For the first time since last winter, our valley put on it’s gorgeous white coat. Although I don’t enjoy driving in, or shoveling snow, I do love the fresh fallen appearance of it. Each season brings its own kind of beauty and fun activities. We used to take great pleasure in playing in the cold, fluffy, white stuff with snowmobiles or sleds. Building forts and snowmen were challenging in an amusing and entertaining way. With physical limitations, we adore the snow from the warmth of indoors as we watch from our windows as it quietly, gracefully falls. Now, sitting by the fireplace, sipping hot cocoa, reading or watching a movie has become our favorite winter activity.
As nice and cozy as it is inside, December is filled with social events as we celebrate Christmas and the end of the year. So, we will venture out in the cold to be warmed by our association with family and friends. We benefit and enjoy meeting with others in similar circumstances. We appreciate several organizations around the Salt Lake Valley which give us the opportunity to connect with others who also endure the effects of brain injury and epilepsy, which are two health issues we deal with. 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
December 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. This month’s holiday celebration will include food and games. For questions, please call Tracy Liu, (801) 422-9132.
December 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 traditional holiday dinner. For more information, please call Jennifer (801) 386-2195, or Beth (801) 585-5511.
December 18, 2018 – University of Utah Brain Injury Support Group 7-8 p.m. Usually this group meets every 4th Tuesday monthly, but because that’s Christmas day, they are meeting this month only on the 3rd Tuesday, at Sugarhouse Health Center, 1138 E. Wilmington Avenue, SLC, UT 84106. This month will be a Holiday Potluck. Soup will be provided. Bring a side dish to share. Please call Ryan Pello or Annie Wallace at (801) 581-2221.
December 20, 2018 – Caregivers and Survivors Education and Support Groups, 7 p.m. meets every 3rd Thursday monthly. This month caregivers and survivors will meet together for a holiday dinner and entertainment at Intermountain Medical Center, 5171 S. Cottonwood St., Murray, UT 84107, building1, 9th floor, in the Neuroscience Conference Room. Please RSVP Emily Redd (emily.redd@imail.org) or Kim Kirkham (kim.kirkham@imail.org), or call (801)314-2086.
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. Riverton, UT.
December 12, 2018 – Epilepsy Group for All, 7:00 to 8:15 pm. Meets every 2nd Wednesday at the Provo City Library, 555 N. University Ave., Provo, UT.
December 13, 2018 – Epilepsy Group for All, 7:00 – 8:30 p.m. Meets every 2nd Thursday at the Intermountain Medical Center, 5171 S. Cottonwood St., Murry, UT Bldg. 6, 1st floor – CR2 in the Doty Education Center.
December 19, 2018 – Epilepsy Group for All, 6:30 – 8:30 p.m. Meets every 3rd Wednesday at the SLC Main Library 200 E. 400 S., SLC, UT (3rd floor conference room).
December 26, 2018 – Epilepsy Group for Teens, 7 – 8:30 p.m. Meets every 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. There are two teachers overseeing this group.
Epilepsy Support Group in Logan, UT.
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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