HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Lucknow Sentinel, 1988-11-02, Page 8Page 8—Lucknow Sentinel, Wednesday, November 2, 1988
These volunteers have miles and miles of heart
By Paul Rudan
They have heart, miles and miles of
heart. They are the local men and women
who volunteer countless hours to the
Huron County Chapter of the Heart and
Stroke Foundation of Ontario.
On October 19, the volunteers gathered
at the Huronview auditorium for their an-
nual dinner and meeting. The evening
featured a buffet dinner, a guest speaker,
awards presentations and a demonstration
by two members of a Jump Rope For
Heart team.
"The number one killer is heart and
stroke disease," said guest speaker
Lavonne Ballagh of Wingham. "They're
debilitating and devastating; life for a per-
son can never be the same."
However, she pointed out that heart and
stroke disease can. be prevented through
education; teaching people how to exer-
cise, eat properly, manage stress and to
allow themselves free time. Another
method of prevention is the use of
medication. ,
"I've been on high blood pressure
medication for 30 years and this is pro-
bably why I'm here," commented Presi-
dent Barney Goldsmith.
Ballagh spoke on the effects a heart at-
tack or stroke has on a person and the dif-
ferent methods a healthy individual can
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help the victims.
"Heart and stroke are only words until
you see them first hand," she said.
Speaking on • heart attacks, Ballagh
praised the support group Heart to Heart.
She said when a person has a heart attack
it turns their world upside down but Heart
to Heart helps 'it turn rightside up. The
group allows people who have had heart
attacks and their families to talk with each
other to express their fears, concerns and
frustrations. The result of such talks is
people leave feeling better.
Ballagh felt there has to be more educa-
tion of the fact strokes can affect a per-
son's state of rnind. She used the example
of her mother who had had 12 or 13 strokes
and•is now in a nursing home. Although her
mind is good, her speech has been
drastically effected.
"It's totally frustrating for her and
devastating for the ones who love her...If I
need help sometimes, I think that I can ask
mom, but she can't tell me if she knows,"
said Ballagh.
People have to accept the handicap and
continue treating the victim as a person
says Ballagh, "The best treatment is to
talk with someone, to support them, walk
with them, share with them the beauty of
the world, help them make the adjustment
in lifestyle.
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