Thank you for visiting 'The Stroke Mentor'.
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A mentoring and coaching programme that also Includes the husband, wife, partner, children, family of the stroke survivor.
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After discharge from hospital the full extent of the lifestyle change that commonly accompanies a stroke becomes clear to everyone involved.
The difficulties can be financial, social, psychological, or physiological. |
Whatever the case, it can be a strain on any relationship.
This is where 'The Stroke Mentor' wants to help. |
Wolfgang Wolf, 'The Stroke Mentor'.
Wolfgang Wolf was born Wolfgang Haufe in 1951 in Leipzig, GDR, he was taken by his parents to West Germany (FRG) at the age of 10 months because his father was sentenced to 18 years in Siberia for an alleged assassination attempt on the Russian dictator Joseph Stalin.
He grew up in the refugee camp Stammheim near Stuttgart until 1957. Having studied Visual Communication, Semiotics and Communication Theory und in Stuttgart and Wuppertal Wolfgang went on to work in Advertising and Direct Marketing (first as graphic designer, later a copywriter). In 1980 he emigrated to New Zealand, travelled up and down the country, photographed a lot, co-founded Ogilvy & Mather Direct, and was their Creative Director. He worked half a year in Los Angeles, USA, and founded his own agency in Auckland, New Zealand, in 1985. He also did teach the certificate course in Direct Marketing.
Then in 1990 he had a major stroke, which he barely survived. It left him in a wheelchair, unable to write, barely able to stand, and talk. He did not give up and feel sorry for himself, but went on to orchestrate this change to his new life, and take control of it. While he recovered and adjusted to life in a wheelchair he wrote the book "I’m not stupid, just disabled", which is out of print now, but a revised, version based on it is available on Amazon/Kindle. (read a free sample chapter, and simply download a free reading app for your computer, tablet, or smart phone).
After this he studied and completed a Bachelor of Social Practice (Major: Counselling) and a Diploma in Community Development.
While studying he founded, and still chairs, “Computers Against Isolation”, a registered charity which provides people who live with disabilities with computers.
He has been a New Zealand citizen since1983 and a member of Lions International since 2011.
He grew up in the refugee camp Stammheim near Stuttgart until 1957. Having studied Visual Communication, Semiotics and Communication Theory und in Stuttgart and Wuppertal Wolfgang went on to work in Advertising and Direct Marketing (first as graphic designer, later a copywriter). In 1980 he emigrated to New Zealand, travelled up and down the country, photographed a lot, co-founded Ogilvy & Mather Direct, and was their Creative Director. He worked half a year in Los Angeles, USA, and founded his own agency in Auckland, New Zealand, in 1985. He also did teach the certificate course in Direct Marketing.
Then in 1990 he had a major stroke, which he barely survived. It left him in a wheelchair, unable to write, barely able to stand, and talk. He did not give up and feel sorry for himself, but went on to orchestrate this change to his new life, and take control of it. While he recovered and adjusted to life in a wheelchair he wrote the book "I’m not stupid, just disabled", which is out of print now, but a revised, version based on it is available on Amazon/Kindle. (read a free sample chapter, and simply download a free reading app for your computer, tablet, or smart phone).
After this he studied and completed a Bachelor of Social Practice (Major: Counselling) and a Diploma in Community Development.
While studying he founded, and still chairs, “Computers Against Isolation”, a registered charity which provides people who live with disabilities with computers.
He has been a New Zealand citizen since1983 and a member of Lions International since 2011.
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Wolfgang regularly presents on stroke and rehabilitation related matters to community groups and international conferences. The formation of 'The Stroke Mentor' was a logical conclusion following talks with other disabled people. Wolfgang does counselling and coaching work, mainly with couples where one partner has a disability. He insists it is “with couples”, rather than doing anything “to couples”. Also, he prefers to call it coaching (most of the time), and not counselling, because he thinks they just need a friend who shows them the boat they are all sitting in.
Typically a Mentoring Course takes one week (five working days). The minimum is one hour a day. This includes One-on-One sessions with the Stroke Survivor, One-on-One sessions with his/her partner/spouse, possible One-on-One sessions with children, and group sessions with the whole family. Ideally sessions should start as soon as possible after onset of the stroke.
Additionally to family, a meeting with friends, and a talk can be arranged if desired.
If you would like more information about 'The Stroke Mentor' just e-mail Wolfgang.
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Wolfgang Wolf on Rehabilitation.
"The most important thing is, you close the door on your previous life, and then move on."
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The presentation 'The Four Stages of Rehabilitation' at the Australian Rehabilitation Nurses Association's annual conference in Melbourne. |
In this video clip Wolfgang talks about how stroke survivors could benefit from mentors during their recovery process. |
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He regularly writes about stroke, rehabilitation, and disability here.