Did you know that Valley Medical Center is home to one of the most active stroke clubs in the Puget Sound region? Designed for stroke survivors, their families and their caregivers, the monthly meetings of Valley’s Stroke Club allow participants to meet supportive friends, learn new skills, and share experiences.
Stroke Club meetings often feature guest speakers who discuss issues survivors may face. Recent presenters include Lama Alameddine, PsyD, a neuropsychologist with Valley’s Neuroscience Institute who answered questions about the emotional and cognitive changes in stroke survivors; Occupational Therapist Cindy Bonilla, who specializes in neurological disorders and teaches Valley’s weekly Tai chi for stroke survivors class; and Barbara Beach from Neurological Vocational Services, a federal program which emphasizes vocational rehabilitation for the neurologically impaired.
Sarah Devine, Nurse Practitioner in the Neuroscience Institute and Stroke Club coordinator says, “Each month is different and each stroke survivor is different as well. Stroke survivors may not need to talk to other survivors for months or years and then wish they could. There is no wrong time to drop in and say hello. Stroke Club is always free and anyone is welcome.”
Stroke Club meets on the second Tuesday of each month at 6 p.m. in Valley’s Medical Arts Center conference room C on the first floor. For more information, e-mail strokecenter@valleymed.org.
