Goodbye hot August nights, and hello to cooler days. We are facing another transition month as we move from summer to autumn. Each season brings a change to look forward to. Summer is loaded with fun in the sun activities, but as the temperature drops and the green foliage becomes a variety of beautiful reds, yellows, orange and purple colors, the outdoors become the perfect backdrop for a casual drive, bike ride or hike.
August is filled with good memories as we celebrated my dad’s 90th birthday, my parent’s 68th wedding anniversary and had a fun visit from Mark’s mom and sisters who all came from two different states. It was wonderful to be altogether, which can’t happen often enough with the Wilson family because we are so scattered.
The garden is plentiful now and we’re in the throngs of juicing and canning. It keeps us busy, but we like to take breaks and connect with others who also endure the effects of brain injury and epilepsy, which are two health issues we deal with on a daily bases. We benefit and enjoy meeting with others in similar circumstances. For this reason I’ve gathered information on this month’s support groups and therapy services offered in the Salt Lake Valley. If you live outside of this region, or are affected by another kind of condition, I encourage you to look for support groups near you relating to your health issues. Learning from, and encouraging others in like situation makes the journey easier!
In case it’s impossible for you to get out, or you don’t live in this area, I’ve also included links to useful and inspiring websites.
If you have an activity, announcements or other information you’d like shared in this newsletter, please email Barbara@UnitingCaregivers.com
FREE SUPPORT GROUPS
FOR STROKE AND BRAIN INJURY SURVIVORS AND CAREGIVERS
September 6, 2018 – Utah Valley Brain Injury Support Group 7-8 p.m. meets every 1st Thursday monthly at Rocky Mountain University of Health Profession, 122 East 1700 South, Building C, Provo, Utah 84060. For questions, please call Lori Johnson, (801) 422-9132
September 11, 2018 – Brain Injury Alliance Support Group for Adults, 6-8 p.m. meets every 2nd Tuesday monthly at Sanderson Community Deaf Center, 5709 South 1500 West, SLC, UT 84123. This social group is for caregivers and survivors. All are welcomed to share a main dinner dish together with games afterwards. Bring a side dish or dessert to share if you’d like. For more information, please call Jennifer (801) 386-2195, or Beth (801) 585-5511.
September 20, 2018 – Caregivers and Survivors Education and Support Groups, 7 p.m. meets every 3rd Thursday monthly at IMC Cottonwood Medical Tower (TOSH Campus) 181 E. Medical Tower Drive, Murray, UT 84107.
This month we’ll combine for a meeting with Dr. Matt Townsend. Through humor and entertainment he will teach us life-changing skills that will help improve our most important relationships. Meeting will be held in the TOSH auditorium.
September 25, 2018 – University of Utah Brain Injury Support Group 7-8 p.m. Meets every 4th Tuesday monthly at Sugarhouse Health Center, 1138 E. Wilmington Avenue, SLC, UT 84106. This month Tanja Kari, who runs the University of Utah TRAILS adaptive recreation program, will talk about the adaptive sports and activities offered. She might even bring some adaptive equipment! For questions, please call Ryan Pello or Annie Wallace at (801) 581-2221.
FREE WEEKLY GROUPS INTERMOUNTAIN HEALTH CARE NEURO THERAPY in Murray, Utah
Aphasia Talking Practice Group – Meets every Tuesday, Noon-1 p.m. at 5770 South 250 East #G50
Meditation Group – Meets every Wednesday, 3 p.m. at 5770 South 250 East Cafeteria Conference Room
Parkinson’s Talking Loud Group – Meets every 2nd Wednesday of the month-3:00pm at 5770 South 250 East #G50
Cognitive Skills Group – Meets every Thursday Noon-1 p.m. at 5770 South 250 East #G50
Contact: Dr. Russo at antonietta.russo@imail.org
FREE EPILEPSY SUPPORT GROUPS FOR THOSE EFFECTED BY SEIZURES
Together we share coping strategies, provide encouragement, comfort and advice from people with common experiences. For more information contact Margo at (801)455-6089 or Utah@efa.org.
September 6, 2018 – Epilepsy Group for Parents, 7:00 – 8:15 p.m. Meets every 1st Thursday of the month at the Riverton Library Auditorium, 12877 S. 1830 W.
September 12, 2018 – Epilepsy Group for All, 7:00 to 8:15 pm. Meets every 2nd Wednesday of the month at the Provo City Library – 555 N. University Ave.
