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Stroke Survivor Support Group celebrates over a decade of thriving
Mission of Mercy
The mission of Mercy Health has remained steadfast since the Sisters of the Humility of Mary began providing health care services more than 100 years ago. Mercy Health’s core values of compassion, excellence, human dignity, justice, sacredness of life and service are upheld at all of our care locations, blending pioneering technology and innovative equipment to provide the best care possible.
Visit mercy.com for more information or to find a doctor, location or specialty.
Brought to you by MERCY HEALTH
Life can sometimes change in a moment – whether it be the call you received your dream job or an unexpected illness that may have lasting effects, we as humans, lean on one another. Much like the hit song by Bill Withers, “Lean On Me,” support through a health diagnosis can oftentimes be the extra strength we need to get through.
For more than a decade, stroke survivors, their friends and families have been sharing stories of diagnosis, experiences of recovery and with each one told, a bond is created that helps people heal.
“The stories that are told, the compassion and trust each patient has, is truly unique,” said Erika Mikula, a nurse practitioner in Mercy Health’s Neuroscience department. “We can see people heal, not only from their diagnosis, but oftentimes the emotional distress that a patient and their family experiences,” she added.
The Mercy Health Stroke Support Group meets each month to not only have discussions around group members’ healing or recovery, but also have the added benefit of taking part in a discussion led by a number of clinicians and other health professionals such as nurses, physical therapists, occupational and speech therapists as well as social workers.
STROKE WARNING SIGNS
Sudden weakness of the face, arm or leg, most often on one side of the body.
Sudden numbness of the face, arm, or leg, especially on one side of the body.
Sudden confusion, trouble speaking or understanding speech.
Sudden trouble seeing in one or both eyes.
Sudden trouble walking, dizziness, loss of balance or coordination.
Sudden severe headache with no known cause.
If someone is having these signs, call 911 and seek medical help immediately. Stroke is a medical emergency. Treatment is available, but only if a stroke is recognized in time.
Source: The Internet Stroke Center
“Having a multi-disciplinary group of professionals is an incredible benefit,” said Mikula. “They can talk through and in some cases, physically work through challenges since these therapists or nurses are leading discussions.”
In addition to being an opportunity to seek advice or talk through the recovery process, each meeting is centered around specific topics these patients and their families often experience. Topics include mental health, nutrition, exercise, medications and more.
The health care system remains an ever-changing industry where access to care and the recovery process happen outside a traditional hospital or health care facility. At Mercy Health, programs such as the Stroke Support Group offer ways we can help extend a healing focused on mind, body and spirit.
To learn more about the Stroke Support Group and how you can attend the monthly meetings, which take place at Mercy Health – Humility House in Austintown, please call 330-480-2876 or visit www.mercy.com to learn more about the expert neurologists and neurosurgeons who call the Valley home.