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Genesis Neurosciences treat brain and nervous system disorders.

Can We Prevent Alzheimer’s? 

Did you know that Alzheimer’s disease currently impacts over 6.7 million Americans? The Alzheimer’s Association defines the disease as a type of dementia that affects memory, thinking and behavior. Alzheimer’s can progress to eventually disrupt daily tasks.  

As an expert in his field, we contacted Even F. Wang, M.D., Board-certified in Neurology and Clinical Neurophysiology. He practices at Genesis Neuroscience Center. 

Dr. Wang explains that dementia is a category of neurological diseases, and Alzheimer’s falls under that category. 

Symptoms 

“I find that people with Alzheimer’s don’t realize they’re experiencing symptoms,” said Dr. Wang. “It’s usually a spouse or a child who notices behavioral changes indicating an issue.” 

Symptoms include: 

  • Increased memory loss 

  • Personality changes 

  • General confusion 

If you or your loved one is experiencing any of the above, it’s important to make an appointment with a primary care provider. From there, you may be referred to a neurologist.  

Dr. Wang said that neurologists can run tests, including mental status examinations, spinal taps and MRIs, to rule out other reasons for memory loss. From there, doctors can determine whether you may have Alzheimer’s and discuss treatment options.  

Treatment  

While there is no cure for Alzheimer’s, it's being heavily researched internationally. With a better understanding of the disease comes better treatment. 

According to the National Institute on Aging, available treatments may temporarily improve or stabilize memory and thinking skills. Other medications can help manage specific symptoms of Alzheimer’s, like behavioral problems, anxiety, depression and sleeplessness.  

“There is a lot of excitement in our field surrounding Alzheimer’s treatment,” said Dr. Wang.  

In July of 2023, U.S. Food and Drug Administration traditionally approved the first medication proven to slow the progression of Alzheimer's. 

Prevention 

There are many risk factors that increase your risk of Alzheimer’s. Some of them, like age and genetics, are out of your control. Symptoms usually appear after 65, and the risk increases as you age. That does not mean that Alzheimer’s is a normal part of aging, according to the CDC. While things like multitasking may slow with age, memory and knowledge, remain stable and can even improve with age. 

Scientists currently know of more than 70 genetic variations associated with Alzheimer’s. The National Institute of Aging states that just 10 years ago, scientists only knew of 10 variations. The research continues to improve our understanding of the disease. Furthermore, those who develop Alzheimer’s don’t always have a family history of the disease. Those who do have a parent or sibling with Alzheimer’s still have a higher risk of developing Alzheimer’s than those who don’t. 

Diabetes, high blood pressure and smoking increase your chance of developing Alzheimer’s. “Living an active lifestyle and keeping an active mind are ways to reduce or delay your risk of Alzheimer’s,” said Dr. Wang. “Letting your brain rest by getting enough sleep is another good practice.”  

Here are things you can do to delay Alzheimer’s: 

  • Quit drinking alcohol and smoking 

  • Correct hearing loss 

  • Maintain a healthy weight 

  • Get enough sleep 

  • The Sleep Health Foundation recommends seven to nine hours for adults 18 through 64 and seven to eight hours for adults 65 and older. 

  • Manage your blood pressure and blood sugar 

  • Be physically and mentally active 

  • Adding exercise to your life helps you stay active. Try activities you enjoy, like walking, workout classes or gardening.   

As Dr. Wang said, delaying Alzheimer’s comes back to leading a healthy lifestyle. Making your health a priority now can make a big difference down the road.  

If you or a loved one think you may be experiencing symptoms of Alzheimer’s, schedule an appointment with your primary care provider to begin a treatment plan that is right for you.  

Can We Prevent Alzheimer’s?

Did you know that Alzheimer’s disease currently impacts over 6.7 million Americans? The Alzheimer’s Association defines the disease as a type of dementia that affects memory, thinking and behavior.

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Personalized Spinal Surgery Leads to an Active Life

Rebecca Welch knew long road trips could take a toll on the body, but she had never felt so uncomfortable. After driving to Michigan, she returned to Nashport with a heavy weight sitting on her right shoulder. She also experienced dull pain and tingling that shot down her arms when she moved her head. Even reading a magazine became miserable. 

Rebecca told her primary care physician about her discomfort during an annual exam. After imaging, Rebecca met with a rheumatologist, pain management specialist and physical therapist before sitting down with Yasu Harasaki, M.D., Board-certified Neurosurgeon with the Genesis Neurosurgery Group. 

