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Paul Berger & Stephanie Mensh's
Stroke Survivor
News & Attitude
For YOU
December 2009
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~~<<~~ IN THIS ISSUE ~~>>~~~
1. NEWS: RESEARCH on Stroke Recovery & Rehabilitation: Exercise Lowers Risk of Stroke
*** Intensive Aphasia Therapy News ***
Group Session Online
2. PAUL’S SURVIVORS TIPS: Paying Bills with One Hand & Aphasia
3. STEPHANIE'S CAREGIVERS TIPS: Surviving the Blizzard
*** New Sets for Reading & Listening ***
4. PAUL'S FAVORITES:
Hold on!
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!
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1. NEWS: Research on Stroke Recovery & Rehabilitation: Exercise Lowers Risk of Stroke
A new study of over 3,000 people in their late 60's living in New York City showed that over a 9-year period, men who participated in moderate to heavy exercise--jogging, swimming, tennis--were least likely to have a stroke, about half the rate of the 41% of study participants who reported no physical activity.
The study authors from Columbia University Medical Center and New York Presbyterian Hospital at Columbia, suggest that lack of physical activity is common among urban seniors and increasing their activity should be a public health goal.
The study did not show significant benefits of moderate-to- heavy exercise among the women participants, or of light exercise, as in other studies. However, the authors noted that this may be due to the study limits.
To read a summary, click here.
To read the abstract:, 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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*** ADVERTISE YOUR PRODUCT OR SERVICE IN OUR NEWSLETTER ***
Contact us at Paul@strokesurvivor.com or 703-241-2375. Special rates for newsletter & web: www.strokesurvivor.com!
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*Intensive Aphasia Therapy News *
Group Session Online
As the readers of my newsletter know, I am continuing speech therapy with Bill Connors at the Pittsburgh Aphasia Treatment, Research and Education Center (PATREC).
I am in Virginia and Bill is in Pittsburgh, but I see him 3 times a week over the Internet using my webcam on Skype or ooVoo. I set my goals and the pace. I have lots of homework, most that I do alone on my own schedule.
This month, the group sessions are in full swing. I participate in 2 different groups, each meets once a week with full video-camera links, so we see all the participants at their computers. We practice speaking by each sharing a tip on living with stroke or aphasia. We also work on apraxia, pronouncing the whole word, and spelling by playing the old game where each player must think of a word that begins with the last letter of the previous player's word. For example, Bill says, "cake"--the last letter is "e", so I say "eat"--the next person must find a word starting with "t"--maybe "truck"-- and around we go, learning, improving, and having fun with people in 6 different towns
My friends tell me they are impressed with my improvement. I enjoy Bill's innovative approach and tools at http://www.aphasiatoolbox.com.
For 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: Paying Bills with One Hand & Aphasia
This weekend's snow storm made me think about one more good reason to learn to pay bills on line. After my stroke, writing checks was difficult. I lost my ability to write with my right hand, my new left-handed printing was slow and sloppy, and my aphasia affected my spelling.
I started using Quicken many years ago. Stephanie helped me set up our routine bills and account numbers. I entered the specific payment amount, and printed out checks. I used a paperweight to hold down the bill so I could tear off the slip that was mailed back. I learned to stuff the slip and check into the envelope with one hand, and stick on the return address label and stamp. I paid bills twice a month, and each time I spent a few hours, even with Quicken. I felt good because I could help with this chore.
About a year ago, I switched to online banking. I still use Quicken so I can organize my budget and expenses for taxes. Quicken has an easy software internet connection with most banks.
First, Stephanie helped me set up online access with my bank. Then, we edited Quicken to be sure the correct addresses were entered. Then, I click on the bill to pay, type in the dollar amount, and send the bill off to be paid. No more checks to print, no slips to tear off, no envelopes or stamps. And no trips to the mailbox or post office in bad weather!
Now, paying bills is very fast with one hand and aphasia. I feel great doing this by myself. If I can do it, you can do it, too.
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
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: Surviving the Blizzard
Blizzards are acts of nature, in some ways just like strokes. The weathermen, like doctors, are getting better at predicting and understanding storms and strokes, Once they hit, you do your best to cope and get on with your lives.
We live in the suburbs of Washington, DC, and spent Saturday watching the historic December snow fall all day and night. Fortunately, our electricity stayed on (unlike other storms where we have lost power). Since I had rushed to the grocery store after dinner Friday night as the first flakes were falling, we had everything we needed, so I relaxed.
We took the opportunity to talk to family and a friend we hadn't heard from in a few weeks.
Sunday morning, the snow stopped, the sun came out in a deep blue sky, the neighborhood looked gorgeous, and I shoveled for almost four hours, with Paul's help. We feel a little sore here and there, but we survived and actually enjoyed the weekend, including the sense of accomplishment in clearing the driveway to the street.
Looking back over the year, and the many years since Paul's stroke, we have had our ups and downs, and handled some storms better than others. Because I have stressed out and made little things seem too big to manage, when big things come along and I can relax and ride them successfully, I feel good.
The holidays are a good time to count our simple blessings, like a warm home, a clear driveway, and a few days to enjoy each other.
For more tips for caregivers, click here.
======================================== *** New Sets for Reading & Listening ***
Add adventure, inspiration and motivation to your long holiday driving and long weekends with special new combination sets of
"How to Conquer the World With One Hand
...And an Attitude"
and
"YOU CAN DO IT, 105 Thoughts, Feelings and
Solutions to Inspire You"
By stroke survivor Paul Berger, for stroke survivors, families and professionals. Real life, real feelings, real thoughts, real everyday solutions.
Combination set #1 offers both books in paperback book format for a discount of $3.50 !!
Combination set #2 offers both books in audio CD format for a savings of $7.00 !!
Order your sets from our secure online store:
Books set only $19.95 plus shipping, click here.
Audio CDs set only $64.45 plus shipping, click here
For details on these award-wining books and CDs, please
visit:, click here.
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4. PAUL'S FAVORITES: Hold On!
After my stroke, I had problems with balance, standing, and climbing. We had handrails installed on both sides of all our stairs, and grab bars in the bathroom by the toilet and shower, giving me independence and safety. Hardware stores like home depot sell these, and some may install them for you. To see grab bars similar to mine, click here.
For details on Paul-tested helpful products, click here and 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:
* M. Quinn Designs, Incorporated
* Healthfinder: Reduce Your Risk of Stroke
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. 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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