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Paul Berger & Stephanie Mensh's
Stroke Survivor
News & Attitude
For YOU
February 2007
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~~~<<~~ IN THIS ISSUE ~~>>~~~
1. NEWS: Research on Stroke Recovery & Rehabilitation: New Guidelines for Preventing Stroke in Women
2. Celebrate National Heart & Stroke Awareness Month With NEW! Audio-book
2. PAUL’S SURVIVORS TIPS: Returning to Work
3. STEPHANIE'S CAREGIVERS TIPS: Coping with Weather
4. PAUL'S FAVORITES : Boots Over Foot-drop
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.
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1. NEWS: Research on Stroke Recovery & Rehabilitation: Study Shows Risk of Blood Thinners
The American Heart Association-American Stroke Association has revised its guidelines for lowering the risk of cardio-vascular disease -- heart disease and stroke -- in women.
The guidelines take a "lifetime" view of cardiovascular disease, with information for healthy women, as well as those having a higher risk for heart attack and stroke. For example, a daily low-dose aspirin is recommended for healthy women over 65. For details, click here.
For details on inviting Paul & Stephanie to make a presentation to your organization on risks, warning signs,prevention, and recovery from stroke, 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.
2. February is National Heart & Stroke Awareness Month
Celebrate this month by listening to the new AUDIO-book version of "How to Conquer the World With One Hand...And an Attitude," Copies are now available!
"My son is really enjoying the audio version of your book. (BEST CHRISTMAS PRESENT I EVER PURCHASED) You guys did a GREAT job!!!"
-Patricia B., Michigan
Listen at home, on a long car trip, on your CD Walkman!It's the complete and unabridged version, professionally recorded on 8 audio CDs, perfect for book clubs.
Hear what life is really like when you have a severe disability, and how much you can achieve with the right attitude!
You'll learn:
* How survivors can take control of recovery
* Creative solutions to overcome disabilities
* The value of persistence and never giving up
* You can return to work, hobbies & sports
* How to pack your life with goals & dreams & adventure!
NEW Audio Book Features:
* Premium hard case last-forever packaging with sturdy hard plastic disk holders--best for one-handed users
* Easy to use--each chapter on its own track
* All 19 Chapters
* 8 Audio CDs, total playing time: 547 minutes
Told like a gripping adventure novel, this true story shares 15 years of Paul's fight to overcome a devastating stroke at the young age of 36.
To listen to an excerpt & for more details, click here.
3. PAUL’S TIPS FOR SURVIVORS: Returning to Work
Strokes are the leading cause of disability among adults. Many stroke survivors lose their jobs, like me. But you can return to work! After my stroke, I worked as an accounting clerk, a computer-aided draftsman making blueprints for buildings, and as a publisher and professional speaker.
One way to think about new jobs you can do is to list your skills and interests. For example, I run my own small business. Here is a list of tasks that I do during the month, with one hand, and techniques to overcome aphasia. If I can do it, you can do it too!
* Networking at Rotary and other business groups
* Business and marketing plannning
* Researching and drafting articles & speeches
* Maintaining a website
* Developing new products & marketing materials
* Sales
* Making presentations
* Balancing the books
* Processing credit cards and checks
* Putting orders together
* Shipping and mailing
* Looking for ways to save money
Now it's your turn to write your skills and the things you can do!
A good book for people looking for a new job is "What Color Is Your Parachute?" available from Amazon.com, click here.
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," provide additional insights and tips for returning to work and taking control of your recovery after stroke. For details, click here.
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 4. STEPHANIE'S CAREGIVERS TIPS: Coping With Weather
Day-to-day activities for a family member who has survived a stroke presents many challenges on a good day. When bad weather hits, everyone's ability to cope can be strecthed to the limits. Here are three tips for managing during bad weather:
* Plan ahead. Watch the forecasts for bad weather.Try to shop for extra groceries and supplies early. If your employer will let you work from home,remember to bring home the materials you will need. Have a little extra cash on hand.
* Give the survivor chores to help. We don't have a garage, so when snow is predicted, we cover the cars with a large tarp. Paul helps with putting the cover over the car. Once the snow stops, Paul can quickly clean the snow off the cars by just pulling the tarps--they slide off and protect against scratching the car. Shovelling snow is hard with one hand, but Paul does the best he can.
* Go with the flow. If you can't get out, try to enjoy the time indoors with a family project. Bake cookies, organize a closet, dig out old photos.
For more tips for caregivers, click here.
5. PAUL'S FAVORITES: Boots Over Foot-drop
I finally found a solution for snow, ice, and heavy rain for stroke survivors who wear an ankle brace (orthotic) for foot-drop, like me. It's very hard to safely get my toe in a boot. Most of the time I use the rubber galoshes that stretch over my shoes. While they protect my shoes from rain, they don't help for deep puddles (which always seem to surround the handicapped parking spaces), or winter snow and slush.
We found a small manufacturer, Vulpine Adaptive, who makes "shell boots," waterproof boots that go over my regular shoe (and orthotic). They zip up the front, and have a buckle that tightens around the instep and the upper part of the boot, which reaches over my calf. They protect my shoe and my pants leg, with warm and waterproof material Vulpine Adaptive is located in Duluth, Minnesota.
We happened to find similar "overshoes" advertised in the Skymall magazine from Plow & Hearth; also available from Amazon.com, click here.
For details on other Paul-tested helpful products,
click here..
======================================= 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, or click here
For details of our presentations at Harvard, click here.
To hear an excerpt from one of Paul's speeches, click here
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6. 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:
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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