The meeting of the Orange County Stroke Support Groups took place on Thursday, January 25, 2011 at 7:00 pm at the American Heart Association offices at 4600 Campus Drive, Irvine, CA 92617. Below are the meeting minutes. For future meeting information, please contact us.

 

Meeting minutes:

• Orange County Community Speakers:
  
  Our first speaker was Kathy Rausch, SLP from the Assistive Technology Exchange Center (ATEC) which is located on the second floor of the Goodwill Fitness Center building in Santa Ana. Kathy discussed the process of accessing services at ATEC, which are available to surrounding area residents (not just Orange County). She also noted that individualized assessments are provided to address clients’ goals and brought some augmentative communication (AAC) devices for participants to explore, including an Ipad, and explained that software for IPads and Iphones can be purchased at Assistiveware.com. In addition to a speech-language pathologist, the center also has a rehabilitation engineer and an occupational therapist on staff. They have a monthly AAC support group meeting, and members can trade/borrow equipment through the California Assistive Technology Exchange.
  
  Our second speaker was Elizabeth Tumajian, manager of the Goodwill Fitness Center, a 12,000 square foot facility in the same building as ATEC. She discussed the accessibility of the exercise equipment for wheelchairs and individuals with various disabilities, the center’s services including yoga, strength/mobility and balance classes and the great support staff at the center which includes a physical therapist and certified personal trainers. Elizabeth provided further information about hours of operation/fees (grants/sliding scale available), that members must have a medical release by their physician. Caregivers can also join for a reduced rate.
  
  We are grateful to both speakers for a wonderful and informative talk. Information folders and brochures about services were provided to all participants.

• The OCSRN website ( www.ocsrn.com)
  
  After feedback from the last meeting on how the website can better serve our needs and the needs of stroke survivors, participants got a peek at the new layout.
  
  Some additions were: adding a calendar of events section, better organizing the links to resources, and making the website more user-friendly. Participants suggested including a section for caregiver resources and tips, stroke support groups, and a discussion forum.
  
  OCSRN Members had ideas about additional links to resources that can be added to the website, including dealers for modified vans/cars (for disabilities), the Disabilities Rights Center in Santa Ana, Stroke Connection Magazine, and Fountain Valley Orthotics. Participants were asked to email any ideas to stroke@uci.edu so we can update the website.

• 2010 Symposium, “The OCSRN Stroke Rehabilitation Continuing Education Workshop”   -Reviewed what was presented at our symposium which took place Saturday, November 6, 2010.
  
  Viewed some photos from the event and a brief summary regarding topics presented.
  
  Good feedback was received from participants.

• Stroke Awareness Picnic
  
  Announced the date for the upcoming annual Stroke Awareness Picnic, which will be on May 7, 2011, at UC Irvine. We will be sending out a “Save the Date” email soon.
  
  Tentative plans were made for a planning meeting in March.
  
  Volunteers were asked to email stroke@uci.edu with suggestions for additional vendors.
  
  There was an idea to have a box for caregiver tips at the picnic and to collate that information and load to the website.