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Paul Berger & Stephanie Mensh's
Stroke Survivor
News & Attitude
For YOU
August 2008
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~~<<~~ IN THIS ISSUE ~~>>~~~
1. NEWS: RESEARCH on Stroke Recovery & Rehabilitation: Success in Overcoming Post-Stroke Depression
*** Intensive Aphasia Therapy News ***
2. PAUL’S SURVIVORS TIPS: Balancing Tools From Recycled Boxes
3. STEPHANIE'S CAREGIVERS TIPS: Stretching Summer
*** Too Busy to Read?
Audio Book Inspires While You Drive ***
4. PAUL'S FAVORITES: The Cutting Edge
5. WHAT'S NEW on: http://www.StrokeSurvivor.com
6. Stroke Reading Problems? Free Read-aloud Software
7. Subscribe
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Please forward this newsletter to your friends and colleagues who would benefit from these tips. Click it forward to people in your stroke club, volunteer groups, place of worship, community services and neighbors, too!=======================================
1. NEWS: Research on Stroke Recovery & Rehabilitation: Success in Overcoming Post-Stroke Depression
Depression following stroke was successfully treated with a short course of individualized counseling sessions addressing behavioral approaches, in a recent study funded by the NIH's National Institute of Nursing Research.
The study involved 100 patients exhibiting signs of post-stroke depression, such as intense feelings of loss, anger, sadness, or hopelessness. Some were taking medication for mood/depression.
After nurses provided the "Living Well With Stroke" series, the stroke survivor's scores showed significant improvement in perceived ability, recovery, and social participation. The series included sessions with the family caregivers too.
The article was published in the August issue of the journal "Stroke" click here.
To read a summary, 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 Bill Connors at the Pittsburgh Aphasia Treatment, Research and Education Center (PATREC). I enjoy his innovative approach and tools at http://www.aphasiatoolbox.com.
Bill and I use 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 friends tell me they are impressed with my improvement.
This month's progress update: I'm working on objective and possessive pronouns to make full sentences. I think, speak and write sentences like this: "He talked with her (objective pronoun) at his home (possessive pronoun)."
For details on this exercise, and a complimentary consumer Q&A fact sheet, contact Bill Connors at bill@aphasiatoolbox.com or phone 724-494-2534.
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2. PAUL’S TIPS FOR SURVIVORS: Balancing Tools From Recycled Boxes
Many stroke survivors with a paralyzed or weak arm and leg--like me--have trouble balancing a dish of food on their laps at picnics and other outdoor events where you bring your own lawn chair.
This summer we have attended a number of free concerts in the local parks. Part of the fun is packing and eating a meal while enjoying the green grass, shade trees, and live music. I make a cool salad with homemade dressing. This is difficult to balance on my lap, and I did not want to buy an expensive tray table.
I needed a light-weight, but sturdy box. The U.S. postal service's priority mail flat rate box was perfect. Assembled, it measures about 11 x 13 x 3 inches. My secret to holding the bowl so it would not slip off the box:
On the top of the box, I traced a circle around the plastic container we use to store our individual meals--a diameter of about 5 inches. Then Stephanie used a box cutter to carefully cut out the circle.
My bowl fits in the box's hole and I can eat my meal without it tipping off my lap.
I have a similar invention for my hobby table using a circle cut out of a paper plate (and turned over) to hold an open jar of paint so it does not tip over. Instructions and a photo appear in my book, "How to Conquer Hobbies With One Hand: 50 Tips and Tools to Make Things" 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.
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 3. STEPHANIE'S CAREGIVERS TIPS: Stretching Summer
I love Summer--I feel energized and soothed by the sunshine, simple outdoor activities, slower pace, and vacation mood. Now with Labor Day looming, I plan to find ways to stretch this Summer mind-set into the Autumn and Winter:
* Continuing simple activities in different locations. If we can't have a picnic in the park, maybe we can find an indoor mall or nice hotel lobby to sit for an hour and read or talk.
* Putting on a jacket and going for a walk outdoors.
* Slowing the pace by starting a little earlier.
* Learning to say "no," so I have fewer things to do.
* Planning little mini-vacations on a weekend afternoon to see nearby people or places we haven't seen in a while.
* Listening to light music.
* Keeping bright, happy, uplifting pictures of family, friends, fun activities, sunny skies, and colorful scenes around me by taping them to my computer, on my mirror, in the kitchen, in my calendar book, and in the car, so everywhere I look I can feel Summer.
For more tips for caregivers, click here.
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*** Too Busy to Read? Audio Book Inspires While You Drive ***
Inspire stroke survivors, family and friends to live a full life after stroke by LISTENING to the true 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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*** 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 focused on building the caregiving team. The May-June issue focused on building independence for both the survivor and caregiver. The July-August issue discusses time management. Subscriptions are free and available from the NSA's website, click here.
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4. PAUL'S FAVORITES: The Cutting Edge
My right hand is paralyzed, so I hold my fork with my left hand. To cut food with one hand, I use the Solid Handle Rocker Knife. It looks like good silverware. It is stainless steel and dishwasher safe and only weighs 3 ounces. The specially designed, curved blade allows food to be cut with a rocking motion. To see one visit, click here.
For details on other Paul-tested helpful books 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:
* National Health Council
* National Institute of Nursing Research
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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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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