Close-to-home experts

“Dr. Harasaki was wonderful. At first, I thought I’d travel to Columbus if I had surgery on my neck or spine. After sitting down with Dr. Harasaki, I changed my mind. He talked with my husband and me for an hour. He was caring and professional. He took his time and didn’t push me into anything. I really liked him by the time I left his office, I knew I wasn’t going anywhere else,” Rebecca said.

Dr. Harasaki diagnosed Rebecca with cervical myelopathy and radiculopathy, meaning she suffered from a pinched nerve in the spinal column. 

“Bones of the neck are usually stacked and aligned perfectly, creating a tunnel for the spinal cord to pass through. As bones wear down, they can slip out of alignment. The slippage then narrows the spinal cord’s tunnel, and nerves can become pinched. “That’s exactly what happened to Rebecca,” 
Dr. Harasaki said. “In fact, she had pinching on multiple levels in her neck.”

Personalized care: Individual bodies require an individual approach

Before her neck and spine problems arose, Rebecca had a couple of instances with difficulty swallowing. To compensate, doctors dilated her esophagus multiple times. Unfortunately, her past medical history impacted her current medical issue. 

“The challenge was to fix Rebecca’s back and neck without worsening her swallowing troubles. To avoid disturbing her neck, we chose to surgically enter from the back instead of the front of her neck. This isn’t our traditional approach for the procedure, but it proved to be the best personalized approach for Rebecca,” Dr. Harasaki said. 

On surgery day, Dr. Harasaki relieved the pinch and stabilized Rebecca’s spine with rods and screws. He also added material to encourage new bone growth where he fused the discs. The procedure took approximately 3.5 hours, and Rebecca recovered at Genesis Hospital for the next few days. 

“Everybody was top-notch at Genesis. Dr. Harasaki and his team were kind, efficient and very caring. Everyone I saw at Genesis was wonderful. That’s why I recommend people stay local for their healthcare – Genesis has excellent team members,” Rebecca said.  

Dr. Harasaki also highlighted the benefits of staying close to home for healthcare. 

“At Genesis, it’s a team effort. We have a specialized spine team that provides high-quality care right in our community. Plus, we have dedicated operating rooms and the latest technology. Our patients receive very good care here,” Dr. Harasaki said. 

“I’m so glad I had the surgery and that I’m back to my walking. I want to be active and stay active, and this surgery made that possible. I’m playing with my granddaughter again and caring for my family.”

Restoring the quality of life

With her neck pain gone and her quality of living restored, Rebecca has returned to the physical activities she adores. For example, last year she walked more than 570 miles along the Gorsuch Fitness Trail on the Genesis Hospital campus. 

“I’m so glad I had the surgery and that I’m back to my walking. I want to be active and stay active, and this surgery made that possible. I’m playing with my granddaughter again and caring for my family,” Rebecca said.

Dr. Harasaki diagnosed Rebecca with cervical myelopathy and radiculopathy, meaning she suffered from a pinched nerve in the spinal column. After surgery, Rebecca's neck pain is gone, and quality of life restored. 

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Back Surgery Ends Years of Pain

When it comes to growing older, Ernie Decot of Junction City says, “Just bite it, chew it and keep on going.” The endearing adage helped him smile and push through back pain that increased little by little over many years. Yet even with his positive, can-do attitude, Ernie’s pain grew unbearable, and he realized he needed medical help. 

“One Sunday, after building some stairs to my deck, I hurt like I never hurt before. I had a lot more pain and a lot less movement. I couldn’t sit down. I could hardly get in the car the next morning to go to the Emergency Department,” Ernie said. 

Once at Genesis Hospital’s Emergency Department, Ernie underwent X-rays and a CT scan. The results revealed a spine problem, and Ernie was introduced to a physician who could fix it – Nathan Amor, D.O., Board-certified Neurosurgeon at the Genesis Neuroscience Center.

“When I met Ernie, he was significantly disabled by the severe pain that radiated from his back down his legs. Some of his joints had cracked and shifted, and the nerves on the side of his spine were being pushed and irritated. So, I told Ernie about a surgery that could help alleviate that pain,” Dr. Amor said. 

Ernie felt hopeful and confident as Dr. Amor explained the posterior lumbar interbody fusion (PLIF) procedure, which would fuse defected vertebrae segments to stop painful motion. 

