Friends Living with Stroke – Fort Frances Group Thriving

Since 2014, individuals within the Rainy River district celebrate their survival from stroke every month. The “Friends Living with Stroke” group meets on the last Thursday of every month.  The group enjoys a healthy lunch together and takes part in both formal and informal conversations on a variety of topics of interest to the group.   Marilyn Erwin, Stroke Clinic Nurse at LaVerendrye Hospital in Fort Frances facilitates the group, which meets in the ground floor meeting room next to the stroke clinic at the hospital.

The group formed after participants in the “Living with Stroke” program decided they wanted to keep meeting after the six-week program ended. “The 2014 group was one of our largest and when it was all over they just didn’t want to stop meeting” explained Erwin.  The group numbers about 20 with usually 12 or so able to meet every month.

Volunteer, Melvin Jourdain was recognized at a recent meeting for his contribution to the smooth running of both the Living with Stroke and Moving on after Stroke (MOST) programs. Erwin said “I was happy to present Melvin with a thank you on behalf of the Stroke Clinic.”  Currently another member from the group, Wilma, is being trained as a volunteer with the MOST program.

The “Friends” group has also been able to virtually interact with the Thunder Bay Stroke Recovery Network and have taken part in videoconference sessions connecting stroke survivors across Northwestern Ontario over the last two years.

For more information on the Living with Stroke program or the Friends group, please contact Marilyn Erwin, Stroke Clinic Nurse at (807) 274-3261 extension 4542.

Check the NWORSN website under events for upcoming gathering dates.