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Our Stroke Support Group

Stroke Support Group

Hilo Medical Center’s Stroke Support Group is here to support stroke survivors and their loved ones. Our support group meets at 4:00 pm every second Tuesday of the month in the hospitals Ground Conference Rooms. The group is run by Amy Shipley, Speech Language Pathologist. Contact her for more information at ashipley@hhsc.org or (808) 932-3049.

“One thing that’s the same throughout is that stroke doesn’t only happen to the person – the entire family, loved ones and caregivers also sort of have that stroke.”

— Amy Shipley, Support Group Coordinator

Benefits of the Group

One of the greatest benefits of the group is the broad a range of stroke survivors who share their different experiences, successes and resources. The group consists of recent and long time stroke survivors, as well as, their family members who also share their lessons learned with other family members. Every meeting is set up in a talk-story setting and involves different activities.

Occasionally, guest speakers present topics of interest and inspiration. Support group members are also encouraged to provide input for topics. Guest speakers interested in presenting to the group may contact Amy at 932-3049.

Click on the image to play the Stroke Support video.

 

“It gives you insight that you are not alone.”

— Sandy, stroke survivor

How the Support Group Began

After a couple of months into her recovery from a stroke, Lisa Young asked her Speech Therapist if there were any stroke support groups that she could attend.

“I wanted to talk to someone who went through the same thing I went through,” remembers Lisa.

Her therapist looked, but there wasn’t any group.  “My therapist would see if we could start one and that’s how it began.”

The Stroke Support Group began in January 2015 with assistance from the hospital’s Stroke Program Coordinator and the Hilo Medical Center Foundation.

Click on the ad to read about how it all began.