During the surgery, Dr. Amor removed Ernie’s abnormal and shifted joints. He also uncovered the agitated nerves so they wouldn’t be compressed or irritated and used computer navigation for precise placement of screws, spacers and rods to sustain correct alignment and proper healing.  

“No one wants to live in pain, no matter how old or ill they feel. If there’s something we can do to alleviate pain and suffering, and it’s safe for all involved, then we are going to do it,”

“This surgery took care of things that had bothered me for years,” Ernie said. “I used to hunch over. I can stand up straight now. It feels so good. I can also walk straight now. There was only one way to fix my back, and that was corrective surgery. I’m thankful there was a way and that we have Genesis so close.” 

After a few days recovering at Genesis Hospital and six weeks recovering at home, Ernie returned to his work at a concrete factory with more pep in his step and less pain in his back. 

“No one wants to live in pain, no matter how old or ill they feel. If there’s something we can do to alleviate pain and suffering, and it’s safe for all involved, then we are going to do it,” Dr. Amor said.

 Dr. Amor performed a posterior lumbar interbody fusion (PLIF) on patient, Ernie Decot of Junction City. “This surgery took care of things that had bothered me for years,” Ernie says. “I used to hunch over. I can stand up straight now. It feels so good. I can also walk straight now."

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Injections Help Cervical Dystonia Patient

In 2012, Bernie Schubach was diagnosed with cervical dystonia. The painful attacks left his neck scrunched and made it difficult to do basic tasks. Bernie said, “It’s physically tiring when cervical dystonia isn’t properly treated. I had to use a lot more energy. There was also a social stigma that came with it. When my neck scrunched, it left my head tilted.” 

Cervical dystonia is the result of abnormal muscle tone. Your central nervous system suppresses your muscle tone, but when the signal your brain sends to the muscle gets disrupted, it can cause erratic muscle firing. That means the muscle will hurt even if you didn’t do anything. With cervical dystonia, it’s specifically the muscles in your neck that hurt. 

Bernie’s neurologist at the time recommended he get Botox injections to help with the attacks. Since then, he has received injections every three months. 

While cervical dystonia is not curable, Botox injections are a way to keep attacks at bay. 

“When my neurologist left, they couldn’t find anyone else to do the injections for me. That’s when I started seeing Dr. Wang. I liked that he used EMG guidance. My previous neurologist didn’t use it,” said Bernie. 

Providing precision care 

“At Genesis, we use electromyographic (EMG) guidance for Botox injections. This allows us to find the muscle firing abnormally and inject the Botox directly into it,” said Even Wang, M.D., Fellowship-trained and Board-certified Neurologist at the Genesis Neuroscience Center. 

“Genesis is great because it’s not too far away. I live in New Albany,” Bernie said. “The team at Genesis makes it easy to get the care I need. I’ve never had a problem with refills, and they’re always helpful with reimbursement for the Botox Savings Program. It’s very convenient.” 

“Botox helps manage cervical dystonia, but it can also help with spasticity, post-stroke care and migraines,” Dr. Wang said. “It’s important to know that Botox and cosmetic fillers are different. Botox injections use botulinum toxins. While Botox is used to reduce wrinkles, it works by blocking the signal between the nerve and the muscle. This causes the muscle to relax and helps with attacks. Fillers add volume to the injected area but don’t have the same medical effect. 

“Bernie has been doing great, and the Botox injections have helped him be stable,” said Dr. Wang. 

Bernie’s life is easier with the Botox injections. He loves to go on bike rides with his wife Jaime. Bernie and Jaime have a full house. “We have two kids, three dogs and three birds,” Bernie said. “Botox injections have helped reduce the energy it took for me to perform basic tasks.” 

 Learn more at genesishcs.org/neurosciences. 

Bernie Schubach

Patient receives precise care from the team at the Genesis Neuroscience Center.

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LiveWell Patient Story: Advanced Spinal Fusions

“It hit me that quick, and then it stuck with me. From that moment on, I had pain every day,” Janet said.

Janet spent months trying non-invasive techniques, like steroid treatments, stretching and anti-inflammatory medication, but the pain subsided only briefly. After receiving the non-invasive treatments at the Genesis Interventional Pain Management Clinic, she was referred to Yasu Harasaki, M.D. Specializing in spine surgery, Dr. Harasaki is a fellowship-trained and board-certified neurosurgeon with the Genesis Neurosurgery Group.

