WANGARATTA resident, Julie Davey, has won a prestigious research award from the Stroke Society of Australasia.
She was recently named winner of the 'Best New Investigator Abstract’ for her abstract titled 'i-Rebound after stroke - the Consumer Perspective'.
Julie suffered multiple brain stem strokes in one night in 2015, leaving her densely paralysed on the left side of her body, unable to walk or stand, speak, or swallow.
She is now using her knowledge as a former health service CEO and her experience as a patient to help health professionals, researchers and organisations improve services for survivors of stroke.
Julie last month gave a presentation on her research project ‘i-Rebound after Stroke website’ at the Joint Annual Scientific Meeting of the Stroke Society of Australasia (SSA) and Smart Strokes held in Melbourne.
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Following her talk she was presented with a certificate by Alexis McMahon, co-chair of the SSA, who named her the winner of 'Best New Investigator Abstract' award.
It is the first time this award has gone to a ‘lived-experience expert’.
Julie is a passionate advocate for improving stroke services and has been involved in several major stroke projects.
“More than 445,000 Australians are living with the effects of stroke and about 25 per cent of people who have a stroke are aged under 54 years of age” she said.
“The i-Rebound website was created by ‘lived-experience experts’ and academic researchers in a unique partnership and it aims to help people live well after stroke and avoid having another.
“It’s a game-changing website for all stroke survivors and carers, using credible evidence-based health information, featuring interviews videos and tips from real stroke survivors.
“The SSA award is the icing on the cake for our Consumer Advisory Group and I was humbled to receive it.”
Julie said she hopes her the research on the i-Rebound project can help other stroke survivors.
“After having a stroke I was sad that I wasn't able to return to leadership in healthcare,” she said.
“Volunteering as a consumer or patient 'expert' has been rewarding and validating.
“I want survivors to avoid having another stroke and to enjoy life by eating well in the Australian-Mediterranean style and by moving more."
The website can be found at irebound.enableme.org.au.
