Clinicians and Educators
A Patient-Centred Perspective on Long-Term Stroke Recovery
Driven: A Post Stroke Journey offers rehabilitation professionals and educators a rare, longitudinal patient narrative that extends well beyond the commonly referenced six-month recovery window.
Written by stroke survivor David Robb, this book reflects more than six years of recovery experience informed by sustained engagement with physiotherapists, occupational therapists, neuro-rehabilitation specialists, and stroke systems in Ontario.
Rather than focusing on techniques or protocols, Driven provides insight into how rehabilitation is experienced, interpreted, and sustained from the patient’s perspective—over time, through plateaus, fatigue, and adaptation.
Why This Book Is Relevant to Clinical Practice
- Explores recovery as a dynamic, non-linear process
- Illustrates the lived impact of spasticity, tone, fatigue, compensation, and secondary injuries
- Highlights the psychological and identity-related consequences of stroke
- Examines decision-making around continuing or discontinuing therapy
- Reflects the realities of time-limited funding models and access constraints
The narrative complements evidence-based practice by adding context that is often absent from clinical documentation or outcome measures.
Alignment with Canadian Stroke Best Practices
The themes in Driven align with core principles outlined in Canadian Stroke Best Practices, including:
- Individualized, person-centred care
- Recognition of long-term and lifelong recovery needs
- Emphasis on participation, function, and quality of life
- The importance of education, self-management, and advocacy
- Ongoing rehabilitation and community reintegration
The book reinforces the understanding that recovery potential and meaningful improvement may continue well beyond early post-stroke phases.
Educational Use
Driven is suitable for:
- Physiotherapy and occupational therapy programs
- Interprofessional education
- Continuing professional development
- Reflective practice and ethics discussions
- Stroke system planning and quality improvement initiatives
Educators have used patient narratives like this to support learning objectives related to empathy, clinical reasoning, communication, and system-level awareness.
For Stroke Programs & Health Organizations
This book may be valuable for:
- Staff education and professional development
- Patient and family education resources
- Program planning discussions around long-term recovery
- Advocacy and system redesign conversations
An executive summary and short-form versions are available on the More Information page for internal distribution and newsletters.
Driven: A Post Stroke Journey 