Founder and Executive Director, Stroke Comeback Center, Darlene Williamson, long-time Center member and goodwill ambassador Paul Berger, and Resolution sponsor Del. Mark Keam (D-35) show off House Resolution HJ668 to guests at the Center’s 10th anniversary celebration. Photo by Donna Manz.
The Stroke Comeback Center of Vienna, focusing on communication challenges of stroke survivors, celebrated its 10th anniversary on June 16 with community on-hand, and, with a Commonwealth of Virginia House resolution lauding the Center’s mission and achievements. House Delegate and resolution sponsor Mark Keam (D-35) presented Resolution HJ668 at that commemoration at a social hosted by the Stroke Comeback Center in partnership with the Vienna Business Association.
“The biggest thing our members want others to know about aphasia is that it affects their language only; it does not affect their intelligence. On behalf of all the people with aphasia, that’s the biggest message they want to get out,” said Stroke Comeback Center founder and Executive Director, Darlene Williamson, who worked in a hospital setting with recovering stroke survivors. “When they reached the stage where insurance wasn’t covering their treatment any longer, they asked, ‘now what?’ The Stroke Comeback Center is is the ‘now what’.”
STROKE COMEBACK CENTER members are not stroke “victims,” Williamson is quick to point out. They can – and do – improve over time. They can – and do – achieve many milestones to greater independence. The center holds approximately 40 groups a week and pricing is a la carte. Members choose the modes of rehabilitation to live successfully after stroke, Williamson said. The approach is participation through groups of three to six members working with a speech pathologist on communication skills. Technology – from computers to “smart phone” applications - are utilized to augment communication improvement. Many wounded warriors have aphasia and the Center works with them, as well.
“People can live successful and meaningful lives after stroke,” said Williamson. “That’s the second biggest message we want to get out.”
The Stroke Comeback Center is the only post-stroke resource of its kind in the Washington, D.C. area. Its mission is to provide long-term support for stroke survivors with aphasia and other communication challenges. To this end, the center offers services with a social approach, focusing on speech, reading, writing, and comprehension. While the center does not accept insurance, it does not turn anyone away, regardless of ability to pay. About 30 percent of members are on scholarship.
Historically, the center receives most of its funding through a group of committed donors, Williamson said.
FUNDRAISERS such as the annual fall golf tournament and the upcoming Washington Nationals’ Strike Out Stroke game with ticket sales also help the Stroke Comeback Center.
The Stroke Comeback Center opened its doors in Oakton in 2005 and moved to Vienna in 2009. Many of the center’s earliest members remain members today. Members enroll for nine-week sessions and pay by the group.
“When stroke happens, it happens to the entire family,” said Williamson. “They are desperate for community support. Stroke Comeback Center fills that need.
“My dream is that everyone everywhere who has had a stroke will have a resource like ours,” Williamson said.
The Stroke Comeback Center, at 145 Park Street, SE, has received national recognition as one of only about a half-dozen of rehabilitations centers such as this one. To learn more about its services and program schedule, or to buy Nationals’ tickets, go to http://strokecomebackcenter.org/, or email info@strokecomebackcenter.org. Phone is 703-255-5221.