Independence Looks Different for Everyone

Every step forward deserves to be recognized.

Independence after a stroke may not look the way it once did.

It may mean taking a few steps with greater confidence. Preparing part of a meal. Joining a conversation. Attending an outing. Asking for help when it is needed—or discovering the courage to try something again.

At the Stroke Life Center, we believe every step forward deserves to be recognized. Progress is not measured by how quickly someone recovers or by how closely life resembles what it was before a stroke. It is measured in personal victories, renewed confidence, meaningful relationships, and the willingness to keep moving forward.

This July, we celebrated those victories through friendship, community, and new beginnings. Even while navigating our temporary displacement, our members continue to remind us that the Stroke Life Center is much more than a building. It is a community that shows up for one another.

A Summer Picnic Filled with Friendship

Sometimes the most meaningful moments happen around a picnic table.

Our July picnic gave Stroke Life Center members, caregivers, families, and friends an opportunity to enjoy time together beyond our regular programming. There was food, conversation, laughter, and the simple comfort of being among people who understand the stroke-recovery journey.

For stroke survivors and caregivers, social outings can be an important part of rebuilding confidence and reconnecting with the community. They also create something everyone needs: a chance to relax, feel included, and enjoy the moment.

Thank you to everyone who joined us and helped make the picnic special. Days like this remind us that recovery is not only about therapy and appointments. It is also about friendship, belonging, and experiencing life together.

Stroke Life Center members, caregivers, and friends enjoyed an afternoon of food, laughter, and connection.

Our Community Continues—Even While We Are Displaced

Following the electrical fire at Mercy College of Ohio in May, the Stroke Life Center has remained temporarily displaced from our regular space.

Although the transition has required flexibility, our commitment to stroke survivors and caregivers has not changed. We are deeply grateful to Mercy Health for helping us secure temporary meeting space at Mercy Health – St. Anne Hospital so that important programs and connections can continue.

We look forward to returning to our home at Mercy College when it is safe to do so. Until then, we will continue adapting, supporting one another, and finding ways to keep our community connected.

Members should watch their email and the Stroke Life Center’s social media pages for the latest program information and any scheduling updates.

CURRENT PROGRAM LOCATIONS

Chair Yoga
Wednesdays at 11:30 a.m.
Mercy Health – St. Anne Hospital
Third-Floor Conference Area

Support Group
Wednesdays at 1:00 p.m.
Mercy Health – St. Anne Hospital
Third-Floor Conference Area

Aquatic Therapy
Thursdays at 1:00 p.m.
BAM, Meijer Drive

Before attending a program, please confirm its current time and location.

The Stars Are Taking Their First Steps

Excitement is building for the third annual Thriving Like a Star Dance Gala, presented by Mercy Health, taking place Thursday, November 5, 2026, at the Stranahan Great Hall.

In June, our local celebrity dancers met their professional dance partners during the official gala kickoff at DanceFam Ballroom & Latin Studio. The evening included introductions, photographs, interviews, and plenty of nervous—but enthusiastic—first steps.

Over the coming months, each pair will rehearse a special ballroom routine before taking the stage at the gala. Their commitment represents more than learning to dance. They are using their time, talents, and community platforms to help stroke survivors and caregivers continue moving forward.

This year’s theme, Every Step Has a Story, honors the many forms courage can take—from a survivor working toward greater mobility to a caregiver learning how to navigate a new reality.

We look forward to sharing more about this year’s dancers as gala night approaches. For now, here is a first look behind the scenes as their journeys begin.

Help Bring Thriving Like a Star to Life

Thriving Like a Star is more than an elegant evening of dinner, dancing, and entertainment. It is an opportunity to invest in year-round support for stroke survivors and caregivers throughout Northwest Ohio and Southeast Michigan.

There are several ways businesses, organizations, and individuals can participate:

Become an Event Partner

Partnership opportunities offer meaningful community recognition while helping provide programs, education, wellness activities, and social connection at no cost to Stroke Life Center participants.

Place a Spotlight Ad

Businesses and individuals may purchase a Spotlight Ad in the event program. Ads can recognize a loved one, celebrate a survivor, thank a caregiver, or introduce a business to gala guests.

Donate to the Silent Auction

We are seeking experiences, gift certificates, merchandise, services, themed packages, and other items for the gala’s silent auction. Donated items receive valuable exposure while directly supporting the Stroke Life Center’s mission.

To request the Partnership and Spotlight Opportunities packet or discuss a silent-auction donation, contact Lisa Humphrey at lisah@strokelifecenter.org.

Every Story Has the Power to Help Someone Else

A stroke can change life in an instant. What happens afterward is rarely captured in a medical chart.

Through the 13abc Marketplace Survivor Story Series, local stroke survivors and caregivers are sharing honest accounts of fear, determination, setbacks, love, and hope. Their stories offer encouragement to families who may be wondering what life after stroke can look like—and help the broader community understand why long-term support matters.

Visit the new Our Stories page on our website to meet members of the Stroke Life Center and hear about their journeys in their own words.

Their experiences are different, but they share an important message:

No survivor or caregiver should have to navigate life after stroke alone.

Stay Safe During Summer Heat and Poor Air Quality

High temperatures and unhealthy air can present added concerns for people with cardiovascular conditions, older adults, and individuals taking certain medications.

On especially hot or humid days:

• Spend time in an air-conditioned location.

• Limit strenuous outdoor activity.

• Drink fluids as recommended by your healthcare provider.

• Check on friends and family members who may need assistance.

• Never stop or change medication because of the heat without speaking with a healthcare professional.

• Check the local Air Quality Index before planning outdoor activities.

Some medications can affect hydration or the body’s ability to regulate temperature. Individuals with fluid restrictions or other medical conditions should follow their healthcare provider’s guidance. The CDC recommends discussing a personal hot-weather plan with a healthcare professional rather than independently changing medications. CDC heat and health guidance

Current and forecasted air-quality conditions are available through AirNow.gov.

If someone experiences confusion, loss of consciousness, seizures, very high body temperature, or other signs of heat stroke, call 911 immediately.

You Don’t Have to Navigate Stroke Recovery Alone

The Stroke Life Center provides support, education, wellness programs, and meaningful connection for stroke survivors and caregivers—at no cost.

Whether a stroke occurred recently or many years ago, survivors and caregivers are welcome. There are no fees, no insurance requirements, and no need to face the next chapter alone.

strokelifecenter.org

No fees. No barriers. Just support.