Communique'

* * * MCSA HIGHLIGHTS * * *

You are invited to attend MCSA’s free virtual program:

 “GOOD GIFTS FOR STROKE SURVIVORS”

Tuesday, December 10, 2-3pm Eastern Time

Speaker:  Janet Gritz

Gift ideas include:

·        Accessibility and safety items

·        Warm, easy-to-wear clothing

·        Therapeutic products

·        Personal interaction and assistance

Join us and share your own ideas for practical and helpful gifts.

Zoom meeting invitations will be emailed.

GIVING TUESDAY IS DECEMBER 3.  PLEASE CONSIDER DONATING TO MCSA 

FREE “FELDENKRAIS with BRAIN INJURY SOLUTIONS”

Alison Babil, certified Feldenkrais Practitioner, is presenting a free weekly series of “Feldenkrais with Brain Injury Solutions” from January 6 to March 3, 2025. Deadline to register is 4pm on December 9.  The registration link is https://forms.office.com/r/giXbX2ZTjq. For more information, email alison@truenorthhealing.com  or visit www.trunorthhealing.com . This is not an MCSA program.

LOCAL STROKE RESEARCH

The Aphasia Research Center at the University of Maryland has numerous studies that focus on improving diagnosis and therapy for persons with aphasia and on better understanding language difficulties in persons with aphasia. Some studies are conducted online (via Zoom). One study involves brain imaging done at the University of Maryland. Another study focuses on Spanish-English bilingual speakers with and without aphasia. One study involves persons with aphasia as well as adults over 45 years who do not have aphasia.  Participants will be paid $20/hour.  To find out about a  study  that involves online interviews of persons who have aphasia affecting their grammar skills, email maomao@umd.edu. For more details about U. of Md. aphasia research, call 301-405-2477, visit www.aphasia.umd.edu or www.bilingual.umd.edu, or email  aphasia@umd.edu .

The University of Maryland is also conducting a study entitled, “Arm Rehabilitation Post Stroke Using Rehabilitation Robot.”  The purpose of this study is to determine the efficacy of hybrid robotic arm training on recovery of arm function in individuals with chronic stroke.  Qualified participants will participate in 18 training sessions focusing on arm-reaching movements. These training sessions will take place over 6 weeks, at a rate of about 3 sessions per week.  Participants will be paid for attending their training sessions. Contact Sanjana Rao at 443-825-6349 for details.

The Cognitive Recovery Lab (CRL) run by Dr. Peter Turkeltaub at Georgetown University and the Fama Aphasia Recovery (FAR) Lab at George Washington University (both in Washington, D.C.) offer research studies or treatment programs for stroke survivors who have aphasia.  These two facilities recently published a new Aphasia DMV Resource Guide.  For more information, please visit www.cognitiverecoverylab.com or call 202-877-1124,  or visit www.famaaphasiarecoverylab.org .

Repetitive Action Simulation Program (R.A.S.P.) Needs Participants: This is a 6-week action simulation upper limb circuit training group. Participants must have a stroke diagnosis with weakness of one upper limb  and be at least 18 years old. Takes place in Towson, Md.  Free lunches, gift cards. For details, contact Dr. Teresa Green at 410-704-4304  or Teresagreen@towson.com 

DONATIONS TO MCSA

Donations to MCSA are welcomed at any time during the year.  Funds received will help MCSA provide a variety of free programs and services to stroke survivors and their family caregivers. MCSA is a 501-c-3 non-profit charitable organization. To donate to MCSA, send your check (made payable to MCSA or Montgomery County Stroke Association, Inc.) to: MCSA, P.O, Box 9343, Silver Spring, MD 20916-9343.  We appreciate donations of any size.

Local (in or near Maryland) In-Person Stroke or Aphasia 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 .

