Conducted by Lynn Beamond, the Songbirds Choir, graciously entertained the members of OSRS this Friday with a rendition of lovely songs from the war years, in memory of those gallant soldiers who sacrificed so much to protect our freedom. “We’ll Meet Again”, “A Nightingale Sang in Berkely Square” and other beautiful songs were greatly enjoyed by our members. “Kiss Me Goodnight Sargent Major” brought laughter and smiles. The second half of the program featured Christmas songs and included a visit by Santa and Mrs. Claus, a great way to start the Christmas season.
Welcome to our new music therapist Doug Pickard. Doug was born and raised on Vancouver Island. He has always been active in the community and loves to share his love for music and fitness with his friends and clients. Doug enjoys the unique challenges presented by people of all different ages. He particularly enjoys working with people with cognitive disorders, such as Parkinson’s Disease and Alzheimers. Movement disorders are his specialty.
Doug is a full-time Personal Trainer, coaches youth soccer and is the volunteer facilitator for the Oceanside Parkinson’s Disease Support Group. He owns Fluid Fitness Studio and Groundzero Acoustic Lounge
Doug had us singing some old favourites… Black Velvet Band, Five Foot Two and Molly Malone to name a few. Check out our first session with Doug.
Our exercise therapist, Melanie is finding more ways to make our Friday morning exercise session fun! Thanks to a community grant from the Regional District of Nanaimo, Oceanside Stroke Recovery now has an octaband! Our octaband has 24 arms which means 24 of our stroke survivors can take part in this activity.
Thanks to Melanie, our exercise group is expanding every week!
Again this year, our favourite pharmacist Mel Azcarraga, Jr. from The Medicine Shoppe Pharmacy in Parksville was on hand to administer flu shots to our folks.
Some were very brave, some were a little wimpy. Have a look! Oceanside Stroke Recovery would like to thank Mel for providing the flu clinic for our people!
Oceanside Stroke Recovery members celebrated Anne Quaad’s 98th birthday at our regular Friday meeting. Annie and her husband are founding members of OSRS.
Lunch was provided by Annie’s daughter Bonnie Stone. A team of friends made sandwiches the night before and arranged plates of goodies for all to enjoy.
36 of our people enjoyed lunch out at a unique restaurant this month. It is so important to get out and socialize with friends. The British Bobby is a perfect place. Thank you, Kathleen for arranging another entertaining lunch.
After 16 years of providing music therapy to our stroke survivors, Don has announced he is retiring from his second career. On the third Friday of each month, Don travelled from the Comox Valley to provide our members with an hour or more of songs and stories encouraging all to sing and use their shakers. Thank you, Don for your many years of service to our group. You will be missed!
13 Rainbow Stew Cloggers came to visit Oceanside Stroke Recovery and put their best feet forward to entertain our members again this year. The Rainbow Stew Cloggers have been dancing together since September 1995 under the guidance of Sharon Lafferty. Their theme was music from the roaring twenties and they were very well dressed in lovely flapper dresses and elegant accessories for the lively dances. The male clog dancer was dressed as a 20’s gangster with black shirt and white tie. Our folks enjoyed their performance very much.
The Seaside Cruizers Car Club is a Non-Profit Society and their members are passionate about their cars, their club and their community. For the last 26 years, Seaside Cruizers have organized and hosted the Father’s Day Show ‘N Shine and associated weekend events in Oceanside. Their collective efforts along with the support of their sponsors enable the Seaside Cruizers to generously donate net proceeds from their annual events to local charities and other non-profit and community support groups.
Oceanside Stroke Recovery Society is honoured to receive a generous donation from the Seaside Cruizers Car Club. The cheque was presented by Alex Plonka, Vice-President and Keith Reimer, Treasurer to our co-ordinator, Kathleen Falvai. The funds will be used to help cover the costs of our therapy programs.
Welcome back to Oceanside Stroke Recovery Society. This is our 33rd year providing therapy to stroke survivors and support to caregivers in Oceanside. Our awesome co-ordinator has been busy lining up special events, entertainment and guest speakers for the coming year.
Our Mission remains the same: to promote the health and overall quality of life of stroke survivors and their caregivers.
We will continue to offer:
Speech therapy, one-on-one for stroke survivors with aphasia – weekly
Exercise therapy for stroke survivors and caregivers – weekly
Art therapy for stroke survivors and caregivers – monthly
Music therapy for stroke survivors and caregivers – monthly
Occupational therapy for stroke survivors and caregivers – monthly
Caregiver support led by a Registered Clinical Counsellor – monthly
Peer support – opportunities for social interactions for stroke survivors, caregivers, family members, volunteers and friends, i.e. luncheons, pot lucks, picnics, coffee socials, breakfast meetings.
Fellowship for stroke survivors, spouses, caregivers, friends and volunteers at weekly meetings.
Meet the people who help provide our programs and more:
Benefits of Membership
As a member of Oceanside Stroke Recovery you will receive:
Ongoing therapy (Exercise, Speech, Art and Music)
Peer support
Caregiver counselling
Entertainment
Educational guest speakers
Social occasions
Opportunities to form new friendships
Membership fees are $45.00 per person (2018 season).
“Kiss Me Goodnight Sargent Major” brought laughter and smiles. The second half of the program featured Christmas songs and included a visit by Santa and Mrs. Claus, a great way to start the Christmas season. 
ur exercise therapist, Melanie is finding more ways to make our Friday morning exercise session fun! 
Thanks to a community grant from the 
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