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CORKY`S SNIPPETS Spring 2011 Stroke Recovery Association of Challenges: We all face different challenges, some physical some mental, and many times both. Gener- ally we must face all challenges mentally before we can tackle the physical ones. I've had a stroke and I can't do all sorts of things I used to do. So what! You are not alone and many people have had the same challenges. What did they do? They got busy working on overcoming them. The worst thing you can do is “Woe is me, poor me, look at me, feel sorry for me”. Try not to bring attention to yourself. Just get busy getting the help to cure your problem. There are many places to get that help. There are rehab hos- pitals and a great source is a stroke recovery branch where you will get a lot of mental and physical sup- port. Here you will take away a tremendous amount of help mentally and physically. The best thing you can do is never give up. -Corky B. Knight

DONATION FORM

STROKE RECOVERY ASSOCIATION OF BC 301 - 1212 West Broadway, , BC V6H 3V1 Registered Charity Number: 13053 2500 RR0001 Please direct to above address when making memoriam or general donations and if you want your dollars to go toward support for stroke survivors.

______(Name) (Address)

______(City) (Postal Code) FOR IN MEMORIAM: PLEASE SEND ACKNOWLEDGEMENT TO: In Memory Of:______Name:______Amount enclosed: $______Address:______

If you would like to advertise in this publication please contact us at: Printed by Laser Graphics. Thank you for your support! [email protected]

The Stroke Recovery Association of BC gratefully acknowledges the funding provided by :

THANK YOU! We thank all our partners and individual donors for their valued support . Page 12 www.strokerecoverybc.ca www.strokerecoverybc.ca Page 2 Page 11 Spring 2011 Spring 2011

Hello to all SRABC VOICE OF THE TURTLE 2011 EXECUTIVE In Memoriam Wheelchair Curling North Fraser Strides for Members! This newsletter is published COMMITTEE Our new bylaws Long time stroke branch We had a few new demonstrations Stroke quarterly. Views expressed have been written, President: Dan Kennedy member Raymond King died this session. A visit from Penny do not necessarily reflect North Fraser Strides for Stroke - at checked over by a lawyer Secretary: Barbara Purves on Monday January 17, 2011 Bartel of Wheelchair Curling in Janu- those of the Association or Rocky Point Park - Port Moody. and circulated to all the of pulmonary fibrosis. Ray ary left our members very enthusias- its membership. Advertise- Treasurer: Tim Furniss Saturday June 25. Branches. Thank you to was a member of the Coquit- tic about curling. Penny brought all ments contained herein or 9am registration everyone who sent in lam and Port the equipment, which is available for articles reprinted are not 10am walk, wheel or watch their comments. The final draft of the by- Directors-at-Large: branches. He was an avid at- free. Maybe we could start a compe- necessarily endorsed by Master of Ceremonies: actor/ laws will be voted on at the next SRABC Casey Crawford tendee of the camps at Easter tition between branches? Get in SRABC. Submissions are comedian Michael Teigen Directors meeting in June. If they are ac- Christy Campbell and Naramata. He will be re- touch with Penny @ welcomed but we reserve For more information call Bud 604- cepted we can start the work of electing Allan Thackray membered for his love of fun, [email protected] the right to select items for 598-2960 or Deanna 604-942-2334 our new board of directors. We are all in Gail Bellward hats and coffee. printing. Please send sub- -Peggy Kane this together and we need to all be head- -Margaret Hansen missions to the address be- Shaughnessy Branch Coordinator ing in the same direction - towards our SRABC has a new website! Coquitlam Branch Coordinator low. mission: STROKE RECOVERY The URL is still the same! "Through its local Stroke Recovery BC PharmaCare Wants to Hear Your Branch Coordinator Vacancies www.strokerecoverybc.ca Branches, SRABC is committed to assist- ASSOCIATION OF BC ing stroke survivors and their caregivers 301 - 1212 West Broadway, Make sure you take a look Through this website, patients, caregivers, and patient Stroke Recovery Association of BC - Branch throughout the province to improve their Vancouver, BC, V6H 3V1 and direct others in the pub- advocacy groups can add their voice to the BC Phar- Coordinator Vacancies lic to it! The new map feature overall quality of life." Tel: 604-688-3603 maCare drug review process. It gives British Colum- The Richmond Branch and the Campbell River allows an individual to I am always available to answer Fax: 604-688-3660 bians a chance to share their perspectives on drug de- Branch are both looking for a new coordinator. quickly locate their closest your questions or listen to your sugges- Toll Free: 1-888-313-3377 cisions that affect them. The Richmond Branch meets on Fridays from tions so don't hesitate to get in touch by SRABC is a registered branch. Also don’t forget to If you are a BC resident and answer yes to any of the 11:00 am – 2:00 pm at South Arm Community phone, fax or email if you have questions charity “LIKE” us on Facebook. following three questions for a drug listed in the table Centre. The Campbell River Branch meets on or suggestions. No. 13053 2500 RR0001 on the Pharmacare website, you can give your input: Tuesdays from 9.30 am – 12.30 pm at St. Peter’s Anglican Church. Experience working in health Best wishes, 1. Do you have the medical condition for which the care or recreation and/or with adults with a dis- -Tim Readman drug would be used? ability and/or with volunteers, especially as a Executive Director SRABC 2. Are you a caregiver to someone who has that medi- supervisor, is an advantage. Please encourage cal condition? qualified applicants to apply for the position 3. Does your organization represent patients who through the main office of SRABC. For more in- The Stroke Recovery Association of BC gratefully acknowledges the funding provided by : have that medical condition? formation or to apply, please email resume and cover letter to [email protected] For more information please visit: http://www.health.gov.bc.ca/pharmacare/yourvoice If you sign up they will inform you of new drugs in the drug review process. THANK YOU! We thank all our partners and Individual donors for their valued support . Page 2 www.strokerecoverybc.ca www.strokerecoverybc.ca Page 11 Page 10 Page 3 Spring 2011 Spring 2011

