Not only is Wendy Pangrass an accomplished speaker, speaking at the International Womans year in Ottawa, she has also been a member of many boards such as YWCA, Habitat for Humanity, Strathcona County Family Services Advisory Committee, as well as many others. On Father’s Day, June 15, 2008, when she suddenly developed numbness of her left side and the loss of her speech, she knew instinctively that something was wrong. “My son is a Firefighter/EMT and he has always told me to call 911, and if need be, always stay on the line” says Wendy. “I did and when they answered all I could do was grunt. They were not exactly sure of my need but told me to stay on the line until the paramedics arrived. In less than 10 minutes they were there and after a quick assessment I was off to the hospital.”
Because of Wendy’s medical history, her Doctor had recommended she carry a wallet sized card listing her conditions, all her medications, and family contact information. Wendy stated, “It was a relief to hand this card over to the paramedics. From the information on the card I carried, the paramedics were able to contact my husband and sons, and they arrived at the hospital shortly after I did. The emergency rood Doctor wanted to administer the clot buster tPA. My son explained it worked like “Draino” and would unclog the vessel. I was very nervous of that but my other option was to do nothing, which was not a good answer.” Having had the clot buster administered so quickly helped to keep the results of the stroke to a minimum. “My speech is the only obvious problem that I have and that is for the most part minor.”
Although she describes her hospital experience as efficient and effective, rather than warm and fuzzy, it was upon her discharge home 10 days later that her real frustration began. “I was very glad to get home BUT I still could not talk and it appeared that I would not get any speech therapy. I was finally assessed at the Glenrose but was told I would have to live with my impairments. From a previous connection I had come to know a Speech Therapist and she agreed to see me for a few sessions. Some of the activities I do now to help my speech include reading aloud, doing mouth exercises to strengthen muscles, playing Scrabble and cards and walking to keep my mind and body active. One of the reasons I joined the SRA-E association 2 years ago was for the fellowship and opportunity for conversation in a social setting amongst people who understand. Now I am working with the Board to see if we can start up a group for Stroke Survivors with Speech difficulties to receive some instruction in a fun and understanding atmosphere.”
Neurology Corner
World Stroke Day: Written by Dr. Namratha Sudharshan
It is incidental that I was asked to write my first article about stroke in the month of October, in which falls the world stroke day. The World Stroke Day is celebrated annually on October 29th. The aim is to increase awareness and encourage each of us to join the global fight against stroke.
I thought it would be appropriate to talk about the impact of stroke and the magnitude of the problem that we are facing today. Stroke is the fourth leading cause of death and accounts for approximately six percent of all deaths in Canada. This means that each year nearly 14,000 Canadians die from stroke, with a greater proportion of deaths among women rather than men. In Canada there is one stroke every 10 minutes. The average age for stroke is 65 years with the rate doubling with every decade after age 55.
Stroke costs the Canadian economy $3.6 billion a year in physician services, hospital costs, lost wages, and decreased productivity. Canadians spend a total of 3 million days in hospital because of stroke. Back in the early 1970’s Finland held the world record for the highest incidence of stroke. In 1972, they launched a nationwide project designed to urgently reduce the incidence of stroke and the heart attach amongst their population by targeting risk factors. The main emphasis was on changing diets and reducing smoking. The work was done by community organizations and the local people themselves. The use of butter on bread decreased from 90% to 5%, with a subsequent increase in the use of vegetable oils. Because a few simple changes in their diet, cholesterol levels in the population decreased by 17%. Smoking rates reduced from 52% to 30% in men. By 2002 the numbers of deaths from cardiovascular diseases decreased by approximately 75% with the number of deaths from all causes decreasing by more than 50%. This reduction has been shown to be due to changes in target risk factors, with reduction in cholesterol levels being the strongest contributor.
Finland’s experience has shown us that modern epidemic of cardio and cerebrovascular diseases can be effectively reduced by population based prevention involving lifestyle changes. This kind of intervention is clearly the most cost effective and sustainable approach to tackle the problem. It is possible to fight against stroke world wide. This should encourage all of us to follow the example from Finland and rise to the challenge of stroke.
The Residential Rehabilitation Assistance Program
(RRAP) for Persons with Disabilities!
Offers financial assistance to homeowners and landlords to undertake accessibility work to modify homes of low-income persons with disabilities. For more information visit the website at:
Residential Rehabilitation Assistance Program for Persons with Disabilities (RRAP)
http://www.cmhc-schl.gc.ca/en/ab/noho/noho_011.cfm or 1-800-704-6488
Snow Angels!
Snow angels is an awareness and recognition program encouraging people/residents to help a neighbor in need by shoveling their snow and to acknowledge those who volunteered their time to shovel as a City Of Edmonton Snow Angel! To find out more about City Of Edmonton Snow Angels visit:
http://www.edmonton.ca/environmental/capital_city_cleanup/snow-angels.aspxOr Call 311, If you live outside of Edmonton you can dial 780-442-5311
Upcoming Events!
Ad-Hoc Darts:
Ad-Hoc Darts will be held on the first Tuesday of the month at Hilltop Pub (8220– 106 Avenue). The first night at Hilltop Pub will be December 6th. Contact John Anderson at john.c.anderson11 AT gmail.com
Movie Night:
Movie night will be held on the first Monday of the month at Networks Activity Centre (#214 Bonnie Doon Shopping Centre). There will be no movie night in December as there is the Christmas party the same week! Please contact KRiS Grue or Chris Gilbert at 780-474-3363
Dinner Out Night:
The dinner out night will be held on the third Monday of the month at
Networks Activity Centre (#214 Bonnie Doon Shopping Centre). Please contact KRiS Grue or Chris Gilbert for more information at 780-474-3363
SRA-E Meeting:
The next SRA-E meeting will be held on November 28th, 2011 at Networks Activity Centre.
If you have any recommendations for the Stroke Recovery Association of Edmonton newsletter such as your story, improvements, any general comments… Please direct them to Carly Lawson at carlyl AT nacentre.ca
Stroke Recovery Association of Edmonton
PO Box 231
Main Post Office
Edmonton, Alberta T5J 2J1
Phone: 780-485-3052
www.strokerecoveryedmonton.ca
PO Box 231
Main Post Office
Edmonton, Alberta T5J 2J1
Phone: 780-485-3052
www.strokerecoveryedmonton.ca
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