For Wellness Wednesdays coordinator Maia Campbell, it wasn’t only about stressing her message but making sure everyone knew they were all included in the discussion.
Half of participants who traveled to the SAY Play Center on Wednesday (Feb. 23) to attend the women’s support group session on heart health were mostly French-speaking women from Freedom House Detroit, a temporary home for indigent survivors of persecution from around the world who are seeking asylum in the United States and Canada. Wanting to make sure they felt welcome, Campbell distributed a version of the day’s events translated from English to French.
February is American Heart Month, and Campbell’s mission was to bring awareness of the risks of heart disease, the leading cause of death and disability in women in the US. Awareness of your risk factors, knowing your heart health numbers, and making healthy lifestyle choices can reduce your risks.
“And sometimes there are no apparent symptoms, which Ms. Flo brought up,’’Campbell said, citing contribution from one of the women who attended the group session. “High blood pressure can lead to other illnesses as well.’’
The participants from Freedom House, which sends clients to the SAY Detroit Family Health Clinic for health services and preventive care, asked not to be identified or photographed during the group meeting. By the end of the meeting, which featured a heart-healthy brunch buffet, “they had clearly warmed up to us, engaging and laughing with the rest of us,’’ Campbell said with a smile.
Next month’s Wellness Wednesdays support group, a collaborative initiative between the SAY Clinic and SAY Play, will be March 16 at SAY Play. The theme — “Creativity Cures’’ — will emphasize how expression through arts and crafts can lead to a healthier and happier life.
To register, call the SAY Clinic at 313-758-6100.