September 13, 2018 – Epilepsy Group for All, 7:00 – 8:30 p.m. Meets every 2nd Thursday of the month. – Intermountain Medical Center, 5171 S. Cottonwood St., Bldg. 6, 1st floor – CR2 in the Doty Education Center.
September 19, 2018 – Epilepsy Group for All, 6:30 – 8:30 p.m. Meets every 3rd Wednesday of the month at the SLC Main Library 200 E. 400 S., SLC, UT (3rd floor conference room).
September 27, 2018 – Epilepsy Group for Teens, 7 – 8:30 p.m. Meets the 4th Thursday monthly at the West Jordan Library, 8030 S. 1825 W., West Jordan, UT. There are two teachers overseeing this group. Come to enjoy an activity and meet other teens with epilepsy.
HELPFUL WEBSITES:
http://www.caregiver.org (online webinars for caregivers)
http://www.tbicommunity.org (online educational programs)
http://www.braininjury.com (medical, legal, information resource)
http://www.abta.org (brain tumor education and information)
http://www.cdc.gov/ncipc/tbi (brain injury facts, programs, education)
http://www.ninds.nih.gov/Disorders/all-disorders (education for brain injury, stroke and other neurological disorders)
http://www.msktc.org/tbi (TBI Model Systems Knowledge Translation Center) national leaders in TBI research and patient care.
http://www.nationalmssociety.org/Resources-Support (resource for those with MS)
http://www.epilepsy.com/utah and/or http://www.epilepsy.com (seizure education and support by state or national)
https://biau.org (resource for those with brain injury)
http://www.brainline.org (preventing, treating and living with TBI)
http://www.uilc.org (Utah Independent Living Center is a resource center which enhances independence of persons with disabilities)
ACTIVITIES TO DO WEBSITES:
https://store.usgs.gov/access-pass (free pass to National Parks & Federal Land Agency areas)
https://wildlife.utah.gov/watchable-wildlife-for-disabled.html (watchable wildlife for disabled persons)
http://slco.org/adaptive/plus-one-pass (Salt Lake County Disability Plus One Pass)
https://twilightinsight.wordpress.com/hobbies/hobbies-for-healing-the-brain/tbi-and-selecting-a-hobby (select a hobby – ideas especially for TBI survivors)
http://www.discovernac.org (National Ability Center)
http://wanderookie.com/blog/2015/07/27/12-beautiful-wheelchair-accessible-trails-in-utah
(wheelchair accessible trails in Utah)
https://www.visitutah.com/Media/Default/One%20Sheeters/Accessible_Utah_web.pdf (list of accessible resources)
wasatchadaptivesports.org (Wasatch Adaptive Sports)
http://www.discovernac.org (National Ability Center)
https://www.meetup.com (meet up groups)
SHARING WEBSITES:
http://www.brainline.org/abbymaslin (blog about loving and learning after TBI)
http://www.facebook.com/UTteensupportgroup (social interaction and the exchange useful resources)
http://www.unitingcaregivers.wordpress.com (caregivers sharing stories, tips and thoughts)
Thank you for reading. I hope you found the information helpful and will follow this website via email to receive notifications of every new post. The “Follow” button is located at the beginning of the newsletter. However, if you want to subscribe only to a monthly newsletter, please email Barbara@UnitingCaregivers.com. I will add you to the newsletter email list and send you the link monthly.
Another great summer month ends. July is full of fireworks, parades, outdoor concerts, picnics and barbeques, just to name a few of my favorite activities to celebrate Independence Day and Utah’s Pioneer Day. When the heat turned up in the valley, we headed for the mountains for an aerial tram ride at Snowbird, a canyon hike with friends, and a play at Sundance Resort. As much as I relished all the adventures, I look forward to a quieter month in August. However, the first week has already flown by as we prepared for, and enjoyed a big celebration for my dad’s 90th birthday. August is already off to a good start and Mark’s mom and sisters will be visiting from out-of-state in just a few days!
FREE SUPPORT GROUPS
HELPFUL WEBSITES:
ACTIVITIES TO DO WEBSITES:
SHARING WEBSITES:
Thank you for reading. I hope you found the information helpful and will follow this website via email to receive notifications of every new post. The “Follow” button is located at the beginning of the newsletter. However, if you want to subscribe only to a monthly newsletter, please email Barbara@UnitingCaregivers.com. I will add you to the newsletter email list and send you.
Uniting Caregivers 