Communique'

December 2025

Dear MCSA members and friends:

December — the month of gift-giving holidays --- is a great time to give the gift of a donation to Montgomery County Stroke Association (MCSA). Contributions of any size are greatly appreciated and will help MCSA continue our 45-year tradition of providing free and unique services and programs designed to help stroke survivors and their family caregivers cope successfully with the devastating effects of stroke. For more than our decades now, Montgomery County Stroke Association has offered helpful information, caring support, and a sense of hope to stroke survivors and to their families and friends who are dealing with a variety of life-after-stroke issues and challenges. Our motto is: “You are not alone!”

MCSA’s members inspire and motivate each other to never give up! MCSA promotes stroke awareness in the community by attending health fairs, presenting virtual programs, and distributing “stroke awareness” information including stroke risk factors and ways to reduce them, the warning signs of stroke, the urgent need to call 9-1-1 to report a stroke, and resources to help stroke survivors cope with stroke as successfully as

possible.

Pre-pandemic, MCSA provided free monthly stroke support groups and educational programming at our three local chapter locations. Unfortunately, these in-person meetings have been cancelled during the Pandemic and have not resumed due to the need to find chapter chairpersons. However, monthly online programs have been provided and more are being planned. Our free telephone helpline and website are still available 24/7. Our free Communique’ newsletters are distributed via email or postal delivery to more than 400 recipients each month. Periodic social, recreational, and educational “special event” programs have provided useful information and much-needed fun, relaxation, and networking opportunities to people whose lives have been changed forever by their strokes. Our programs are free for our members to attend, but they incur expenses that MCSA needs to pay. That is why we need to request donations.

Our organization has never charged membership dues or mailing list fees. Our educational programs and stroke support groups are provided free of charge. Our funding typically comes from contributions from our members, the general public, and charitable giving organizations. Any help you could provide would be sincerely appreciated.

We realize that the economic downturns caused financial hardships for many of our members. If you cannot donate financially now, perhaps you can help MCSA in other ways, such as by volunteering to help at the Chapter or Board level. If you are able to contribute financially, please take advantage of this annual year-end gifting opportunity to send a tax-deductible donation to our 501 (c ) (3) non-profit organization. Donations of any size are welcomed and will make a difference in the lives of stroke survivors and their family caregivers. 

Donations may be mailed to MCSA, P.O. Box 9343, Silver Spring, MD 20916-9343. For online/electronic donations, contact MCSA for details.

Sincerely,

Amy Boltz, President, Montgomery County Stroke Association

MCSA is a 501(c)(3) non-profit charitable organization. Federal ID #52-1303595 C-11/2025, v.1

NOTE: MCSA is currently authorized to solicit financial donations only from residents of Maryland.

MCSA Donation Form

I/we want to help the Montgomery County Stroke Association (MCSA) continue providing much-needed support, assistance, and free programs to stroke survivors and family caregivers. Enclosed is my cash donation, which may be tax-deductible if you receive no goods or services in exchange for this gift:

____$2,000  ____$1,000    ____$500   _____$200  _____$100  ____$50  ____$25  ____$10         Other amount: $___________

____ I pledge to make this a monthly donation. Contact me to make arrangements.

____ I pledge to renew this contribution annually. Contact me to make arrangements.

OUR “WISH LIST”

Please consider the following needs when making your donation:

$1,500 will provide 10 Speech-Language Therapy groups for stroke survivors who have aphasia.

$1,200 will provide 10 professionally facilitated Stroke Survivor or Caregiver Support groups.

$500 will pay for our 24/7 telephone non-emergency telephone Helpline for about 6 months.

$200 will pay for “home delivery” of our monthly Communique’ newsletter for about 6 months.

$100 will help pay for MCSA trifold brochures and business cards to promote our services.

$25 will help buy a case of copy paper for publicity flyers and educational program handouts.

In lieu of sending a financial donation at this time, I am interested in providing in-kind or pro bono volunteer services to MCSA in the following area(s): (Check all that apply.)

