BOWLS IS HELPING STROKE SURVIVORS

At the MCC Bowls Club there is a bowls activity every Monday morning out on the synthetic green to help stoke survivors remain as active as possible. It is part of the Booroondara Stroke Supporters Group.

Susan Ferres the wife of our Doncaster member Graham Ferres enjoys these one hour sessions. Below is a photo of Susan sitting in her wheelchair, being helped and encouraged by Pat who is from MCC’s longtime Tuesday Pennant group.

Graham says that he is very impressed as this bowling club with the help of many MCC rostered volunteers has been running these mornings for the past 18 years.

Stewart Paxton who plays in Doncaster’s Wednesday Triples with his neighbour Peter Demeris is a regular volunteer, along with his wife Anita who helps to run several activities for the Stroke Support Group.

MCC provide all the bowls and of course their synthetic green is used because this is suitable for wheel chairs. The stroke survivors using wheelchairs or walkers come down onto the green using a graded ramp bought by MCC.

Susan explained that a friend had told her about the lessons . She said that last week 10 stroke survivors attended, along with 10 volunteers and also eight carers. The survivors all have different abilities; some are able to still drive their cars whilst one participant has sight difficulties. Their ages range from 30 to 80.

After the session ends everyone goes back inside the clubhouse to enjoy a cuppa and chocolate biscuits … a happy social half an hour.

Lyn Goodman with the help of Susan and Graham Ferres.