Stroke affects the entire family, not just the person who has had the stroke. The challenges of caring for a stroke survivor can, at times, become overwhelming.

The opportunity to meet and share experiences with other caregivers often relieves stress and provides an empathetic environment for an exchange of ideas. The group is facilitated by a leader who initiates discussion, and provides available resources for caregivers. All caregivers are invited to participate in this group and share their experiences and hopes.

This class for stroke survivors sounds like play, and it certainly is fun! But during this game and craft time we get to focus on these vital assets:

• language arts
• motor skills and dexterity
• socializing
• communication
• creative expression
• ... and stepping out of our comfort zones!

For the last hour each week, it's a mix of fun activities. Caregivers and stroke survivors come together in the Sage Room where we spend a little time chatting, eating snacks or pizza or other fun foods, and learning together. Most weeks we do a bit of gentle chair exercise, sing a song or two, and catch up with the milestones in each others' lives. Then we'll have a speaker or entertainer, or sometimes a party! Food is one of our favorite activities.

The edu-tainment varies, and our interests are as vast as the grains of sand on a beach. Here are some recent examples:

• A visit by therapy animals and their handlers
• Speech therapist demonstrated language apps for computer and tablet
• International potluck, each brought a favorite food representing their heritage
• Library presentation showing us how to use various online resources

In addition to our regular activities, we occasionally indulge in extra-special times together:

• Field Trips
• BBQs and Potlucks
• Birthday Parties
• Community Events like Car Shows, Concerts in the Park, and Parades

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