____ fund raising ____ accounting ____entertainment ____ refreshments

____ website/online services ____ printing /copying ____ office supplies

____ graphic design (brochures, flyers, newsletter, E-Bulletins)

____other (specify) ___________________________________________________________

I want to donate in memory of (name): ___________________________________________________

Please send an acknowledgement card to: Name:_______________________________________________

Address:__________________________________________________________________________________

Please complete the information below so that MCSA can thank you for your donation. If you want your donation to be anonymous, please check here _____

Your Name(s): ____________________________________________________________________________

Address:_________________________________________________________________________________

Phone Number:____________________________ E-mail:_________________________________________

Please mail your completed form and check (payable to Montgomery County Stroke Association or MCSA ) to the address listed at the bottom of this page. Donations of any size are helpful and are greatly appreciated!

NOTE: MCSA is currently authorized to solicit financial donations only from residents of Maryland.

MCSA is a 501(c)(3) non-profit charitable organization. Federal ID #: 52-1303595 C-11/2025, v.1

MCSA Communique’ for November 2025

MONTGOMERY COUNTY STROKE ASSOCIATION, INC.

P.O. BOX 9343

SILVER SPRING, MD 20916-9343

* * * STROKE-RELATED EVENTS & RESOURCES * * *

ARTICULATE APHASICS TOASTMASTER GROUP

David Premo has established an official Toastmaster’s group for adults who have aphasia. According to David, “Aphasia improves (lessens) with practice. That’s why we practice at all our meetings. Come see why research proves the Toastmasters program helps people with aphasia rediscover their voice. Join us online on Thursdays at 8 PM Eastern Time.” Note: Guests may attend (observe) free of charge. Toastmaster membership has a fee. For more information, email articulateaphasics@gmail.com. Here is the Zoom “join meeting” link: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/86033527668?pwd=xvb3HXmNa1pxq8WrajvpmynZthPXFe.1 

Meeting ID: 860 3352 7668 Passcode: 100100

BLaST: NEW VIRTUAL APHASIA “EXERCISE” GROUPS

Jessica Parker, SLP, is offering new virtual aphasia “exercise” groups intended to help stroke survivors who have aphasia improve their communication skills. Cost: $22 per session. For details about BLaST (Better Language Support Together), call Jessica Parker at 301-

323-8486 or email Jessica@AdultSpeechTherapyServices.com .

MAAC VIRTUAL APHASIA SUPPORT GROUP:

Contact Mark Harder (msharder.maac@gmail.com) for information about Mid-Atlantic Aphasia Conference (MAAC) programs, including a free weekly virtual Aphasia Support Group. Recent guest speakers discussed a new app they created to help people with aphasia or other communication challenges discuss their medical concerns. MAAC’s free virtual aphasia support group meets weekly on Wednesdays at 7:00 p.m. Eastern Time.

POST-STROKE SHOULDER PAIN TREATMENT STUDY

Sheikh Khalifa Stroke Institute – P M & R Department, Johns Hopkins Hospital - Motor Recovery Lab. For study details, call 410-955-1347 or email motorrecoverylab@jh.edu. 

UNIVERSITY OF MARYLAND APHASIA RESEARCH CENTER STUDIES

Participants are wanted for a two-year study involving monolingual English-speaking stroke survivors who have aphasia and age-matched neurologically healthy individuals. Participants will be paid $20 per hour. Part of the research is conducted online. For details about this study (including the eligibility requirements), call 301-405-2477 or email Aphasia@UMD.edu .

The Science of Aphasia for People with Aphasia: Wednesday, December 3, 2025, 12 noon E.T.

Topic: “Aphasia and Apraxia: Understanding the Differences” - Get your questions answered.

Speakers: Gayle DeDe, PhD, CCC-SLP and Marja-Liisa Mailend, PhD.

Zoom link: https://temple.zoom.us/j/98225630680 .

MUSIC APPRECIATION – VIRTUAL GROUP FOR PEOPLE WITH APHASIA

These free virtual meetings are offered every Monday from 2pm to 3pm Eastern Time, 1pm to 2pm Central Time, 12 noon to 1pm Mountain Time, and 11am to 12 noon Pacific Time. Josh D. Smith is the host. Josh is a stroke survivor who was a professional music director in theaters across the U.S.A. These sessions are intended to bring people with aphasia together and share their love of music. Activities include reading, watching, listening, talking together, and playing musical Jeopardy. Then there is a live performance by the artist. Supportive, educational, fun, and free!

