SAANICH PENINSULA STROKE RECOVERY ASSOCIATION

OUR MISSION STATEMENT

To promote the recovery of stroke survivors and support their caregivers to maximize their mutual well-being.

OUR HISTORY

We have provided services continuously to the local community on the Saanich Peninsula and surrounding area since we were founded in 1990. We are incorporated under the Societies Act of British Columbia as the Saanich Peninsula Stoke Recovery Association. We are registered with Canada Revenue Agency under number 81811 7368 RR0001.

We are funded by bequests, donations from members, families and the public, municipal grants and grants from local service clubs. We also engage in various fund-raising activities to support our programs.

All donations are used to provide our members with professionally guided exercise therapy, a speech program, and caregiver support.

All of our administration is managed by volunteers.

At our Annual General Meeting we elect a Board of Directors from our membership to govern our affairs. The Board consists of a President, Vice-President, Secretary and a Treasurer. Our Coordinator facilitates our weekly meetings and manages routine business under the direction of the Board of Directors.

Brian Miller, President

Brian graduated with a degree in Computer Science and Mathematics. He and his wife ran their own business for a number of years. They then retired to Qualicum Beach. In 2009 they decided to embark on a new adventure and moved to Boquete, Panama where they spent 7 years. Eventually, they returned to Canada to be closer to family and friends. Their final move was to Sidney in 2022. We are so happy that Brian decided to join our organization and take on the role of President.

Our Volunteers…

are the heart and soul of our Association. They do it all! They plan the entertainment, assist the therapists with exercise and speech groups, facilitate the caregiver group, make tea and coffee, set up the hall, do outreach visits at the hospital and quietly fill in wherever and whenever there is a need. Without these dedicated, hardworking folks it would be impossible to keep our organization going.

Ron Grant

Past-President

Ron worked with the Government of British Columbia as a Civil Engineer for many years. Ron has been involved with many charitable organizations in a volunteer capacity. After Ron’s wife, Brenda, sustained a stroke they became actively involved with our organization. Ron is a dedicated volunteer and wonderful asset.

Dave Lawrence

Vice-President

Dave graduated with a Masters degree in Electrical Engineering from McMaster University. He spent most of his adult years in and around Ottawa, Ontario where he led a very active life cycling, sailing and canoeing. In 2004 he suffered a debilitating stroke that left him with little use of his left side. Nonetheless, Dave recovered sufficiently to move to Sidney a year later. He can now often be seen around the Peninsula aboard his modified recumbent trike.

Theresa Carey,

Secretary

Theresa is a UVic graduate and recently retired from 25 years of public service as a
psychologist in the Alberta health care system. During regular visits from Alberta to BC, she and her husband Gord, attended the SPSRA in support of his mother, who was affected
by a stroke in 2017. Upon permanently relocating to the Saanich Peninsula in the Fall of
2023, Theresa became a member of the SPSRA and in 2024 took on a more active role serving on the Board of Directors as Secretary.

Gord Carey,

Treasurer

Gord was born and raised in the Saanich Peninsula area. For nearly 30 years he
worked in the transportation industry, with HandyDart in Victoria, BC, and for a similar
hospital-based service in Edmonton, Alberta. After living in the Edmonton area for the past 22 years, Gord and his wife Theresa were able to realize their long-term goal of moving back to the Saanich Peninsula. Gord has been involved with the SPSRA since 2017 after his mother was affected by stroke, and since 2024 he has been on the Board of Directors of the
SPSRA, serving as Treasurer.