YoungStroke Goes to the University

Colleen Zoretic, a senior Communication major at Coastal Carolina University, recently appeared with Amy Edmunds to discuss her research project on two local televisions shows: Coastal Today and WMBF's Living Local. For her capstone project, Colleen chose to create a campaign to educate members of the campus community about young strokes and to enhance awareness about the YoungStroke organization. Prior to launching her campaign, Colleen created a survey distributed via email, BlackBoard and Facebook to test the knowledge of our campus members about strokes and young strokes. On March 22, Colleen will host a classroom presentation by Meredith Harper who experienced her first stroke at the age of 22.

YoungStroke Goes to the White House...

The American Heart Association nominated Amy Edmunds, founder of YoungStroke, to take part in the White House's Community Leaders Briefing on Cardiovascular Health on February 24th. As one of two volunteer delegates representing South Carolina, she is recognized for her deep commitment and dedication the association's mission.

This important event provides Administration officials with the opportunity to hear from those affected by heart disease and stroke and those leading prevention, treatment, and research efforts in their communities to fight cardiovascular disease. A total of 120 individuals from around the country were invited to the briefing. The event itself will include a town hall-type discussion, breakout sessions with key administration officials on various heart and stroke-related policy issues, a tour of the East Wing of the White House, and a networking lunch.

Follow Amy's Washington adventure on Twitter at http://twitter.com/youngstroke_org

YoungStroke Expo Planned for Beaufort Memorial Hospital

On Saturday, April 21, Beaufort Memorial Hospital will host a YoungStroke Expo event at the Technical College of the Low Country from 9 -3:30 pm. The purpose of the event is to enhance the community's awareness of stroke and its impact. It features a variety of speakers, food and entertainment.

Beaufort Memorial Hospital, opened in 1944, is licensed for 197 beds (169 acute, 14 rehab and 14 mental health). It is fully accredited by The Joint Commission and boasts a quality medical staff of more than 150 board-certified or board-eligible physicians.

The largest hospital between Savannah, Ga. and Charleston, S.C., Beaufort Memorial Hospital is situated on the Atlantic Intercoastal Waterway and is one of the few hospitals in the country with its own emergency dock.

For more information, visit www.bmhsc.org and read the flyer here.

"Song of Gratitude" by Dan Miron

While practicing for a church solo, I had a stroke on August 29, 2010. "It felt like a sledge hammer smashed me in the back of the head." Assuming merely a bad headache, I completed my performance before passing out from a hemorrhagic stroke. The bleeding in my brain continued for two days, resulting in my brain swelling to twice its normal size. During physical therapy, I regained much of my strength which enabled me to walk, talk, eat and think within a week. Two months later, I returned to my job as a project architect... but only for a short time. However, I am fortunate to be surrounded by advocates who identify resources to facilitate my recovery. After nine months of growing despair, I now have hope for my future.

Creative Rehab Experience

Imagine jewelry made by young stroke survivors as a part of their rehabilitation therapy! Learn more here.

It happens routinely at the West End Co-Op, a one-of-a-kind community-based rehab employment program in Greenville, South Carolina. The co-op is affiliated with Roger C. Peace Rehabilitation Hospital, winner of the 2011 YoungStroke Champion Award.

The West End Co-Op provides a supportive, yet creative environment in which individuals with brain injuries can participate in "work worth doing" in a real community setting. The Co-op is an emerging small business integrative therapy model that can be used to integrate persons with brain injuries back into the workforce.

At the West End Co-op, participants perform real-life tasks to help them gain new skills, confidence, and a sense of connectedness. Participants may work as an employee, volunteer, or participate as an extension of their individual therapy. They offer custom screen printing and embroidery, hundreds of promotional items, handcrafted jewelry, and same day delivery of our signature Otis Spunkmeyer cookies.

Additionally, the co-op offers special services such as holiday plant sales, painting, spot cleaning, and janitorial services. To date, we serve over 4,000 local businesses and are always pursuing new business avenues.

The Co-op is a not for profit organization. All proceeds generated are reinvested into innovative and practical ways to help individuals with brain injury apply and evaluate their rehab skills. We've even been able to secure a storefront shop in the historic West End District, a newly revitalized area in the heart of downtown Greenville. So, stop by and see how you can give back to the community.

