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In response to an expressed need for such a gathering, a support group for survivors of stroke and their families is going to be started at Pella Regional Health Center. The support group will be led by Tara Leidigh and will meet on the third Tuesday of each month from 11:00 a.m. to noon in the Hilltop Manor Basement in Pella.

The program aims to educate people about stroke and allow survivors and family members to share their experiences as part of the recovery process. Leidigh says the support group will be participant-driven at first, and will likely evolve over subsequent meetings.

“I think initially we’re going to have people just meeting each other and sharing their stories and getting a support group that way,” said Leidigh, “and then eventually we will have featured speakers each month that will talk about something specific to stroke such as nutrition or relaxation or exercises – different topics.”

Social isolation has been named as a risk factor for a poor outcome after stroke, and Leidigh hopes that the support group can be an important part of the stroke recovery by decreasing isolation in both survivors and family, and also help introduce participants to others in similar situations. The first meeting will be July 20th. For more information on the Stroke Support Group at Pella Regional Health Center, call 641-628-6623.