Turning the page - stroke patient develops rehab resources
PROUD: Adele is pictured with son Milano and Smallwood librarians Lesley Huss (left) and Sian Wyre (right).
A former stroke patient turned volunteer has created a library resource bank for people recovering from brain injury.
Adele Rudd (33) spent four months in the inpatient neurorehabilitation unit at Moseley Hall Hospital after suffering a life-changing brain stem stroke at the age of 25. She then attended the Moor Green brain injury outpatient service for regular weekly therapy and support for about four years.
After attending Moor Green, Adele volunteered at Smallwood Library, where the team came up with the idea of creating a dedicated section with a range of books and an information pack – not only for people recovering from a brain injury but also their loved ones.
“I want to use my experiences to help others,” said Adele, of Nether Whitacre in North Warwickshire.
“The team at Moseley Hall Hospital are so caring and have so much expertise – I’ve been coming here for the best part of eight years now, so I’ve picked up quite a lot which I can pass on!”
With BCHC Charity funding to buy suitable books, Adele worked with the library team for about six months, coming in one day a week to work on the project.
Librarian Lesley Huss said: “My daughter, Ryan, plans to become a librarian so I was asking her for ideas how we could make best use of the opportunity of having Adele working with us and she came up with this brilliant project.
“So what started out as a bit of a head-scratcher became a very exciting opportunity!
“It’s obvious that someone who has experienced a brain injury would be the best person to collate a collection of books most relevant to people who have had that experience.”
BCHC Charity engagement and communication lead Stacey Taylor said: “We are so proud to be able to support initiatives like this one.
“Personally I am a huge fan of reading for both recreational and educational purposes, and so it’s been a pleasure for us to fund a project that will make such a difference for people recovering from a brain injury, and their loved ones, through providing helpful books and resources.”
Library administrator Sian Wyre added that Adele was ideally qualified to help them fulfil the ambition to provide information aimed at children whose parents have had a brain injury, her stroke coming just eight months after the birth of her son, Milano.
“We wanted it to be packed with information for every person who might be affected by a brain injury in their family,” she said.
“The project started with compiling a set of books but quickly developed into pulling together an info pack with lists of apps and web links. We have hard copies in the library, but it can easily be shared electronically, so that may be a more appealing format for younger people.”
Now nine years old, Milano thinks the resource collection is a fine example of his mum’s personality.
“My mum is so brave – for example, she was determined to get her driving licence and has just passed her test - and it’s just like her to want to do something to help other people. I’m very proud of her.”