Carol has the coolest toys!

Dr. Carol Page, Director of South Carolina's Assistive Technology Program, readily admits her job enables her to play with some incredible toys. Actually, her toys are complex 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/

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.

Tell It All
By Marcus Rosenlehner

Carol Keegan wants your stories and insight.

Carole Keegan, a recent retiree and 39-year stroke survivor, is already midway through her first post-retirement project.

She is developing a long awaited writing workshop for stroke survivors who are willing to share their thoughts and reflections on the changes, stroke - this horrible event -has brought to their lives.

Carol holds a Ph.D. in communication and is furthermore a certified facilitator of both ethic wills and guided autobiography writing workshops.

Under the sponsorship of her local stroke association (Montgomery County Stroke Association, Maryland), Carol recently launched a new writing workshop called "Life after Stroke."

Based on guided autobiography techniques created by the renowned gerontologist Dr. James Birren, "Life after Stroke" workshop sessions guide stroke survivors through the process of organizing, sharing and recording their thoughts about the many ways in which stroke has changed their lives.

Carol provides you - should you chose to participate by sharing your story and thoughts - with a set of very helpful questions which serve as a great basis for your recollections.

For the next phase of the program, Carol wants to reach stroke survivors from a broader geographic area including South Carolina by training more facilitators in the "Life after stroke" method and by conducting (an) online workshop(s). Interested facilitators and prospective participants can reach her at cavkeegan@comcast.net.

Stroke Survivors Benefit from Homestead Tax Exemption
By Beverly Brown

A Homestead Tax Exemption is a property tax benefit granted to homeowners by some states if the land or the taxpayer meets certain qualifications. For example in Richland County, South Carolina; The Homestead Exemption is a complete exemption of taxes on the first $50,000 in Fair Market Value of your Legal Residence for homeowners over age 65. The Homestead Exemption credit continues to completely exempt the value of $50,000 for all purposes except for school operating purposes.