“Janet’s pain was getting in the way of everyday life – going up and down stairs or sitting in a car was painful. The pain also woke her up at night. She needed a long-term solution,” Dr. Harasaki said. After reviewing images of her lower spine, Dr. Harasaki identified a slipped disc pinching several nerves in a very tight space. He considered Janet’s overall health and situation and recommended minimally invasive spinal fusion surgery.

“The longer we’re off our feet, the quicker we become deconditioned and weak – that’s especially true as we age. With that in mind, I knew Janet would benefit greatly from the advanced technique that would only have a minimal disruption to her daily life. A lateral lumbar spinal fusion would be her best option,” Dr. Harasaki said.


Minimally invasive techniques connect patients with faster recoveries, less pain

Traditional spinal fusion involves an incision on the back and manipulating the muscles to access the surgical site. With the minimally invasive technique, lateral lumbar fusion, surgeons make a smaller incision on the side of the waist. This entry point offers patients less pain with the same desired results. “With a lateral entry, I can get to the structures without irritating back muscles as you do with traditional spinal fusion surgery. That’s why patients experience significantly less pain and faster recoveries with lateral lumbar fusion,” Dr. Harasaki explained. During Janet’s procedure, Dr. Harasaki carefully removed Janet’s damaged disc and replaced it with a titanium spacer. Then, using an advanced computer navigation system, he precisely placed screws and rods through 1 ½-inch incisions in the back to fuse the bones around the spine. “After a major back surgery, I was expecting some pain – but I did not have any pain,” Janet said.

 

Specialized physicians bring advanced care to our community

Muscle-sparing minimally invasive procedures like lateral lumbar fusions require specially trained physicians. For example, Dr. Harasaki completed a neurosurgery residency, followed by an extra year of fellowship training in complex spinal surgeries that focused on minimally invasive techniques. “In Central and Southeastern Ohio, not many surgeons perform the lateral lumbar surgical technique,” Dr. Harasaki said. “I feel fortunate to be able to bring this opportunity to our community. Minimally invasive spinal fusions are especially beneficial for patients with other medical problems, like diabetes, and also for our older population. In fact, most of my patients having this surgery are 70 years old or older.”


Compassionate healthcare teams bond with patients and families


Janet appreciated Dr. Harasaki’s expertise and taking the time to explain the procedure to her. For instance, after listening to Dr. Harasaki’s detailed explanation of the procedure, Janet mentioned talking with her adult daughters before deciding on
the surgery. “When I said that, Dr. Harasaki asked for their phone numbers. He was going to call them right then and tell them all about it. I could tell he was sincere. We were very impressed, and we continue to be impressed,” Janet said. Janet also appreciated the caregiver teams who helped her feel at ease during the decision-making process, surgery and recovery. The Genesis physicians and healthcare teams are known for communicating and connecting with patients and family members. “I often hear our patients say they’re treated as people here, and they feel listened to,” Dr. Harasaki said. “I think it’s wonderful that we can combine a welcoming feeling with advanced treatments and care for our community.”

Minimally invasive, major benefits

Advantages of lateral lumbar spinal fusions


When it comes to spinal fusion, a minimally invasive lateral lumbar
approach offers patients a bundle of benefits, including:
• Faster recovery
• Less pain
• Smaller incisions
• Less damage to muscles
• Lower risk of infection
• Decreased use of pain medication
• Shorter hospital stays

Nothing traumatic happened. At 81 years old, nothing traumatic needs to happen. As Janet Doyle routinely descended the steps from her bedroom one morning, an unexpected pain shot into her hip and traveled down her left leg.

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Woman Has Brain Surgery After 'False-Alarm Stroke' Reveals Brain Tumor

Advanced brain surgery using ORBEYE 4K-3D microscope

Mary Hoover, a native resident of Zanesville, was at a doctor's appointment and reported that she couldn't move her left hand and left leg. Then, when asked to write her name, all she could manage was a scribble.

I just couldn't get my leg or arm to cooperate. I couldn't hold on to anything. I wasn't sure what was going on, but I knew something wasn't right," Mary remembered. The doctor sent me straight to the Genesis Emergency Department.

Assessing if Mary was having a stroke, the Emergency Department team immediately ordered imaging of the brain. Surprisingly, the scans revealed that Mary wasn't experiencing a stroke; instead she had a large tumor pressing on her brain.

The imaging showed a large mass compressing the brain on the right side, thus impacting the left side of the body,explained Yasu Harasaki, M.D., neurosurgeon, Genesis Neurosurgery Group. It measured about 2 inches in diameter; and though 2 inches doesn't sound that big, when its pressing on your brain, that's actually a very large mass."

