The
New Bern,NC, Stroke support group - a good idea
The
idea of creating a stroke support group is practical and helpful
for stroke patients in different stages of a rehabilitation process.
It
is useful to share the experience of others. It is also important
psychologically,because other "strokers'' give realistic expectations
or at least transmits an attitude of emulation that helps to accomplish
new targets, new tasks. Learning a new movement, a new step towards
a more independent life.
To
give an idea of how this group works we copy here the year 2000
schedule of the Stroke support group at the coastal rehabilitation
center in New Bern, NC. The group meets the first saturday of
each month, twwelve meetings in a year. For the ones who put interest
and discipline could be twelve essential lessons for rehabilitation.
The
following is the year2000 calendar:
JAN8:
Sterling house/twin rivers nursing home. For any stroke patient
there isalways the gloomy perspective that some day his or her
destiny will be a nursing home. Diamondsare forever, but caretakers
not. Caretakers-be them spouses, mothers or any kind of relatives,
are not forever. Itis a wearing apostolate. But caretakers, eventually,
may collapse. Therefore, the first lesson of year 2000 was that
there are other options with proffessional personnel, where stroke
victims on a need of A shelter other than their home can live
in asort of community at the same time they continue with a rehab
program.
FEB
5: Pet therapy. Pets not only are good companions for stroke victims,
who are frequently faced with long periods of loneliness. A well
trained dog could be for somebody in a wheelchair as useful as
are some dogs for blind people.
MARCH
4: Vocational rehabilitation. An organization funded by the state
of North Carolina that helps stroke patients in their quest for
getting a job or starting a productive life.
APRIL
1: Realistic expectations. Dr Chris Delaney, M.D.,director of
the New Bern hospital Coastal Rehabilitation Center gave a lecture
about limits and realistic expectations in a rehab process, with
sincere and realistic views.
MAY6:
United senior services.
JUN3: Dietary.
JUL
1: Social security.
AUG 5: Home health.
OCT 7: Psychology.
NOV 4: Independent living.
DEC 2: Christmas party.
This
is a support group for both srtoke patients and their families.