Easter Camp 2011 VANDERHOOF BRANCH

B.L.A.S.T. On February 14, 2011 members of the Vanderhoof Stroke Re- Good Friday, April 22nd to covery Group went on an outing to Spruce Capital Seniors Easter Monday, April 25th Center in Prince George. We were greeted by the Prince George Stroke Survivors Stroke Recovery group where we were entertained by Old-time fiddling performed by Jonah Borden age 14. The seniors club uilding ife fter troke B L A S provided lunch for us as we celebrated Valentine’s Day. Together -Luella Novak Vanderhoof Branch Coordinator B.L.A.S.T. is in 22 days time. Late bookings are accepted so please Karel. 604.943.3206 make contact if you want to join us. More Vanderhoof Branch members Visit turtletalk.ca for website information and on line sign ups or call Karel Ley at 604 943 3206. Come enjoy the fun and laughter and bring home with you a sense of self confidence to progress in your recovery.

L:Vanderhoof Branch members enjoying a fun Valentine’s Day.

Willy Caspers at 80 VERNON BRANCH years young! Join the Stroke Recovery Association of BC - Coquitlam Branch for a special lunch on Friday May 13, 2011 On March 10, 2011, Willy Caspers 11:00am-2:00pm At Dogwood Pavilion Recreation Cen- turned 80 years young. She sure doesn't tre, 624 Poirier Street, Coquitlam look 80. Her friend, Norill Storey, bought her a cake and we all got to eat it. $11 per person Mickey Oakland On March 17, we all dressed up in Lunch plus entertainment by magician David Mohr Wilf Knopps our finest St. Patrick's Day attire. I was a Add to the fun by wearing black and magic outfits. leprechaun with this very large hat, and some of the members tried on the hat too! RSVP by Friday May 6 at 1:00pm to Margaret -Brenda Paul Vernon Branch Coordinator Hansen at 604-927-6093 or [email protected]

