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SIRH News Release
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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
September 18, 2003
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CONTACT:
Julie Ice, PR Manager or
Linda McGinity Jackson,
Vice President of Public Relations
(502) 587-4230 |
MEDIA ADVISORY
Southern Indiana Rehab Hospital
Offers
Stroke Camp for Survivors
September 25-28, 2003
New
Albany, IN . . . Every 45 seconds, someone in America has a stroke.
Nearly 700,000 people suffer a new or recurrent stroke each year.
Southern Indiana Rehab Hospital is hosting its eighth annual
Cerebral Vascular Accident (CVA) or Stroke Camp, September 25-28 at
Country Lake Christian Retreat Center in Henryville, Indiana to help
stroke survivors enjoy a weekend of leisure time. The campers are
able to participate in educational and entertaining activities,
while in a secure environment.
“This
overnight camp allows participants to join in activities including
spasticity management, motivational speakers, a movie outing,
fishing, wheelchair accessible hayrides and a family cook-out,” said
Linda Petree-Moore, director of Inpatient Rehab Services t Southern
Indiana Rehab Hospital. The camp is designed to allow those
recovering from a stroke a chance to enjoy activities they otherwise
would not try.
Trained
professionals such as: occupational, physical therapists, nurses and
therapeutic recreation specialists operate the camp. It is also
staffed with an around-the-clock nurse for medical emergencies and
medicine administration.
This
year’s camp, which has 20 participants from Indiana and Kentucky, is
made possible by the support of many sponsors including the Kentucky
and Southern Indiana Stroke Association, Tiger A.C. Charities and
many other companies and individuals.
Strokes
are the third leading cause of death and the number one cause of
disability for Americans. Strokes are a result of cardiovascular
disease, affecting the arteries leading to and away from the brain.
Strokes are caused by blood vessels being blocked. The vessels are
no longer able to transfer the oxygen and nutrients necessary for
the brain to function properly. When a part of the brain does not
function as it should, the part of the body it controls is affected
and may cause paralysis, affect language and vision, as well as
other problems. The residual effects of stroke can alter a person’s
lifestyle forever.
According
to the National Stroke Association, the most common symptoms for
strokes include:
- Sudden numbness or weakness
of the face, arm or leg, especially on one side of the body
- Sudden confusion, trouble
speaking or understanding
- Sudden trouble seeing in one
or both eyes
- Sudden trouble walking,
dizziness, loss of balance or coordination
- Sudden, severe headache with
no known cause.
Southern Indiana Rehab Hospital (SIRH) is
a 60-bed inpatient, not-for-profit hospital owned in a unique
partnership with three of the area’s most respected health care
leaders: Frazier Rehab Institute, Floyd Memorial Hospital and Health
Services and Clark Memorial Hospital. Since 1994, SIRH has been
providing inpatient and outpatient physical rehab services to
children and adults suffering from injuries, illnesses and
disabilities.
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