Nominations are now open for the 2023 Stroke Foundation Stroke Awards, an annual event that recognises individuals who work toward a better future for people impacted by stroke.
Geelong North’s Caleb Rixon, who won the Improving Life After Stroke Award in May this year, said the awards shone an important light on the work of people who were making a difference.
“I think it’s important for people to realise the impact they’re having in their community and improving others’ lives,” Mr Rixon said.
“It can have incredible benefit that goes beyond the ego, especially when they’ve got lived experience of surviving stroke. It’s much more, and healing is part of that.
“It’s paramount to acknowledge that work; not only to pay it forward, but to pay honest recognition for the efforts of stroke survivors themselves.”
Mr Rixon was an up-and-coming theatre performer when, in 2015, he suffered a serious stroke.
At just 24 years of age, he awoke to find he had lost the ability to walk, talk, swallow, see or breathe without assistance.
As part of his recovery process, Mr Rixon founded GenYus Network, Australia’s first peer-led organisation dedicated to connecting, supporting and empowering young members of the stroke survivor community.
The GenYus Network now has more than 1,500 people involved, including survivors, supporters, health professionals and researchers.
“GenYus started, really, as fulfilling my own unmet need for social connection with like-minded peers,” he said.
“So it’s got this very organic pathway, and recognition through awards was certainly not part of that pathway.
“So to be recognised for that and realising that need is shared by other stroke survivors is incredibly humbling.”
Stroke is one of Australia’s biggest killers and a leading cause of disability, with more than 445,000 people with stroke living in our community.
Stroke Foundation Chief Executive Officer Sharon McGowan said the Stroke Awards are open to survivors of stroke, carers, volunteers, fundraisers, health professionals and researchers.
“We are so lucky to have so many inspirational members of our community who are doing amazing things to raise awareness of stroke and demonstrate there is a life after stroke,” Ms McGowan said.
“The Stroke Awards provide us with an opportunity to honour these inspiring individuals and their efforts.”
Nominations can be made at strokefoundation.org.au and close February 17. Winners will be announced at the Stroke Foundation’s Stroke Awards ceremony in Melbourne on Thursday, May 4.
