stroke recoverers review

“Dedicated to Excellence” Vol. 13, Issue 145 April 2012

Easter BLAST 2012 April 6-9, 2012

Camp Squamish

Easter BLAST 2012 - Railway Museum Tour With some help from their friends, Ross & Rick rode the Mini-train West Coast Railway Heritage Park Squamish, BC

Read Deb’s article, p.4

www.templetonstrokerecovery.com

Inside this issue:

April 2012 Volume 13, Issue 145

Page 2

RECIPE: Chicken in Spinach Sauce

Love me, and I will

move mountains to

make you happy. Hurt

me, and I’ll drop those

mountains on your

head.

A bad attitude is like a flat tire.

You can’t go anywhere until you

change it.

QUOTE: A great way to lose

weight is to eat naked and

standing in front of a mirror.

Restaurants will almost always

throw you out before you can eat

too much.

Before you ask which way to go,

Remember where you’ve been.

One day your prince will come.

Mine just took a wrong turn, get

lost, and is too stubborn to ask for

directions.

I’d rather have a life of ‘oh, well’

than a life of ‘what ifs’!

—submitted by Loy Lai

Templeton Stroke Recovery

Wife texts husband on a cold

winter’s morning,:

“Windows frozen.”

Husband texts back:

“Pour some luke warm water

over.”

Wife texts back:

“Computer completely wet now.”

—Margaret Hansen

Coquitlam Stroke Recovery

ENCOURAGEMENTS

Ingredients:

2 tbsp ......... Vegetable oil

1 ................ Small onion, finely

chopped

2 cloves ..... Garlic, minced

2 tsp ........... Gingerroot, minced

1/3 cup ....... Sweet green pepper,

finely chopped

2 tbsp ......... Fresh coriander,

chopped

2 tbsp ......... Mild curry paste

1 pkg .......... Frozen chopped

spinach, thawed & squeezed dry

1 ................ Tomato, chopped

1 cup .......... Chicken stock

1/4 tsp ........ Salt

1 lb ............. Chicken breasts,

boneless & skinless, cut in 1-inch

cubes

1 tsp ........... Garam masala

Directions:

1. In deep skillet, heat oil over

medium heat; cook onion,

garlic and ginger, stirring

occasionally, for 3 minutes. Add

green pepper, coriander and

curry paste; cook, stirring, for

1 minute.

2. Add spinach, tomato, chicken

stock and cook over medium-

heat for 2 minutes. Add

chicken; cook for 7 minutes or

until no longer pink inside. Stir

in garam masala.

FROZEN WINDOWS jokeonly

“There’s life after stroke”

Templeton Newsletter

Mailing Address:

204– 2929 Nootka Street,

Vancouver, BC V5M 4K4 Canada

Published every month, if possible. Contributions are always welcome. The articles should be in, not later than day 25th day of every month.

Disclaimer: The views expressed in Stroke Recoverer’s Review newsletter: articles, submissions and spotlights are those of the authors and do not necessarily represent the views of Templeton Stroke Recovery or the editor of Stroke Recoverer’s Review. Editor reserves the right at any time to make changes as it deems necessary. It is the purpose of this periodical to share a variety of viewpoints mostly from stroke

survivors.

April 2012 Contributors:

Loy Lai

Ollie Stogrin

Deb Chow Sue Chalmers

Jim Walmsley

Werner Stephan Margaret Hansen Jose Suganob

Production of SRR:

Jose Suganob

Email: [email protected]

Printing Pick-up Person:

Ollie Stogrin

Recipe...Encouragements 2

Frozen Windows jokeonly 2

Last Month’s Happening 3

B.L.A.S.T. to B.L.I.S.S. 4

Jose’s Notes, Senior Most Embarrassing Moment...

5

Spring 6

For someone that says

she doesn’t like writing

in our newsletter, our

Key did a fantastic

piece on Valerie’s

struggle; to live which

she finally had to give in and

join some of our members that

had gone before her, which

Valerie was so fond of. Thank

you, Key. I know, I couldn’t told

the s to r y o f Va ler ie ’s

struggle to live, as you have, a

wonderful tribute to a fine, kind

human being, our Valerie.

Key was the one to fill in

this spot because I was in

Australia which had weather

similar to ours here at the

moment, rainy and not hot.