*** Branch Coordinators: please ensure payment for lunches reserved. Norill Storey Chester Tench

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KELOWNA BRANCH COWICHAN VALLEY BRANCH The New SRABC Board of Directors-Some Questions and Answers: We have been very busy at our branch. Q: Who will the new board of directors be? In February, we had our annual appreciation A: The current Board of Directors voted at their last meeting in favor of a new board of approximately 11 luncheon with 14 guests from the service clubs we directors composed of 6 directors from the regions and 5 directors at large (chosen for special skills in areas get our funding from. We received a donation of such as fundraising and law). The regional areas are based on geography. They are listed in the Draft By- $2000 from the Army, Navy & Airforce Vets, $500 laws we circulated to all branch coordinators and directors along with a list of which branches belong to from Royal Purple Ladies Auxillary, and $250 from each one. The draft Bylaws still have to be approved at our next Association meeting in June. the Kelowna Kiwanis Club Summit. Q: Who nominates people for directors? We tried out some new games we plan to pur- A: For regions-the members in that region. For directors at large-a nominating committee or by members- chase for our branch. We also had a very lively St. this is still to be decided at the next Directors meeting. Patricks Day party with live music. Q: Who selects the names which will be on the short list? I gave two informative talks. One at a A: Members service club and one to some university students Q: Who votes on the first director’s elections? training to be nurses. A: Members I would like to send a huge thank-you to Jerry Q: If they are representing several Stroke Re- and Alma Fletcher who were in Kelowna house sit- covery Branches do those branches have a say ting for the winter and volunteered at our branch. in who will represent them? All in all, our branch is doing very well with A: Yes-every member has a vote. The directors interviews completed with three new prospective from the regions are not there ONLY to repre- members. -Eva Bartee sent the Branches. They are there to represent Kelowna Branch Coordinator the interests of ALL stroke survivors and their The cheque presentation was from caregivers in EVERY community in BC - BUT South Cowichan Rotary, who are focusing they must also reflect the special needs of their on community as well as international particular region and the branches within that contributions this year. Dr Trevor Miranda region. and Alan Lolacher made the presentation to Q: Will the candidates come to each branch one of our founding members, Greg Wad- explaining their qualifications? den. The money will go toward speech A: I don’t know if the travel associated with therapy. that is practical but I see the advantage of do- Kelowna branch members enjoying ing it that way. I think it more likely they will some bowling! Above: Tony Kunka and The Octupus activity (also above) was led present a biography outlining their qualifica- Sheila and Ed Zakala. by Joan Shaver who came down from tions and experience and the reason for they Parksville on March 21st to show us some would like to be elected for circulation to all neat exercise activities. She leads the exer- Left: Gus branches. cise program at Oceanside. Hennel -Barbara Park bowling a Cowichan Valley Branch Coordinator strike!!

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OCEANSIDE BRANCH VANCOUVER SHAUGHNESSY BRANCH We have added "Art Therapy" to our regularly Shaughnessy Branch continues to get new members and each one contributes another as- scheduled therapy programs, thanks to a grant from pect of stroke recovery. Our exercise classes and speech sessions are very popular but the socializ- Coastal Community Credit Union. Art will be our "after ing seems to be the focus for many members. lunch activity" on the second Friday of each month. Our We celebrated Chinese New Year with a Chinese lunch delivered from a local restaurant. art therapist, Joan Shaver, has planned a lot of different Also in February, we had a visit from ELVIS—very entertaining! types of art projects for our sessions. A fundraising concert featuring the Oceanside Con- Dr.Lara Boyd came from UBC and brought us up to date on stroke research. She is a very cert Band is planned for early June. Knox United Church is good speaker and likes to answer questions. a co-sponsor of this event as they are providing the hall On March 29th, we had an outing to Bloedel Conservatory at Queen Elizabeth Park followed and waiving the venue rental fee. by lunch at Seasons. It was enjoyed by all. Quality Foods has again provided the prizes for our Oceanside members Bert Horth and Susan April is volunteer month in BC and every year we like to thank our wonderful team of volun- Spring Raffle in the form of Gift Cards worth $100, $75, Walker admiring Bert's Yorkie pup. teers with a gift presentation and this year we have also invited them for lunch at the branch. We eat and $50 for first, second and third prizes. Ticket sales start a lot at Shaughnessy Branch! We are so fortunate to have so many dedicated volunteers. A special on May 2. thank you to all of them. Coombs Goats on the Roof Market is open again and we are enjoying our Tuesday morning coffee socials Ode to a Dog -Peggy Kane there. Our newest member is a little bit hairy, Shaughnessy Branch Coordinator Fridays are busy with exercise therapy, speech ther- He's sweet and he's cuddly and not at all apy, music therapy, and art therapy. scary, We wish all of the groups a happy Easter and happy Doesn't take up much room as he's still spring. very small, -Kathleen Falvai But he brings lots of pleasure, when he Oceanside Branch coordinator comes to our hall.

