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Paul Berger & Stephanie Mensh's
Stroke Survivor
News & Attitude
For YOU
February 2009
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~~<<~~ IN THIS ISSUE ~~>>~~~
1. NEWS: RESEARCH on Stroke Recovery & Rehabilitation:Evidence--Foot Orthoses Improve Walking
*** Intensive Aphasia Therapy News ***
2. PAUL’S SURVIVORS TIPS:Parking Tips
*** CELEBRATE 10 YEARS of HOW TO CONQUER THE WORLD.. WITH ONE HAND...AND AN ATTITUDE ***
3. STEPHANIE'S CAREGIVERS TIPS: Stimulus Package for Caregivers
4. PAUL'S FAVORITES: Shower Safety on a Budget
5. WHAT'S NEW on: http://www.StrokeSurvivor.com
6. Stroke Reading Problems? Free Read-aloud Software
*** Proud to be selected for ASHA's Online Buyers Guide
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: Evidence--Foot Orthoses Improve Walking
There are "significant and beneficial" overall effects of lower limb orthoses on walking disability (speed), walking impairment (step/stride length) and balance impairment(weight distribution in standing), according to an analysis of 14 clinical trials with 429 participants, conducted by researchers for the Cochrane Collaboration.
This report could provide important evidence to support treatment and insurance claims for stroke survivors and others with paralysis or weakness in their legs, ankles and feet, such as "foot drop."
The Cochrane Collaboration is an international non-profit organization that produces and publishes special reviews of medical literature and clinical studies to provide "evidence" that treatments work (or do not work)
To view the abstract in the Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, Issue 1, 2009, click here
To listen to an audio summary "pod cast" of the review, click here.
The U.S.Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality(AHRQ), part of the Department of Health and Human Services, produces "evidence" studies under contract with 14 Evidence-based Practice Centers (EPCs). For the list of currently funded EPCs, 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 *
The Pittsburgh Aphasia Treatment, Research and Education Center (PATREC), now in its second decade of service, is opening two satellite offices near Cleveland, OH and in Northern VA. PATREC has provided treatment to patients from more than 28 states and Canada. 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 fractio of the cost of a short stay, traditional intensive treatment. 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: Parking Tips
One of the first things a stroke survivor needs is a handicapped/disabled parking tag so you can use the parking spaces marked for cars and vans used by people with disabilities. You send an application and medical information from your doctor (and a modest fee) to your state's motor vehicle agency, and they provide you with a temporary or permanent tag or license plate
It is very important to stay active in the community, and a tag for these parking spaces are one way to help.
I prefer having a tag that goes with the person. Since I am able to drive myself, the tag goes back and forth between my car and my wife Stephanie's car. And I often bring it with me if a friend or other family member is driving.
To protect my tag and make it easy to carry around, I slipped it into a clear plastic page-protector, folded it over, inserted the top of a wire clothes hanger, and taped it together with clear shipping tape. I tried a plastic hanger, but it melted in the sun. You can take the top off a thin wire hanger (the type that dry cleaners use) by using wire cutters or twisting it back and forth.
Do you have a tip to share? Send it to me at
Paul@strokesurvivor.com for a free gift if we use it.
======================================== *** CELEBRATE 10 YEARS of HOW TO CONQUER THE WORLD WITH ONE HAND...AND AN ATTITUDE
Start a Book Club and Make this Your First Book
Ten years ago, in 1999, we published the first edition of Paul's story, leading to awards, honors, and the ability to touch thousands of stroke survivors, family, professionals, friends, and anyone wanting a story of inspiration
Prepare to celebrate with us next month by ordering your copy of Paul's story
.Or start a Book Club. It's easy and affordable to start your own book club with the all-inclusive Stroke Survivor Premium Book Club System:
For the same price that others offer ONLY the leader manual and study materials, you also receive five (5) "How to Conquer the World With One Hand...And an Attitude" books, one (1) AUDIO 8-CD book, one (1) FREE book for the group leader, PLUS discounts for other products by Paul E. Berger, award-winning stroke survivor with aphasia
Use this system to start your book club immediately!
Did you know...research shows that stroke survivors and adults with all levels of aphasia benefit from book clubs to:
* relearn reading and communication skills
* improve social interaction
* talk about events & issues in their own lives.
Successful book clubs use specially-prepared study materials and leader guides for carefully chosen books.
To learn more, click here.
 3. STEPHANIE'S CAREGIVERS TIPS: Stimulus Package for Caregivers
I looked at the outline of the new federal Stimulus package for pieces that would help caregivers and families of stroke survivors--something over and above what other families might receive in tax credits, etc.
It's always in the fine print. The only direct item I could find related to Unemployment Compensation.
If you lose your job, your former employer cannot try to get you disqualified from receiving unemployment benefits if "separation from employment...is for compelling family reasons...[including]: illness or disability of an immediate family member... The Labor Secretary would define immediate family member."
If you lose your job, there is some help for continuing health care under COBRA--particularly important if the caregiver's insurance is covering the stroke survivor. Once you change insurers, it is almost impossible to get health insurance coverage for family members who have "pre-existing conditions" like stroke.
There are some additional funds for direct health care services through the Medicaid program and federally- supported community health centers. Also, additional funds for home-delivered food/nutrition services under the Administration on Aging programs, if you qualify.
For those of us who can take a longer term perspective, the package includes $10 billion for National Institutes of Health (NIH) funding, a large chunk will go to the various institutes, hopefully a nice sum to brain and stroke recovery research.
There is also $1 billion for "comparative effectiveness" research. This is similar to the "evidence" reviews that the Cochrane Collaboration and the AHRQ conducts (see the story above on foot orthoses). Some of the money goes to AHRQ, some to NIH, and some to the Secretary of HHS.
If the projects that win the comparative effectiveness grants focus on the treatment options available to families of people suffering from the results of stroke and other chronic, long term conditions, then the new information could provide important support in our decision-making.
There are incentives for physicians, hospitals and other providers to adopt and improve health information technology and electronic medical records. This could be a major improvement for families trying to coordinate all of the different medical, rehabilitation, and other health care needs of the stroke survivor.
Major newspapers like the Washington Post, New York Times, USA Today, and Wall Street Journal provide details and information in their online editions. Congress publishes bill summaries on its various websites, including the Library of Congress, click here.
For more tips for caregivers, click here.
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4. PAUL'S FAVORITES: Shower Safety on a Budget
For safety in the shower, I always use a shower or tub seat with a back. The Padded Transfer Bench with Back is similar to the tub bench I've used since my stroke. It is an economical way to convert a bathtub into a safe place to shower. First, you sit down on the part that extends over the side of the tub, then you lift your legs and turn. Another tool that makes me independent in the morning.
Click here to see one like 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:
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.
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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