MAY
NATIONAL STROKE AWARENESS MONTH
STROKE SURVIVORS AND CORONAVIRUS (COVID- 19)
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STROKE HOT TOPICS
Know the Signs of StrokeA stroke, is a brain attack, every second counts. Think FAST to learn stroke warning signs!
F - Ask the person to smile; Does one side droop? A - Ask the person to raise both arms. Does one arm drift downward? S - Ask the person to repeat a simple phrase. Is their speech slurred or strange? T - If you observe any of these signs, TIME TO CALL 911 immediately! |
Know Less Common Stroke Symptons
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High Blood Pressure = Silent KillerBlood Pressure (BP) is the pressure of blood pushing against your artery walls. High BP or hypertension is often called the silent killer. You might not have symptoms, but it’s a leading risk factor for heart disease & stroke.
Monitoring your BP at home can help you keep it under control. KNOW YOUR NUMBERS! Check your BP to see what category it falls into! DOWNLOAD BP TRACKER |
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MIND AND BODY HEALTHThe Jung Center's Mind Body Spirit Institute-
Weekly Meditation Offering free, live-streamed sessions of Weekly Meditation: The Power of Community, a program focused on cultivating wellness and emotional health.
Tues. May 5, 1-1:15 pm (with Claire Villarreal) Thurs. May 14, 5-5:30 pm (with Ann Friedman) Tues. May 19, 1-1:15 pm (with Alejandro Chaoul), Thurs. May 28, 5 - 5:30 pm (with Stan Merrill). Tues. June 2, 1-1:15 pm (with Ginger Clarkson) To register or for more information, click on the below image. For further information and resources on coping with the current COVID-19 crisis, visit the Stroke Institute's Mental Health Division HERE.
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COPING WITH COVID-19by Jennifer B. Hughes
Seems to change every day. We might feel strong one day but scared or stressed the next. Daily changes can make us feel anxious because our brain starts trying to control things that feel scary. Grounding is a great way to deal with this because it helps you come back to the present moment by using your five senses. A great grounding tool is “54321” where you start by looking around and naming to yourself 5 things you can SEE, then 4 things you can TOUCH, 3 things you can HEAR, 2 things you can SMELL, and 1 thing you can TASTE. Connecting with your senses can instantly bring you to the present moment, taking you away from stressful thoughts!
COMMUNITY CORNERStomp Out Stroke Festival Update2019 was our last Stomp Out Stroke Festival. The festival started in 2013 and over seven years grew to one of the largest stroke community programs in the country, with thousands of Houstonians participating. We will be announcing new community programming for 2020!
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Thanks to our 2019 Stomp Out Stroke Festival Sponsors! |
Stroke Strides
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MAY 2020 ISSUE
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Stroke Support Groups |
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To subscribe to Stroke Strides newsletter, complete the subscription form. Enter your name and email address, click “Subscribe,” and you’re done!
You will be added to our email list and receive a newsletter monthly, as well as periodic special mailings if there is important news to announce. Stroke Strides Community Newsletter
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West Houston Stroke Warriors
Houston's largest stroke support group with over 120 stroke survivors & caregivers. Meet new friends, enjoy fun activities, or share your story with other stroke survivors. Meets Saturday @ 10 am. To join or for further information, contact Wanda Adams, 281-588-8590 or wanda.adams@hcahealthcare.com. For information on stroke support groups near you, go to the American Stroke Association Stroke Support Group Finder. ** Many groups have suspended meetings or changed their meeting format to comply with stay-at-home orders and social distancing during the coronavirus pandemic. Use the contact information provided to check for meeting schedule changes before trying to attend any meeting at this time. |
Volunteer Spotlight
May's Volunteer of the Month
Sandi G. Shaw, BSN, RN, ASC-BC
Sandi G. Shaw, BSN, RN, ASC-BC is the Stroke Program Director at Memorial Hermann TMC. Sandi completed her Bachelor of Science in Nursing from the University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston. She has over 20 years of clinical experience in acute stroke care and research. Stroke care is not only a profession for Sandi but is also personal. She is the daughter of a two-time stroke survivor and acts as her mother's primary caregiver while maintaining a full-time leadership position and attending graduate school at Texas Woman’s University School of Business MBA program.
Sandi is an advocate for patients and the community. For many years, she has participated in countless community outreach programs knowing the impact outreach education has on society. Sandi has co-authored a manuscript regarding her work in the community and looks forward to sharing the results with her colleagues. We are excited to recognize Sandi as May's Volunteer of the Month!
Sandi is an advocate for patients and the community. For many years, she has participated in countless community outreach programs knowing the impact outreach education has on society. Sandi has co-authored a manuscript regarding her work in the community and looks forward to sharing the results with her colleagues. We are excited to recognize Sandi as May's Volunteer of the Month!
Stroke Survivors & Caregiver Stories
Ashlyn Bigger's stroke story of survival