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Paul Berger & Stephanie Mensh's
Stroke Survivor
News & Attitude
For YOU
June 2007
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~~<<~~ IN THIS ISSUE ~~>>~~~
1. NEWS: Research on Stroke Recovery & Rehabilitation: New Guidelines for Treating Bleeding Strokes
2. PAUL’S SURVIVORS TIPS:In Case of Emergency
3. Spread the Word: May is Stroke Awareness Month
4. STEPHANIE'S CAREGIVERS TIPS: Hidden Signs of Stress
5. PAUL'S FAVORITES: Overcoming Slang
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: Risk of Stroke Reduced by Vitamin
The B-vitamin Folic Acid reduces the risk of stroke, especially for people who took the supplement for more than three years. Folic acid lowers the level of homocysteine in the blood, an element that is linked to stroke and heart disease.
Researchers at Northwestern University's Feinberg School of Medicine in Chicago conducted an analysis of previously published studies on folic acid and stroke risk and published their results in the June 2 issue of The Lancet medical journal.
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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2. PAUL’S TIPS FOR SURVIVORS: Summer Temperature Adjustments
Now that summer is here, I'm adjusting the air conditioning a little more during the day. My aphasia makes me confuse the hot and cold settings on our digital thermostat.
To help me pick the right setting, I refer to a sticky note on the thermostat with a sketch of heat and ice, arrows to move the controls, and the specific temperature ranges. When Stephanie first posted the sketches, I was frustrated that I needed the note. But I decided that it is just a tool to help me see what to do -- just like wearing eyeglasses are a tool to help me see.
Now, I'm writing to you from my office, a very comfortable
72 degrees.
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 and in 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."
Do you have a tip to share? Send it to me at Paul@strokesurvivor.com for a free gift if we use i
3. Spread the Word: June is Aphasia Awareness Month: What is Aphasia?!
Aphasia is a medical word for problems with reading, writing, and speaking, usually resulting from a stroke or brain injury or tumor. Having aphasia is very hard because people think that you are not smart if your speech is bad.
For Paul's seven quick tips on how to overcome aphasia, and Stephanie's ten tips for communicating when your spouse has aphasia, click here.
This month, be inspired by listening to the true story of an every-day stroke survivor in the new 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. (BEST CHRISTMAS PRESENT I EVER PURCHASED) You guys did a GREAT job!!!"
-Patricia B., Greenville, Michigan
It's the complete and unabridged version, professionally recorded on 8 audio CDs, perfect for book clubs.
To listen to an excerpt & for more details, click here.
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 4. STEPHANIE'S CAREGIVERS TIPS:Workplace Protections
Balancing the demands of a full-time job and taking care of a stroke survivor or other family members can be difficult, even with the most understanding employer. Caregivers --male or female -- are protected from job discrimination resulting from real or perceived family commitments.
Newly-released guidelines from the federal Equal Employment
Opportunities Commission show that employers cannot give
different treatment to caregivers during the hiring process, job reviews, work assignments, or promotions based on stereotypes of caregiving responsibilities.
I remember during an interview for a job found through networking, my potential supervisor -- who knew that Paul had had a stroke -- asked me how I would manage to travel, since I had to care for Paul. I was very proud of Paul's independence, and assured the supervisor that it would not be a problem. Although I got the job, I realized that discrimination against people with disabilities can impact the family as well.
Section E and F of the guidelines, and examples 17 and 20 relate directly to caregiver protections under the Americans with Disabilities Act.
For a copy of the new "Enforcement Guidance: Unlawful Disparate Treatment of Workers With Caregiving Responsibilities," visit the EEOC website, click here.
For more tips for caregivers, click here.
For an appointment with my dentist, visit here.
5. PAUL'S FAVORITES: Shower Time
Doing everything with one hand takes more time. You can manage this in two ways:
By watching the time you start and finish a task, you learn how to plan your day. Also, you see improvement as you practice and finish faster.
This is true in the shower, too. I have a waterproof clock that hangs on a rope over the shower arm and runs on regular batteries. When I first came home from the hospital, it took me more than an hour to take a shower. Today, it takes about 20 minutes, including drying off.
You can view & order the shower clock on Amazon.com, click here
For details on other Paul-tested helpful products, click here.
6. WHAT'S NEW on the Stroke Survivor.com web site.
We're adding helpful new things to our web site all the
time. The latest is:
We have many useful books & tapes for aphasia, rehabilitation, motivation, and to regain fulfillment posted to our Reading List pages., 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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