Recently, we’ve brought you stories on the latest stroke research, an area where the Hunter is leading the way.
Stroke is the nation’s second leading cause of death.
Tonight we took a look at the rehabilitation unit at John Hunter Hospital, which helps patients down the gruelling road to recovery.
Tony Bailey is one of the lucky ones…
TONY BAILEY’S STORY
Tony Bailey, a father of 7, was driving to work on the 1st May when he veered to the side of the road.
The 49-year-old managed to drive to a friend’s house, and called for help despite his speech slurring.
Mr Bailey lost function to the right side of his body and after spending three days in the John Hunter Hospital acute stroke ward, was moved to the rehabilitation unit.
He will spend about a month there, retraining his body with physios, to reclaim the day to day activities many take for granted.
100 stroke patients come to the unit each year, only a small fraction of the 2200 who are hospitalised from stroke in the region.
