Healthy Salad

Eating apples produces more saliva in your mouth, which can help rinse away bacteria and food debris in your mouth. Carrots are also super good for your teeth as they act as natural abrasives that stimulate your gums and eliminate plaque from your teeth!

30-minute exercises for Seniors, Beginners, and those with Limited Mobility

Grab a chair and a couple of light hand weights!

Kellee's Korner

Happy Fall, Y’All! September sped by so quickly, and our lovely leaves are starting to change colors!

The Young Stroke Group (YSG) meetings covered many interesting topics, such as :executive function issues and post-stroke, aids, apps, and resources.

Dr. Farah Fourcand, neurologist, shared her presentation

and slides entitled, “The Plastic Brain.” She discussed Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation, TMS, and Technology-Enhanced Stroke Recovery Aids. She also answered a question about visualization, such as the importance of using it to aid in the progress towards stroke recovery. 

Some interesting information regarding the use of essential oils was shared, Apparently, certain ones, such as frankincense, patchouli, sandalwood, vetiver, and cedarwood are found to

increase brain oxygen levels by 28%!

If you are interested in purchasing an essential oil diffuser no only provides brain boosting benefits, but the aromatherapy scents smell wonderful, and are very soothing.

Lastly, acetylcholine has been found to be responsible for muscle movement, so choline-rich foods and supplements are helpful for us.

I didn’t know that one hard-boiled egg has tremendous benefits all day! I love taking one with a small pinch of

salt! Dr. Fourcand will return to YSG meetings within the next few weeks!

There are some interesting highlights for October’s YSG meetings:

10/4- Rev. Jackie Collins will discuss spirituality

10/11- YSG member, Shelli, will cover similarities between cancer and stroke

11/1- Susan Wranik, SLP, will speak about executive functioning from a SLP point of view.

I’m sure we will be facing the temptation of eating Halloween candy throughout the month, so eat a hard-boiled egg instead and get a choline boost! If you are interested in trying an essential

oil diffuser, I found this one on Amazon for $10.99-

Amazon.com: Homeweeks Diffusers, 100ml Colorful Essential Oil Diffuser with Adjustable Mist

Mode,Auto Off Aroma Diffuser for Bedroom/Office/Trip (100 ML 1 Pack)

If you want to try the benefits of essential oils, try this 10 scent sample kit from Young Living

under $30-

Amazon.com: Young Living Essential Oil Compare Filled Keychain Kit with (8) 2ml Vials of

Frankincense, Tea Tree, Lemon, Lavender, Peppermint, Breathe, Immunity and Sore Muscle w/

15ml Fractionated Coconut Oil

****Please note that a drop or 2 goes a long way! If you have children, Young Living’s Kid Scents are diluted for use! There are many blends with benefits such as antibacterial and cleansing properties, and calming/relaxing for rest!

Have a great month, and Happy Haunting!

Preventing Another Stroke

American Stroke Association

Home Modifications

American Stroke Association

Controlling Risk Factors

American Stroke Association

My experience with stroke began in 2009 on a beautiful day in late summer when I had seven strokes in less than two months. One after another, they attacked the parts of the brain that interpret motion and sound. I lost my ability to speak, read, write and count.

I was lucky. Blessed, some say. My body was spared the indignities of paralysis and I regained my ability to speak in a matter of weeks. But the injuries to my brain’s right hemisphere caused cognitive-communication damage beyond the ability to speak. There was memory loss, problems with organizing my thoughts and ideas, perception and reasoning, difficulty identifying time and

place – so much so that after a nap, I have forgotten where I am, in what state - and sometimes I seemed to have forgotten who I am. Few things are as terrifying as losing yourself, if only for a few seconds.

The attacks on my vestibular system made a short walk down the hall feel dangerous, risky. Like living in a carnival fun house with its winding, sloping and uneven floors, distorted and moving mirrors and shadowy figures in the dark.

Adding to the frustration was the medical community’s failure to answer questions about my brain’s new state of being. I was desperate to recover my skills as a journalist, so I made an

appointment with the local office of rehabilitative services. My reading and writing skills had been reduced to a third-grade level. The job coach said that I should forget about writing professionally again.

I had no insurance, no job, and long-term therapy was out of the question. But I didn’t give up on finding help. I located a university speech and hearing clinic that offered me free services for at

least two years. I tried holistic measures like changing my diet and embracing chakra balancing for energy healing. I volunteered, kept a journal and took advantage of every opportunity to learn

new things in order to help my brain “fix” itself. Eventually, I made a bold decision to enroll in a community college course. It was rough going, but I made an “A!”

I try to use my journey to encourage others to try as hard as you can, no matter what the professionals tell you. We won’t always win, but at the very least, we tried. I am happy to say that the job coach was wrong. Just this year, two of my stories have appeared in national

magazines. To stroke survivors everywhere, I say follow your dream. And if that doesn't work, make up another dream.

October 27-30, 2022

Virtual 5K Run/Walk/Roll and Virtual Survivor 1-Mile Challenge

Get your team together for the return of this virtual event in honor of World Stroke Day. Raise stroke awareness in your community and support survivors on the road to recovery.

To register online, click here.

For sponsorship opportunities, click here.