Edison & Paramus Exercise Program

Edison
A free exercise program for stroke survivors will begin on Thursday, April 1, 2004 at the Highlands, a CareOne facility in Edison.  The program will be run on the first and third Thursdays of each month.  The hour long exercise program will begin at 11:00 AM.  Refreshments will be served the hour before the exercise begins and that is a good time to socialize and network with other stroke survivors.  Register for the program by calling 908-754-7100.  The facility is located at 1350 Inman Ave in Edison.

Paramus
CareOne at the Cupola in Paramus and NJSAC now offer a twice monthly morning exercise program for stroke survivors, conducted by Kevin Gilhooly, Exercise Physiologist.  The exercises begin at 110:00 AM.  Get there a little early and enjoy refreshments and networking with other participants.  The free exercise program is held on the second and fourth Tuesday of each month.  Although there are 10 NJSAC members who attend this program, there are an additional 10 people who want to attend, but have no transportation.  We have been unsuccessful with the Division of Transportation of Bergen County, so we are seeking alternative means.  If you have any ideas or suggestions on getting transportation to the program, please call Mary Jo at 973-450-4114.

Come Cruise with Miss America

Jackie Mayer, stroke survivor and Miss America 1963, will be with us on our first cruise for stroke survivors sponsored by NJSAC.  Jackie Mayer was a guest speaker at our Fundraiser Dinner in November 2002.  At that time, she talked about her struggle to recover from her stroke, that occurred seven years after she became Miss America.  She gave an inspiring and encouraging message to the stroke survivors and all who attended the dinner.

You can meet her in person at the cocktail hour that is scheduled for the first evening of the cruise.  That will also be the time to meet and talk with other members, families and friends who are sailing with NJSAC.

There is still time to book your passage.  Call Joanne or Janet at 1-800-531-7327 or 732-922-8580, and tell them you want to cruise with NJSAC.

May 19th Fundraiser Dinner

We have had a very poor response in ticket orders and Ad Journal sales.  NJSAC depends on the support of the 1300 stroke survivors, families, supporters and health care workers who receive our newsletter.  Support of NJSAC is needed in order to carry on it's goals of bringing New Jersey stroke survivors together, and opening programs for continuing recovery or stroke survivors in New Jersey.  Show your support and order tickets now.  The tickets are only $30 each or $300 for a table of ten.  Bring your family and friends and fill a table of your own.  The event includes a buffet, fashion show with surprise model, door prizes, fifty/fifty and raffle drawing.

Board Of Directors

The following people were appointed to serve as members of the NJSAC Board of Directors; David Chaffin, Vicky Galofaro, Joanne Kortenhaus, Frank Mobilio, Ed Schrieber, Mike Sheppard Sr, Joanne Switaj, Bill Winter and Dr. Richard Zaback.  At the meeting held on April 9th, the members voted Mary Jo Schrieber, Executive Director to serve as president and secretary, Ed Schreiber as vice-president and Vicky Galofaro as treasurer.  The board will hold a minimum of two meetings a year.

New Programs
Livingston Exercise Program Kick-Off Dinner May 6th 2004 @ 6:30PM

A Complimentary Kick-Off Dinner will be held to introduce the free exercise program for stroke survivors that will be starting in May.  All who are interested in the program are invited to the dinner and should call 973-758-9000 for more information and to reserve your place.  The free exercise program will begin on Thursday, May 20, 2004 at the CareOne Facility in Livingston.  The program will be run on the first and third Thursday of each month and will begin at 10:00AM.  Lunch will be served after the exercise program and that is a good time to socialize and network with other stroke survivors and families.  The facility is located at 68 Passaic Avenue in Livingston.

Arthritis Foundation Exercise Program

An exercise program for people with arthritis and limited mobility is held every Monday at 2:00PM.  Must have doctor's written permission.  Cost is $3.00 per session.  The facility is located at the Center for Healthier Living in Hackettstown Hospital, 182 Mountain Avenue.  To register for the program call 908-850-6935

Free Livingston Music Therapy Program

A free music program for stroke survivors is held on the first and third Thursday of the month at the CareOne facility in Livingston.  The program begins at 3:30PM.  The facility is located at 68 Passaic Avenue in Livingston.  Call 973-450-4114 to register.