VANCOUVER STRATHCONA BRANCH

Florence Richards, Gwen Lockie, and Isabel Warcup are 3 senior volunteers at the Shaughnessy Branch who have dedicated 70 years of volunteering between them! Amazing! Chinese New Year Celebration Chair Hockey: A favorite activity; Bowling: Strathcona members with Chinese dance performance both teams are very competitive thoroughly enjoy the new by North Burnaby Senior Dance bowling set! Group. Page 8 www.strokerecoverybc.ca www.strokerecoverybc.ca Page 5 Page 6 Page 7 Spring 2011 Spring 2011

COQUITLAM BRANCH DELTA BRANCH PORT COQUITLAM BRANCH

The Coquitlam Branch sends its thanks to all the volunteers who make our organization a suc- There have been some fun events We went out for a spring break lunch to the cess throughout the province. happening at the Delta Branch: Pantry ... what a nice change! We have embarked on a new exercise strategy ... "Conductive Education" April 10 to 16 is National Volunteer Week in . President, Peter McTait, was joined by pianist, Pat Rogers , who played for the Scot- has started at our group for the next number of We have amazing volunteers in our branch. Some like tish sing a long after Peter did the honours in months (8 weeks in total). It should be exciting to Annie McMorris and Audrey Van Hulsen have been with the a very convincing Scottish Brogue to the Hag- watch the changes that will take place with everyone branch for 20 years or more. They came first as caregivers with gis as written by Robbie Burns. that is involved. their husbands and have continued as volunteers. Betty Lim Members of the Delta Stroke Recovery -Deanna MacKinnon now leads our exercise class, she started attending as her fa- group visited the Airport's new Port Coquitlam Branch Coordinator ther’s caregiver years ago. restaurant for a luncheon outing. We recom- SURREY BRANCH Current caregiver Gladys Knapp volunteers as a mend the food and ambience. The small pri- weekly phoner. June Teigen is another caregiver who volun- vate planes add visual entertainment as they Congratulations to Betty Loxtercamp! Betty has de- teers with her husband Ed as an outreach volunteer at Eagle take off and land. cided to move on from Stroke Recovery and venture -Karel Ley Ridge Hospital. June and Ed talk to the patients about the Annie and Bud Warwick out to see what the rest of Surrey has in store for her! benefits of joining the SRABC. Delta Branch Director Betty started with the SRABC approximately 20 years ago, when her husband Dan had a stroke. They first Many of our stroke members also volunteer: Bud Warbrick is our branch president. He and our started off in South Burnaby, and eventually found secretary Ian Allen are involved with the North Fraser Strides for Stroke planning committee. Stroke their way to the Surrey Stroke Recovery Branch. Her survivor Sam Ono helps with all cleaning and tidying tasks and setting up for bocce. Stroke survivor most recent position was a combination of skills: Don Mohr and his wife Phyllis put on annual theatrical presentations for our enjoyment. kitchen volunteer; treasurer; speech group fill in! Plus we have other dedicated volunteers who come with no connection to stroke: Margaret Good word has it that Betty has held most positions Timewell, Norma Clayton and Eleanor Harms. This trio helps with bocce, exercise, coats, refreshments within the executive, along with the titles of: speech and good times. We have our specialty volunteers: Elly Kim delights us by offering manicures complete volunteer, Bungalow operator, the Bingo games lady, with fancy polish if desired; Meena Paranjpe, a retired speech language pathologist offers weekly les- Members of the Delta Branch enjoy the lead kitchen lady, " the person with the most ex- sons for those working on their verbal skills. participating in the Scottish sing- perience.” Betty was also instrumental in raising a along Finally we have our university students who join us when they can and help a lot during the very large sum of money for the "Strides for Strokes" summer. Recent students have included Sarah Wardlaw, Jessica Mazzarolo, Nazlee Tabarsi and Armin event last year. Members of the stroke branch shared Ghayyur. some descriptive words of Betty: caring, respectful; good organization skills; reliable; dedicated; a really I know all the branches have equally impressive volunteers. The joy of the SRABC is our people good friend; an excellent listener; offered very encour- and the spirit they possess. Our volunteers show us how important it is to give to others and thereby aging advice; an excellent person for the stroke group. raise our own spirits. Thank you volunteers. Thank you & congratulations to Betty on sharing your -Margaret Hansen life and wisdom with so many people and best wishes Coquitlam Branch Coordinator from here on out! -The Surrey Stroke Branch. The Delta Branch at Boundary Bay Airport. -Deanna MacKinnon Surrey Branch Coordinator Page 6 www.strokerecoverybc.ca www.strokerecoverybc.ca Page 7