March
As we acclaim St. Patrick’s Day and the Irish culture this month, I think of three leafed clovers, leprechauns, rainbows, a pot of gold, dancing, and lots of green. March feels like a fairy-tale month and it brings pleasure as I reflect on how lucky I am. I have a great family, wonderful neighbors, friends and awesome support groups we enjoy attending.
However, life isn’t always a joyful party. Hard situations and health issues can bring resentful and bitter feelings. We may wonder why life didn’t turn out the way we thought it should. It seems there are many good reasons to be unhappy and it’s easy to blame sadness on the things we lack in life.
For me the best antidote for unhappiness is gratitude. Have you noticed people who have an appreciative attitude are the happiest? It’s a quality which makes them more likable and at peace with themselves and circumstances. They tend to make others feel better about themselves too as they share their optimistic outlook.
Focusing on the positive and the good things that happen each day helps me realize how lucky I truly am. When I’m thankful, I hear harmony and feel pleasure in life.
I’m fortunate to be a caregiver and realize how blessed I am Mark survived our near-fatal car accident 28 years ago. Living with the effects of a severe traumatic brain injury and epilepsy helps me understand that every day is a bonus day even with the challenges. Being responsible for the care and well-being of another is a highly committed role, but it’s rewarding, mostly because Mark appreciates what he has too.
I’m privileged to be associated with so many other caregivers and survivors. I’m grateful for many support groups in our valley, and we benefit greatly from our association with them. The network of help looks like a rainbow after a storm of trials. There is a pot of valuable information which can be gained through collaborating with others in like situations.
If you feel unlucky in life, try seeking the Irish magic of this month by finding friendships and assistance through organizations catered to your circumstances. The purpose of this newsletter is to share the treasures I know about in hopes you too can feel lucky.
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
New: Utah Valley Aphasia Choir. All brain injury, stroke survivors, caregivers, family, and friends are invited to join. They meet on the 1st Thursday of the month from 6-6:45pm, prior to the support group at the BYU Speech and Language Clinic. Come and enjoy the power of music and friendship together. They have some performance opportunities, such as singing a patriotic song to kick off the Strides for Strokes race to support the Utah Valley Stroke Association on May 18, 2019. Everyone interested is welcome to join.
March 7, 2019 – Utah Valley Brain Injury Support Group 7-8:30 p.m. meets every 1st Thursday monthly at the BYU Speech and Language Clinic, Room #177. Address: 1190 North 900 East, Provo, UT 84060. This month Susan Reynolds is speaking about depression management. For questions, email tracy_liu@byu.edu or call Tracy Liu at (801)422-9132
March 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. For more information, please call Jennifer (801)386-2195, or Beth (801)585-5511.
March 21, 2019 – Caregivers and Survivors Education and Support Groups, 7 p.m. meets every 3rd Thursday monthly at Intermountain Medical Center, 5171 S. Cottonwood St., Murray, UT 84107, building 1.
Caregivers meet on the 9th floor, in the Neuroscience Conference Room. This year an extensive and informative Caregiver Program will be taught by various members of the medical community and other experts in their field.
Survivors meet on the 9th floor Gym. This month, Marc Macialek, will present, The Success of Failure: Progress After TBI. For more information, please call (801)314-2086 or email Emily Redd emily.redd@imail.org
March 26, 2019 – University of Utah Brain Injury Support Group 6-8 p.m. meets every 4th Tuesday monthly, at Sugarhouse Health Center, 1138 E. Wilmington Avenue, SLC, UT 84106. This month Carly Hoffman, SCMT, MT-BC, NMT (Neurologic Music Therapist) is demonstrating and speaking about how music can help heal the brain. 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.org.
March 7, 2019 – Epilepsy Support Group in Logan, UT.- 7 to 8 pm Logan Regional Hospital 500 E. 1400 N., Logan, UT 84341
March 13, 2019 – 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.
March 14, 2019 – 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.
March 20, 2019 – 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).
March 28, 2019 – 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.
1st Thursday quarterly. Epilepsy Group for Parents, 7:00 – 8:15 p.m. Next meeting will be at April 4, 2019 at the Riverton Library Auditorium, 12877 S. 1830 W. Riverton, UT.
HELPFUL WEBSITES:
http://www.tbicommunity.org (online educational programs)
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://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)
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.
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.
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. 
FREE EPILEPSY SUPPORT GROUPS FOR THOSE EFFECTED BY SEIZURES
Epilepsy Support Group in Logan, UT. 
ACTIVITIES TO DO WEBSITES:
Uniting Caregivers 