Here is the Zoom meeting information: Meeting ID: 894 3637 7594 Passcode: 960180

Join Zoom Meeting link: https://us06web.zoom.us/j/89436377594?pwd=dU93cGJqdWdyLzB4MXBUaXc1c2MxQT09

Introduction video: https://youtu.be/nYVhaiCBJ3c

LOCAL (DMV) IN-PERSON STROKE SUPPORT GROUPS

* Aphasia Community Group in Frederick, Md. (Brain & Balance Center): Wednesdays, 1:00 to 2:00 p.m. (Eastern Time). Call 301-662-1997 or email Sandi.Lancaster@bakerrehabgroup.com  .

* SCALE (Snyder Center for Aphasia Life Enhancement). Baltimore, Md. area. SCALE is now sponsored by the League for People with Disabilities. Visit https://leagueforpeople.org  for details.

* Stroke Comeback Center: In-person (Vienna, Va. and Rockville, Md.) and online classes. For details, call 703-255-5221 or visit www.strokecomebackcenter.org  .

* Stroke Support Group (in person) at the Adventist Healthcare White Oak Medical Center: This in-person support group meets monthly on 4th Wednesdays at 4 p.m. Eastern Time in Silver Spring, Md. For details, email Asaad@adventisthealthcare.com .

* Young Aphasia Conversation Club (Y.A.C.C.): Meets monthly on 2 nd Mondays, 4-5:30 p.m. E.T. in Annapolis, Md. and via Zoom. Contact Judy Crane at jbcrane77@gmail.com or 301-520-9044.

STROKE IS A BRAIN ATTACK!

DON’T DELAY.   CALL 9-1-1 RIGHT AWAY.

KNOW THE TYPES OF STROKES

1.  Blood Clots in or leading to the brain:  These are “ischemic” strokes. The 2 main types are:

► Cerebral Thrombosis:  An artery bringing blood to the brain is blocked by a blood clot (thrombus) that forms inside the artery, or a clot forms in a vessel in the brain.

► Cerebral Embolism:  A wandering clot (embolus) being carried by the bloodstream gets lodged in an artery in the brain. This cuts off the blood flow that brings oxygen to the brain.

2.  Bleeding in the brain:  These are called “hemorrhagic” strokes.

A diseased or defective artery in the brain bursts and floods the surrounding tissue with blood (cerebral hemorrhage), or a blood vessel on the surface of the brain ruptures and bleeds into the space between the brain and the skull.  The resulting loss of blood supply and pressure from accumulated blood interfere with brain cell function. A cerebral hemorrhage feels like the worst headache of your life. Surgery can remove the clot and reduce pressure on the brain.

KNOW THE RISK FACTORS YOU CAN CHANGE  (80+% of strokes could be prevented.)

1. High blood pressure

2.    Heart disease (including atrial fibrillation)

3.   High red blood cell count

4.   Transient Ischemic Attacks (TIA’s)

5.   Elevated blood cholesterol and lipids

6.   Cigarette smoking

7.   Excessive alcohol intake

8.   Physical inactivity

9.   Obesity

KNOW THE WARNING SIGNS (SYMPTOMS) OF STROKE  –  CALL 9-1-1

1.  Sudden weakness or odd feelings in the face, arm or leg on one side of the body;

2.  Sudden and unexplained confusion, or difficulty speaking or understanding;

3.  Sudden trouble seeing in one or both eyes;

4.  Sudden trouble walking; dizziness; loss of balance; or loss of coordination;

5.  Sudden severe headache (the worst headache of your life) with no known cause.

Here’s a way to remember stroke signs:   Think “BE  FAST” to help identify a stroke.

B = BALANCE.  Sudden onset of dizziness or balance difficulties may be a sign of a stroke.

E = EYES.   Sudden loss of vision in one or both eyes could be a sign of a stroke.

F = FACE.  Smile.  Is one side of the face droopy?  (The droopy side is weaker.)

A = ARMS.   Raise both arms. Is one arm lower?   (The lower side is weaker.)

S = SPEECH.  Say a sentence. Is speech slurred or are the words wrong or strange?

T = TIME.  Time to call 9-1-1 and report a stroke.  Note the time when symptoms began.

IF YOU THINK THAT SOMEONE IS HAVING A STROKE,

CALL 9-1-1 IMMEDIATELY!

Some treatments are only effective if they start within 4 hours of the onset of a stroke.

Fast treatment saves lives and reduces disability.  Don’t delay.  Call 9-1-1 right away.

Time lost is brain lost.   Two million brain cells die each minute during a stroke.

Every 30 minutes of delay could reduce good outcomes by 10%.