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"When we give cheerfully and accept gratefully, everyone is blessed." 

We are grateful for your support this year. Thanks to you, stroke survivors have the opportunities they need to rebuild and move forward with their lives. 

Stroke survivors benefit greatly from our innovative programming and refuse to have their lives defined by their stroke. They work together to reach common goals.

Please consider a tax deductible donation today. Your gift will make an immediate impact in the life of a stroke survivor.


Wishing you a joyful & blessed 2020.
Stroke Education Series

The American Stroke Foundation and The University of Kansas Health System partner to provide a stroke education speaker series as part of the ASF Next Step Program.

Wednesday, January 8, 11 am - noon
Spasticity Management
Gregory Herman, MD

Wednesday, February 5, 11 am - noon
Healthy Brains, Healthy Heart
Nicolette Jones, RD, LD
Karin Morgan, RN

Wednesday, March 4, 11 am - noon
Post Stroke Depression
Nia Billings, MD

Classes meet at:
Sylvester Powell Jr. Community Center, Room B 
6200 Martway St, Mission, KS

The Stroke Education Series is free and open to the public. Click  here to reserve your space today!
Meet Some Next Step Participants
The American Stroke Foundation Next Step Program is a wellness program to help people who have had a stroke continue to improve and regain independence in daily living skills.

Meet Denise
by Morgan Davis, OT Student

Denise has been a motivated and engaged participant of the American Stroke Foundation (ASF) since surviving a stroke more than twenty months ago. She most enjoys Creative Conversations, led by speech therapists, exercising on the elliptical and NuStep, and the assistance, advice, and friendly faces of ASF. She also appreciates the wonderful support she receives from her husband, three sons (ages 7, 9, and 12), mother, brother and two sisters, in-laws, and many family and friends.

When she is not attending ASF, Denise enjoys spending time with her family, attending her sons' school and sporting events, shopping, and traveling. In her photo, Denise is having fun at Margaritaville in Florida with her mom while her husband and sons went fishing last summer!

As a stroke survivor, Denise is determined to be as independent as possible, to keep improving, and to maintain family schedules as before. Her husband and sons are her biggest motivation and source of comfort. She feels the love and support of her family as well as new friends she has made at ASF. Denise sees the resilience of other survivors and remembers the words of program coordinator Joan: "Stroke recovery is not a sprint, but a marathon." Denise has been overwhelmed by the love and support she receives and plans to continue working hard.

Healthy Eating Recipe

Fruitcake
by Mayo Clinic Staff

The whole grains and seeds in this recipe add a taste of earlier times to this holiday classic.

Ingredients
  • 2 cups assorted chopped dried fruit, such as cherries, currants, dates or figs
  • 1/2 cup unsweetened applesauce
  • 1/2 cup crushed pineapple packed in juice, drained
  • Zest and juice of 1 medium orange
  • Zest and juice of 1 lemon
  • 1/2 cup unsweetened apple juice
  • 2 tablespoons real vanilla extract
  • 1/4 cup sugar
  • 1/2 cup rolled oats
  • 1/4 cup flaxseed flour
  • 1 cup whole-wheat pastry flour
  • 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
  • 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
  • 1 egg
  • 1/2 cup crushed or chopped walnuts
Directions
In a medium bowl, combine dried fruit, applesauce, pineapple, fruit zests and juices, and vanilla. Let soak for 15 to 20 minutes.

Line the bottom of a 9-inch-by-4-inch pan with parchment (baking) paper. 

Heat the oven to 325 F.

In a large bowl, whisk together sugar, oats, flours, baking soda and baking powder. Add fruit and liquid mixture to dry ingredients and stir to combine. Add egg and walnuts and stir to combine.

Pour mixture into loaf pan and bake at 325 F for 1 hour, or until toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. Let the fruitcake cool for 30 minutes before removing it from the pan.

