Timothy Kalule is an occupational therapist from Uganda.
What has inspired you to be involved in stroke support?
As an occupational therapist I have noticed
the high prevalence of stroke and that people in our
community do not understand it. They always think they have been bewitched. So,
sensitizing them and helping them realize the potential of performing tasks after
surviving stroke is key. Also the research we did here in Uganda
by the Karolinska Institutet of which I was a research assistant “Use of phones to treat post-stroke survivors in Uganda” by Julius
Kamwesiga, Susanne Guidetti and Gunilla Ericsson enabled me get much more
inspired to help post-stroke survivors live a better life with self management.
What does stroke support look like in your country?
In Uganda, the stroke support is far from adequate. The rehabilitation centers are few and they charge a lot of money to help
stroke survivors. Those affected are also discharged early from hospitals and
they return to their villages in which they don’t receive medical support and
more critically, rehabilitation specialists are remote in these areas. They end up
obtaining severe contractures and loss of function in activities of daily living.
What would you say to people to make them take stroke prevention
seriously?
First of all, people have to
understand that stroke is preventable and the effects can be minimised with early rehabilitation interventions. Stroke is a serious cause of adult disability and fighting
it begins from the life styles people live, being active and a healthy diet. Stroke affects all ages be it a child or
a mature person. So, we all have to take measures in preventing it.
What is your reason for preventing strokes?
My friend had a stroke when I was
a child which I found hard to understand. Many blamed witchcraft
since he lost function and he did not get much help from medical doctors.
