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Paul Berger & Stephanie Mensh's
Stroke Survivor
News & Attitude
For YOU
April 2008
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~~<<~~ IN THIS ISSUE ~~>>~~~
1. NEWS: RESEARCH on Stroke Recovery & Rehabilitation:: Treating Blindness Caused by Stroke
*** Intensive Aphasia Therapy News ***
2. PAUL’S SURVIVORS TIPS: Budget Medical Equipment
3. STEPHANIE'S CAREGIVERS TIPS: Time Management Tricks
4. PAUL'S FAVORITES: Show Your Face
5. WHAT'S NEW on: http://www.StrokeSurvivor.com
6. Stroke Reading Problems? Free Read-aloud Software
7. DISCOUNT TRAVEL FOR PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES
Amtrak Offers 15% Off for Companions, too
8. Subscribe
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Please forward this newsletter to your friends and
colleagues who would benefit from these tips.
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1. NEWS: Research on Stroke Recovery & Rehabilitation: Treating Blindness Caused by Stroke
People who develop a particular type of blindness following a stroke were able to regain some vision after an intensive computer-based visual retraining program in a study led by researchers at the University of Rochester, NY. The researchers showed that patients who had damage to their brain's visual cortex, but not the structures of their eyes, could retrain their brains to interpret visual input, developing "blindsight." The experimental technique proved that patients went from 50 percent accuracy--which is the same as guessing--to 80 or 90 percent in perceiving visual motion after the training.
To view a description of the study by Reuters, click here..
To view the abstract in the April 1, 2009 Journal of Neuroscience, click here
For additional resources to help you find information on medical, health, rehabilitation, recovery, self-empowerment, and more, we have collected our favorite links, click here.
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*** Intensive Aphasia Therapy News ***
In my search for budget-minded alternative therapies, I found the Pittsburgh Aphasia Treatment, Research and Education Center (PATREC), now in its second decade of service.
PATREC's Interval Intensive Treatment Program and the innovative tools at http://www.aphasiatoolbox.com, provide a year of ongoing, intensive aphasia treatment for a fraction of the cost of a short stay, traditional intensive treatment.
I work with PATREC's Bill Connors using a webcam and Skype for my 3-times-a-week sessions. I set my goals and the pace. I have lots of homework, most that I do alone on my own schedule. My speech is improving so much that long-time speech and physical therapy friends were amazed.
For more information contact Bill Connors at bill@aphasiatoolbox.com or phone 724-494-2534.
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2. PAUL’S TIPS FOR SURVIVORS: Budget Medical Equipment
In the first days and weeks following my stroke, my mobility was very limited. In the morning and evening I did most of my grooming and dressing sitting on the side of my bed. In the hospital, I used a rolling tray-table, and wanted to have the same convenience at home. But instead of buying an expensive piece of medical equipment, we found something in the hardware store that would do just as well for a fraction of the cost--a utility cart.
The utility cart had wheels, so I could move it around wherever I might need it; three metal shelves for storing all of my toiletries; and an outlet with a long cord for my electric shaver. It was sturdy and easy to clean. When I was finished, I pushed it out of the way.
These carts are so sturdy and helpful that years later when I could walk around my bedroom and bathroom, I used it in the kitchen for the microwave, then in the basement to hold my model train tools and supplies where it is today.
Here's a similar table, click here:
You can find one that works best for you in the kitchen or workshop section of Home Depot, Target, and other stores.
Other insights and tips for coping with life and taking control of your recovery after stroke are available on my website at http://www.strokesurvivor.com and in my books, "How to Conquer the World With One Hand...And an Attitude," and "You Can Do It! 105 Thoughts, Feelings & Solutions to Inspire You
Do you have a tip to share? Send it to me at
Paul@strokesurvivor.com for a free gift if we use it.
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*** Share Inspiration and Adventure on a CD ****
Inspire stroke survivors, family and friends to live a full life after stroke by LISTENING to the true life adventure story of an every-day stroke survivor who returned to work and school after stroke, showing that people with aphasia and a paralyzed arm can stay active in the community, travel, find jobs, lose jobs, and go on to a new career.
All this and more in the AUDIO-book version of "How to Conquer the World With One Hand...And an Attitude."
"My son is really enjoying the audio version of your book. You guys did a GREAT job!!!"
