From Surviving to Supporting: Finding Strength After Stroke

Shamendree (Shams) Naidoo and David Young are both stroke survivors who have returned to the bedside as sources of support for others on their recovery journey. Photo (from left to right): Shamendree (Shams) Naidoo, Peer Connector, David Young, Peer Connector, Tammy Bird, Registered Practical Nurse, Integrated Stroke Unit.

Imagine returning to the very hospital unit where your life changed – this time, not as a patient, but as someone offering support and hope.

At Brant Community Healthcare System (BCHS), that’s exactly what’s happening in Brantford General Hospital’s Integrated Stroke Unit (ISU). Through a new partnership with March of Dimes Canada, stroke survivors are stepping back into the unit where they once received care, now supporting patients and families just beginning their road to recovery.

Back in March, BCHS launched the Peer Connector Volunteer Program on the ISU, connecting stroke survivors with patients and caregivers early in their hospital experience. These volunteers offer more than just comforting words. Through shared lived experiences, Peer Connectors provide emotional support, encouragement, and practical insight, helping individuals feel understood during a challenging time.

This initiative was developed in response to patient and caregiver feedback, highlighting the need for stronger support and better awareness of community resources beyond the hospital. By bridging hospital care with programs such as After Stroke, the Peer Connector program supports smoother transitions, promotes confidence in recovery, and enhances access to ongoing community-based supports. Making recovery a little less overwhelming.

For BCHS Peer Connector David Young, this work is deeply personal.

Just a year ago, David was a patient on the ISU after experiencing a mini stroke. Today, he’s back on the unit as a source of strength for others.

“Being a part of this opportunity means I didn’t let what happened to me define what I can accomplish,” he shares. That perspective shapes every conversation he has across the unit. “I realized I could help others feel understood in a way that only someone who’s been through it can,” says David.

David meets patients and families in some of their most uncertain moments, when fear confusion, and questions are at their highest. In those moments, his presence offers something powerful: proof that recovery is possible.

“I reassure patients and families that they are not alone,” shares David. “No matter what they’re going through, there is someone who understands.”

David also shares the meaningful impact of the program through his role as Peer Connector, “I had a patient tell me they looked forward to seeing me, and that I made a difference for them. That meant a lot.”

For fellow Peer Connector Shamendree (Shams) Naidoo, the journey back to the unit was filled with uncertainty but led to something powerful.

“When I thought about joining the Peer Connector team, at first, I was nervous,” she shares. “I was worried it would be very emotional. Instead, I felt a sense of belonging. Being able to validate what someone is going through, because you’ve lived it, means so much.”

Shams experienced her stroke during the pandemic, a time marked by isolation and limited connection. “It was a very lonely and overwhelming experience,” she recalls. “I was only able to connect with others after I returned home, and I was struggling to adjust.”

That connection became a turning point. “Chatting with other stroke survivors really helped me heal as I was able to see that the challenges I faced were being faced by others, and there was a light at the end of tunnel,” says Shams. Through those conversations, she was able to process her healing journey, realizing that recovery is possible with the right mindset and support.

Now, Shams brings that perspective back to the bedside supporting patients who are in the same place she once was, navigating not just recovery, but the emotional weight that comes with it. “Being able to support others has given me a real sense of purpose,” she shares. “Knowing I can help someone stay motivated on their hardest days makes a huge difference in my own healing.”

Both David and Shams emphasize how challenging the transition home can be after a stroke.

“You go from a place where everything is supported, with doctors, nurses, and therapists to figuring out how to implement support from home the rest of your recovery,” Shams explains. “My advice is to use every resource available—outpatient rehab, therapists, support programs. Even if you think you’re okay, those supports can make a huge difference.”

Programs like this also highlight a broader message: stroke awareness matters. Recognizing the signs early and acting quickly can save lives – but ongoing support is just as essential to recovery. Learning about the different supports available can make a life-changing difference in a stroke survivors’ journey.

At BCHS, that support continues beyond our hospital walls. Through community, connection, and especially the voices who have lived it, recovery doesn’t end at discharge, and no one should have to go through it alone.

To learn more about the Peer Connector program at BCHS and how to get involved, contact mfoster@marchofdimes.ca.