Let's Go for a Walk - Rebuilding body, mind and spirit after a stroke, by Thomas Graham

Join us to celebrate the launch of Let's go for a walk: Rebuilding body, mind and spirit after a stroke; Thomas Graham's personal account of the rehabilitation process to restore his mobility and return to active, independent living after he unexpectedly suffered a stroke. 

Through a programme of intensive physiotherapy, Thomas worked to regain his physical movement, rebuild his strength, and enhance his stamina. He wrote poetry to support his psychological wellbeing and embraced nature-based activities-sit spotting, forest bathing, walking and gardening-for spiritual sustenance to nurture a greater appreciation for life.

His journey of navigating a medical emergency with resilience and positive intent, supported by close family and friends, offers encouragement and hope to stroke survivors, trauma sufferers, and those entrusted with their care.

Thomas Graham is a retired Canberran, former Mr Petman—small local business owner—and public servant who, in May 2023, was struck by a severe stroke, losing mobility to his right sided limbs.

Let’s go for a walk is his account of the rehabilitation process to restore his mobility and return to active, independent living.

Through a programme of intensive physiotherapy, Thomas worked to regain his physical movement, rebuild his strength, and enhance his stamina. He wrote poetry to support his psychological wellbeing and embraced nature-based activities—sit spotting, forest bathing, walking and gardening—for spiritual sustenance to nurture a greater appreciation for life.

His journey of navigating a medical emergency with resilience and positive intent, supported by close family and friends, offers encouragement and hope to stroke survivors, trauma sufferers, and those entrusted with their care.

The book contains illustrations, documenting his day-to-day recovery, drawn by his wife, Canberra artist and author, Slobodanka Graham. The cover artwork, ‘My MAN(dala)’, was originally exhibited at the Artists Society of Canberra annual exhibition, in 2024.

Annually, more than 30,000 Australians, are struck by stroke. The Stroke Foundation confirms there is not a single postcode within Australia without a stroke victim or survivor. In Canberra, there are estimated to be 8,000 survivors of stroke, having profound long term affect on the person, their families and the community.

This event doubles as a launch of Thomas’ personal testimony, and an awareness campaign, to alert people about stroke as a medical emergency, and if struck, that time is critical to get to an emergency ward quickly.