The Department of Health is extremely grateful for a generous donation of over ?13,000 from the Manx Stroke Foundation that has enabled Community Occupational Therapy Service to purchase three specialist chairs in memory of Katie Edge.  These specialist chairs are available on loan to patients whose stroke has meant that they cannot sit safely in a standard chair.
 
Minster for Health, David Anderson MHK said: “I would like to thank the Manx Stroke Foundation for yet another generous donation.  Donations of this magnitude are always extremely well received and important for the Department of Health to continue in the effective delivery of services.  This equipment is very important in providing the high standards of frontline care to our patients that we, as a Department, pride ourselves on.  Highly specialist seating gives those who might otherwise be confined to bed the opportunity to sit in a safe and comfortable chair.  This will reduce social isolation and improve the ability of people to communicate and undertake everyday living activities.”
 
Ruth Lea, Clinical Team Leader for Occupational Therapy, said: “We have utilised funds donated in memory of Katie Edge, a Phlebotomist at the Blood Clinic in Nobles Hospital, who died suddenly in December 2010 when she was only 27 years old, from a brain haemorrhage.”
 
Terry Chilcott, Treasurer of Manx Stroke Foundation said: “The Manx Stroke Foundation is pleased to assist in this way as one of the main objectives under the Foundation Constitution is: To improve the quality of life of people who have suffered a stroke and who live, or have lived on the Isle of Man.”
 
“Since Katie’s tragic death, the Foundation has been receiving donations in her memory from her many friends and former work colleagues. The donations to date have exceeded ?13,000 and it is fitting to mention The Cat with No Tail where she worked part time as well as her former employer, Royal Skandia International, as their contributions have been substantial. Appropriate plaques are attached to each chair showing that funds in memory of Katie have been used to purchase the chairs.”
 
The Occupational Therapy Service established the Seating Clinic in 2011, operated from the new Independent Living Centre based on the Community Health Centre site in Douglas.

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