By Xavier Smerdon
A Werribee man who had a stroke has turned a seemingly simple rehabilitation treatment into his life’s passion.
David Dumesny started to lose most of his hand-eye co-ordination after a mild stroke
in 1996.
His doctor recommended that he try sewing with a needle and thread as a way to heal
his body.
Twenty years, and about 100 masterpieces later, Mr Dumesny is a prolific cross-stitcher.
“I thought I’d try anything, because at the time I was trying to pick things up and I was missing them,” Mr Dumesny says.
“It was very scary because I was only 42 when I had the stroke. I was worried that I’d be unable to keep working.”
Mr Dumesny says he can finish a small artwork in one weekend, while larger pieces can take up to a year to complete.
“I started doing lots of little ones and they just got bigger and bigger,” he says.
“I like the fact that I can start with a blank piece of material and then finish up with something that’s pretty detailed.
“I just stitch anything that appeals to me and whatever I can find a pattern for.”
Mr Dumesny, who has pieces hanging at Werribee RSL, has given away more than 90 per cent of his creations as gifts.
He’s only made a duplicate of a piece once and says he doesn’t think he could ever turn his passion for stitching into a business.
“I want to be able to do it at my own leisure and whenever I feel like it,” he says.
According to the National Stroke Foundation, one in every six people will have a stroke in their lifetime. For more details,
visit strokefoundation.com.au.
