Strand Notebook | Brookgreen official wins grant for young stroke awareness

Ron Daise, vice president for creative education at Brookgreen Gardens and the former chairman of the federal Gullah Geechee Cultural Heritage Corridor Commission, is bringing awareness to strokes in young people through music and song.

Daise, who is also a performing artist and singer/songwriter, was recently awarded a $500 grant by the S.C. Arts Commission to produce and record an original pop tune entitled “People Gotta Know.”

The project is intended not only to empower young stroke survivors, caregivers and families, but also to inform the general public about the critical impasse of this medical condition. The song will be performed at the inaugural international conference, YoungStroke 2015, to take place June 27-29 in Jacksonville, Fla.

“This project is important because it artistically raises awareness about an increasingly prevalent regional, national and international concern,” Daise said. “Young stroke impacts adults between 18 and 65, and America’s Stroke Buckle correlates with the communities of the Gullah Geechee Cultural Heritage Corridor. It’s surprising to hear the word ‘stroke’ used with young adults, but it’s on the increase.”

The project is designed to help build community among young adult stroke survivors and their caregivers, and to raise awareness of stroke in young adults and their special needs. Its use at the YoungStroke Conference will help to elevate discussion about young stroke among healthcare and legislative policy makers. Daise penned the song lyrics following a discussion about the June conference with Amy Edmunds, founder and chief executive of YoungStroke Inc. He said the song showcases scenarios in contemporary culture that young adults should be prepared to encounter.

Part of the song is: “Some people do not know what young stroke looks like. Well, it could look like you. Uh-huh, it could look like me. People gotta know what young stroke looks like. No life should become a catastrophe.”

Daise will collaborate with musician and producer Travis Winbush of Savannah, Ga. The two previously collaborated on Daise’s “Gullah Tings fa Tink Bout” CD, which was released last year through a one-time project grant from the S.C. Arts Commission. The project must be completed by May 30.

Daise’s presentations at Brookgreen Gardens are among many fun, entertaining and educational things that are happening there now.

This month, at 1 p.m. on Wednesdays, he will present a program about the culture, food, language and history of the Gullah Geechee people.

The seasonal Whispering Wings Butterfly House has opened, offering adults and children the unique experience of being surrounded by hundreds of fluttering butterflies or observing them in the pupae emergence room as they transform from chrysalis to butterflies.

Throughout the summer and fall, dozens of species will be added to the exhibit, which features a lush garden with tropical plants.

On April 11 and 12, Brookgreen is having its annual “plantacular sale,” offering high quality plants grown in greenhouses there. Horticulture staff and volunteers will be there to offer expert advice. A partial list of available plants can be found on the Brookgreen website.

Brookgreen Gardens is at 1931 Brookgreen Drive, Murrells Inlet. For more information, admission prices or other activities, events or exhibits, visit www.brookgreen.org or call 235-6000.

This story was originally published March 31, 2015 at 3:32 PM with the headline "Strand Notebook | Brookgreen official wins grant for young stroke awareness."