The switch from daylight to standard time always throws my internal clock off. It takes a week or two for me to adjust. Losing the daylight an hour earlier in the evening makes it difficult to accomplish those pressing outside jobs after work. It’s a fact, I get more of my stuff done in the evening than in the morning. At daybreak, I’m devoted to getting Mark up and ready for whatever experience life has planned for him. Since I enjoy working without interruptions, I stay up until I can’t keep my eyes open any longer. I used to fall asleep seconds after my head hits the pillow and stayed that way until the morning alarm goes off. Consequently, I never considered staying up late as a sleeping problem but rather a necessity to get things done. However, the past couple of months have been different. I either struggle to fall asleep because my mind keeps going over unfinished tasks, or on those fortunate nights when I fall asleep quickly, I wake up after a short time. I can’t get back to dreamland because I’m worrying about silly stuff. Believe me, at 2 or 3 a.m. it’s all silly stuff and worry is such a waste of time. The sleepless nights increase my daytime stress level. I miss regular exercise, writing, and eating well planned and prepared meals. It doesn’t take long for a regrettable cycle to form. Insomnia interferes with normal physical, mental and emotional well-being, so I’m trying to improve my sleep disorder one habit at a time.
A few weeks ago, I spent 2 nights in the hospital with Mark which gave me a new appreciation for my own bedroom. It’s a hundred percent more comfortable and peaceful without the beeping sounds of monitoring equipment and hourly nurse interruptions found in a hospital room. The first night home I decided to write a few things about what I appreciated in that day. Thankfully, I slept soundly, so I set a goal to continue the routine. It appears that feeling and expressing gratitude is an antidote for insomnia. It puts my mind in a better place. Setting a bedtime routine and alarm which allows enough time to unwind in a quiet room also helps. Having it get dark an hour earlier can be a bonus too. It’s the perfect month to work on a gratitude attitude and it improves my sleep too.
This month I’m determined to turn over a new leaf by forming at least one good habit. I’m a list maker and it’s usually full of things that need to be completed. This month I’ll continue to list things I’m grateful for like support groups in our area. I appreciate the opportunity to meet with others in like situations. Increasing friendships is well worth the time. Their encouragement helps me meet challenges. The experience and knowledge shared is beneficial.Simply put, it’s uplifting!
The purpose of this newsletter is to share information about organizations. 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 add them in the comments or email Barbara@UnitingCaregivers.com.
Join me in celebrating November by living in thanksgiving daily and see how it benefits your sleep!
FREE SUPPORT GROUPS FOR STROKE AND BRAIN INJURY SURVIVORS AND CAREGIVERS
November 7, 2019 – Utah Valley Aphasia Choir meets at 6-6:45pm on the 1st Thursday of the month, prior to the support group at the BYU Speech and Language Clinic. It’s for all brain injury, and stroke survivors, caregivers, family, and friends. Come and enjoy the power of music and friendship together. Everyone interested is welcome to join.
November 7, 2019 – Utah Valley Brain Injury Support Group meets at 7-8:30 p.m. on the 1st Thursday monthly at the BYU Speech and Language Clinic, Room #177. Address: 1190 North 900 East, Provo, UT 84060. Dr. Devin Duval, an optometrist at the Child and Family Eye Care Center and a member of The Utah Valley Stroke Association Board will speak about vision rehabilitation. For questions call Lori Johnson at (801)422-9132.
November 12, 2019 – 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. Come join us for dinner and games this month. Bring your favorite dessert to share if you’d like. For more information, please call Jennifer (801)386-2195, or Beth (801)585-5511.
November 21, 2019 – IMC Caregivers and Survivors Education and Support Groups, meets at 7 p.m. every 3rd Thursday monthly at Intermountain Medical Center, 5171 S. Cottonwood St., Murray, UT 84107, building 1.
Caregivers meet on the 9th floor Neuroscience Conference Room. Jennifer Roney topic is yoga and meditation.
