I would like to share my experiences of helping out with Stroke Camp last weekend.

I had the privilege of being one of the music therapists providing music to the campers. This camp was made up of stroke survivors and their caregivers. And when I say “camp,” I really mean it!

Skits, a campfire with smores, and crafts were all part of the schedule. We sang songs, played games, and had two drum circles. The stroke survivors, many of whom suffer from aphasia, making it difficult for them to speak, were able to sing entire songs or large segments of songs.

There was a lot of laughter and a lot of tears--and a lot of bonding and a lot of learning. I, myself, learned a great deal.

The best thing I learned was that strokes do NOT always affect one's intelligence. The survivors at the camp relayed stories of how early on after their stroke they were unable to speak, and the doctors, nurses, and family members around them thought that meant that they were cognitively impaired, as well. They were not.

They could understand everything that was going on around them just as clearly as they had before the stroke, they just couldn’t communicate. So, I will remember that anytime I work with a stroke survivor.

It was a real honor to be able to help with this camp, and I hope to be able to do it in the future.