Grant’s story: Amazing Improvement with Hard Work & Support

Grant was in his mid-fifties – maybe a bit overweight but with no other cardiovascular risk factors. However, a stroke hit and hit hard. His right side was very compromised, he had little use of his hands, he was unable to walk or lift his right arm. He was hospitalized in Red Deer for 4 months and then went to the Centennial Centre in Ponoka for rehab for 6 months. His doctor had told him that he would be bound to a wheelchair for the rest of his life and would never walk again or be able to recover from this stroke. This made Grant angry as he didn’t want this prognosis.

Since that time, he has put a lot of work and effort into getting better. The physios and rehab team helped him make progress, but he kept asking them how he could get more training. They were able to refer him to Recreation Therapy at RDPCN. His therapist arranged to work with him at the Gary W Harris Canada Games Centre three times per week. He is doing a lot better now. He can walk with a cane and he can lift 30 pounds on the machines at the gym. He can now clap hands. He has gained strength and control, his gait has improved along with his endurance, and he has an increased range of motion and strength in his upper extremities. He can now do many more tasks of daily living such as carry groceries, cook and barbeque.

Grant states that his doctor can’t believe his progress. Other people he knows have said very similar things. Working with the Rec Therapist has been very encouraging and supportive. The Rec Therapist has really helped me to stay motivated. Having a plan for myself also helps the attendants at the Gary Harris Centre to work with me to move forward. I have highly recommended this program to others I know who have had a stroke.

My work is not done but I am proud of the progress I have made and thankful for everything I can do for myself.

To learn more about the RDPCN programs, visit www.reddeerpcn.com

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Primary Care Network

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Red Deer Primary Care Network (RDPCN) is a partnership between Family Doctors and Alberta Health Services. Health professionals such as psychologists, social workers, nurses and pharmacists work in clinics alongside family doctors. In addition, programs and groups are offered at the RDPCN central location. This improves access to care, health promotion, chronic disease management and coordination of care. RDPCN is proud of the patient care offered, the effective programs it has designed and the work it does with partners in health care and the community. www.reddeerpcn.com

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Skills that maintain healthy relationships

Central Alberta / 3 weeks ago

Judy’s story: I’m on the healthy road!

Community / 4 weeks ago

You are worth it!

Central Alberta

Judy’s story: I’m on the healthy road!

Published on December 27, 2021

Primary Care Network

On the Healthy Road!

My journey to better health starting when my doctor told me my blood sugar was at pre-diabetes levels, my blood pressure continued to require medication and I had weight to lose. He sent me to see the RDPCN nurse. After some appointments there, the nurse referred me to the Health Basics program.

Exercise was my downfall. Working from home, I always found something else to do rather than exercise. Health Basics increased my awareness. I tracked what I was eating and became more aware of what I ate, when I ate and why I ate. I also realized things that would make me healthier that I wasn’t doing. I realized being healthy is a process and I took one healthy step at a time. I also became aware of the wider variety of options for healthy lifestyle.

My husband and I visited friends over the summer and noted they had lost weight. This stimulated us to pay even more attention to our food intake. As a result of our overall efforts, I have lost about 32 pounds and my husband has lost 37. My blood sugar is now in the normal range. I have had significant decrease in my blood pressure medication. I have more energy. I enjoy exercising more as it is easier to move around and I have less arthritis pain. Health Basics is an excellent class- it started me on the healthy road. I also have much more confidence in my future health.

Click to learn more about the Red Deer Primary Care Network.

Read more success stories from the Primary Care Network.

Better than winning the Lotto!

Arts

Larry Reese and Judy Sutter among five Central Alberta artists featured in OUR West Country exhibition at MAG

Published on December 9, 2021

Todayville

News Release from Red Deer Museum & Art Gallery (MAG)

Five Central Alberta artists worked en plein air, painting the incredible landscape that is the West Country.

The Eastern Slopes of Alberta and prospective coal mining in that area have been the focus of much controversy in the last year. These mountains are more than the resources they hold. They provide the people of Alberta with much of the province’s fresh water supply as well as mental and physical connections to nature. In the summer of 2021, central Alberta artists Lynn LeCorre, Kate More, Larry Reese, Judy Sutter, and Susan Woolgar worked en plein air, painting and sketching onsite in the open air. Through their eyes, we experience the incredible landscape that is the West Country along the eastern slopes of Alberta’s Rockies. See the exhibit OUR West Country: Plein Air Painting in Alberta’s Eastern Slopes on display at the Red Deer Museum + Art Gallery (MAG) December 11, 2021 to March 12, 2022, with an opening reception on Sunday, December 12^th from 2-4pm.

Words from Pat Matheson, Curator of Art:

“The MAG is looking forward to seeing this exhibition installed as it touches on a topic near and dear to many Albertans, including myself. With the new awareness most Albertans have with the landscape so close to us to the west, we invited a group of en Plein Air artists to capture the atmosphere, the beauty and the spirit of Alberta’s eastern slopes through their eyes.”

Opening Reception: Sunday, December 12, 2-4pm

Join us at 2 pm for the opening of the new exhibits OUR West Country: Plein Air Painting in Alberta’s Eastern Slopes and Ya Ha Tinda – The Ranch: Photography by Arto Djerdjerian. Artists in attendance.

Talks & Tours:

Open for First Fridays! Guide in the Gallery – January 7, 5-8pm

2 O’CLOCK TOURS – Staff-led informal tours. February 12, 2pm