Challenged But Not out.

A Profile of Robert Dorrough

Strokes not only interrupt your life forcing you to learn to walk, to re-use your limbs to re-learn every­day activities they drain your resources they steal from your self-image, they decimate the inner you! But despite all the negatives, it is possible to make positive changes.

We all like to hear a happy story. This is one of those stories that brings a ray of hope, a glimmer of faith into a world that doesn't always seem to be fair, or even all that happy at times.

About three years ago, I was feeling depressed, disappointed and confused; Four years previously I had suffered a stroke.  In the following days, I was positively expecting that I would return to where I was before it happened. I was full of enthusiasm, hope and expectation. I had only just begun to see some of my long-term goals coming to fruition when I was mercilessly cut down, I confidently predicted a speedy recovery and a quick return to all that I had worked towards. Initially, well-­wishers bolstered me. As time went on and I had not regained total health, some of my acquaintances began to question my faith. I came to realize that not everyone treats you, as you would wish. Some patronize you; many believe that you are cognitively affected because you walk with a limp and have lost the fine motor skills in your hand. You may stumble over words, and yes, you may not be as quick-minded as you once were. Self-doubt regarding your own abilities and skills almost has you believing the doubters. But, you know that you are able to think, to make decisions and to learn. Deep within, as a Christian, you know that God has it all under control. That is exactly where I found myself three years a go.

I had been through four years of physiotherapy to get my leg, arm and voice back to a degree of usefulness. Now it was time to prove that I could still learn, that my cognitive power had not been snuffed out. I knew it would not be easy, but then nothing that is worthwhile in life is easy. I contacted all the agencies and departments that I was involved with, seeking support and assistance. I made several phone calls to appropriate agencies that supported my efforts to gain entry to Certificate III in Information Technology at Mt. Barker TAFE. I completed the course with the help of some dedicated lecturers and two very professional Student Services workers at the TAFE. Several times in that first six months I felt like giving up but was persuaded to keep going. I continued on with the Certificate IV the following year.

Through all this, I was aware that God was with me. I knew I was in His "Great Plan."

I felt compelled to share some of the things I'd learned with others who had suffered from a neurological disorder Thus began the Pilot Program, which I entitled the Neurological Support Group preparatory course for the more daunting task of returning to “mainstream" education. Some mayIntroduction to Computer Course. It was an immediate success. After the first module, 100% of the participants returned for the second module, along with several new participants. This is a  never take that step, but they are achieving new skills and developing socially at the same time. 

Why was it successful?

1.         It was a field that was very popular
2.         It was very informal in nature
3.         There was no compulsion to achieve
4.         Everyone could go along at his/he own pace
5.         There was a very positive emphasis
6.        There was a great deal of “ownership” in the class
7         Participants were achieving something tangible - learning new skills
8.        A spirit of camaraderie was established quickly
9.       The majority went from beginners to capable of basic Internet and E-mail
          skills by the end or the 17th class.
10.     We had established a Home page for the Neurological Support Group
          (Hills), with a Message Board for participants to contribute on-line.
11.     The facilitator had experienced what they were going through; he had
           empathy.

We very quickly learned that the 45 minutes in the canteen was an integral part of the learning experience. This was a time of consolidation, a mutual building up.
This return to lecturing was also of great therapeutic value to me; it rebirthed a desire to get back into teaching. It helped me to hold my head up, and feel like a contributor to society. I was especially encouraged by comments from TAFE lecturers and Student Support Officers. The overall atmosphere in the classroom impressed them. Our group has gained the respect and full support of the staff in the Information Technology/Business Studies section of Mt. Barker TAFE.

At the end of 1999 I successfully completed the Certificate IV in Information Technology. In 2000 I completed my Certificate IV in Assessment and Workplace Training. I am currently completing my Diploma in Information Technology (Part-time),

Last year I began working as a lecturer (Hourly Paid Instructor) with Professional and Community Education (PACE) through Mt. Barker TAFE. This year I am continuing with the PACE course and teaching Award Classes as well. There are plans to extend the Neurological Support Group Computer class to reach a wider population. There is a great demand for this course, and am excited about the prospects.

Someone once wrote, "You have failed to achieve in life, until you have helped someone else to achieve.”

This testimony was published in the Australian Voice magazine.
Copyright © FGBMFI

Would you like to read other testimonies ?

Would you like more information about FGBMFI ?