History of SRABC

In the 1970’s there were few places to turn for respite once a stroke survivor was discharged from hospital. Stroke survivors and their families often find their lives severely and permanently changed by stroke and isolation and caregiver burnout is a common result.  People saw a need to change this situation thus stroke recovery groups were started.  Often the prime movers were stroke survivors and family members, determined to make the way easier for other survivors and family members.

One of the first stroke recovery programs (1967) was started in Tunbridge Wells, England by a stroke survivor and his wife at the suggestion of the local speech therapist.  With the proliferation of stroke recovery programs throughout the U.K., the Chest, Heart and Stroke Association was prompted to hold a one-day conference in London in March 1976 entitled “Stroke Clubs – a modern concept in rehabilitation”.

The first Stroke Club in North America, organized under the direction of the American Heart Association, started in Galveston, Texas in 1968 with a membership of seven people.

British Columbia

In 1969 Mr. Bill Goodwin encouraged a stroke recovery branch to be formed out of the Adult Day Care Centre at St. Andrews United Church, North Vancouver. The first formal group emanated from stroke survivors attending the Margaret Fulton Day Centre in North Vancouver in 1974.

In 1975 and 1976 stroke clubs were opened in Nelson, Vancouver and Richmond.  In 1976 these clubs became known as the Lower Mainland Stroke Association.  Representatives of the Association met with a group of health care professionals to form an Advisory Committee to foster improvement of services to stroke people. With funding from the Vancouver Foundation a study was commissioned.

The study recommended that a co-ordinator be employed to develop stroke programs throughout BC Funding for a two-year pilot project was subsequently obtained from the BC Heart Foundation.  The grant allowed for the establishment of a provincial office to create the existing stroke clubs and to organize additional clubs.

Phyllis Delaney was hired as the Provincial Co-ordinator and office space was secured in Vancouver.

In 1979 The Lower Mainland Stroke Association became incorporated as the Stroke Association of BC.  In 1993 the Association’s name was changed to the Stroke Recovery Association of British Columbia. Today there are 37 branches in British Columbia.