MIRAMAR BEACH, Fla. – Have you or someone you loved suffered a stroke recently? Sacred Heart Hospital on the Emerald Coast is launching a Stroke Support Group on Monday, Feb. 22 at 3 p.m. All stroke survivors, caregivers and family members are invited to attend this free support group to learn more about stroke, share experiences and become inspired to keep moving forward after surviving a stroke.

The support group will meet on the fourth Monday of every month, beginning Monday, Feb. 22 at 3 p.m. in the Suite 3 conference room at Sacred Heart. Facilitated by Jan Stanko, spouse and caregiver for a stroke survivor, and Mia Lawson, speech therapist with Sacred Heart Rehabilitation, the Stroke Support Group will give survivors and caregivers an opportunity to share their experiences and gain strength and knowledge from others who have been through a similar event.

“When my husband had a stroke, I immediately started searching the Internet for answers to all of my questions, like "What happened? What do we do next? How do we adjust our daily lives? etc.," shared Jan Stanko. “While I found a lot of helpful information, what I really wanted and needed was someone to talk to who had been through this experience, either as a survivor or a caregiver. I am honored to partner with Sacred Heart to bring a stroke support group to our community.”

A stroke can be very isolating – for both the stroke survivor and the caregiver. Each stroke survivor faces a unique set of disabilities and losses, and each copes with them in his or her own way. The Stroke Support Group will help address these issues and connect survivors and caregivers with a supportive community.

For more information or to join the new support group, please call (850) 278-3600. The stroke support group is one of the many community classes and support groups hosted by Sacred Heart Hospital on the Emerald Coast. For more information about Sacred Heart, please visit www.sacredheartemerald.org.
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