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Paul Berger & Stephanie Mensh's
Stroke Survivor
News & Attitude
For YOU
August 2006
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~~~<<~~ IN THIS ISSUE ~~>>~~~
1. NEWS: Research on Stroke Recovery & Rehabilitation
2. PAUL’S SURVIVORS TIPS: Swimming After Stroke
3. STEPHANIE'S CAREGIVERS TIPS: End of Summer Respite
4. PAUL'S FAVORITES: **NEW PRODUCT to Help Writing Checks
5. NEWS: Paul's hobbies featured in NSA's Be Stroke Smart
6..WHAT'S NEW on: http://www.StrokeSurvivor.com
7. Stroke Reading Problems? Free Read-aloud Software
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
Researchers from a private company have implanted sensors in the motor cortex of a paralyzed man's brain that allow him to move a robotic device and control a computer by translating his thoughts. This study and others testing "neuroprostheses"--technology that can translate thoughts into movement--were featured in the latest issue of the prestigious international journal, "Nature."
Nature's editor noted that prior experiments had more limited results--less control, long training periods, or use of eye movements that require the user's complete attention. The Cyberkinetics device allowed the subject to adapt to the system in minutes, and talk while using the device to control a cursor on a computer screen, open e-mail, control a television, and move objects using a robotic arm
The "Nature" editorial is posted at:
(Archive/13 July 2006; 442(7099): 109 - 222)
www.nature.com/nature/journal/v442/n7099/full/442109a.html.
Cyberkinetics web site is: www.cyberkineticsinc.com.
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.
2. PAUL’S TIPS FOR SURVIVORS: Swimming After Stroke
Swimming is good exercise and relaxing, especially on a hot summer day. After my stroke, I had some trouble swimming because my right leg was weak and my right arm paralyzed. The first time I tried, my right arm floated up, and hurt too much to enjoy it. A few months later, I tried again. Here are my tips to return to swimming after a stroke:
* Find a pool that can arrange individual adapted swimming lessons from staff or a volunteer trained in helping people with disabilities learn to swim.
* Find a pool that has stairs and handrails or an accessible ramp into the shallow end
* Use a floatation vest. The pool staff can help you strap it on. The vest doesn't get in the way, and provides extra protection, if you suddenly feel very tired. And, if you have aphasia--like me--you can't call for help.
* Wear lightweight, washable shoes or slippers into the pool to protect your toes. I was scraping the toes on my weak leg on the bottom of the pool, so I bought a pair of cheap canvas shoes with a rubber sole. To keep them on my foot, Stephanie sewed on some Velcro strips.
* Try different swimming styles. I relearned a few different styles and found the back stroke was easiest for me, and used it for most of my workout.
For more on my return to swimming, other sports, real-life adventures after stroke, and inspiration to live a full life, read my book, "How to Conquer the World With One Hand...And an Attitude," available click here.
Do you have a tip to share? Send it to me at Paul@strokesurvivor.com for a free gift if we use it
 3. Stephanie’s Tips for Caregivers: End of Summer Respite
Helping a family member who has survived a stroke can be time-consuming and overwhelming--medical details, planning, and coordinating services and schedules, paperwork, financial issues--leaving no energy to plan for a little break before the autumn crush of back to work, school, and the impending holiday season.
A few days away from home at the end of summer can be a great way to relieve stress, recharge, and reset your attitude. For some families, this may be a mini-vacation together; for others, it may be a few days away for the caregiver alone.
We look for a hotel, bed-and-breakfast, or resort with a change of scenery, yet an easy drive from home, so we don't have to deal with the added stress of air travel.
For some caregivers, being at home alone and having the survivor away for a few days can be a good vacation. Many assisted living facilities offer respite care for a few days or a week at a reasonable cost. In some areas, state or local grants are available for respite care--as an incentive to support at-home care.
For more tips for caregivers, click here.
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INSPIRATIONAL SPEECHES & PRACTICAL TIPS TO SUCCEED!
Do you want to maximize stroke recovery and be motivated to regain a fulfilling life? Learn first hand by bringing Paul and Stephanie to your organization.
Call us for your next program, conference, convention, seminar, workshop, or sales meeting. We provide personalized presentations and workshop services. Email us at: Paul@StrokeSurvivor.com, call 703-241-2375, click here.
For details of our recent presentations at Harvard, click here.
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4. FAVORITES: NEW PRODUCT to Help Writing Checks
I have aphasia, a language problem from my stroke. This means I have trouble with names, including names of people, names of days of the week, and names of numbers. This can be a problem when writing checks.
I usually pay bills and keep track of my business accounts on the computer. I've been using Quicken since I had my stroke, and most of my check-writing is just a few clicks.
There are times, however, when I need to write a check by hand. I developed a unique tip card for writing checks, specially-sized to fit in my checkbook. I've been using it for years. It's a great independent living tool for people with aphasia, stroke, brain injury, spelling or memory problems, and English-as-a-second-language. For more information, photos, and to order a copy, click here.
5. Paul's Hobbies Featured in NSA's Be Stroke Smart
Learn how to return to or find your hobby or creative craft after stroke by reading the September issue of "Be Stroke Smart," the magazine of the National Stroke Association (NSA), featuring an interview with stroke survivor Paul Berger, award-winning author of "How to Conquer the World With One Hand...And an Attitude." This book shows how stroke survivors can have a full life--with many interests and activities.
Paul also wrote "How to Conquer Hobbies with One Hand: 50 Tips and Tools to Make Things," providing photos, shopping lists, and bonus tips for arts and crafts and hobbies.
For details on the "Be Stroke Smart" article, visit the NSA web site, click here.www.stroke.org.
For details on Paul's "How to Conquer" books, click here.
6. WHAT'S NEW on the Stroke Survivor.com web site.
We're adding new things to our web site all the time. Visit
our Articles and Tips section for the new article, "Getting
What You Need from the System: Tips for Advocating",
click here.
7. 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.
8. SUBSCRIBE
Welcome to our online newsletter. If you would like to receive a copy each month, please sign up by completing the blue form on the right.
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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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