Date:
November 17 Time: 1:00 PM Location: Provail Brainworks 12700 Aurora Ave. N Seattle, WA 98133 Speakers Nicole Chamble, Brain Industry Alliance of Washington Mike Tran, Stroke Determination Foundation Nathalie Farage -- UW Synapse Group Bring tips for managing the Holiday Season!
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We're thrilled to welcome new folks to our group:
Gail Akiona Glenda Deatherage John Deatherage Jerry Kathy Jackie Sandy and her team of therapists have special training and experience to conduct sessions in the pool at the Bellevue Aquatic Center. Sandy's slides are available here.
Aquatic Therapy is not a replacement for Physical or Occupational Therapy. It complements those therapies. It is typically not covered by insurance but is likely reimbursable from a Healthcare Savings Account. Check with your specific plan for details. Therapy in the pool is beneficial because the water both supports and resists the client. The extra buoyancy "reduces" your weight making it easier to stand, walk, or even hop, like an astronaut. At the same time, the water helps provide resistance to motion meaning you get more of a work out for your limbs and move slowly and deliberately. John from our group has had some fantastic results. The pool is also accessible. There's a ramp for a water friendly wheel chair, and an accessible changing room that is also an excellent place to shower. The water is 90+ degrees. This is important for a therapy pool because it relaxes the muscles. As many of us start to notice this time of year, cold weather increases tone and spasticity. Cold water does the same thing. Warm water, on the other hand, helps to reduce tone and spasticity which makes it easier to do the exercises. It's a lot more relaxing. There are a number of locations in the area with a therapy pool. In addition to the Bellevue Aquatic Center, there is also the King County Aquatic Center in Federal Way. You can contact Sandy for more information here: 425-429-6706 [email protected] http://nurturingwatertherapies.org Bill and Roger represented YASS at the walk on October 13.
It's a fun event to raise awareness about stroke and heart health. It's also a fund raiser for the American Heart Association (AHA). There is a 5K walk/run route for most participants, and a shorter 1 mile route for survivors. While thousands of folks participate, it really a fairly low-key event. There's no timer and no competitive race numbers. We all win by surviving another day. There is a vendor fair with all sorts of freebies, including assorted hospital give-aways and free mini-sandwiches from Subway. The AHA also set up their FAST booth to help folks visualize what it feels like to experience a stroke. It's a family friendly, dog friendly, wheel chair friendly, and generally friendly event. Keep it in mind for next year If you walk the halls of many Seattle hospitals today, you'll see signs reminding folks to BE FAST. You may even see signs on buses around Seattle promoting the FAST message.
But what is this all about? These are the warning signs for stroke. Promoting this message is an important part of public awareness. It's also something to make sure your friends, colleagues, and relatives know about. B = Balance E = Eyes F = Face A = Arms S = Speech T = Time to call 911 If you observe someone who suddenly has trouble with their balance or their vision; or if their face starts to droop, they have trouble holding up an arm or their speech slurs, call 911. That person may be having a stroke. Time is now critical. Many of us likely experienced one or more of those symptoms when we had our strokes. We need to be aware of them in case we have another or someone near us has a stroke. Don't worry about making an actual diagnosis. If you see these symptoms, call 911 and let the experts decide. Above all, BE FAST. If symptoms like this happen often and you're reluctant to call 911, speak with your regular physician. Or your insurance company may offer a 24 hour nurse line you can call for guidance. Those can be great resources. Of course with stroke, time lost is brain lost. Hospitals can administer a clot busting drug called tPA to minimize damage from many ischemic stokes, but unusually only with the fir 3-4.5 hours after symptoms appear. A surgical option may be available to remove a clot in within the first 24 hours. Of symptoms appearing. Treatments for hemorrhagic strokes may include techniques to minimize damage from swelling. All these treatments must be administered quickly to be effective. That's why it's so important to BE FAST. A TIA is often called a mini-stroke, though many neurological professionals don't like to use that term.
TIA stands for transient ischemic attack. Basically, it's a clot-based stroke-like condition that clears itself before the brain cells are dead. The symptoms of a TIA look like a stroke, but they go away usually in 6-24 hours as the clot goes away and blood flow resumes. In an ischemic stroke, a clot blocks blood flow and kills a significant number of brain cells, resulting in the long-term deficits we work through. In a TIA, the clots blocks blood flow, but basically just stuns the cells. The resume functioning when the clot is gone so there's no long-term significant damage. That said, it's important to seek medical attention for a TIA. A TIA can often be a precursor to a full stroke. Medical attention can help prevent that stroke from happening. Bill got a new AFO and is quite happy with it. The folks at Hanger Prosthetics were awesome.
John took an awesome trip to Long Beach, WA, and walked on the sand. The long boardwalk also makes it easy to get around. In WA and OR, you can drive on the beach. That can be a great way to get out on the sand if you have mobility challenges. Just make sure you don't park too close to the water at low tide. It won't be low tide forever. Going back to work can be an important aspect of recovery for some folks. If you do go back to work, it's also important to understand how that may affect Social Security Disability eligibility and payments.
Mike has gone back to work in a different role. His new role is more active and less sedentary than his pre-stroke role. Andrew has also gone back to work part time with the Mariners, also in a different role. Bernie is doing volunteer work. Bill is continuing to seek his next adventure. The group is for the young and young at heart. We welcome folks of all ages, and don't want to discourage folks from attending.
Several years ago, this was a decision the group itself made. We talk about issue like going back to work, raising a family, outdoor activities, and so much more. We've had attendees as young as 9 and as old as 80+. We want to encourage folks from across the age spectrum top attend, especially since to most important aspect of age is the one in our minds. YASS Members Diana and John Park are closing the pop-up gift shop they've run for 25 years. The shop benefits AIDS research and education by supporting the Gift for Life /DIFFA program and has raised more than $400,000 for the cause. Merchandise, products, and even fixtures all have to go.
They have books for babies, kids, adults, and coffee tables. They also have toys, housewares, fashion accessories, wall décor, and much more. They sell items at wholesale prices so you can save 50% off retail. So, check out the shop at: 2611 NW Market ST BALLARD, WA 98107 Grand Opening November 17 -- stop by before or after the YASS meeting! Open on Wednesdays through Sundays from 11:00 AM to 7:00 PM Closed Mondays and Tuesdays Closed also on: Thanksgiving Christmas Eve Christmas Day The last day for the shop is expected to be December 30. Stop by and help Diana and John make this the best year yet, while you make your holiday shopping even easier! |
Bill MonroeBill is a Gen X stroke survivor and podcaster who facilitates the monthly YASS meeting. Really what makes the meetings work is the tremendous support from the community and volunteers. Archives
April 2019
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