Our Team
Larry
President
Larry is a retired professional power reequipment technologist who worked with BC Hydro for 43 years. He is a devoted husband to Lai Ping and has two daughters, Vanessa and Alicia. Larry is a long time Burnaby resident who is originally from Victoria. Larry volunteers his time with the heart and stroke foundation and the Legion. He enjoys spending time with family and friends. Enjoys doing projects around the house and helping friends with their projects.
Johnson
Treasurer
Johnson is a long time Burnaby resident who worked for a technology company for 36 years. Had a stroke shortly after retiring and has had to make adjustments to his new normal. Previously, he spent time volunteering with various societies in the Lower Mainland. Now, Johnson spends his time with the Burnaby Stroke Recovery group to help stroke survivors "get back on their feet" and to support their caregivers.
Ed
Secretary
Ed worked for 45 years as a Civil Structural Engineering. At age 74, Ed had a small inoperable clot in the rear artery of the skull. At the time, he was bed bound and treated with blood thinners. He spent time in outpatient rehab with some weakness to the left leg and loss of muscle tone. The clot caused hearing loss which required hearing aids. In addition, Ed has given up driving and reduced cruising vacation. For Ed, the stroke group has given him a place to go and meet friendly people who understood what being a stroke survivors was like. It has been a place to get him out of the house and allow his wife some "alone time."
Lauren
Coordinator
Lauren is an Emergency Registered Nurse and has been the coordinator for the Burnaby Stroke Group since 2019. She has a strong passion for stroke recovery and community support. She understands the critical role of peer connections in the recovery process and is dedicated to helping stroke survivors build a supportive network. She is passionate about health advocacy and education. In her free time, she enjoys playing sports, video games, and spending time with friends.
Billy
Volunteer
When my grandma had a stroke, it turned our world upside down. One day she was laughing, sharing stories about her day, and the next, she was fighting to move her left side. Seeing her push through with that quiet strength of hers, even on the tough days, broke my heart and lit a fire in me. I want to volunteer, not just to give back, but to honor her grit and keep her close through action. I’m looking for ways to help others dealing with stroke, maybe at a local hospital or rehab center, where I can do something real: help with physical therapy exercises, grab a coffee for a tired family member, or just sit and listen to someone who feels scared or alone. I’m no expert, but I’m eager to learn about stroke recovery, how therapy works, and what emotional support looks like, because I see how much it matters for my grandma. I want to be there for others the way I wish I could be for her every single day.
Meagan
Volunteer
Hi! I’m Meagan, and I’ve been volunteering with the Burnaby Stroke Group since September 2024. I began as a volunteer facilitator for an online aphasia support group, where I first learned about stroke recovery. The experience opened my eyes to the challenges survivors face. I was deeply moved by their stories and by how meaningful it was for them to connect, communicate, and support one another. I was inspired to get more involved. Volunteering with this group has been incredibly heartwarming and fun! I’ve learned not only about the diverse paths of recovery but also about the strength and compassion shared within this community. In the future, I hope to pursue a Master’s degree in Speech-Language Pathology to become an SLP so I can help individuals grow their communication and speech skills, and also help rebuild their confidence. In my free time, I enjoy baking, indoor rock climbing, and cuddling with my cat, Juniper (aka Juni).