Laredo Stroke Support Group Inc.

“Expenses office supplies 300 office supplies 479 computer and technology 714 computer and technology 87 conferences, meetings 635 conferences, meetings 34 conferences, meetings 150 insurance 1,704 bank charges 293 dues & subscriptions 120 dues & subscriptions 1,022 miscellaneous 225 prizes & awards 315 prizes & awards 77 promotional 47 stroke survivor kits 89 therapy expenses 59,269 vehicle expenses 60 vehicle expenses 200 telephone expense 1,259 supplies 3 fundraising 1,565 total 68,647”

“Transportation equipment 5,070 6,477 less accumulated depreciation 5,070 6,477 office equipment and furniture 1,407 0 less accumulated depreciation 1,407 0 total 0 0”

“Payroll liabilities 689 2,780”

“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 8,000 current stroke survivors in laredo, we continue to look for new avenues to get survivors out of their houses, less dependent of 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, and swimming). 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 zoom, 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.”

“Managerial/support 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.”