Silver Cross Stroke Support Group Offers Survivors and Families Information and Encouragement

Imagine you’ve suffered a serious stroke. Things you once took for granted – walking without assistance, working a remote control or using a fork and knife – are now out of reach. 

Rehabilitation is helping, but specialists say it could be months before you see significant improvements. And while you’re grateful to be alive, you’re feeling frustrated…and alone. 

“You’re not alone,” said Sheila Bender, a specialist in Recreational Therapy at Silver Cross Hospital in New Lenox. She co-hosts a Stroke Support Group every third Wednesday from 4 to 5 p.m. in Silver Cross Pavilion A, Room 1A. 

“Sometimes we get long-winded, and we go to 5:30. And each meeting is different. Sometimes, there will be a lot of laughs. Other times, there will be tears. And that’s OK.” 

“We started the group at our former hospital campus in Joliet and continued it when we moved to the new campus in 2012,” she added. “During the COVID-19 pandemic, we couldn’t hold meetings, but we are starting to pick back up now. The group tends to be kind of small, which can be very nice and personal.” 

A Family of Support

“Some of our Stroke Support Group members have been with us a long time,” Bender explains. “They welcome newcomers with open arms and are wonderful cheerleaders, offering supportive words like ‘You can do it! It’s going to be tough, but hang in there and don’t give up!’ They encourage people to share their story, they get it, and they want to help.” 

The group started a Facebook page called Silver Cross Stroke Support Group to get the word out and attract more members. 

“We post pictures of our members, announce upcoming meetings and highlight some of our topics presented,” Bender said. “We send out emails and post upcoming meetings. Zoom links are always available. We welcome new members!” 

“Some months we offer a specific program for the meeting,” adds Genevieve Shimkus, Silver Cross Stroke Program Coordinator, who also co-hosts the monthly meetings. 

“So far this year we’ve been blessed with many guest speakers,” she said. 

“In February, we had ‘Friends and Family CPR’ with Jerry Cooke, Silver Cross Hospital EMS (Emergency Medical Services) System Training Coordinator; in March, we had a presentation on Adaptive Equipment with Debbie Jacob-Maas OTR/L from the Shirley Ryan AbilityLab at Silver Cross; and in April, Meghan Varriale, a Speech-Language Pathologist with the Shirley Ryan AbilityLab at Silver Cross, presented a program on Aphasia and Communication.” 

In May, the focus was on something everyone thinks about in the spring: gardening! 

“I brought a PowerPoint on adaptive gardening, and how it can help with the emotional and physical challenges of a stroke,” Bender said. “It featured adapted equipment for easier planting as well as ideas for accessible backyard set-ups. One member even took pictures of the PowerPoint!” 

Since they’re seeing more stroke survivors in their 40s, 50s and 60s, Bender and Shimkus know there are many more people who could benefit from the Stroke Support Group. To make it more accessible, they also began offering Zoom meetings. 

“Some of our members have expressed listening to our meetings in their car if traveling. One of our members who lived in the area recently moved out of state and now joins us on Zoom. How great to still see her participate! Our members are amazing!” 

Bender said the meetings are open to all, whether they were treated at Silver Cross or elsewhere. And family members who need the support can come along or alone. 

“We have participants who have been with us a long time,” Bender said. “Then, we have people who we don’t see once they get better. And that’s OK. We were there when they needed us.” 

To learn more about the Silver Cross Stroke Support Group, visit silvercross.org/classes-events