Hit the Deck in August with Plus One

Are you seeking to improve your wellness level, stay accountable to your goals, and raise awareness for individuals with neurological conditions?

Plus One is hosting an event from August 1st to August 11th, a 10-day challenge for anyone to participate and you can do from anywhere. Last year we had swimmers in the pools in Europe, walkers in Seattle, cyclists in Asia and hikers and runners from all over the USA. 

You can start today by visiting our Hit the Deck information page.

Thomas Lehrich, Board President

Happy Birthday to Our Founder

It is 51 for 50!

We know that about 2.8 million Americans sustain brain injuries each year, and an estimated 5.3 million Americans are living with traumatic brain injuries. That means, for many, the effects of TBIs are long lasting.  The work for those with TBIs is a lifelong journey. Celebrating milestones such as birthdays and years of recovery are always a special time at Plus One. 

We are so excited to celebrate the work being done by Kacey our founder and the occasion of her 50th birthday. 

Kacey has worked tirelessly since 2011 to build the foundation, and support others in their time of need. Next week the foundation is celebrating Kacey’s birthday with friends and supporters at a Mariners game. 

To celebrate, we've snagged 51 tickets to see the Mariners take on the Baltimore Oriole's July 2nd, and we're giving the tickets away to our donors.  Each donation is eligible for one ticket.  We’re so excited to celebrate Kacey, the foundation, and our amazing donors - all from the comfort of our cushy club seats! 

Join us- tickets are available and let’s play some baseball! On behalf of our board. Happy 50th Birthday Kacey. 

Occupational Therapy Post-Pediatric Stroke

Pediatric stroke is a rare occurrence in which blood flow to a region of the brain is inhibited, either by a blood clot or a broken blood vessel. When one of these occurs, brain tissue begins to die and the brain may incur permanent damage. This can lead to neurologic disability risking permanent long-term cognitive and motor impairment. While the likelihood of a child suffering a pediatric stroke is rare, affecting one in every 4,000 newborns and an additional 2,000 older children annually, it remains the sixth leading cause of premature death in children. As with adults, a pediatric stroke is life-threatening and requires immediate medical attention. Treatments and long-term outcomes differ between cases, but many can benefit from occupational and other types of therapies.

Exercise and Wellness this summer- You can Hit the Deck with Plus One in July

Exercise and Wellness this summer- You can Hit the Deck with Plus One in July

Exercise has many health benefits that range from improving brain health to preventing cardiovascular disease, and even lower the risk for some cancers. Research has also found a strong link between exercise and the prevention of neurodegenerative symptoms.Because the brain and spinal cord control movement, exercise is strongly linked to central nervous system health.

Music Therapy and Neurology

Music therapy positively boosts cognition. Music helps improve writing, spatial reasoning, and is a powerful tool for emotional health. 

Plus One Foundation provides programming in music therapy to help those affected with brain conditions. Look for our classes and programs to help with recovery. 

Kaylee Allen, a music therapist, shared with Plus One Foundation her philosophy on music therapy: “It's important to know that musical skills or ‘talent’ are not required prerequisites to enrolling in music therapy services. Anyone can benefit from music therapy because music is an intrinsic, human language. From in utero, through every stage of our development, and even through end-of-life, we as humans understand the language of music. Our bodies naturally synchronize to rhythm (from tapping our toes all the way down to our heart beats), we understand when a melody sounds happy or sad independently of the lyrics, and we can use music to express our deepest emotions. Those emotions that are beyond words, beyond description. And, importantly, we can be heard, and understood.”

Research demonstrates that patients with neurological disorders respond to music therapy. The benefit of music is cognitive, psychosocial, behavioral, and motor. 

When a brain is viewed during music therapy the cerebellum, the frontal regions, and the hippocampus each are positively activated. The cerebellum perceives music with a strong production of rhythm and evokes emotional reactions; the frontal lobe neurons field memory recollection to performing daily tasks; the hippocampus is part of the limbic system and music has been shown to trigger positive emotions and reactions in the limbic system. 

Check out our programming to learn more about opportunities to engage with music therapy! Plus One Foundation has classes and programs being added to our offerings throughout the year. 

Thomas Lehrich

President