Survivors meet on the 9th floor gym. Stephanie Obradovich, PT topic is Staying Active Through the Winter. For more information, please call (801)314-2086 or email Emily Redd emily.redd@imail.org
November 24, 2019 – University of Utah Brain Injury Support Group meets at 7-8 p.m. every 4th Tuesday monthly at Sugarhouse Health Center, 1138 E. Wilmington Avenue, SLC, UT 84106. For more information please call 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
Cognitive Skills Group – Meets every Thursday Noon-1 p.m. at 5770 South 250 East #G50
Contact: Emily Redd at Emily.redd@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
This Saturday, November 9, 2019 – Utah’s Seizure Strategies Seminar at the U of U Clinical Neurosciences Center, 1st floor auditorium. 175 N. Medical Dr., SLC, UT from 9a.m. to 1:30p.m.
November 13, 2019 – Provo Epilepsy Group for All, meets at 7:00 – 8:15 pm on the 2nd Wednesday at the Provo City Library, 555 N. University Ave., Provo, UT.
November 14, 2019 – IMC Epilepsy Group for All, meets at 7:00 – 8:30 p.m. on the 2nd Thursday at the Intermountain Medical Center, 5171 S. Cottonwood St., Murray, UT Bldg. 6, 1st floor – CR2 in the Doty Education Center.
November 20, 2019 – SLC Epilepsy Group for All, meets at 6:30 – 8:30 p.m. on the 3rd Wednesday at the SLC Main Library 200 E. 400 S., SLC, UT (3rd floor conference room).
November 28, 2019 – West Jordan Epilepsy Group for Teens, meets at 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. There are two teachers overseeing this group.
The Logan Epilepsy Support Group for All is in the process of looking for a replacement moderator that is as passionate about supporting their community as the last one. This Support Group will be postponed until further notice. If you have any questions, concerns, or information you would like to share, please contact Margo Thurman @ 801-445-6089
HELPFUL WEBSITES:
http://www.caregiver.org (online webinars for caregivers)
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://twilightinsight.wordpress.com/hobbies/hobbies-or-healing-the-brain/tbi-and-selecting-a-hobby (select a hobby – ideas especially for TBI survivors)
http://wanderookie.com/blog/2015/07/27/12-beautiful-wheelchair-accessible-trails-in-utah
(wheelchair accessible trails in Utah)
wasatchadaptivesports.org (Wasatch Adaptive Sports)
http://www.discovernac.org (National Ability Center)
https://healthcare.utah.edu/rehab/support-services/trails.php (University of Utah TRAILS Program)
https://www.meetup.com (meet up groups)
SHARING WEBSITES:
http://www.brainline.org/abbymaslin (blog about loving and learning after TBI)
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.
ACTIVITIES TO DO 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 it to you.
A New Year feels like a fresh start and it’s energizing! I’m a visual person so I like to schedule my activities and plan steps for attaining goals. I’ve been marking up my 2019 calendar because without a plan I wander aimlessly. Written down on paper makes it look clear and obtainable. The unknown obstacles and interruptions that life inevitably bring aren’t there to mess up the blue print. Judging by experience, I won’t get it all accomplished, but my motto is to never give up. This year marks a big one for us. Forty years of marriage, and the sixth decade marker of my existence. I haven’t come close to accomplishing what I’ve wanted to thus far in life, nor in these many years of marriage. We’re not where we thought we’d be financially, or physically. My antidote for discouragement is to focus on my life’s mission: To care for and love my family and friends. To put their needs above my wants. This takes flexibility with my daily plans. It means not being so focused on the goals I want to accomplish that I can’t see the needs of others or take time to help them. In 2019, I want to make sure this is a true statement and not an excuse for defeat. It’s tricky and not always easy to identify or decipher between a “want” and “need”.
FREE SUPPORT GROUPS
January 17, 2019 – Caregivers and Survivors Education and Support Groups, 7 p.m. meets every 3rd Thursday monthly. This year we move to a new location at Intermountain Medical Center, 5171 S. Cottonwood St., Murray, UT 84107, building 1.
FREE EPILEPSY SUPPORT GROUPS FOR THOSE EFFECTED BY SEIZURES
Epilepsy Support Group in Logan, UT.
Uniting Caregivers 