The diagnosis rightfully stunned Mary, but she quickly found consolation in her neurosurgeon.

When you hear brain tumor you think, "I'm going to die, but I didn't think that because Dr. Harasaki explained things so well from start to finish," Mary said. "He kept me calm."

Dr. Harasaki's calming presence comes from specialized experience and training in neurosurgery. Dr. Harasaki joined Genesis in May 2019. His training includes an internship and residency at the University of Colorado Health Sciences Center. He combines his intensive training in neuro and spine surgeries with the innovative equipment at Genesis to provide expert care right in Zanesville.

Detaching, removing and patching a meningioma tumor

Dr. Harasaki could tell from Mary's initial imaging that the tumor was likely a meningioma, an extremely slow-growing tumor that develops on the delicate membrane covering the brain. Thankfully, 90% of meningiomas are not cancerous.

To remove Mary's benign and enlarged tumor, Dr. Harasaki used cutting-edge technology, including a stereotactic navigation system (it's like a GPS for the brain) and the new ORBEYE 4K-3D microscope at Genesis during the intricate surgery. Genesis is the first healthcare system in Ohio to have this emerging technology.

With the finest available tools and a highly trained team of specialists, Mary's brain tumor removal surgery was completed with precision and accuracy. In addition to detaching the tumor from the membrane, Dr. Harasaki removed the section of membrane the tumor grew on, as well as the diseased membrane growing around the tumor. Then, he patched the membrane using a sheet of material made of collagen.

Walking her dog again after surgery

When I woke from surgery, I had 39 staples from ear to ear, and my head was wrapped in towels. I looked like a mummy," Mary said. "Dr. Harasaki came to check on me all the time. He had me concentrate and see if I could move my leg and I did. I could not believe I could finally move that leg. Then I got my pencil and colored in an adult coloring book which is great because before the surgery I couldn't even find the lines."

Mary spent several days being closely observed and recovering in Genesis Hospital before returning home. With brain surgery to recuperate from, she wisely takes it one day at a time, and she delights in small, yet steady, progress. For example, she recently took her longest walk yet with Bandit, her beloved dachshund; she also resumed crocheting and baking.

"Mary has done very well in recovery," Dr. Harasaki reported. "Her weakness in the left side is gone, the wound has healed nicely, and she's gone back to living her life."

For Mary, returning to her home and life is a sacred gift. "I feel like I've been given a second chance. I thank God every day, Mary said. God put the right doctor in the right place at the right time. I love Dr. Harasaki because he saved my life. Plus, he has excellent doctor-to-patient camaraderie."

For Dr. Harasaki, treating patients like Mary is an honored gift. “Zanesville is such a hard-working community. To be a resource and to be able to help take care of the people is a privilege," Dr. Harasaki said.

In addition to cranial surgeries, Dr. Harasaki specializes in complex spinal problems. He treats degenerative issues, as well as spine trauma and spine deformities.

Scans revealed that Mary wasn’t experiencing a stroke – instead she had a large tumor pressing on her brain and needed brain surgery.

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Rescued From Pain

Genesis Provides Minimally Invasive Spine Surgery

Mary Louise Cox stood in the church parking lot on one foot, or at least it felt like one foot. Numbness crept up her right foot, leg and hip, all the way to her pain-stricken lower back. At 88 years old, she knew the importance of staying upright on asphalt, yet she felt herself losing balance. Thankfully, friends rushed to her rescue in the nick of time.

“You brush off the pain for a long time, and then you can’t do that any longer,” Mary Louise said. “My pain had been going on for years and slowly growing worse. I decided I had better do something about it.”

The Right Physician and Team

Before scheduling an appointment with a doctor, Mary Louise watched videos of physicians at Genesis – that’s how she came to schedule an appointment with Yasuaki Harasaki, M.D., a neurosurgeon with specialized training and experience with the spine.

“Dr. Harasaki greeted me calmly, confidently and friendly,” Mary Louise remembers. “He showed me the MRI and explained all about it in a language I could understand.” Dr. Harasaki explained that Mary Louise’s pain originated in her lower back, where herniated discs compressed and pinched surrounding nerves.

“If you live long enough, your discs and spine will show evidence of wear. With degenerative changes, discs collapse and bulge – it happens to everyone,” Dr. Harasaki said. “Looking at Mary Louise’s MRI, we could see nerve-pinching on multiple levels. These changes happened silently over years, building up until Mary Louise’s body couldn’t put up with it anymore, and she became symptomatic.”

