundations of success which other countries have generously shared with us in stroke rehabilitation.

Crucial to the program is the training of "conductors," for the all-important implementation of Conductive Education. Yes, funds will be required to achieve these goals if we are to improve the quality of life for the stroke survivor, family and caregiver.

We are hearing on an almost daily basis about the budgetary restrictions in our Ontario and Canadian healthcare system. A recent article about stroke survivors reports that in one hospital in California the average hospital stay was 21 days.

The Rehabilitative Cycle:
The Stroke Recovery Association is well aware that the rehabilitative cycle has a highly variable time frame, depending on the type of stroke, area of the brain affected, severity of paralysis, dysarthia and so on. It is not unusual to observe among the SRA membership, progress in recovery extending over as many as 10 years through intensive, continuous rehabilitation.

Meeting the Challenge:
How does Conductive Education meet the challenge? The Stroke Recovery Association, and society in general, is on notice that change to our rehabilitative program for stroke survivors is upon us!

We believe that Conductive Education, properly implemented, will contribute in large measure to an improved quality of life "beyond the hospital door." Paramount to this ambitious and proven plan is funding for the training of conductors and suitable facilities in which to work.

The number of candidates in the Stroke Recovery Association is not the problem. It is the time frame and the necessary human resources needed to meet the challenge. Stroke survivors must not be the victims in this world of healthcare changes.

Ministerial Involvement:
Perhaps the message delivered at the conference by Elaine Ziemba, Minister of Citizenship with Responsibility for Disability Issues, will have a profound influence on the progress of Conductive Education in Ontario. We can, indeed, learn from other countries about the Peto approach for stroke survivors.

Our thanks to the Ontario March of Dimes for their leadership and influence in our continuing battle with "Stroke."

(Cliff Goodall is Chairman of the Stroke Recovery Association of Ontario.)