Today’s meeting was jammed packed! Our personal pharmacist Mel Azcarraga from The Medicine Shoppe Pharmacy in Parksville was on hand to administer flu shots to our folks.

Some were brave

some courageous

some heroic

some adventurous

some fearless

And some wimps

Theresa Coridor provided a very active exercise program today and was joined by special guest Michelle Stilwell who participated in the exercise therapy as well. Michelle reminded us that every movement counts in maintaining our fitness level.

Our guest speaker today was Marjorie Driscoll from the Workability Customize Work Program here in Oceanside. This program provides the opportunity for young people to learn without boundaries and to reshape their perception of their ability to work. The work program has two locations for their workers – 2^nd Chance Thrift Store and The Pie Factory. Both are popular with our community. Check out The Pie Factory’s list of savory and fruit pies. To top of her presentation, Marjorie shared The Pie Factory apple scones. Delish!

Once again Oceanside Stroke Recovery members are overwhelmed with the folks that live in our community and make it a better place.

Strokes affect people in various ways. Each with a unique challenge.  As a result, there are many types of therapy. Now, there is a new therapy option for Oceanside Stroke Recovery members who are paralyzed on one side of their body. Stroke survivor and member, Rick Turner learned about mirror box therapy as an effective way to re-establish brain pathways that have been damaged during a stoke. He built the mirror box and donated it to the society’s lending library. Available to all members at no cost, the library contains many resources to help in ongoing therapy and recovery.

The device helps give the user a neural workout and can be effective in the way the brain responds to stimuli. This type of brain training is called neuroplasticity.  The device itself consists of a mirror that is positioned between the function and non-functional limb. The user looks at the reflection of the functional limb, while simultaneously hiding both actual limbs from their line of sight. Next the user performs exercises while watching the reflection of the intact limb move. Through the use of this artificial visual feedback it can be possible to relax or move the non-functional limb. Studies have found that this exercise can help rebuild neural pathways.

Oceanside Stroke Recovery Society has been providing therapy to stroke survivors and support to caregivers in Oceanside since 1986. This area includes Parksville, Qualicum Beach, Nanoose Bay, Coombs, Errington, Whiskey Creek and the surrounding communities.