Marcus Rosenlehner
joins Board
Acting Chairman Lawrence Toliver announced Marcus Rosenlehner joined the YoungStroke Board of Directors. "We are delighted to have the perspective of a stroke survivor with such outstanding talents. Throughout the past year, Marcus has demonstrated his willingness to assist us in many ways. He was featured in our public service announcement as well as our brochure. He also has written for our website. And, we are confident his full contributions have only just begun."
Caregiver Appreciation
Luncheon on May 19
An unprecedented recognition of 100 young stroke caregivers is planned for Saturday, May 19 at the Marina Inn in Myrtle Beach.
Caregivers will be nominated by participating area churches who pledge to coordinate transportation (if needed) as well as alternate, or respite care, to ensure continuous care of the young stroke survivor
The featured speaker will be Dr. Carol Page, Director of South Carolina's Assistive Technology Program. Her presentation will feature assistive technology gadgets and gizmos for communication, literacy, activities of daily living, etc. to enhance the quality of life for caregivers and survivors.
The South Carolina Assistive Technology Program (SCATP) is a federally funded program concerned with getting technology into the hands of people with disabilities so that they might live, work, learn and be a more independent part of the community. As part of a national network of technology-related assistance programs, its goal is to enhance independence, productivity and quality of life for all South Carolinians through access to assistive technology devices and services. It provides an equipment loan and demonstration program, an on-line equipment exchange program, training, technical assistance, publications, an interactive CDROM (SC Curriculum Access through AT), an information listserv and work with various state committees that affect AT acquisition and IT accessibility. We link people with technology and work with consumers, service providers, state agencies and policy makers. For more information, visit www.sc.edu.scatp/
Marina Inn is located at the Grande Dunes Marina on the luxurious Grande Dunes Resort and offers five star services. Take a virtual tour of this facility here
Speaking Out!
Amy Edmunds is "speaking out" around the state! If you can't attend, listen here as she addresses the quarterly meeting of the Eastern North Carolina Stroke network in Jacksonville, North Carolina.
Columbia, SC
Circle of Influence Leadership Summit
Friday, March 30
Greenville, SC
Southeast Region Association
of Registered Nurses
Friday, April 27
Myrtle Beach, SC
South Carolina Public Health Association
Wednesday, May 23
You're invited ...!
YoungStroke, Inc. is collecting 500 word essays written by young stroke survivors and/or their caregivers about any aspect of their post stroke experience who have survived 10 years or more from around the world. Entries will be featured on its website (www.youngstroke.org) throughout 2012 in celebration of its founder's Amy Edmunds 10th anniversary as a survivor since January, 2002. "It's going to be extraordinary!" says Edmunds.
For more information about submitting your entry, contact ale.youngstroke@gmail.com, Attn: 10th Anniversary Project
What happens at a YoungStroke Expo?
Listen to Amy describe the variety of activities included in an expo event by visiting here
Getting Back to Work
Many young stroke survivors are eager to return to work after stroke. However, few understand available special accommodations or how to overcome barriers of disability discrimination adequately to advocate their own needs.
Jan Harper, HR Director, of Georgetown Hospital System, was a featured speaker during the YoungStroke Expo 2011 held in Litchfield, SC. His presentation addresses these issues in two parts:
Youtube Video #1
Youtube Video #2
Please offer your comments on the content of this presentation via Facebook.
You or someone you know may have a reason to care about saving lives touched by cardiovascular disease or stroke. Join the American Heart Association's You're the Cure network and click on the links they send to make your voice heard and help drive policy change. Please repost this on your own page, and ask your friends to support the effort too. Policies should be shaped by the people they touch.
It's easy...click here.
Join You're the Cure Network
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.
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
"The Yellow Ribbon"
By Marcus E. Rosenlehner
Life was good now. I was working for one of the biggest and best law firms in America, was in the shape of my life, ran marathons and just won a squash tournament which catapulted me to No. 7 in the US in my age group.
On this dreary November morning 2004, I got up and asked myself: "What shall I wear today? Yes, the blue suit," I thought before stepping into the bathtub to take my morning shower. Why am I so terribly dizzy? I better sit down. Fortunately, I did, because all of a sudden, I loose control over my body. My arms and legs shake profoundly, hitting the tub. Please, somebody help me! It hurts so much. Thank God, my wife is here. "Help me!" I want to shout, but out comes only an unintelligent noise. Essay continued here.
My Story
by Charmi Schroeder
"You're too young to be having a stroke. We're sending you home."
It was a Wednesday afternoon, mid-November when I had a stroke that I was "too young" to have. I was forty years old. I'd just returned to my desk after an afternoon spent in business meetings. I stood at my desk while I picked up my voicemail. As I was dialing my access code, my right arm fell to my side. I looked at my hand, confused by it just hanging there. Try as I might, I could not make it go back to the phone.
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.
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.