Morristown Free Music Therapy Program

A free music therapy program is held every Tuesday at 2:30PM at CareOne, 151 Madison Avenue in Morristown.  Call 973-450-4114 to register.

Morristown Sound & Movement Therapy Program

A free sound & movement therapy program is held on the second and fourth Tuesday of the month at 3:15PM at CareOne, 151 Madison Avenue in Morristown.  Call 973-450-4114 to register.

Morristown Stroke Discussion Group

A stroke discussion support group led by Dr. Carol Carlson, PhD. is held on the first and third Tuesday of the month at CareOne at Madison Avenue in Morristown, 151 Madison Avenue.  The program begins at 1PM call 973-714-7652 to register.

Montclair Aphasic Interaction Program

Good Company promises a relaxed environment where people can meet and interact in a social atmosphere, under the guidance of a Speech-Language Pathologist.  The program is held every Wednesday from 2:00PM to 3:30PM at Mountainside Hospital's Department of Speech and Audiology in Montclair.  The cost is $15.00 per session.  Refreshments will be served.  A minimum one month commitment is recommended for optimum benefit.  Call Janet Kalina-Suarez at 973-429-6011 to register.

Free Paramus Exercise Program

A free exercise program for stroke survivors is held on the second and fourth Tuesday of the month at CareOne at the Cupola in Paramus.  The exercises begin at 11:30AM.  The facility is located at 100 West Ridgewood Avenue in Paramus.  Call 973-450-4114 to register.

Free Saddle Brook Exercise Program

A free exercise program for stroke survivors is held on the first and third Tuesday of the month at Kessler Institution for Rehabilitation in Saddle Brook.  The exercises begin at 11:30AM followed by a free lunch.  The facility is located at 300 Market Street in Saddle Brook.  Call 973-450-4114 to register.

Free Tinton Falls Exercise Program

A free exercise program for stroke survivors is held on the first and third Wednesday of the month at Health South Rehabilitation Hospital of Tinton Falls.  The program begins at 2:00PM.  The facility is located at 2 Centre Plaza (off Hope Road) in Tinton Falls.  Call 973-450-4114 to register.

Directions for most programs can be found here.

A Night of Fun and Prizes, Prizes, Prizes

The third Annual Fundraiser at The Cupola in Paramus was a great success.  Eighty one people attended and each went home with at least one prize.  The seventeen stroke survivors who attended were acknowledged and presented with American Car Flags.  Mary Jo Schreiber read an encouraging letter from Christopher Reeve.  Dr. Richard Zaback led the Pledge of Allegiance and spoke about his involvement in stroke issues as New Jersey's representative in Washington.

All enjoyed the fashion show put on by Sister's Boutique in Garfield.  Lila Ness narrated the fashion show.
The models were: Christine Galofaro, Vicky Galofaro, Missy Iemmello, Elaine Mathews, Maureen Nelson, Maggie Shurgaia and Dolly Schreiber (AKA Ed)

The winner of the Las Vegas vacation was Joan Spencer of Wimington, Delaware.  Her mother Joan Laux, stroke survivor, purchased the ticket in her name.  The Dell computer was won by Susan Mangione, daughter of Margrette, stroke survivor and Walter Zawacki.  Marina and Ted Wang, stroke survivor won the $100 American Express Gift Certificate.  Two hundred sixteen dollars was the amount split for the 50/50 drawing.  This was won by Elaine and Bill Zipce who donated their winnings of $108 back to NJSAC.

NJSAC has many people to thank who helped make this a successful event:
Ed Schreiber who organized all the prizes and emceed the program. Vicky Galofaro for organizing and running the fashion show.  Beth Candido-Torrez, Marge Cyounar, Chrysa Golashesky and Lillian Stanko for selling prize, 50/50 and raffle tickets at the dinner.  Mary Jo and Ed's grandchildren Nicholas Candido, Geena Vigorito and Anthony, Giovanni and Alexandra Iemmello for helping distribute the door prizes to the winners.  A special thank you to their oldest grandchild, Andrew Candido, who was the photographer.  He will put some of the pictures from the fundraiser on our website at www.njsac.org.

A big thank you to CareOne and it's staff for supplying the room and food free.  Beth Durney, Lisa Sullivan and Chiquita worked very hard to make sure everything went right.  The room was set up beautifully and the food was delicious.

