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Out of concern for a friend who lost his zest for life after suffering a stroke, Berry Tanukusuma started a support group to enable patients to provide help and encouragement to each other.

Berry, now 69, had a stroke when he was just 45 years old. He founded the stroke support group for patients at privately run Pertamina Hospital in April 2001.

“Speaking from my own experience, the support group really improved my quality of life and gave me the positive energy to move forward,” Berry said on Tuesday.

“This group is meaningful for stroke patients as we used to feel alone. This condition can be isolating, and I do not want to die soon.”

“I didn’t have the heart to watch my friends who had had strokes lose their passion for life. Thus, I pioneered this group. Thank God, the doctors and people at the hospital supported me,” he said.

The group is a community organization for stroke survivors, their families, friends and other interested parties.

Muhammad Kurniawan, a neurologist from Cipto Mangunkusumo Hospital, said that as a non-medical approach peer support played a key role in helping people who have had a stroke to maintain a positive outlook and stay fit.

“A stroke support group is a place to make friends, socialize, gain realistic feedback, help others and, most importantly, to find meaning in life,” Muhammad said.

“Like they [patients] say, stroke can be very isolating. By meeting regularly, members can help one another to face and overcome common challenges by sharing experiences and encouraging one another,” Muhammad said during a discussion on a weekly health program broadcast on a local radio station.

A stroke occurs when the blood supply to an area of the brain is interrupted, typically by a blood clot or ruptured artery or blood vessel. A lack of oxygen and glucose (sugar) flowing to the brain leads to brain damage, often resulting in impairment of speech, movement and memory.

An unhealthy lifestyle, such as a having a diet high in fats, a lack of physical exercise and high stress levels, can lead to stroke, Muhammad said.

“The support group is also important in preventing and reducing stress levels in stroke patients. They should not be under a lot of stress as it will be harmful to their health,” he said.

In the support group at Pertamina Hospital, members meet to exercise every Wednesday.

“After exercising, we always have discussions, share our experiences with other patients, doctors, and family. We become inspired to move forward after the stroke,” he said, adding that the group also helped members to learn more about strokes.

Kamel Kinaly, 59, who had a stroke five years ago, has been the chairman of the Stroke Care Association since 2008. He said that he had felt depressed and alone after having his stroke and he agreed with Berry concerning the importance of the support group.

“I was so down when I had my stroke. I felt like an alien. I felt I was different from everyone else. Everyone treated me differently at home and I felt like I couldn’t do anything,” Kamel said.

“I realize that stroke patients need a place to share with each other as well as get support. When we are in a discussion group with other patients and family, we realize that we are not alone in facing this condition. It motivates us,” he said.

Kamel said that he had worked too much and did not maintain a healthy lifestyle.

“I was a workaholic. I really loved working because that was my passion. But, my diet was not good and I couldn’t keep myself from eating fatty foods such as nasi padang [padangese cuisine] and foods made with coconut milk. I’m Sumatran so I love this kind of food,” he said.

“I used to go jogging and sometimes ran quite regularly, but it didn’t keep me from having a stroke,” he added.