MCSA Programs

Monthly Computer-Aided Speech-Language Therapy group sessions facilitated by Janet M. Gritz, MA, CCC-SLP, were provided for several years for MCSA members who have communication challenges caused by their strokes. These communication difficulties may include aphasia (difficulty understanding or producing spoken or written language), dysarthria (difficulty producing clear speech and appropriate voice and fluency patterns due muscle weakness or slowness), or apraxia of speech (motor planning challenges affecting speech production).

During the first half-hour of this "CONVER-PUTER Club" session, conversational discourse and functional communication skills were practiced. During the next 30 minutes, specialized computer software programs and adaptive hardware were demonstrated in a group participation format. During the final 30 minutes, or as time permits, participants engaged in "hands-on practice" using some of the computer programs that were shown to them. This group met on the 2nd Tuesday of each month from 1:00 to 2:30 p.m. in the Margaret Schweinhaut Senior Center's Computer Lab (1000 Forest Glen Road, Silver Spring, MD 20901). Voluntary donations to the MCSA of $15 per person per session were requested, but not required, to help defray costs.

THESE SESSIONS ARE CURRENTLY "ON HOLD." If you would be interested in attending a computer-aided speech-language therapy group, contact Janet M. Gritz, MA, CCC-SLP, at 301-622-2282 or mcstroke@comcast.net, or contact us.

If participants are interested and funding is available, MCSA may offer programs to help stroke survivors improve their computer skills, access the Internet, use specialized software programs to enhance speech and language skills, or learn about modified keyboards or other accommodations to help users with special needs. If you are interested in attending computer literacy programs, please contact Janet M. Gritz, MA, CCC-SLP, by phone (301-622-2282) or e-mail (mcstroke@comcast.net).

An Annual Banquet for MCSA members and their families and friends is held at a local restaurant or in Leisure World's Club House #1 each May or June. Pot-Luck luncheons or dinners are featured at MCSA's "Spring Fling" celebration in March or April and "Annual Picnic" in August (held indoors in air-conditioned comfort at the Margaret Schweinhaut Senior Center). Periodic "Special Events" such as day trips to local attractions or theaters may be offered throughout the year. Participants must pay for the annual banquet and special events programs, but the costs are reasonable. See our "Calendar" section for details about upcoming events.

Trained MCSA volunteers may be available to visit new stroke patients and their family members in Montgomery County (Maryland) hospitals, nursing homes, and residences if requested by stroke survivors or family members. Information about the MCSA is presented, and a one-to-one relationship is established to help new stroke survivors and their caregivers realize that they are not alone, and that there is meaningful "life after stroke."

To request a visit, volunteer to be a visitor, or find out additional information about our Outreach Visitation program, please call our helpline at 31-681-6272 (and leave your name and phone number) or contact us.

This multi-media resource center on wheels displays and lends stroke-related books, pamphlets, videotapes, audiotapes, computer software and special equipment, and other materials to MCSA members. The Stroke Resource Center was established as a memorial to former MCSA president Martha ("Sudy") Granum, deceased, who was an inspiration to those who knew her. The Resource Center is currently housed at the Margaret Schweinhaut Senior Center (1000 Forest Glen Road, Silver Spring, MD 20901). For more information, call MCSA's helpline at 301-681-6272 and leave a message with your name and phone number.

The MCSA's Stroke Resource Guide was a 200-page document which contained descriptions of many stroke-related services, programs, and products, as well as information about strokes in general and the Montgomery County Stroke Association in particular. It is currently out of print.

Information from MCSA's Stroke Resource Guide is now available online at www.mcstroke.org (in the "Resources" section). Selected pages may be printed out or downloaded by website visitors. Individual printed copies of the entire Stroke Resource Guide are out of date and are no longer available.

To obtain information about ads or sponsorship, or to update a listing, please contact the editor, Janet M. Gritz, CCC-SLP, by phone (301-622-2282), by fax (301-622-9050), or by e-mail (MCStroke@comcast.net ). Or you may contact us.

The programs and activities listed below are not sponsored by the MCSA, but many of our members participate in them. You are welcome to join them.

The Montgomery County Department of Recreation Senior Center Programs (301-468-4540) sponsors activities attended by many MCSA members. Two such examples are listed below:

1) The Margaret Schweinhaut Senior Center (1000 Forest Glen Road, Silver Spring, MD 20901) provides a variety of programs. For details, call 240-777-8085 and ask for the information desk or request a monthy newsletter, which lists all of the programs offered.

2) The Gaithersburg Upcounty Senior Center (301-258-6380) offers programs such as the "Stroke Folks", which meets on Mondays from 11:00 a.m. to 12:00 noon. For more information about the "Stroke Folks", please call Charlyn Simpson at 301-258-6380. Some members of the "Stroke Folks" have formed an Aphasia Community Group. For more information about this group, please contact Sue Tissian at 301-438-8111.

The following groups offer support, counseling, or speech/language therapy to stroke survivors and/or their family members and other caregivers. Call the contact person listed to find out more about each program, including costs (if any) and scheduled meeting times and days.

1. Young Stroke Group: This group is facilitated by Susan Montgomery, LCSW-C (phone: 301-897-8815, email: Suzym717@aol.com). It meets on the 1st and 3rd Fridays of each month from 10:30 a.m. to 12:00 noon at the Emeritus of Potomac (11215 Seven Locks Road, Potomac, MD). These sessions offer professional counseling, support, socialization, and education. Discussions generally concern topics related to the impact of having a stroke or head injury at a young age (20's to 60's). Guest speakers occasionally are invited. For detals, call Susan.

2. Reading for Life: This alternative approach to speech therapy provides a modified book club that caters to the individual speech and language needs of its members by offering opportunities to work on areas of difficulty in a social, intellectual, and accepting environment. The book club groups are led by Jennifer Triandafilou, a licensed speech-language pathologist, and meet approximately once a month at various locations. Modifications include study guides for each chapter/ story, “note-taking" strategies for later use during discussions, resources for books on tape and large-print books, and a trained therapist to help facilitate effective communication during meetings. A free orientation session will inform you about the book club and enable you to participate in activities that determine your placement into your individual group of 4-5 people. Each book club meeting costs $35.00, which includes the book study guide. For information about this program, please contact Jennifer Simon Triandafilou, MA, CCC-SLP, at Simon Says, by calling 240-475-8786, sending an e-mail message to jst_simonsays@hotmail.com, or visiting the website (http://www.simonsaysreadingforlife.com).

3. The Stroke Comeback Center: This unique center in Vienna Virginia, which opened on October 16, 2004, is dedicated to helping stroke survivors with communication deficits achieve a level of independence that exceeds traditional expectations. The Stroke Comeback Center is located at 145 Park Street S.E., Vienna, VA 22180. For more information about the Center’s programs for stroke survivors, or to make a tax-deductible contribution, visit the Center’s website at: www.StrokeComebackCenter.org, or call 703-255-5221.