$3,000 Grant Received from The Henry H. Kessler Foundation

The day after our successful Fundraiser/Dinner, NJSAC received the news that we were approved for a grant of $3,000 to supplement the cost of the newsletter.  NJSAC sends out six newsletters a year, free of charge to 900 stroke survivors and 300 supporters and healthcare workers.  The newsletters have information about new and existing activities and programs run by NJSAC, and the latest information about stroke and stroke recovery. 

The grant application was prepared by Nancy Mamis-King, stroke survivor and Jess Fuchs, caregiver with input from Mary Jo Schreiber.  Nancy was a grant writer before her stroke and was the guiding force.  Jess had never written an application for a grant before.  Encouraged by their success, they are eager to start the next one.

NJSAC thanks Nancy and Jess for all the hard work they put into preparing this grant application.

Caregivers

Three caregivers who come highly recommended by families of stroke survivors, are available for employment.

Carol Monte in Washington Township
201-664-9593

Maggie in Lincoln Park
973-696-1681

Katie in Short Hills
718-614-4351

Can You Use?

A walker with front wheels that has never been used... call Tina Cucchisi at 973-641-8791.

Trach collars/cleaning kits, Saline bullets, Blue hose (from ventilator to patient adapters)...
call Lynn Crofton at 908-580-1268

Opening the World to Stroke Survivors

The first cruise for stroke survivors sponsored by NJSAC was a tremendous success.  Stroke survivors and caregivers who had concerns about going on a cruise were put to ease by the well trained crew as soon as we boarded the completely handicap accessible Norwegian Dawn.  The seven day cruise sailed from the Port of New York to the Bahamas and Florida.  Sixty five people were in our group which included 25 stroke survivors from 8 states.  Our group got acquainted at the NJSAC Welcome Cocktail Hour the first night out.  The next day Jackie Mayer, Stroke survivor and Miss America 1963 gave an inspirational talk.  On Friday, the group met again to hear how NJSAC was started and future plans for more cruises.  There was also a presentation of a check from the Norwegian Dawn captain to NJSAC.  By the end of the cruise the group had become one loving family.  This was expressed in the following poem by Joan McGill, stroke survivor from Redding, Connecticut.

From California to Long Island
From New Hampshire to Tennessee
We come together to share
What we have in common
Strokes
We find on our week long journey
To the Bahamas and back
That we can have fun
Soak up adventure
That we can do this
With our walkers and our wheelchairs
Braces and canes
We not only share our strokes
But we celebrate our differences
With the help of family and friends
We've added this accomplishment to our recovery
Congratulations!

Cruise photos can be viewed at http://community.webshots.com/user/crusiepix
Courtesy of Christine and Michael Dour

Membership

If you have not sent in your tax deductible membership, please do so using the enclosed application for a membership card that is good until 2006.call 973-450-4114.  NJSAC is working hard setting up therapy programs, providing activities, and bringing stroke survivors together throughout New Jersey.  Show your support of NJSAC and help us continue sending our very informative newsletters out, six times a year, to our current 1,075 stroke survivors, and 480 health care workers and supporters.  Help us continue setting up programs.  Help us to sponsor cruises and trips for stroke survivors.  Show your appreciation for what NJSAC is doing for you by becoming a member.

Do You Need

A free chair lift, less than 1 year old.  Needs professional installation.  Call 973-763-4149.  Must arrange for pickup.

A free brand new motorized Jazzy chair or an Invacare Comfort tilt chair on wheels with feeding tray.  Call Cicily Higgins at 551-587-7713. Must arrange for pickup.

The Seventh Annual Holiday Party will be held at the Adult Care Center, 120 Commerce Way in Totowa, NJ, on Friday, December 10th 2004 at 7:00PM.  The festivities will include a sing-a-long, food, Chinese Auction, socializing and networking with other stroke survivors and families.

This will be a pot-luck event.  Each family that comes is asked to bring in a main dish, salad or dessert and an item worth $15 or more for the Chinese Auction.  Last year's party was a great success and we hope that more members will come this year. 

Call 973-450-4114 to let Mary Jo know you are coming and what food you are bringing.  Directions to the party will be sent upon request.

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