For 25 years, Stroke Re-covery has been supporting stroke survivors in Guelph and Wellington County.
In the early years, it was known as the Stroke Recovery Association. In 2003, Ontario March of Dimes broadened its mandate to include Stroke Recovery chapters and became March of Dimes Canada. That was launched in Vancouver when the World Conference on Stroke was held there.
The Guelph Wellington Chapter attempts to meet new stroke survivors soon after their strokes. Survivors visit new stroke patients to encourage them, offer hope, and to make survivors aware of services available to them in the community.
Depending on how ill they are, sometimes a visit of encouragement will suffice at that time.
An excellent stroke kit and uplifting articles are written by local stroke survivors. As well, professionals have written valuable information on stroke topics, including What is a Stroke?; You are not Alone; Depression; CCAC services, and many others. New survivors often know those who have written about their rehabilitation experiences and how they have worked hard to get on with their lives.
No two strokes are alike and the outcomes are all different. If people in our community wish us to visit loved ones in the hospital, please contact Jane Geerlinks at 519-638-2423 or email Janny@295.ca in North Wellington, or Marj Brooks at 519-824-1628 or marjbrooks@sympatico.ca for Guelph and the surrounding area.
From hospital visitation, a one on one service is provided for survivors. University students are trained by the group’s volunteer nurses and medical volunteers on best procedures to help with aphasia homework, physiotherapy-type exercises, reading, walking, and befriending. Goals are set by the caregiver, survivor, and with the student. Survivors and students derive a great deal from those visits and long term friendships are common.
If there are survivors who wish to have one on one assistance, contact Carol Martin at 519-836-3202 or kenmartin@rogers.com; or Judy Murphy at 519 836 4419 or murphyjam@rogers.com to arrange for an interview.
The Guelph Wellington Chapter of Stroke Recovery has a broad and inclusive program for all stroke survivors who wish ongoing support and information. There are peer support programs in Guelph on the third Tuesday of each month at Harcourt Church, on Dean Avenue. They includes speakers and sometimes entertainment. Contact Alvin McNally at 519-824-1186 or Tony Wagner at 519-822-1441 or email twagner1@rogers.com.
In Palmerston, peer support meetings are held on the second Friday of September, November, January, March, and May. Contact Geerlinks for information on meetings that are held in the Palmerston Hospital board room.
The group’s bi-monthly Newsletters include information on pending functions of interest to stroke survivors as well as Dr. Ruth Tatham’s Research Corner. All research items are very much up to date. If anyone wishes to be put onto the mailing list, contact Brooks.
At least two public meetings are arranged each year and the next event will be held on May 21 when Dr. Sherri Lynn Kane, geriatrist, will speak on stroke and another related topic.
That will be a free lecture and all are welcome.
In October, Dr. Robert Teasell, who has a 38 bed stroke unit at London Hospital associated with the University of Western Ontario, spoke on the necessity of starting rehabilitation within hours or days to improve the outcome and to save long term care beds in the future.
He said the stay in hospital will be shorter and more are sent home to continue rehabilitation. He stressed that this will save dollars. His research is recognized worldwide.
A celebration of the 70th anniversary of Benny Goodman’s Carnegie Hall concert that defined forever the sound of Big Band Jazz, will be held on May 2 at War Memorial Hall on Guelph University campus.
Local all star musician, Peter Appleyard, will be fronting an 18 piece band of outstanding musicians. Tickets are available through Jim MacKinnon at 519 8221 3541 email jimbarbmck@rogers.com, or Ron Hearnden at 519 826 0848 or email bigtributeconcert@sympatico.ca.
Last year Stroke Recovery presented a Gospel Jazz concert to a sell-out hall and people walked away singing, and saying that they had the best time of their lives. That could happen again this year.
Two of the executive are giving of their time on a LHIN committee to better serve health care in Waterloo Wellington counties.
The Stroke Recovery Guelph Wellington Chapter is totally volunteer, and no members are paid for their services. Much enthusiasm exists within the organization throughout the peer support groups.
Stroke Recovery Guelph Wellington has an office in a member’s home and is currently looking for an office, either gratis or low cost, for more visibility and accessibility. Anyone with knowledge of available space is encouraged to call 519-824- 1628.