Two days after getting home,

I was off to Easter BLAST as a

volunteer, which by now, I’m

sure has had some very good

reviews. The camp was a ‘total

success’! The camp was in its

second year, thanks to Debbie,

who has been Templeton’s

member for about over 10 years

at least. She has been with us

for so long that she’s part of the

fixture like Key, Jose and I,

along, also with John Boynton

and Loy Lai a close second.

Debbie, Margaret H, Karel L,

Martha H, were responsible for

regenerating Easter Camp

which is now known as ‘BLAST’

that was Debbie challenge, with

the help many, we had to tie



Page 3

LAST MONTH’S HAPPENING —by Ollie Stogrin, Templeton Stroke Recovery

head to the car seat to get her

to camp in the first time, way

back when we had a yearly

Easter camp. Because she could

not stand the vibration motion of

riding a car. Proof that there is

‘Life After Stroke.’ A job well

done.

It is winter vacation time for

some of us, like our member,

Josef, which is now cruising

with his wife, Louise, some-

where in Panama. His second

try at it, as this cruise was

planned last year. Only he got

sick and had to cancel it. Hope-

fully, they will have a great time

this time around.

Another couple had a nice

vacation, Wanda and her

husband, Bolek, went to Cuba.

Wanda says they had a great

time. The rest of us went to

‘BLAST.’ Whoops! I forgot I was

away, seems ages ago, as I

have been doing catch up since

I came back.

Templeton group has been having

a Monthly ‘dinner night’ at

different restaurants around

Hastings Street, which is proving

to be very well attended. It was

Key’s suggestion that the members

get together to know each other’s

spouses and our volunteers,

which is working out so well.

Thanks, Key. Also, we should

her for doing all the Handy-

DART arrangements for our

members to all the events.

We are attending (May 4) the

Coquitlam Annual Luncheon at

Dogwood Center, Key is

arranging ‘DART for that.

Diana Shaylor has her ‘penny

jar’ for the next year BLAST,

every week at Templeton

meetings. For those that have

extra change or more in their

pockets. It all help towards next

year’s camp. Thanks, Di.

We have a new volunteer,

F ranc isca. W elcome to

Templeton.

Olga, who has been away for

surgery and rehab since last

August, has donated 30 tins of

canned food, as she hasn’t

been home to use it. Wanted us

to make use of it all, thanks,

Olga. Get in shape and join us

again.

So much has happened since

I went on vacation. We have to

start thinking about our annual

picnic at Trout Lake, July 26.

We are planning a bus trip, will

report, where to, next month.

Have fun on your ‘walk-a-thon’

on Strides for Strokes 2012:

Rocky Point Park, Port Moody,

BC., Saturday, June 24, 2012

9 am to 12 noon.

See you all next month!

— by Ollie Stogrin



FROM B.L.A.S.T. - (Bulding Life After Stroke Together) TO B.L.I.S.S. - (a Better Life In Stroke Survival) - by Deb Chow

This year, we had 47 campers

“Building Life After Stroke

Together” (an increase in stroke

survivors from 27 to 34). Stroke

Survivors, Caregivers, Family &

Friends made it possible to

bring success in creating our

BLISS (Better Life In Stroke

Survival). Thank you, Everyone!

BLAST is not associated with

any organization and that’s what

makes us special. It is what WE

make it. The fees are low,

largely because we are 100%

volunteer-driven by generous

people. Paying campers are

responsible for the basic duties,

organization and fundraising.

It’s the passionate in BLAST

that powers it and makes the

rewards and benefits more

meaningful.

Participation is what makes it

happen. Personally, I am

amazed at how far it has

brought me. I am elated to be

able to do something productive

with my life. The best part of my

personal gain, is sharing the joy

through BLAST “Building Life

After Stroke Together.” We are

proud Turtles and thus planning

and promoting is ongoing

throughout the year.

Our amazing Easter weekend at

Camp Squamish can’t be done

without a little help from our

friends. In my case, a lot of

help :). Colleen Fraser of

W his t ler Hea l ing A r ts ,

completely organizes the

massage team. Saturday, we

were all treated to an hour long

massage, al gratis!

Ernie Ledgerwood was my

doctor 20 year ago. His

wife, Lynn, the receptionist.

Together with their friend and

fellow volunteer, Donna Forchuk

(West Coast Railway Heritage

Park volunteers). They baked

the goodies, hosted the Tea

Party, offered a ride around the

park on the mini-rail train and

get us free admission, too.

