God is a Manc poet Mike Garry is using his writing to support Manchester stroke survivors in their recovery and help them carry on with their lives.
Poet Laureate of the North Mike Garry runs poetry workshops in Gorton for stroke survivors.
The workshop gets survivors to create poetry that not only reflects their personal experiences but also allows them to share their inspirational stories.
Mike, who is best known for his poems God is a Manc, The Threads That and St Anthony, said: “I wanted to work with stroke survivors because of my Dad.
“Stroke survivors can often see the world in a different way; they’re somehow richer and fuller as people.”
WORKSHOP: Mike Garry reading poetry at a stroke survivor meeting
The effects of a stroke are devastating and can create complex disability in adults.
By offering stroke survivors new activities and encouraging social interaction, Mike hopes to them realise that they aren’t on their own.
With more than 1.1million people in UK living with the effects of stroke it’s clear that the Stroke Association is a vital reach point for people.
Mike believes using poetry allows survivors to channel their creativity and discover new skills and talents that they perhaps they hadn’t recognised before.
Stroke survivor Steve Burke, from Fallowfield, has written his own poem called Truth Hurts.
He said: “Mike has a way of making you look at things differently, I never used to get poetry but now I love it.
“Now I’ve got ten poems on the go and I’m thinking of new lines all the time.”
With so many options there’s not much stroke survivors can’t do with the right opportunities.
Groups such Stroke Association help people get on with their lives and ensure they keep going and are constantly motivated.
Mike added: “My experience of stroke started as a six-year-old kid when my father had a stroke aged just 39. But we never called it a stroke; it was talked about as an ‘act of God’.
“Stroke wasn’t talked about like it is now.
“I wish there had been activities and support like this for my Dad, as it would’ve helped him realise he wasn’t on his own.”
Stroke survivor Trish Kelly, 46, from Newton in Hyde, said: “As a member of the Stroke Association’s service in Tameside, I already take part in painting and fishing, but I jumped at the chance to do mosaics.
“When I saw all the broken tiles I didn’t think I’d be able to do it. Amanda was amazing and showed us some of her other work.
“We helped her in return by suggesting ways that people could take part one-handed, as lots of stroke survivors have weakness down one side of their body.”
Chris Larkin from the Stroke Association, said: “Creativity can help aid stroke recovery by increasing people’s confidence, learning a new skill, encouraging social interaction and sometimes improving dexterity in people who have mobility problems.
“We are always trying to offer people new activities to help improve their lives after stroke, whether that’s poetry, painting, art, using video consoles, gardening or blogging. There’s not much stroke survivors can’t do with the right opportunities.”
For more information visit http://www.stroke.org.uk/
Picture courtesy of Mike Garry via YouTube, with thanks.
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