Applicants to the program must be either a stroke survivor or family member who is successfully recovering from a stroke, and who is dedicated to helping others during the stroke recovery process. Outreach Volunteers visit the recent stroke survivor and help them begin the process of recovery. The training program will meet again this fall. There are currently about 25 qualified stroke outreach volunteers in the Metro area. In May, National Stroke Awareness Month, the AHA will hold the annual Stroke of Courage conference, a public seminar that explores stroke in-depth.
Strokes affect different people in different ways.
Knowing the warning signs of stroke and seeking immediate medical treatment if you notice any signals are critical in avoiding the No. 3 killer in the United States. Stroke killed 154,350 people in 1994 and accounted for about one of every 15 U.S. deaths. It's the third largest cause of death, ranking behind diseases of the heart and cancer, according to the National Center for Health Statistics. Aphasia, an effect of stroke that causes difficulty in speech, language and communication, is also an emphasis in Oklahoma. The Aphasia Support Group meets at Jim Thorpe Rehabilitation Center on a monthly basis.