Glenn Schriver nearly died after suffering a massive stroke in December 2007. Two years after his stroke, he heard about and decided to try Saving Strokes, which was then a new program that uses the game of golf to aid in the recovery of stroke survivors.
With severe cognitive and physical limitations, Schriver didn’t think he could hit the ball, let alone swing at it. But he did, and the stroke survivor has since been unstoppable.
Schriver will participate in Pasadena Saving Strokes at Brookside Golf Course in Pasadena on April 24, 2015 for the fifth year in a row.
“At first I was afraid of failure. I didn’t want to embarrass myself,” recalls Schriver, now a mentor to other stroke survivors. “Once I found out about this event, I came out to it and found I could hit a golf ball for once and I focused on the fact that if I could do it a little bit I could get better.”
At Saving Strokes, stroke survivors learn techniques for overcoming common stroke disabilities and increasing coordination and strength. They participate in activities designed to improve their golfing skills, including driving, chipping and putting. Special equipment, such as adaptive carts and golf clubs, are available to stroke survivors with balance or coordination issues.
Hosted by the American Heart Association and Huntington Memorial Hospital, Pasadena Saving Strokes starts at 9:30 a.m. and ends at 1 p.m. The event is open to stroke survivors and caregivers; it is free to attend and lunch will be provided.
Stroke is the leading cause of severe, long-term disability and No. 5 killer in the U.S. About 795,000 Americans will have a new or recurrent stroke this year – or one person every 40 seconds.
Saving Strokes was developed based on a 1999 University of Chicago study which showed that techniques important in golf – focus, dexterity and balance – can also improve strength and flexibility for stroke survivors.
For information about Pasadena Saving Strokes, visit www.savingstrokes.com or contact Carrie Vines at Carrie.Vines@heart.orgor (916) 446-6505.
