Dianne's Story

October 17, 2012 two days after my 51st birthday I had a stroke at home after two weeks of presenting with flu-like symptoms and pneumonia and after post-gall bladder-surgery on October 9th, which emergency doctors thought was the culprit, but it wasn't and I was dubbed the "mystery case of the month" until I showed signs of stroke and was rushed to Foothills where I was diagnosed with endocarditis. On October 19th I had open heart surgery to remove the bacteria from my heart valve caused by the endocarditis. Then a seizure. I was "unique" because of my age and my level of fitness but stroke doesn't care, it can hit anyone from infants to the elderly. I'd always thought stroke was a chronic illness hitting older people - never in a million years would I have guessed. 

Who is Dianne Deans today? She is a dedicated supporter, volunteer, and advocate in the healthcare community and the community of stroke survivors. In 2021, during the pandemic, she started leading a monthly stroke support group which has gained such momentum and attention that it has grown from 2 to 23 members. Dianne recently joined SSAGC's Board as their membership manager to maintain and update their membership list and help grow SSAGC's membership. Dianne sits on MODC’s Advocacy Advisory Panel, which focuses on solutions to directly affect survivors’ quality of life and financial position. Dianne serves as a Patient & Family Advisor with Neurosciences and Stroke, contributing to projects from the perspective of having lived experience.

Dianne has deep respect for SSAGC, MODC, H&SF and SRAC. She recognizes that each organization advocates, supports, and ensures people with lived experience are supported and even included in every decision, living the principle, ‘Nothing about us, without us.’