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Healthcare Professionals Conference
"Stroke Care - Expand 
Your Knowledge"

Friday, February 28, 2020
7:30 am to 4:30 pm

Held at:
Sylvester Powell Jr. Community Center
6200 Martway St.
Mission, KS 66202

Conference Overview
This conference will address areas related to medical/rehabilitative care, research and community services across the continuum in working with individuals following a stroke.

Continuing Education Units
All attendees will receive a certificate of attendance for 6.5 hours to self-submit to their respective healthcare profession for CE processing. Pre-approved for 6.5 Kansas Nursing CEUs. Pending CCM approval through CMSA-KC.

Registration
Registration is required. Cost is $109. Deadline for registration is February 21, 2020. Register now!

See the full conference brochure here.

For more information, contact Jeanette Boucher.

 
Stroke Education Series

The American Stroke Foundation and The University of Kansas Health System partner to provide a stroke education speaker series as part of the ASF Next Step Program.

Wednesday, February 5, 11 am - noon
Healthy Brains, Healthy Heart
Nicolette Jones, RD, LD
Karin Morgan, RN

Wednesday, March 4, 11 am - noon
Post Stroke Depression
Nia Billings, MD

Wednesday, April 1, 11 am - noon
Memory Assessment and Attention Skills
Adam Parks, PsyD

Classes meet at:
Sylvester Powell Jr. Community Center, Room B 
6200 Martway St, Mission, KS

The Stroke Education Series is free and open to the public. Click  here to reserve your space today!
Meet Some Next Step Participants
The American Stroke Foundation Next Step Program is a wellness program to help people who have had a stroke continue to improve and regain independence in daily living skills.

Meet Brenda
by Audra Miller, OT Student

Brenda is a participant who enjoys coming to the American Stroke Foundation (ASF). Before her stroke, Brenda lived alone and didn't feel like she had many opportunities to get out and socialize with other people. After her stroke, she moved into an independent living facility and enjoys the socialization and activities that are scheduled. She said she never used to be much of a game player, but she is learning to become one and is pretty good at Domino's!

After her stroke, Brenda lost the right side of her vision in both eyes. She has difficulty finding the right words to say in conversations which can make having a conversation with other people difficult. Brenda participates in classes with other familiar participants which helps her feel more comfortable with learning how to communicate with others. Brenda stated that after she started coming to the ASF program, she realized she hadn't paid much attention to other people in her life or in the world. She has started to become more comfortable and is trying to build friendships with those around her.

Outside of the support she receives at ASF, she also has three daughters who work together to help take care of her medical appointments and bills. Brenda and her dog, Shelby, help take care of each other, too. Since her vision was affected, she said she no longer drives. Brenda said there is a lot of freedom lost when someone can't drive, so she relies on her daughters, other friends, and the facility she lives at to help her run errands and do her shopping.

Brenda said her life is very different after her stroke. Her living arrangements changed which pushed her out of her comfort zone, but for the better. She is around people and socializes daily as well as coming to the ASF programming two days a week. Brenda looks forward to her Wednesday scheduled outings and shopping days with friends.

Healthy Eating Recipe

Tuscan Bean Soup
from the American Stroke Association

Healthy greens and beans add a flavorful punch to this easy soup recipe.

Ingredients
  • 1 tsp. olive oil (extra virgin preferred)
  • 1/2 small red onion (chopped)
  • 1 medium celery (chopped)
  • 1 medium garlic clove (minced)
  • 2 cups fat-free, low-sodium chicken broth
  • 15.5 oz. canned, no-salt-added Great Northern beans (rinsed, drained)
  • 14.5 oz. canned, no-salt-added, diced tomatoes (undrained)
  • 1 tsp. dried oregano (crumbled)
  • 1/2 tsp. dried thyme (crumbled)
  • 1/4 tsp. crushed red pepper flakes
  • 2 cups spinach
  • 1/3 cup grated Parmesan cheese
 
Directions
In a large saucepan or Dutch oven, heat the oil over medium heat, swirling to coat the bottom. Cook the onion, celery, and garlic for 4 to 5 minutes, or until the onion and celery are soft.

Stir in the broth, beans, tomatoes with liquid, oregano, thyme, and red pepper flakes. Increase the heat to medium high and bring to a simmer, stirring occasionally. Reduce the heat and simmer, covered, for 20 minutes so the flavors blend.

Stir in the spinach. Simmer, covered, for 2 to 3 minutes, or until the spinach is wilted.

Just before serving, sprinkle the soup with the Parmesan.

