Dear Friend of the American Stroke Foundation –

When Mark McAuley had his stroke at age 61, his life was changed forever. He still struggles today with some everyday activities, but participating in the American Stroke Foundation programs helps him get better every day. Mark takes advantage of the opportunity to exercise and feel physically fit, to increase his ability to communicate, and to socialize with other stroke survivors.

“I enjoy the social interaction with the other stroke survivors. It’s nice to know other people who have had strokes, to encourage and be encouraged by them, since this is such a major life-changing event.”

Mark McAuley, stroke survivor

Life also changed for Mark’s wife, Virginia. She takes advantage of ASF programming and the opportunity to give and receive support from other family members.

“I enjoy the camaraderie of being with people who understand what we’re going through. The ASF has a family atmosphere as opposed to a medical atmosphere. My husband loves coming and is upset when we don’t come.”

Virginia McAuley, family member

• The American Stroke Foundation helps stroke victims transform themselves into stroke survivors

The ASF takes a holistic approach to working with stroke survivors, offering programs that address their physical, cognitive, social and emotional well-being. Our programs are available to everyone, including survivors of stroke who are under-served and under-insured, regardless of their ability to pay. Through our fitness programs, speech classes, life skills development, and support groups like 2 Young 4 Stroke, the American Stroke Foundation continues its mission of supporting stroke survivors and their families as they continue the journey to recovery.

At this time of year we often reflect on the many things each of us has to be grateful for -- family, friends, home, and health. Not everyone is lucky enough to enjoy that last blessing, but I know hundreds of stroke survivors, and hundreds more of their family members and friends who give thanks each day that the American Stroke Foundation is and has been there for them. With your help we can continue our efforts to provide hope …...

Your support in the past has helped us accomplish so much – here are some of our recent successes:

• We finalized a partnership agreement with the YMCA of Greater Kansas City to bring the ASF’s multi-faceted program for stroke survivors into Y facilities.

The pilot program called Living After Stroke will begin in the Blue Springs Y in early 2012. It has long been a goal of the ASF board of directors to expand the number of locations where ASF provides programming. This partnership with the Y positions us to fulfill the dream of taking the ASF to survivors across the community.

• We influence the future of stroke wellness through teaching.

We provide meaningful fieldwork opportunities for students preparing to begin careers in health care. In 2011 the ASF staff mentored student interns in occupational therapy, physical therapy, speech pathology and social work. These students come to us from schools across the country and leave with real world knowledge about stroke and the challenges of living life after one, in addition to practical knowledge about how best to provide services that support recovery and hope.

“The ASF provides a unique learning experience for OT students. We have the opportunity to participate in all aspects of the program, from planning to direct service to outreach and advocacy. We are well prepared to take the skills we develop here and apply them in our future work with stroke survivors.”

Lauri Llewellyn & Elayna Strell, OT students

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