* Renew Speech Language Pathology fall group programs:  In-person 12-week group classes (for a fee) in Columbia, Md. and some free online stroke support sessions for people who have aphasia or Parkinson’s Disease.  Large variety of classes.  Email julie@neurorehabnetwork.org.

* 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 2nd Mondays, 4-5:30 p.m. E.T. in Annapolis, Md. and via Zoom. Contact Judy Crane ( jbcrane77@gmail.com  or 301-520-9044).

Helpful Online Stroke or Aphasia Resources

Aphasia Recovery Connection (ARC) and  Lingraphica/Virtual Connections:  

- ARC has helpful information and programs for stroke survivors and others who have aphasia.  Visit (www.aphasiarecoveryconnection.org).  

- Lingraphica (www.aphasia.com) provides wonderful free online fun classes for ARC through a program called  "Virtual Connections."   For details,  visit  https://www.aphasia.com/join-vc .

Healing Strokes Art Therapy:  www.Stanfordhealthcare.org.  Online. Saturdays, 1-2pm Pacific Time (4-5pm Eastern Time). Free (including art supplies mailed to you). Register first. Call 650-736-2234 or email wellnessclasses@stanfordhealthcare.org .

Janet Gritz’s free Stroke/Aphasia Chats via Zoom:  2nd and 4th Fridays, 2-4 p.m. Eastern Time.

For details, contact Janet (301-622-2282 or JanetGSLP@comcast.net).  Next dates: 10/11 & 10/25.

Montgomery County Stroke Association’s  monthly virtual Stroke Support Group:  Meets on 3rd Thursdays, 3-4 p.m. Eastern Time via Zoom. Free. For details, email mcstroke@comcast.net .

National Aphasia Association (NAA):  (www.aphasia.org)

Visit the NAA website and subscribe to NAA's free newsletter for information and free programs for people who have aphasia, for their caregivers, and for health care professionals.  

National Stroke Association (NSA): (naa@aphasia.org, https://www.aphasia.org):  Free online information, newsletter, resources, and programs including Aphasia Café and Ask the Expert.

Sibley Hospital Stroke Support Group:  Meets via Zoom on 1ST Wednesdays at 1:00 PM Eastern Time.  For details, email Amy Chew at achew6@jh.edu.

Stroke Buddies: By and For Stroke Survivors.  www.strokebuddies.org.  Facebook group, newsletter, Stroke Buddies YouTube videos.

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%.

HEART HEALTH INFORMATION (CDC figures)

Incidence and morbidity figures:

·         Heart disease is the leading cause of death for men and women in the U.S.

·         Someone in the U.S. has a heart attack about every 40 seconds.

·         That’s about 805,000 people in the U.S. who have a heart attack every year.

·         One person in the U.S. dies from cardiovascular disease every 33 seconds.

·         About 695,000 people in the U.S. died from heart disease in 2021.

·         One in 5 deaths in the U.S. is from heart disease.

·         About 1 in 20 adults (age 20+) have Coronary Artery Disease (CAD).

Risk factors for heart disease include:

High blood pressure, high blood cholesterol, smoking, diabetes, obesity,

unhealthy diets, physical inactivity, and excessive alcohol use.

Warning signs of a heart attack (CALL 9-1-1)

·         Chest pain or discomfort; shortness of breath;

·         pain or discomfort in the neck, back, arm, or shoulder;

·         feeling nauseous, light-headed, or unusually tired.

Montgomery County Stroke Association, Inc.          

P.O. Box 9343, Silver Spring, MD 20916-9343                                                                                

Helpline: 301-681-6272                                                                        

E-mail: mcstroke@comcast.net   Website:  www.mcstroke.org

December  2024

Dear  MCSA  members and friends:

December — the month of holiday gift-giving -- -- 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 44-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 four decades now, Montgomery County Stroke Association has offered helpful information, caring support, friendship, 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 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 until further notice due to the pandemic and our 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 pandemic and 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 or presenting an informative program.  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-11/2024, v.1

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