Nutritional analysis per serving
Serving size: 1 slice (1/12 of loaf)

Calories
229
Monounsaturated fat
1 g
Total fat
5 g
Saturated fat
0.5 g
Protein
5 g
Trans fat
trace
Cholesterol
15 mg
Sodium
117 mg
Total carbohydrate
41 g
Added sugars
5 g
Dietary fiber
5 g
Total  sugars
25 g 
StoriesMore Next Step Participants

Meet Ellen
by Liz Benoit, OTA Student

Ellen has an easy-going personality and friendly spirit, and is a wonderful addition to the Next Step program at the American Stroke Foundation (ASF). She looks forward to coming each week because there's always something new to learn and different skills to work on. Ellen especially enjoys creative conversations because she enjoys socializing with others. Each day you can find Ellen on the NuStep machine where she is constantly gaining strength physically. She also loves setting goals each day to better herself.

In her spare time, you can find Ellen hanging out with her Siamese cat, Miami, and her English setter dog, Abby. Her pets hold a very special place in her heart, and she likes spending time with them.

Ellen lives with her daughter who helps her when she is not at ASF. They take fun classes together practicing their crafting skills and exercising together. Ellen's sister, Rebecca, helps Ellen while she is at ASF. She enjoys bonding with Rebecca at American Stroke Foundation.

Ellen speaks highly of her friends at ASF stating, "Everyone is positive, and I really enjoy interacting with the students. Meeting new people is so fun!"

A few mottos Ellen chooses to live by are, "Be true to yourself", "Pay attention to what you truly believe then follow your beliefs", and "Do not stop working hard until your goals become your reality." Each of these mottos  describe Ellen's work ethic accurately. She is grateful for each day she is given and looks forward to improving herself during her journey.


Meet Theresa
by Ashley Bazata, OT Student

Theresa is a participant in the Next Step program at the American Stroke Foundation (ASF). Theresa's favorite aspects of the program are interacting with the students and other stroke survivors, having the opportunity to work out, and participating in range of motion exercises. When Theresa is not at the ASF program, she enjoys shopping online and at a variety of stores, spending quality time with her daughter, and going to dinner with her sister and mother.
 
Theresa stated she is very grateful for her wonderful support system at home. Theresa said her mom helps her every day, her sister and cousin help take her daughter to school each day, and she has two more sisters that are always willing to help out. "My family is awesome. God blessed me with the perfect family. I am so lucky to have them."
 
Since her stroke, a lot has changed for Theresa. She is no longer able to drive or take care of her six-year-old daughter like she used to. Before her stroke, Theresa always worked two jobs but is unable to do that now. Theresa gives credit to ASF for changing her view of life. She stated she counts her blessings because it could always be worse. Theresa is motivated every day by other stroke survivors. She enjoys working out and has become more social since her stroke. "Most people are not able to understand what I say, but when I come here everyone can understand me."
 
Regarding what she has learned from life, Theresa stated, "Don't take anything for granted. You never know when things are going to change."


Save the Date ...

Healthcare Professionals Conference

February 28, 2020

Conference line-up and registration information available soon


Save the Date ...

Stroke Walk

September 12, 2020

IRA Donation Option
QUESTION: Has my ability to make direct charitable donations from my IRA when I reach the age of 70-1/2 been affected by the new tax law?  - 72-year-old retiree, Overland Park, Kansas

ANSWER:  Donating to charities like the American Stroke Foundation directly from an IRA after age 70-1/2 is still allowed under the new tax laws. This lets IRA owners who have attained age 70-1/2 to distribute money directly from their IRA to a qualified charity. Always consult a tax adviser with additional questions. 
Donate a Vehicle
We can accept any vehicle, any condition! Insurance Auto Auctions (IAA) processes all donations and provides tax receipts. The donation process is easy and completely free to donors. Call 1-800-269-6814 or click here to start the process online.

ASF Locations
Business Office
6405 Metcalf Ave, Ste. 214 
Overland Park, KS 66202
913-649-1776
 
ASF Next Step Programs
913-649-1776 
 
J. Thomas Lovell Jr. Community Center at Legacy Park
901 NE Bluestem
Lee's Summit, MO 64086
Tuesday/Thursday

Kansas City North Community Center
 3930 NE Antioch Rd
Kansas City, MO 64117
Tuesday/Thursday

Southeast Community Center
4201 E 63rd St
Kansas City, MO 64131
Monday/Wednesday

Sylvester Powell Jr. 
Community Center 
6200 Martway St
Mission, KS 66202
Monday/Wednesday/Friday