Murray Walter’s “near fatal” stroke in June last year robbed him of clear speech, ability to swallow, all movement on his left side and the ability to walk.  Today the 78-year-old retired farmer is up on his feet and in his own home with his wife Barbara. The couple say this miraculous accomplishment is chiefly due to Waikato DHB’s Supported Transfer and Accelerated Rehabilitation Team (START).  “The seriousness of his stroke bound Murray to a hospital bed for four full months; two in Waikato Hospital and another two in Matariki Continuing Care Facility in Te Awamutu,” said Mrs Walter.  “The doctors didn’t think he’d progress, but he was determined. He returned to Waikato for seven weeks rehabilitation before being discharged and referred to START,” she said.  START is an interdisciplinary group with expertise in rehabilitation. The team works with patients and their families in the patient’s own home to set rehabilitation goals and help patients to reach those goals… “You have to think about patients’ goals as being achievable. We develop the plan with the patient and all work together – to the best of our ability – to make it happen,” START’s charge nurse manager Raewyn Dean said…