Laredo Stroke Support Group Inc.

“Decade of hope advertising 40 expenses promotional 795 office supplies 408 computer and technology 874 conferences, meetings 895 insurance 1,688 dues & subscriptions 788 miscellaneous 216 prizes & awards 357 therapy expenses 39,033 vehicle expenses 685 telephone expense 1,147 one time stipend 300 non-investment depreciation 628 total 47,854”

“Transportation equipment 5,070 5,070 less accumulated depreciation 4,442 5,070 office equipment and furniture 1,407 1,407 less accumulated depreciation 1,407 1,407 total 628 0”

“Payroll liabilities 839 689”

“To enrich the lives of stroke survivors by clarifying misconceptions about stroke, sharing resources, and providing group encouragement through monthly meetings and community involvement.”

“Community outreach lssg began by making hospital visits in order to spread the word about life after stroke. At the visit, lssg provides a "care package" with some examples of healthy eating, information about our group and meetings, a place to write down appointments, and a casual invitation to join the group. Since we started the hospital and rehab visits, we have met and integrated about 30 survivors and at least 50 other community members, and gained more insight into the local stroke community's needs. A "fellowship" has developed wherein the survivors feel comfortable sharing with one another and have taught each other to become more independent individuals through their own experiences. At our meetings, we provide smart menu choices, informative speakers, private sessions to talk to others that are living through similar struggles, etc. With over 200 current stroke survivors in laredo, we continue to look for new avenues to get survivors out of their houses, less dependent on others, out of depression, (and back to becoming contributing members of society). Aside from our monthly meetings, we attend numerous stroke awareness fairs and other general health fairs throughout the year where our goal is to invite the community to participate in our group and free therapies (currently including yoga, tennis, art class, and exercise class). We provide a list of resources including doctors, therapists, caregivers, and other local services that we recommend.”

“Therapy therapies for stroke survivors (speech and physical) every stroke survivor's recovery and needs are unique, but most therapy falls into 3 main categories: speech, physical, and occupational. Our organization has partnered up with austin speech labs to bring affordable speech therapy to laredo. Our volunteers and office manager facilitate therapy sessions via skype, which allows us to decrease costs for the survivor while continuing to offer quality therapy. Austin speech labs: laredo branch (ran by lssg), provides intensive speech and language therapy with boot camp sessions. These sessions are 8 weeks long except the one in november (six or seven weeks due to holidays). Clients receive one to three hours of therapy each day, twice a week, depending on individual needs. The clinician decides the number of hours and days during evaluation. Physical therapy is near and dear to our founder's heart. He was an avid cyclist, runner, biker, and all-around athlete pre-stroke, and truly believes that his love for fitness is what has made his recovery gains successful. Our group advocates strongly for all survivors to develop healthy and active lifestyles to aid in their recovery process. Lssg currently pays art classes for members to attend virtual or in-person as a form of occupational therapy to work on fine motor skills and improve mental function. Tennis is offered every other week, in partnership with the laredo tennis association and the city of laredo parks. Our organization has purchased several forms of exercise equipment such as bicycle stabilizer wheels (for survivors to re-learn how to ride: similar to adult training wheels). Lssg also provides bi-weekly walking and biking classes allowing survivors to work on their physical abilities and balance. Aside from physical and speech therapy, we have taken an innovative approach to occupational therapy through art classes that help with fine motor skills and the mental well-being of stroke survivors.”

“Office supplies at every meeting, agendas are handed out, as well as a healthy recipe, monthly exercise, and any pertinent health articles. Each new member also receives a binder to keep track of all of the vital information they receive. At each health fair, we pass out flyers, business cards, and pertinent health articles. Monthly, as donors offer financial and in-kind support, we send out letters of appreciation from lssg. Printing and postage are part of our top three expense groups.”