A STROKE left Shelly Crockford unable to stand 14 years ago. But she will walk 10 kilometres next Friday, with a crowd of other stroke survivors.
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The trek is nothing new for Ms Crockford. She walks 10 kilometres every other day. If she doesn't walk, she rides a trike.
But Ms Crockford wants other stroke survivors to know they can do it too. Her Friday effort will be part of the Will2Walk fundraiser, run by newly-opened Bendigo Stroke Support Centre.
Exercise is about using it to not lose it, for Ms Crockford. She pushes for stroke survivors to do as much as they can.
Ms Crockford's was sent back to Bendigo from a Melbourne hospital as a no-hope case after her stroke hit. Doctors said she would never be able to do anything.
She was then in her 40s.
Months of hard work in the Anne Caudle Centre at Bendigo Hospital helped her re-gain her skills.
I thought, 'Oh well. There's only one person that can fix me, and that's me'.
"They were so good to me, they pushed me as much as I pushed them. When I was there I learnt how to walk again, how to sit up. I got my balance back, because I had no balance. I was in nappies when I came back, so it was pretty awful," Ms Crockford said.
"I thought, 'Oh well. There's only one person that can fix me, and that's me.
"So that's why I worked hard, and learnt how to swim again. One armed. I did one armed backstroke every day, rode the exercise bike. Did the treadmill. Did as much as I could everyday, everyday for about four months."
Ms Crockford had too much to do to not get well again. She had grandchildren, and a daughter due to get married.
She has connected with the Bendigo Stroke Support Centre since it opened, but has always come to a stroke survivor walking group at Lake Weeroona.
Walking makes Ms Crockford feel good in herself. And she tries to push others to do the same, because when you achieve something, you feel good.
Meeting others in the same situation does stroke survivors a lot of good, Ms Crockford said.
"It just shows them what else they can do that they might not think of," she said.
"I do visit to the hospital and go and see stroke survivors. I love to do that, and show them, 'Look, I came from nothing, so you can, and if I can, you can'.
"Just accept if for what it is. I think the quicker people accept ... the fact they've had a stroke, the quicker you can move forward, and just find a way that you can do things. That's what I push for."
Bendigo Stroke Support Centre coordinator Tamara Lalor said the funds raised from Will2Walk would go to support the centre's work.
The initiative opened in July, aiming to provide support for stroke survivors after their formal rehabilitation.
Ms Lalor said it was already starting to grow, receiving more referrals from Bendigo Health.
Walkers have staged options of 20, 10, five, 2.4 and 1.2 kilometres. All will meet at the Lake Weeroona Rowing Club for lunch.
Ms Lalor said walking together reduced isolation, and helped stroke survivors feel as though they weren't alone in their limitations.
A group of walkers meet bi-monthly to walk around Lake Weeroona.
The walk was a gesture of respect, gratitude and encouragement for survivors of stroke.
"It's really a chance for people who really want to, they just really want the opportunity to not test themselves, but to walk for something," Ms Lalor said.
"It gives them something to aim for, and also it's something for their family members get behind them and support. It's not just the journey of the stroke survivor."
Will2Walk, Friday October 11.
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