-Patricia B., Michigan
It's the complete and unabridged version, professionally recorded on 8 audio CDs, paced for stroke survivors to understand, perfect for book clubs. Great gift idea
To listen to an excerpt & for more details, click here
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 3. STEPHANIE'S CAREGIVERS TIPS: Time Management Tricks
When your spouse has a stroke, the whole family gets thrown into a time warp. Minutes turn to hours, days to weeks, and time management goes out the window. Simple tasks always take longer than I plan--whether I encourage Paul to do as much as possible on his own or I do most of it for him.
There is never enough time in a day, and I usually find myself going to bed later and later.
Some of the biggest time-busters are having to locate lost items, not remembering events until the last minute, and not planning ahead. Here are some of my tricks
* I have a waterproof clock in the shower so I remember I'm not at the spa. This helps Paul, too.
* Paul does the dinner dishes, cleans up the kitchen and gets the coffee maker set up before he goes to bed, so I don't have to worry about it.
* I decide what to wear the night before, and check that it matches and it's clean.
* I make a post-it note of important things to do or remember and stick it near the coffee maker so I don't forget the next morning.
* I keep my handbag, cell phone charger and keys in the same place by the front door so I don't waste time looking for them.
* I check weather and traffic reports and try to build in extra time or alternate routes.
* I use the reminders on my Outlook calendar and send myself emails to stay organized and on time.
* I try to fill up the car before the gas gauge goes below half, so I don't have to fill up when I'm pressed for time.
* I am learning to say "no" and to prioritize.
Paul is laughing as I'm writing this, because more often than not, I don't manage time well. I'm a perfectionist, so I waste a lot of time chasing down unimportant details. I hit the snooze button too many times in the morning, then must rush around in the time remaining. I multi-task, so I'm in the middle of a half-dozen chores, and don't finish anything. I do all the laundry on the same day, so the towels are usually in the dryer overnight and not in the bathroom for our morning shower (we need a second set of towels, but I haven't had time to shop for them).
If you have advice on how to manage time better, please
email me at: Stephanie@strokesurvivor.com.For more tips for caregivers, click here.
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* StrokeSmart Magazine Features Stephanie's Column *
The National Stroke Association's magazine "StrokeSmart" features a column on Caregiving by Stephanie in each 2009 issue. The January-February issue focused on caring for the caregivers with the twist of using career and other coaches. The March-April issue focuses on building the caregiving team. Subscriptions are free and available from the NSA's website , click here.
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4. PAUL'S FAVORITES: Show Your Face
My aphasia makes phone conversations difficult. I use a lot of gestures to help communicate when I can't get the words out. Now I can talk face-to-face over the computer using Skype and a webcam. My aphasia sessions with Bill Connors are very effective using the webcam. And it is nice to see Stephanie's face when she's away. This is a nice gift for family and close friends.
You can do this on a budget--good webcams that transmit picture and sound are available for less than $30 from office supply stores, electronics stores or Amazon.com. To see one similar to the webcam I use, click here.
And free online video, click here.
For details on Paul-tested helpful products, click here.
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5. WHAT'S NEW on the Stroke Survivor.com web site.
We're adding helpful new things to our web site all the
time. Coming soon is:
We have many useful links for survivors, families and professionals on rehabilitation, motivation, and to regain fulfillment posted to our Resource Links pages, click here
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Would you like to view a previous month's newsletter? Visit our newsletter archive, click here.
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6. Stroke/Aphasia Reading problems?
After a stroke, many people have reading and other language problems, known as "aphasia." Hearing a sentence read aloud helps to understand it. You can hear this newsletter read aloud while each word is highlighted on the computer screen with the FREE text reader software.
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FIND INSPIRATION AND SOLUTIONS AT AT STROKESURVIVOR.COM
Stroke survivors, family, friends, professionals...anyone seeking inspiration, motivation, and more!
Find books, audio-books, tapes, and special tools created for stroke recovery by stroke survivor-expert, Paul Berger, click here.
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7. DISCOUNT TRAVEL FOR PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES
Amtrak Offers 15% Off for Companions, too
If you are tired of the cost and obstacles of air travel, consider going by train. Accessible seats and accommodations are available by booking in advance.
Plus, passengers with disabilities and their traveling companion can receive a 15% discount, but reservations must be made by phone at 1-800-USA-RAIL (1-800-872-7245) or in person at a staffed station.
Before you call, you can check schedules and prices, click here. However, the discounts do not apply to reservations booked online.
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8. SUBSCRIBE
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Copyright (c) Paul E. Berger & Stephanie Mensh
Permission is granted to reprint these articles
in your newsletter or magazine only with the following byline: "Paul Berger & Stephanie Mensh are speakers and authors. To find out more about their programs and services, visit www.StrokeSurvivor.com
or call (703) 241-2375.
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