The discussion brings together representatives of patient organisations from Bulgaria, Germany and Romania. It focuses on life after stroke: recovery, support for families, and the opportunity to communicate again and participate fully in society.
Sharing these perspectives through the European Academy of Neurology’s professional platform creates space for direct dialogue between the medical community and people living with the consequences of stroke. The voice of patients in Bulgaria is part of this conversation through the experience, advocacy and practical work of the Association for Stroke and Aphasia.
From Personal Experience to Shared Solutions
The involvement of patient organisations in European dialogue serves a concrete purpose: to bring visibility to difficulties that often remain outside public attention and turn them into priorities for joint action.
For the Association for Stroke and Aphasia, this is an ongoing commitment. Our encounters with people affected by stroke and their families guide our work. Every concern they share gives us a reason to seek solutions, build partnerships and advocate for support that reaches those who need it.
This connection between everyday experience and advocacy gives meaning to representation. When we speak at European level, we bring with us the questions, concerns and hopes of people in Bulgaria.
Bulgarian Experience in the European Conversation
In the interview, Dorina Dobreva presents the programme providing free speech and language therapy for people with aphasia, established in partnership with Sofia Municipality and Sofia University. This example shows how cooperation can create accessible support.
Sharing such experience allows Bulgarian initiatives to be discussed with partners from other countries. It provides a foundation for exchange, mutual learning and the search for solutions that can work in different communities.
For us, international representation comes with a responsibility to continue this work at home, close to people and attentive to their actual needs.
“Every Minute Counts” — Looking Towards the Future
The interview was published on the day of the national “Every Minute Counts” campaign, organised by the Association for Stroke and Aphasia together with the Bulgarian Stroke Society and with the support of Bulgarian municipalities.
The campaign draws public attention to recognising stroke symptoms and seeking emergency help immediately. The European conversation extends this focus to the next stages in the lives of stroke survivors and their families.
These efforts share a common goal: to give more people the chance of a future in which they receive the care and support they need.
The Association for Stroke and Aphasia will continue working to ensure that the voice of patients in Bulgaria is heard wherever priorities are discussed and solutions are sought. We thank the people and families who entrust us with their experiences, and the partners who help us turn shared efforts into action.