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Hitting the links provides a source of rehab for stroke survivors

stroke victims find rehab on the green
Posted at 2:08 PM, Mar 22, 2019
and last updated 2019-05-06 20:33:38-04

TUCSON, Ariz. — Every year nearly 800,000 people in the United States suffer from a stroke, but here in southern Arizona some of those victims are rehabbing through the game of golf.

Any way you slice it, Bridget Chiovari won't be complaining during her next round on the links. For Chiovari just playing golf on the right side of the green is more than enough, after she suffered a stroke two years ago.

"I was 27 weeks pregnant when I suddenly got the worst headache of my life while hiking," Chiovari said. "I later found out I was suffering a stroke due to a ruptured AVM,"

On Friday, Chiovari joined a number of stroke survivors to graze the green at the annual Surviving Strokes event in Tucson.

Organizers of the event say golfing can be used as a legitimate rehabilitation tool for stroke survivors.

"Golf is a game of small muscles in the body and a game of balance," said David Lee, Course Professional. "A lot of stroke survivors say balance is one of their key problems, where they've lost a side of their body memory is a struggle. Paired with golf, this is a great rehab opportunity for them."

Besides getting exercise survivors said they're favorite part of the event was meeting other stroke victims.