Raising Stroke Awareness

CV-RAPS, a program offered by Healings in Motion.

Can you believe it? In just a few days, April will be a wrap and May will be upon us. Besides having Nurses Week in it, May is also Stroke Awareness Month. Because of its ongoing work with people who have had strokes and other brain injuries and neurological issues, HEALINGS IN MOTION is holding the 2nd Annual Stroke Awareness Day in San Joaquin County on May 23 from 12 noon to 4:30 PM. This event is free and open to the public. For those who live in, or are visiting the area, it is being held at the San Joaquin Stockton Worknet Building in the 1st Floor Conference Center.

The featured speaker is Dr. Richard Atkinson, the Director of the Stroke and Neurological Critical Care Program at Sutter Medical Center in Sacramento. Dr. Atkinson is board certified in the relatively new field of vascular neurology. He provides care to both pediatric and adult patients, while working with a multidisciplinary treatment team. Sutter itself, and its NEUROSCIENCE INSTITUTE (SNI) is known for providing the best care for those with central nervous system and spinal disorders in Northern California. The Center has an active clinical and basic research program and provides community and physician educational outreach programs.


While attending Stroke Awareness Day, visitors can sample SCAN Health Plan's "TRADING AGES" interactive sensitivity program. This program allows participants to experience what it is like to be someone who is a fragile senior or an adult with disabilities. It also provides the opportunity to participate in exercises and sensory perception education.

Cynthia Wilson, a Marriage and Family Therapy Counselor (MFT) and Creative Arts Therapist, is another speaker. Volunteers can experience a type of therapy that utilizes the creative arts and promotes positive mental health for all ages. She states, "Art therapy has been proven to reduce stress and increase confidence among patients with illnesses including: depression, developmental problems, addictions, social & emotional problems, violence, and neurological problems. The Unique Art Therapy Program that she utilizes, allows seniors, those recovering from strokes, caregivers, and others, to express themselves.

Another speaker, Michelle Mills from the Delta Blood Bank, will talk about the great need for blood donors and answer visitors' questions. According to Ms. Mills, "We provide services to 18 hospitals within the region and need to collect over 200 pints daily in order to meet the demand."

One of the reasons for raising awareness of strokes.

There are other speakers and exhibitors at the event, also engaged in the mission of promoting stroke awareness and prevention. There will be handouts and other materials available. With all that is planned, it is promised to be a most informative and educational day.

Healings In Motion connecting at International Stroke Convention.

Thanks to information from this article on Healings in Motion: http://www.healingsinmotion.org/healings-in-motion-presents-the-2nd-annual-stroke-awareness-day-in-san-joaquin-county-on-wednesday-may-23-2012-12noon-430pm-the-public-is-invited-to-attend-free/; and the above links.

Click here to visit Dr. Monica Diedrich.