All to support stroke survivors

‘building life after stroke

together.’ This year, 34 people

were shuttled to the park.

Except for 3 able-bodied people

31 managed to get their leg

over the 18-inch mini-train

bench.

These remarkable people make

BLAST unique. The gifts they

offer are from their hearts and

that’s something money can’t

buy. Lucky for us! It wouldn’t be

possible if we had to pay for all

that we received at BLAST.

$225 doesn’t even cover the

tangible items. The labour cost,

if we had to pay for volunteer

hours, excluding Turtles, is

unthinkable. The only people

related to BLAST that receive

money, come with the package,

ie, Squamish staff and the bus

driver.

Having Margaret Hansen at the


Page 4



helm, doing a wonderful job of

keeping everything rolling

smoothly on the weekend is an

added bonus. There are really

too many other generous

people with individual qualities

and expertise to list. From our

special guest volunteers to the

stroke survivors who may

struggle to just to be there,

everyone contributes in some

way. We are all ‘Building Life

After Stroke Together’ doing the

best we can, and that, makes

the BLAST Family equally

unique and very special.

The Metro Swing Band for

BLAST 2011 and 2012 have

been paid, compliment of the

Martha and Blair Band Fund, a

derivative from their wedding.

Presently, with all the freebies,

we still need to raise about

$10,000 in order to maintain the

fees set this year. We are grate-

ful to Hasting Community Asso-

ciation (parent to Templeton

Turtles) for their contribution and

March of Dimes. Specifically,

Brent Page (adopted at BLAST

2011), who arranged for funds

from the Rock for Dimes benefit

and brought Sue, our new recruit

from Calgary. The rest of the

funding comes from individual

donors.

Lastly, I would like to thank,

Karel Ley, for jumping on the

band wagon in March 2009

when Turtletalk... Continued p.5



Page 5

Easter BLAST 2012 was a big success! Compared to last year BLAST, more stroke survivors and caregivers came this year. More stroke survivors and caregivers came from Surrey and, seems to be, new stroke survivors are getting to be younger every year.

In the Railway Museum, Ross and Rick (they both are on wheelchairs), with some help from their friends, rode the mini train. I was inspired by their spirit of ‘I can do it, too.’ I hope, that’s the start of their recovery.

I know to overcome ongoing challenges of life after a stroke is hard. Stroke survivors he lp ing another st roke survivor! And, like so many of us (stroke survivors) have been forced to make a lot of adjustments in our life.

Thank you, Deb Chow and everyone for making Easter 2012, a B.L.A.S.T. for stroke survivors, caregivers and friends. And, also BLAST Camp coordinator, Margaret Hansen; Lifeguards: Diane Lego and Carrie Tse; Volunteers: Karel Ley, Brent Page, Sue Jones, Ollie Stogrin, Anne Wittig, Nelly Ning Tai, Paul Abercrombie.

Guest Volunteers: Dr. Jennifer Yao and Judy Bjornson.

And, of course, Colleen Fraser’s team of massage practitioners. Thank you again.

—Jose Suganob


JOSE’s NOTEs: MY MOST EMBARRASSING “SENIOR MOMENT” —jokeonly

Several days ago as

I left a meeting at our

church, I desperately

gave myself a

personal TSA pat

down.

I was looking for my keys. They

were not in my pockets. A

quick search in the meeting

room revealed nothing.

Suddenly, I realized that I must

have left them in the car.

Frantically, I headed for

the parking lot.

My wife has scolded me many

times for leaving the keys in the

ignition. My theory is the

ignition is the best place not to

lose them. Her theory is that

the car will be stolen. As I burst

through the doors of the

church, I came to a terrifying

conclusion. Her theory was

right.

The parking lot was empty.

I immediately call the police.

I gave them my location,

confessed that I had left my

keys in the car, and that it had

been stolen.

Then, I made the most difficult

c a l l o f a l l . “ H o n e y , ”

I stammered. (I always call her

‘honey’ in times like these.)

“I left my keys in the car, and it

has been stolen.”

There was a period of silence.

I thought the call had been

dropped, but then I heard her

voice, “Ken,” she barked,

“I dropped you off.”

Now, it was my time to be

silent. Embarrassed, I said,

“Well, come and get me.”

She retorted, “I will...as soon as

I convince this policeman that

I have not stolen your car.”

