By: Sabrina Ahmed
sahmed@klkntv.com
Oftentimes, stroke victims lose touch with the outside world. Local hospitals are helping the victims and their caregivers find support with people in their same situation.
Karen Carder has suffered from two strokes, one when she was 23, and the other just last year on her 60th birthday.
She fully recovered from her first stroke, and has gained much but not all functions after the recent one. Karen says she isn't very optimistic about getting better, "I've come to realize this is what it's like forever."
Karen says since the stroke, she's much happier to stay at home. Beth Malina, a nurse at St. E's says this isn't unusual for stroke victims, "The more severe it is, the more isolated they become."
That's why Retreat and Refresh Stroke Camp came to Nebraska, to help those coping with the after effects of the tragedy. Karen's significant other, Ralph Cox, says it's a chance for both victims and their care givers to relate to other people.
"Your opportunity to release, talk about things we've never really spoken about," said Cox. "It's the camaraderie of other people, your interconnection with their circumstances."
Ralph and Karen both say the camp was a learning experience and they both encourage other people to try it. For people who have gone, they all say it was a success.
"You don't know what's going to happen, even as a volunteer I didn't know how this was going to be exactly but it was one of the greatest weekends that I've ever had," Karen said.
The next camp is August 17th-19th in Ashland, Nebraska. Activities include fishing, boating, music therapy, among others. To register online, go to www.saintelizabethonline.com/stroke-center.html.