Nutritional analysis per serving
Serving size: 1 cup

Calories
100
Monounsaturated fat
1 g
Total fat
2 g
Saturated fat
1 g
Protein
7 g
Trans fat
0 g
Cholesterol
3 mg
Sodium
207 mg
Total carbohydrate
14 g
Sugars
5 g
Dietary fiber
4 g

 
StoriesMore Next Step Participants

Meet Rikki
by Morgan Davis, OT Student

Rikki's life changed forever one day while on vacation in Mexico. About four years ago, Rikki was celebrating her 50th birthday with friends when she had her stroke. She had a short hospital stay in Mexico before being transported to a hospital in the US to begin her stroke recovery. Now, as a participant at the American Stroke Foundation (ASF), Rikki appreciates the support she receives from other survivors. She especially enjoys Creative Conversations, where she has gotten to know people very well, because she feels safe and knows she is surrounded by people who understand.

Rikki lives independently and is thankful she is able to drive and take care of her daily needs. When she does need extra help, Rikki's mom and some good friends live nearby. Rikki's daughter is in college at DePaul University in Chicago. When she is not at ASF, Rikki enjoys taking care of her dog, Duke, and her daughter's cat, Rosie, going to the movies with friends, or eating out. If her friends are going out in the community to do something fun together, Rikki is excited to join in!

Prior to her stroke, Rikki worked full-time as a hairdresser and the biggest life change since her stroke is how much "everything slowed down." Rikki is thankful for her time at ASF and says, "If I didn't have this place, I wouldn't know where to go." She also feels thankful that her peers get to be a part of ASF. Rikki feels she is more patient, especially with herself, after her stroke. She sometimes experiences frustration with word finding or correctly expressing herself, and would love to spend more time in conversation with others at ASF.

Meet Carolyn
by Jayme Rossow, OT Student

Carolyn has been a participant at the American Stroke Foundation (ASF) Next Step Program since October 2019. Carolyn looks forward to coming to ASF to interact and chat with the other participants and students. Her favorite classes are Creative Conversations, and Messaging with Tom and Robert, because these classes give her the opportunity to discuss with other participants shared experiences and emotions.
 
Carolyn's support team includes her husband, Wayne, and her daughter-in-law, Amber. Wayne helps Carolyn stay busy, making sure she gets out of the house, to the grocery store, or just a ride around the block on days when not at ASF. Her daughter-in-law, Amber, takes Carolyn out for lunch or breakfast, shopping, or just spends time with her at home. Amber also helps Carolyn clean the house and sets out her clothes for the upcoming week to ensure she is always dressed in her best! When not at ASF, Carolyn enjoys going to church and watching old TV shows, with two of her favorites being In the Heat of the Night and CSI.
 
When asked what she has learned since her stroke in 2017 and advice she would give to others, Carolyn responded, "I am one person. I have to not do things for everyone and take care of everybody. You have a limit. Take care of yourself and learn to say no when you need to." Carolyn has also learned her husband is always in her corner and she appreciates how much he does to take care of and help her. She shared since 2017 everything has changed, as she has had to relearn everything and accept the fact she is not Superwoman.
 
Carolyn's goals are to walk, dress and shower independently. She recently has been working on her goals by walking from the front door of the community center to the activity rooms with the help of her husband. Carolyn has a bright, patient and kind personality. All the participants and students are happy to call Carolyn a member of the ASF family and enjoy seeing her infectious smile!

Save the Date ...

Rose Award Luncheon

Thursday, May 7, 2020
11:30 am

Sylvester Powell Jr. Community Center
6200 Martway, Mission, KS 66202


Save the Date ...

Stroke Walk

September 12, 2020

IRA Donation Option
QUESTION: Has my ability to make direct charitable donations from my IRA when I reach the age of 70-1/2 been affected by the new tax law?  - 72-year-old retiree, Overland Park, Kansas

ANSWER:  Donating to charities like the American Stroke Foundation directly from an IRA after age 70-1/2 is still allowed under the new tax laws. This lets IRA owners who have attained age 70-1/2 to distribute money directly from their IRA to a qualified charity. Always consult a tax adviser with additional questions. 
Donate a Vehicle
We can accept any vehicle, any condition! Insurance Auto Auctions (IAA) processes all donations and provides tax receipts. The donation process is easy and completely free to donors. Call 1-800-269-6814 or click here to start the process online.

ASF Locations
Business Office
6405 Metcalf Ave, Ste. 214 
Overland Park, KS 66202
913-649-1776
 
ASF Next Step Programs
913-649-1776 
 
J. Thomas Lovell Jr. Community Center at Legacy Park
901 NE Bluestem
Lee's Summit, MO 64086
Tuesday/Thursday

Kansas City North Community Center
 3930 NE Antioch Rd
Kansas City, MO 64117
Tuesday/Thursday

Southeast Community Center
4201 E 63rd St
Kansas City, MO 64131
Monday/Wednesday

Sylvester Powell Jr. 
Community Center 
6200 Martway St
Mission, KS 66202
Monday/Wednesday/Friday