Kiwi business success story urges New Zealanders
to be aware
of stroke risks
Successful businessman Roger Lampen was fit, healthy and ready for anything when he embarked on a cycling tour in 2007 through the Himalayas. The tour was Roger’s biggest adventure yet – until his life was changed forever by a stroke.
Founder of the Lampen Group, Roger has had an extensive career in the staff recruitment sector, and was a keen cyclist outside of work. Roger says he had no idea there was anything wrong until the day the stroke occurred.
“It was totally out of the blue. I was in my sixties and leading an extremely active lifestyle - my passion has always been cycle touring and I had toured in the UK, Europe, Australia and New Zealand.
“My stroke happened while I was in the middle of the Himalayas – completely isolated from civilisation. I ended up in a military hospital in Tibet, in one of the most inhospitable regions of the world.
“I had no idea I was at risk of stroke. Looking back now, I realise that my stroke may well have been preventable. I hadn’t known anything about the dangers, the early signs and so there were many signs I missed.”
Roger has written a book telling his compelling story, It’s All in the Mind, which will is published this week. He is also supporting Stroke Awareness Week, from 7 to 13 September, and urging Kiwis to become more stroke aware. About 8000 strokes occur in New Zealand each year, and stroke is our leading cause of disability.
Roger’s stroke was partially linked to high blood pressure, which is a major cause of strokes. The focus of Stroke Awareness Week this year is on the benefits of having your blood pressure checked. One in five New Zealanders has high blood pressure, and many are unaware of it. If you are found to have high blood pressure, it can usually be controlled by a combination of diet, exercise and medication.
“Strokes are New Zealand’s third largest killer, after heart disease and cancer, but countless people are unaware of what a stroke actually is and what steps can be taken to reduce the risk of suffering one,” says Roger.
Roger had to go through the massive mental and physical challenge of going from an apparently healthy cyclist to being debilitated by stroke. But he has rehabilitated himself through his determination to get better.
“There are constant daily challenges to be faced during the journey of stroke recovery. But it is vital for stroke survivors to believe in themselves and that they can drive the improvement.”
To mark Stroke Awareness Week, the Stroke Foundation, St John and Lions are offering free blood pressure checks at a number of supermarkets around New Zealand, and Roger encourages people to go along.
“Having your blood pressure taken only takes a few moments. If you find out you have high blood pressure, you can do something about it before it’s too late.”
ENDS
Further Information:
Liz Price, Stroke Foundation, 0276 957 744
For a list of sites offering free blood pressure checks on Saturday 12 September see Free blood pressure checks for list of sites.
Stroke Foundation: “Reducing risk – improving outcomes”. www.stroke.org.nz
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