When you do business with West End Co-op, you'll get excellent products at a reasonable price, and you'll give people recovering from brain injury the opportunity to regain work skills and their dignity. Proceeds from product sales are re-invested in the West End Co-op.

For more information, visit: westendcoop.com

Meredith's Story
by Meredith Harper

I will never forget the day my life changed forever. At the age of 22 I suffered a massive stroke or Cerebral Vascular Accident (CVA) on January 1, 2006, while I was home from school for Winter break. That morning I woke up completely paralyzed in the face and a feeling that I can only describe as my brain felt like it was too big for my skull. At first I thought I was in a deep sleep, so I laid there for a few minutes before I realized something was wrong. Not only was my face paralyzed, but my right side was weak. Luckily I have a high bed which allowed me to roll out, and I walked into my parent's room. My mom was sitting on the bed talking on the phone, and I looked at her and put my hands up near both sides of my head trying to tell her that my brain felt like it was swelling. My mom got off the phone and asked me, "Can you talk?", and I moved my head to signal no. She asked, "Can you open your mouth?", and again I motioned, no. Next, she yelled for my dad to come upstairs, and he asked me, "Do you think it is your heart?", and I motioned no to him as well. My parents realized I was having a stroke, so they immediately took me to the hospital. They could be at the hospital by the time an ambulance was able to get to the house.

I hope students take advantage of Student Disability Services and not feel embarrassed about using them. They are here to help us be successful and if a professor is not willing to provide you with the appropriate disability accommodations, do not hesitate to return to disability services department for further help. Dr. Stewart went over and beyond to take care of any problem associated with my and each individual's needs. It is important to use these services because it is your future, and the staff of Student Disability Services would like to enable each individual to excel to the best of their ability and continue to have a successful career. As you can see, they helped me accomplish my goal of graduating from Clemson. Essay continued here.

From where I sit...
by Harriet Faris

As a social worker at Waccamaw Rehabilitation Center, one of my job responsibilities is to provide a discharge plan for patients. Many come to rehab after experiencing mild to severe strokes, ranging in age from 40 to 90+. Today, I am discharging a 45-year-old woman renamed Jo for this article.

Jo had a severe stroke several weeks ago. This patient is a single mom with two young children. Prior to her stroke, Jo was working full time, caring for her children and maintaining their home. During rehab stay, Jo worked three hours a day with a physical therapist, occupational therapist, and a speech therapist for more than a month. Despite her efforts, Jo continues to experience difficulty walking, slurred speech, and weakness in her left arm and hand. Essay continued here.

Counseling: Priceless for Survivors
and Caregivers
Reverend Angel Onley-Livingston, M.A., CACP, LPC/I
House of Abba Family Outreach Center

Counseling for stroke survivors and their caregivers is priceless. During stroke recovery, there is often a need for reflection and reintroduction to one's family, co-workers, friends, and sometimes... even to self. Typically, a stroke survivor may be challenged by anxiety, worry, anxiousness, or memory loss. Such losses affect not only the survivor. This is why counseling for caregivers is just as important as it is for the survivor.

Although often overlooked, caregivers may need counseling to better manage stress resulting from the survivor's changes of behavior, physicality, and emotions. Although caregivers devote considerable time accommodating the needs of others, they too frequently fail to care for themselves.

For both stroke survivors and caregivers, a counseling session begins by assessing their perception of life. Together, the counselor helps them create a plan to be addressed during therapy. Finally, mutually agreeable goals are established.

A caregiver must remember to put back into themselves just as much as they give away. I know this because I have observed my own family manage these issues on behalf of my great aunt. Her stroke not only changed her life but also the lives of everyone around her. It took some to move in, to check in, and for some to move away.

Spiritual counseling may also facilitate rehabilitation by enabling one to regain some sense of stability or self sufficiency. It involves discussing the stroke experience in relation to one's faith, including techniques of prayer, meditation, and relaxation.

It's a Winner!

"When I took this picture, I knew everything was going to be all right," stated young stroke
survivor Ralph Preston, first place winner of the YoungStroke Art Competition held at
Litchfield on May 21. "There is Always Hope for the Future" is the title of this print.
View more of Ralph's work at his photo gallery.

Second and third prizes were won by entries submitted Roger C. Peace Rehabilitation
Hospital of Greenville for works including sterling silver jewelry, stained glass,
and collaborative painting.