The Australian premiere of an award-winning film on the stroke-related problem of loss of speech is just one highlight of the Stroke 2012 Conference to be held in Sydney later this month.

Aphasia the Movie is the true story of US actor Carl McIntyre who struggles to redefine his life, after losing his ability to read, write and talk, following a massive stroke at the age of 44. This groundbreaking short film is at turns humorous and emotional and allows a glimpse at life after stroke.

More than 700 local and international clinicians and scientists will gather in Sydney from 29-31 August to share their work, experience and research on stroke, the second biggest cause of death and a major cause of disability in Australia and around the world.

Stroke 2012, to be held at the Sydney Convention and Exhibition Centre, brings together medical, nursing, allied health and basic science researchers, clinicians and educators.

Themes of the conference include managing stroke, stroke recovery and stroke prevention and include latest technology and research in the areas of treatment, care and social and physical rehabilitation.

Conference co-chairs Professor Richard Lindley and Ms Di Marsden said the conference represented a highlight of the year for anyone working in the field of stroke.

Professor Lindley, President of the Stroke Society of Australasia, said the conference was characterised by the multidisciplinary approach that has become a national strength in recent years.

“With an initial theme of haemorrhagic stroke (the second most common type of stroke) and recovery the meeting has greatly expanded to cover a huge variety of subjects ranging from high-tech interventional treatment to hints and suggestions on how to improve your scientific presentation skills,” Professor Lindley said.

Ms Marsden, from the Hunter Stroke Service in Hunter New England Local Health District, said the conference was a unique opportunity for medical, nursing, allied health, basic science and paramedic researchers, clinicians, managers, students and educators to come together in the fight against stroke.

“It will provide the opportunity for frontline clinicians to hear of exciting research developments, which will impact upon their delivery of care and also for researchers to see how the evidence is being implemented by clinicians," she said.

"We are also proud to be hosting the Australian premiere of the award-winning short film, Aphasia the Movie which focuses on Carl McIntyre, a seasoned American actor who suffered a massive stroke that left him with aphasia. This important event allows us, for the first time, to welcome stroke survivors, their families and carers along with delegates to a session of the program."

Keynote speakers include Rustam Al-Shahi Salman, Valerie Pomeroy and Caroline Watkins from the UK, Christian Stapf from France and many local clinicians and researchers.

Stroke 2012 is a combined event for the Stroke Society of Australasia 2012 Annual Scientific Meeting and the Smart Strokes Australasian Nursing and Allied Health Stroke Conference.

For media inquiries and interviews: Ebru Yaman 03) 9670 1000 or 0488 380 484
media [at] strokefoundation [dot] com [dot] au
www.stroke2012.com.au

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