Hospital staff caring for patients recovering from a stroke devised a creative way of supporting rehabilitation, inspired by the Invictus Games.
Marsden Ward at Pendle Community Hospital in Nelson have recently hosted their own version of the Olympic Games, as a way of reminding patients anything is possible and encouraging exercise to support their recovery.
In true Olympic style, an opening ceremony had also been held, featuring patients actively participating in their own Olympic torch relay, with Linda Readfearn, a former patient on Marsden Ward, on hand at the end of the relay to officially declare the event open.
Linda commented: “It was an
absolute pleasure for me to open the games and have the opportunity to give something back. It was quiet an emotional event seeing everyone lined up and I was so proud to be there.
“I was a patient here eight and a half years ago and the staff were always so supportive. Since leaving hospital me and my husband, Les, continue to visit Marsden Ward and are very engaged with local stroke networks such as the Stroke Association.”
Ward Manager, Gillian Gelder, who helped organise the games, said: “The Marsden Olympics have been inspired by the Invictus games which was held last week.
“We know that life can be difficult after suffering a stroke, but these Olympics games are to show that with a little bit of adaptation patients’ lives can still be a good one. We want to help show that life can still be enjoyed”.
From paper plate discus to help 
coordination and core stability through to bowls to support visual scanning and upper limb activity, a range of fun activities were put together by the team at East Lancashire Hospitals NHS Trust, with Gill noticing the positive impact it has had on the patients’ rehabilitation.
She said: “Patients that were previously disinterested in therapy have been really keen to get involved with the games and have been eager to show their family what they have been doing.
“We’ve had some patients that are now standing up much more and we have also had three patients come off a hoist. Patients who are unable to easily move or talk are still getting involved somehow, so the games have been quite successful and inspiring”.