Luján Delivers Keynote Address at International Stroke Conference. Courtesy/BRL
From the Office of Ben Ray Luján:
DALLAS, Texas – Today, U.S. Sen. Ben
Ray Luján (D-N.M.) delivered the keynote address at the International
Stroke Conference in Dallas, Texas – an annual conference dedicated to
the science and treatment of cerebrovascular disease and brain health.
Since recovering from a stroke, Luján
has used his platform to raise awareness about the warning signs of
strokes and the importance of seeking medical care.
ICYMI – Luján Highlights Stroke Awareness:
Good Morning America – New Mexico Sen. Ben Ray Lujan puts spotlight on stroke awareness
Santa Fe New Mexican – Luján speaks about stroke: ‘It kind of changed my perspective’
Last May, Luján introduced and unanimously passed
a resolution to recognize May as Stroke Awareness Month. The resolution
encourages continued coordination and cooperation between the federal
government, researchers, families, and the public to improve prognoses
by increasing access to timely treatments for individuals who suffer
strokes.
WATCH: Luján Delivers Keynote Address at International Stroke Conference
An excerpt of Sen. Luján’s speech is below:
One of the reasons I have been
willing to speak about this [stroke recovery] is that I was encouraged
by so many to share this story.
What it was like going through this, especially in a public way.
Because so many are discouraged from coming forward.
Because they believe they will be treated differently.
That’s why this public education matters. We have to change this.
One of the priorities that we are
working on is to ensure that in more rural parts of America, that you
are able to get post-stroke rehabilitation.
It doesn’t matter where you live,
what your area code is, how much money you make if you need help because
you feel a stroke coming on.
The only way that those of us that
are feeling this will be able to stand in front of others to speak is if
you have the tools you need, if your research is funded, if we can
change the stigma, if we can provide more support for rehabilitation
every step of the way.
So, while I’m here because of the
stroke that I survived, I’m grateful for every one of you that I have
learned from, and will continue to learn from.
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