Linking Survivors With Survivors is a program of March of Dimes Canada.
It is a peer support program that provides hope and encouragement to stroke survivors and their families.
The program’s trained volunteers are now coming into an acute care hospital setting and Guelph General Hospital (GGH) is the first in Waterloo Wellington Local Health Integration Network.
Barbara Moore of March of Dimes Canada credits the great teamwork they’ve experienced with the hospital and the volunteers who go through a lengthy training process before becoming a mentor.
Moore admits there was some initial concern that newly diagnosed patients might not be ready to meet but that generally hasn’t been the experience of Dan Trotta and Sue Gillis – the two mentors who come on a weekly basis. Both can easily relate to what GGH patients are going though.
Trotta spent months in hospital recovering from his stroke without such a program. He said the experience was very isolating and not something he wants others to go through.
“People in acute care are invariably afraid,” he said. “They do tend to open up to me after I share my story.”
What the pair primarily provides is a sense of hope, Gillis said.
“We share our journey and provide encouragement,” she added.
The mentors also give out resource material including information about peer support groups in the community.
It’s been well received by hospital staff and a huge benefit to stroke patients, says Deb Hastings, manager of the stroke unit.
Moore hopes to expand the program and have mentors in every rehab facility.