—submitted by Jim Walmsley

Delta Stroke Recovery

BLAST TO BLISS continued

first began. BLAST may not

have come to fruition without her

strength and support, getting

over the hurdles set before us in

2010. As Committee Chair, she

stood up and presented the

benefits from the old Easter

Camp and the loss for stroke

recovery without it. Karel

is invo lved wi th o ther

commun i t y g roups and

abdicating her role for 2013.

I expect, she will continue to

come to the BLAST Easter

weekend, to rip up the dance

floor and enjoy the 92 degree

pool. Thanks, Karel. On behalf,

of all the BLAST campers, who

appreciated your help.

Thank you, everyone else.

Hope to see you in 2013.

—Deb Chow

MARK YOUR CALENDAR :

Easter BLAST 2013: Mar 29 - Apr 1, 2013. Early bird deadline: Dec. 15, 2012.

Registration will begin after Labour Day. “There’s life after stroke”

SPRING —Werner Stephan, North Shore Stroke Recovery Center - West Vancouver Group

In Spring , the axis of

the Earth is increas-

ingly tilting towards

the Sun. Things

warm up, plants start

to grow, no more snow or ice.

What is important: no more

danger of having to shovel snow

off the driveway, no winter tires,

another winter season survived.

Summer and the holiday

season is coming! Of course,

we know that only the Northern

hemisphere, Spring starts

around the 20th or 21st of

March and that in other regions,

such as Africa or Australia,

spring is at different times of the

year.

Spring is a time of renewal and

fun. In pre-Christian times in

Europe, spring equinox was a

very popular holiday. The

Christian Church supplanted it

in 325 AD with Good Friday and

Easter Sunday, which according

to church dogma, is a sad and

also a joyous time of the year.

For common folks ‘renewal,’

for whatever reason, was

important, or was it the prospect

of gifts from the Easter Bunny?

One fun event which survived

from Roman time is April Fools

Day which is observed on

April 1. Practical jokes, of

varying sophistication are

played on friends or acquaintan-

ces either only in the morning

or all day according to the

customs of the relevant country.

Some of the jokes were really

amusing and were published in

the newspaper:

1957 BBC, the Swiss Spaghetti

Tree

1972 British Press, The Body of

Nessie Found

1976 BBC Radio, Planetary

Alignment Decreases Gravity

1982, Daily Mail, The Case of

the Interfering Brassieres (Static

Electricity)

1998, Science and Reason

Newsletter, Alabama Changes

the Value of Pi

1998 Burger King, Left Handed

Whopper

Enough of fun? Should

I mention the ‘dirty’ word ‘Spring

Cleaning’? Assume that one

visits in somebody else’s house,

does a comparison of its

cleanliness and order to your

own home urge you to clean

your house upon return or are

you by now guilt-prove? I am

properly guilt-ridden but also

I want to have fun! I read a truly

‘disgusting’ webpage: How to

clean walls and windows

and the bathroom. I convinced

myself that cleaning is bad for

you because it does not test

your immune system. Maybe

I clean these things next year?

No such struggles for children:

The ‘Spring Break’ is fun. It is

said that students take time off

to football games, dances,

parties and relax. In our days,

so we tell them, we had to study

hard all year round and we were


Page 6



expected to have summer jobs.

That is why we now suffer from

memory loss. There is nothing

to laugh about Spring Breaks of

youngsters for parents. How

about this joke which I found on

the ‘net’: Four high school boys,

who were travelling together,

were afflicted with Spring Fever.

They skipped morning classes

and reported to the teacher that

they had a flat tire. Much to their

surprise the teacher smiled and

said that they had missed a test

today so they had to take a seat

well apart from each other and

take out a piece of paper. Still

smiling, the teacher said, “First

question: which tire was flat?”

May is a busy month. May 1st is

the International Labor Day;

there are numerous Liberation

Days in many European coun-

tries; the second Sunday is

Mother’s Day; Victoria Day is

the last Monday before the 24th;

Memorial Day in the USA last

Monday. There are also numer-

ous Awareness Days through-

out the month of May.

I found 2 short Spring jokes on

the ‘net,’ equally lame:

Q. Can February March?

A. No, but April May.

KNOCK, KNOCK! Who is there?

Spring! Spring who? I might

spring over your house one day!

Apologies, I did not know how to

end this write-up.

—by Werner Stephan,

North Shore Stroke Recovery Center

West Vancouver Group

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