The meeting of the Orange County Stroke Support Groups took place on Thursday, April 14, 2011 at 7:00 pm at the American Heart Association offices at 4600 Campus Drive, Irvine, CA 92617. Below are the meeting minutes. For future meeting information, please contact us.

 

Meeting minutes:

• The OCSRN website (www.ocsrn.com)

  • We received many favorable comments and helpful suggestions about the new format for the website, including finding strategies to increase its Google rankings. Suggested keywords:  therapy and stroke; Orange County; stroke resources; stroke support.
  • A link to the website will be included in subsequent emailed meeting announcements.
  • Meeting and event flyers should include a telephone number for RSVPs for those who do not use email.
  • Participants were asked to email any ideas to stroke@uci.edu so we can update the website.

• Stroke Awareness Picnic

  • The plans are shaping up nicely for the Stroke Awareness Picnic on May 7, 2011, at UC Irvine from 11 am-2 pm. We have contacted over 100 providers, vendors, and support groups. Thus far, about 30 have confirmed that they will attend. Many of those who cannot attend are sending brochures and other materials to disseminate.
  • Members in attendance stressed the positive aspects of having stroke survivors and their caregivers share their positive stories and experiences (although none of those who have sent in an RSVP for the event has indicated a desire to speak, as of yet).
  • A suggestion was made to post picnic flyers in drugstores and at nurses stations at local hospitals and rehab centers.

• Community Speaker

  • Pamela Kauss, Director of Winways Residential and Day Treatment facility, spoke about the rehabilitation services they provide (e.g., licensed OT, PT, ST and other rehabilitative services, including community re-integration and work-site evaluations), the setting (a house on a large lot with varying terrain and garden areas to replicate community-based living environments), and the history of the facility. Winways is licensed by the State of California, Community Care Licensing, as and Adult Residential Facility and Adult Day Care program. They accept private insurance and Worker’s Compensation insurance, but do not accept Medicare/MediCal. Winways admits both ambulatory and non-ambulatory clients, most of whom have a diagnosis of stroke or acquired brain injury, and “provides the therapeutic milieu that allows an individual to face new challenges and continue to recover in a supportive, functional environment.” >

• Planning for fall symposium

  • The group discussed possible ideas for the fall symposium. One suggestion was to expand upon the use of assistive and adaptive technologies, such as the IPAD and apps for the IPOD (e.g., Dragonspeaks) for those with disabilities. Jim Pasino from Coastline College’s ABI program suggested contacting Michelle Wild about Coastline’s Assistive Technology program for ideas.

• Other events.

  • Candace Vickers announced that Chapman University is hosting a Survivor Symposium April 16 from 8:30-12. She will distribute flyers about the picnic at the event.