Never too Young

Erica Oswalt, a 24-year nursing student at the VA, shared her first-hand experience with one of America's most common killers: stroke. Eleven weeks ago her life was changed when her memory, speech and physical functioning became unreliable while she was getting ready for work. Unable to say anything beyond "I don't know," Erica's parents hurried her to BSA where she was quickly brought under the care of their hospitalist. Due to her age and apparent good health, Erica was given a battery of tests to determine the cause of her sudden incapacity, ruling out such things as meningitis along the way.

Ms. Oswalt's physicians came to the conclusion that she had had an "ischemic" stroke, most likely caused by a blood clot in her head which temporarily blocked the flow of blood to areas of the brain. In her case a blood thinner was prescribed which, along with rehabilitative services, has led to her remarkable recovery in such a short period of time. Erica wanted us to know that she has no "deficits" as a result of the stroke, but there are many challenges she faces, including finding the proper words when forming sentences, reading and solving mathematical problems. She also fatigues more easily than before.

Ms. Oswalt reminded the Club that strokes can happen to anyone at any age, but most are treatable provided we respond quickly and work diligently through a rehabilitative process. She praised the good work of the medical staff at BSA and the caring support of her family as important contributors to her rapid recovery.

In the business portion of the meeting we learned that:

George Cason, has earned his Blue Badge after ten years in the Club.

Pam Thomas, Convalescent Center Marketing, and David Elizalde, Electrical Contracting, are our newest members, introduced by Teresa Clemons and Mike Good, respectively.

Former Rotarian Justice Don Reavis passed away last Monday. Funeral services were held on Thursday at 1:00 pm at St. Paul's UMC. Don was a member of our Club from 1997-2009 and will be deeply missed by members of our community.

Rotarians have an opportunity to serve the community by helping with the Color Run on Saturday, June 15 at the Medical Center complex. More than 12,000 runners are anticipated to join in this charitable event where runners in white shirts become more colorful the longer they run. Help with parking cars and directing runners is needed.

On June 28 and 29 our Club will be participating in a free dental clinic event at the Civic Center to provide dental services to uninsured Texans. Volunteers are needed and can sign-up via the link sent us from Gina's email.

We will not meet on Thursday, July 4, but will be meeting together with all of the area Rotary Clubs on Monday, July 1. Details will be forthcoming.

No Hold Up visitors were apprehended this week. Capt. Jeff Lester is looking for an additional host for July 31. All of our other summer Hold Up weeks are staffed by Rotary volunteers.

The Watchdog Report will return in July. The official modus operandi for the report is that if you don't tell us something about someone else, we'll make up something about you. Please let Mike Good know if you would like to be on his team of Watchdogs!

Thanks to those who helped run our meeting today, including:

Renee Wilson, our President, and Mike Good, President-elect who shared in presiding over the meeting

David O'Dell, who led us in the national anthem and pledge of allegiance

Rocky Gafford, who offered the invocation

Teresa Clemons, who introduced our visitors and guests

Shara Hinchey, program chair for June, who introduced today's program.

While today's drawing did not result in the drawing of the ace of spades, it did yield winners who went home with beef jerky and Papa Murphy's pizza coupons.  

Upcoming programs

June 13: Amarillo Area Foundation/Wes Knapp and Brenda Graham