Why We Care |
The matriarch of our family suffered a hemorrhagic stroke. Unfortunately, the medical process left much to be desired and she died. Based on the missing sequence of actions that we know should happen when stroke is suspected, we realized that a stroke education and awareness campaign needs to be initiated in Westmoreland.
The fact that necessary services for diagnosis and responsive care were lacking, or were only available at far off locations, after we begged for them, made us aware of the need to advocate for the provision of such diagnostic services to be available and accessible, in the shortest amount of time, without the unnecessary long distance travel. We mourn mom's passing and remember the missed opportunities for a proper, timely diagnosis, the lack of diagnostic imaging at the hospital, except for what we got through private referral. Being witnesses to the worst case of medical apathy, we decided to channel our hurt, disappointment, and pain into beneficial stroke, awareness education, and outreach to help others in our parish. We care because Jamaicans are dying in large numbers from stroke, sometimes because of apathy or ignorance, and becoming disabled without the proper access to stroke rehabilitation services. We care, because we realize that having money for needed medical care and stroke rehabilitative services is meaningless, if the services are not readily available, and in a timely manner. The Milka Clarke Stroke Brain Trauma Foundation, founded to memorialize mom, and provide stroke outreach support to Westmoreland, has become the leading Jamaican resource on stroke. The foundation hopes to be a driving force behind better stroke prevention, faster diagnosis, more emergent treatment, and rehabilitation, that meets the wallet and needs of Jamaican stroke survivors and their caregivers. Our primary goals are to:
Whether you’re a survivor, a caregiver, or a concerned family member or friend, we're here to help! We want to make it easy for you to get the information you rely on and inspire you to learn more about this important cause. According to the 2014 World Health Organization (WHO) data, stroke is the leading cause of mortality in Jamaica. Although Jamaica sits only 600 miles off the coast of Florida, resources and access to rehabilitation programs focused on comprehensive and long-term care are virtually non-existent except to the wealthy who live in Kingston or Montego Bay to a lesser degree. There are very limited numbers of trained rehabilitation professionals who cannot provide adequate and effective services to all who need it. A national policy to protect persons with disability was not enacted in Jamaica until 2014 and does not support everyone in need. Our Focus The Milka Clarke Stroke Brain Trauma Foundation provides stroke education and support programs to stroke survivors, caregivers, and the healthcare community. We believe that caregivers and the survivor’s circle of support are the core to their recovery. Our programs and material are provided to the stroke community to help enhance awareness, education, and recovery. We know that working closely with the healthcare community ensures that every research and practice is being pursued to aid stroke survivors in their recovery process. Through prevention messaging we work to drastically reduce the number of strokes in the parish of Westmoreland in particular and in Jamaica in general. Our key focus areas include:
We cannot do this by ourselves. We need communitywide participation. There has to be an intervention when the medical system set up to serve the people continues to fail them.
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The purpose of the Milka Clarke Stroke Brain Trauma Foundation’s website is to increase understanding and awareness of stroke in Jamaica in general and the parish of Westmoreland in particular. The information on this site is intended for the general public, government, health professionals, patients, caregivers, and stroke and other brain trauma survivors.
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There is nothing happening in Westmoreland to suggest that better medical care is on the way. We have lots of land space so why can't we have a facility that takes care of our people? Why does a traumatized individual have to travel almost 100 miles to have a CT/MRI done? Is it any wonder why the mortality rate from motor vehicle accident trauma and stroke is so high in Westmoreland?
We are calling on elected officials, business people, professionals and other citizens of Westmoreland especially Negril to join forces with The Milka Clarke Stroke Brain Trauma Foundation, so we can make a change, so there is a difference in our community's response to this silent epidemic.
We are calling on elected officials, business people, professionals and other citizens of Westmoreland especially Negril to join forces with The Milka Clarke Stroke Brain Trauma Foundation, so we can make a change, so there is a difference in our community's response to this silent epidemic.
Some Core Programs That We Hope To Implement Through
Milka Clarke Stroke Brain Trauma Foundation
Planned Stroke Outreach Programs:
Residents who participate in these programs will give consent to share data with the Health Centres, Hospital and other medical authorities to keep the Stroke Brain Trauma Registry Updated. Programmes will be rolled out on a phased basis while funding allows.
Residents who participate in these programs will give consent to share data with the Health Centres, Hospital and other medical authorities to keep the Stroke Brain Trauma Registry Updated. Programmes will be rolled out on a phased basis while funding allows.
1. Stroke Brain Trauma Registry
2. Stroke Risk Identification Program 3. Access to Online Stroke Community for Stroke Caregivers (Stroke Forum) 4. Dedicated, Centralized Stroke Brain Trauma HelpLine 5. Stroke Don't Joke Newsletter 6. Placing Diagnostic Imaging & Tele-Medicine Equipment at Savanna-La-Mar Hospital 7. Respite Care 8. Nutrition Counseling 9. Speech & Occupational Therapy 10. Memorial Scholarship Program |
11. Mobile Stroke Clinic/ Emergency Medical Transport
12. Know Stroke- Minutes Matter Program 13. Hospital to Home Program 14. Stroke Education Outreach 15. Salt Awareness Week 16. Stroke Study Days 17. State of the Art Neuro-Psych Facility - (Stroke Brain Trauma Center) 18. Stroke Rehabilitation - Short Term/Long Term 19. Chaplain Services - Outreach 20. Speakers’ Bureau (Survivors/Caregivers/HealthCare Providers) |