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!
The garden is producing and there’s lots of yard work to be done here at home. We enjoy taking breaks with friends who also endure the effects of brain injury and epilepsy, which are two health issues we deal with on a daily basis. 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 particular 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
August 2, 2018 – Rocky Mountain University Stroke & 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
August 14, 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.
August 16, 2018 – IMC Caregivers and Survivors Education Groups, 7 p.m. meets every 3rd Thursday monthly at IMC Cottonwood Medical Tower (TOSH Campus) 181 E. Medical Tower Drive, Murray, UT 84107.
Caregivers meet on the 1st Floor Conference Room. Chris Benda will present, It Takes a Village. She is a caregiver who will share her experience on how to find, use and manages resources.
Survivor’s meet on the 2nd Floor Conference Room. Joanne Payne will present Relaxation Techniques and Strategies.
August 28, 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. However, this month we’ll meet at Sugarhouse Park for our summer picnic. Sandwiches will be provided. Bring a salad or dessert to share and join us for a fun night. 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.
August 2, 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.
August 8, 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.
August 9, 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.
August 15, 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).
August 23, 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.
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