Hi Friends,

We had a wonderful time sharing "Gadgets and Gizmos" at our meeting last week. Special thanks to Rich and Gie, who provided the majority of the content. A summary of the devices and tools shared is below.

For our July meeting, Brain Injury Services will be presenting on their programs. More details to come!

Gadgets & Gizmos

Cognitive/Fine Motor Skills

• ​Large Print Stroke Recovery Activity Book​
• ​Story Cues: Skilled Sequence Cards - vocabulary, sentences, critical thinking

Medical Monitoring/Alerts

• ​Kardia - EKG monitor that connects to smartphone, can send to cardiologist, will give readings (normal sinus rhythm, a-fib)
• Medical Alert bracelet - personalization options, magnetic wristband, can list drugs, emergency phone number; another one on gearshift in car; some have QR code to link to medical profile

Massagers/Relaxers

• ​Hand massager (Comfier) - air compression, nice at end of day
• ​Ridged foam roller (Core Diet) - travel size "deep roller PU65"
• Massage pillow for neck/shoulders (HiZoo) - use before bed, lying down
• Guasha (Orijin) - use lotion or oil, stimulates circulation, works on fascia, can put in freezer
• Ancient Minerals Magnesium Lotion - muscle relaxation, can use with Guasha
• Relief Remedies Muscle Balm - CBD

Strength/Coordination/Agility

• Hand strengtheners (FitBeast) - work on grip strength
• Agility Ladder - useful for training foot placement, avoiding dragging feet
• ​Clock Yourself app - use to train reaction time, coordination, agility

Nutrition

• Grow Your Own Microgreens (broccoli) - The Sprouting Company​

July Meeting

• Tuesday, July 14th, 5:30-7:00 pm
• VHC Health Outpatient Pavilion - Garden Level Conference Room
• 1851 N. George Mason Dr.
• Arlington, VA 22207

Directions

• Parking: Use Entrance #2 to park in the Zone E (Purple) Garage. The cost is $7/day. Metered street parking is also available on 19th Street North and North Edison Street.
• Public Transportation: The ART 51 and ART 52 buses stop at the Outpatient Pavilion at the corner of North George Mason Drive and 19th Street North.
• Meeting Location:
  • Enter the Outpatient Pavilion (Zone E Lobby) either from the Zone E garage or from the traffic circle at the front of the building
  • Take the stairs or elevator down to the Garden Level. The Garden Level Conference Room will be to the left of the waiting area.

2026 Draft Schedule

• January 13: Planning Meeting
• February 7: Annual Night Out - Mardi Gras Party
• March 10: Pilates or Stroke Bingo - TBD
• April 14: Ipsi Hand
• May 12: Spring Picnic in the Sunken Garden
• June 9: Gadgets and Gizmos
• July 14: Brain Injury Services
• August 11: Insurance - Information for Open Enrollment
• September 8: Beach Party at Lake Barcroft
• October 13: Sleep - Megan Chesek
• November 10: Educational Event - TBD
• December 8: Holiday Party

Warm regards,

Caroline Morris, Melissa Gray, and Sandy Austin

​VHC Stroke Survivors (ck.page)​