To eradicate the pain, Dr. Harasaki recommended a minimally invasive surgical procedure, called a multi-level lumbar laminectomy, to relieve pressure on the affected nerves.

Minimally Invasive, Major Benefits

By performing minimally invasive spinal surgery, patients experience major benefits, including:

  • Decreased tissue damage and disruption

  • Less pain

  • Shorter time in surgery

  • Smaller incision sites

  • Less risk of infection

  • Quicker recovery

“Minimally invasive surgery accomplishes the same goals as traditional surgery, but we do it through less disruptive means. With Mary Louise, we did a four-level decompression, because nerves were pinched at four disc levels. Traditional surgery would have been difficult to recover from at her age,” Dr. Harasaki said.

That said, even minimally invasive surgery was a big deal to Mary Louise.

“When you’re the patient, it’s major even if it might be minor,” she said. “What helped was Dr. Harasaki being keenly interested in how surgery would help my lifestyle. I told him I wanted to weed my garden after surgery because I missed doing that. Dr. Harasaki said he was also working on a garden with his two children. I knew he was a winner – you have to have patience to be a gardener – or a parent or a physician for that matter.”

As a board-certified neurosurgeon with additional, specialized training in minimally invasive spinal techniques, Dr. Harasaki brings leading-edge knowledge and vast experience to our community. With all this in mind, Mary Louise felt confident Dr. Harasaki would perform the four-hour surgery proficiently – and he did. After the procedure, Mary Louise spent one night in Genesis Hospital before returning home.

Back to Life Without Pain

“I cannot tell you how wonderful it feels to suddenly not have pain in your back,” Mary Louise rejoiced. “I noticed an immediate difference, and my recovery has been wonderful.”

Since surgery, Mary Louise completed physical therapy to help regain strength. She’s gone from using a walker post-surgery to moving about her garden with ease and walker-free.

“I’m back to doing things,” Mary Louise said. “Of course, I have my normal 88-year-old aches and pains, but now I can garden and quilt, and do things I love. My husband calls me a human dynamo.”

To those suffering from back pain, Mary Louise expressed sage advice: “Don’t wait. It’s silly to stay in pain. Go find out what you can do.” Dr. Harasaki agrees.

“It’s worth it to come in and discuss ways to feel better that don’t involve a huge surgery. I’m not here to push any treatment, but I can teach you about multiple options available,” he said.

To schedule a consultation with Dr. Harasaki or one of the expert neurosurgeons at Genesis, call (740) 586-6828.

Mary Louise Cox Patient Story

Mary Loise Cox stood in the church parking lot on one foot, or at least it felt like one foot. Numbness crept up her right foot, leg and hip, all the way to her pain-stricken lower back.

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Stroke Support Group Helps Survivor

Genesis offers a stroke support group to help stroke survivors, family members and caregivers share ideas and learn from others. John Gelardo rarely misses the support group and started attending soon after he heard about it.

John suffered a stroke in November 2011, spent about four weeks in the hospital and had inpatient and outpatient therapy. He has limited use of his left arm and a drop foot. “There was a lot of stuff I didn’t know how to do,” John said. “I was excited about going to the group because I wanted to learn from other stroke survivors how to do everyday things – like getting dressed or tying your shoes with the use of one arm,” he said.

Learning From Others

John learned about shoes with fabric fasteners, drawstring pants and peeling potatoes with one hand, and now he inspires others. He makes and sells crafts, drives a car and bakes. “There are a lot of things I used to do before that I can still do. I just do it differently,” John said.

John appreciates learning and sharing practical ideas with other stroke survivors and also enjoys the hands-on activities. During a meeting the group learned how to garden in raised beds. “I didn’t think I would be able to garden ever again, but I was glad I could learn to grow plants in raised beds.” Another meeting featured art therapy. “We did drawings of where we were in life before our stroke and where we are in life now,” he said.

Practical Pointers

He has been able to improve his life thanks to the practical pointers from group members. “I love going to the group and talking to people who can share ideas – like where to buy things locally that help me do my daily activities,” John said. “I appreciate sharing ideas with others who understand. You don’t feel different in this group. We all have similar challenges.” Sharing those challenges helps stroke survivors and their family members learn how to live each day to its fullest.

John Geraldo Patient Story

Genesis offers a stroke support group to help stroke survivors, family members and caregivers share ideas and learn from others.

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