The mountains are bursting with color, announcing that autumn is here. I regret we haven’t taken time for a ride to enjoy the variety of stunning colors. Time is running out, but hopefully this weekend we can get out and experience the delightful Fall colors. It really is the perfect season for a casual drive, bike ride or hike. Soon the colors will move down into the valley and then we’ll be busy raking leaves. It’s finally starting to cool off and today we’re getting our first feel of moisture in a long time. Last month goes down as one of the driest Septembers on record.
All spare evenings and weekends in September were filled with making grape and V-8 juice from our garden. The past two years I’ve made as much juice as my garden will provide because it’s the best way to get Mark hydrated. With his delayed swallow he often chokes, especially on liquids. He does better with juices because they have a taste. Water has no taste and no consistency unless you add Thick It, which he doesn’t like in water. He says it just doesn’t seem right to drink a cold glass of thick water, so the swallowing and hydration problem continues. This year I had plenty of produce to bottle all the juice we should need for the coming year, plus enough to make some grape jam too. Now, I have pears waiting in my fridge to be bottled. It’s rewarding to see shelves full by the advantage of our garden, but it’s a time-consuming job and a lot of work too! I try to focus on the reward, but I’m glad it’s coming to an end. This year, my friend Beckie helped plant, weed, grow and shared in the benefits of the garden. Having a working partner sure makes it easier and a lot more enjoyable too!
Making time to connect with other’s who also endure the effects of brain injury and epilepsy, the two major health issues we deal with, gets me through the everyday grind. We benefit and enjoy meeting with others in similar circumstances. For this reason, I’ve gathered information on this month’s support groups, conferences 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. You are not alone in your challenges, and I hope you make time to connect with others who truly understand.
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
October 4, 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
October 9, 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. This month dinner will be provided and some spooky activities afterwards. Bring treats to share with the group if you’d like. For more information, please call Jennifer (801) 386-2195, or Beth (801) 585-5511.
October 18, 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.
Caregivers meet on the 1st Floor Conference Room. Lauri Schoenfeld will present, Embracing Your Fears to Succeed. She’s an author and motivational speaker, sharing her truths about being a child abuse and scoliosis survivor.
Survivor’s meet on the 2nd Floor Conference Room. Kasey Mitchell, MOT, CLVT, OTR/L will speak on Vision and Brain Injury.
October 23, 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. Christine Mullen, a Neuropsychology Post-Doc will present on Family Life and Increasing Acceptance After Brain Injury. For questions, please call Ryan Pello or Annie Wallace at (801) 581-2221.
REGISTER TODAY AT: www.biau.org/events
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.
October 4, 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.
October 10, 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.
October 11, 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.
October 17, 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).
October 25, 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.
Tickets available at: epilepsy.com/Utah
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.
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