The vibrant colors of red, yellow and orange cover our yards and the streets of our valley right now. A gorgeous sight saved only for this time of year. The falling leaves indicate this beautiful season is coming to an end, which saddens me and keeps me busy sweeping or raking. Since I wish to hang onto those stunning leaves as-long-as possible, it makes disposing the multicolored foliage a challenging task. I love autumn and especially the month of November because it encourages gratitude and reminds me of all my many blessings. The days pass too fast. By the looks of the stores, Thanksgiving is skipped as they jump from Halloween right into Christmas. I’d like to slow down November and treasure this Thanksgiving season to the very end. I suppose I’ll be busy raking and clearing the yard of hoses, flowers, and other annual plants until the first snow flies, which brings a clean, fresh look to the outdoors. Another kind of beauty. Until the blanket of white reaches the valley, I’ll be getting ready for it, savoring the crunchy sound of dried leaves under my feet, reminding me it’s November and all the things I am thankful for.
We appreciate several organizations around the Salt Lake Valley which give us the opportunity to take a break from our busy lives to connect with others who also endure the effects of brain injury and epilepsy, which are two health issues we deal with. 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 our surrounding area. 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
November 1, 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 Tracy Liu, (801) 422-9132. This month’s topic is Stress Reduction.
November 13, 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 or crafts 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.
November 15, 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 Caregivers topic is titled: I Choose… to be Grateful. Simple ways to find more joy, presented by Julie Brown, Life Coach.
This month Survivors topic is titled: Life lessons, Tips and Tricks presented by Dallas Davis, a multiple brain injury survivor.
November 27, 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 will be a member spotlight, Gordan Remington. He will speak on the importance of support networks in recovery title: With a Little Help From My Friends. 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.
Epilepsy Group for Parents, 7:00 – 8:15 p.m. Use to meet every 1st Thursday, but now meet quarterly. Next meeting will be January 3, 2019 at the Riverton Library Auditorium, 12877 S. 1830 W.
November 8, 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.
November 14, 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.
November 21, 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).
No meeting this month for the Epilepsy Group for Teens, because of Thanksgiving. Usually they meet from 7 – 8:30 p.m. on the 4th Thursday at the West Jordan Library, 8030 S. 1825 W., West Jordan, UT. Come and enjoy an activity and meet other teens with epilepsy in December. There are two teachers overseeing this group.
Click here for free registration
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 it to you.
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