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Paul Berger & Stephanie Mensh's
Stroke Survivor
News & Attitude
For YOU
June 2009
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~~<<~~ IN THIS ISSUE ~~>>~~~
1. NEWS: Research on Stroke Recovery & Rehabilitation: Brain-Computer Link to Overcome Paralysis
*** Intensive Aphasia Therapy News ***
2. PAUL’S SURVIVORS TIPS: Improve Your Attitude With This List
*** CELEBRATE JUNE - APHASIA AWARENESS MONTH ***
What is "Aphasia"!?
3. STEPHANIE'S CAREGIVERS TIPS: Summer Plans
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.
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1. NEWS: Research on Stroke Recovery & Rehabilitation: Brain-Computer Link to Overcome Paralysis
Physician researchers at the Massachusetts General Hospital (MGH) and neuroscientists and engineers at Brown University recently started the BrainGate2 pilot clinical trial to expand restorative neurotechnology research for certain patients with paralysis. This trial expands on previous research that explores ways to help paralyzed patients control assistive technologies.
The research will evaluate how people with brainstem stroke, spinal cord injury, muscular dystrophy, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), or limb loss may be able to harness the brain signals associated with movement and translate those signals into actions on a computer, like moving a cursor on the screen, or moving a robotic or prosthetic limb.
A previous study by Cyberkinetics, Inc. and researchers at MGH and Brown used the BrainGate Neural Interface System, placing a sensor on a part of a study participant's brain called the motor cortex. During research sessions, a computer was connected to the sensor through a port on the participant's head, allowing participants to control a computer cursor by simply thinking about the movement of their own paralyzed hand.
For more information, visit the project's website, 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.
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* Intensive Aphasia Therapy News *
In my search for budget-minded alternative therapies, I found the Pittsburgh Aphasia Treatment, Research and Education Center's (PATREC). Interval Intensive
Treatment Program and the innovative tools at http://www.aphasiatoolbox.com, provide a year of ongoing, intensive aphasia treatment for a fraction of the cost of a short stay, traditional intensive treatment.
I work with PATREC's Bill Connors using 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 speech is improving so much that long-time speech and physical therapy friends were amazed.
One tip to study painlessly--I write one exercise on an index card, carry it in my pocket, and at different times during the day, pull it out to read aloud.
This month's progress update: I wanted to focus on an area that continues to give me trouble--full sentences starting with "I am." Bill and I talked about it, and he designed some new exercises for me.
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: Improve Your Attitude With This List
I have aphasia and my right side is paralyzed. I do everything with my left hand, and I walk with a limp. When I feel sad about my stroke, I write a list to remember all that I can do.
* I walk
* I drive
* I think
* I ride a stationary bike in my basement
* I went to the university for speech research
* I spend time with our family
* I run errands to the grocery store, cleaners,
post office, and bank.
* I work hard
* I have my own business
* I played sports (volleyball) and I watch sports
(baseball)
* I vote
* I continue speech and physical therapy
* I volunteer
* I am the "greeter" for my Rotary Club's weekly meetings
* I talk
* I write letters
* I call my friends
* I watch politics on TV
* I take vacations
* I serve on the Board of Directors for programs for people with stroke and other disabilities
* I lobby for stroke research and services
* I created and maintain StrokeSurvivor.com.
What do you do?
Write your list to help you feel better and have a positive attitude. If I can do it, you can do it too!
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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***Celebrate June - 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.
I had a stroke and now I have aphasia. I learned how hard it is to deal with your emotions, feelings, and relationships, especially with speech problems. A simple idea like "thank you," can help.
Celebrate Aphasia Awareness Month by saying "Thank You" in a special way to family and friends with a card from the Stroke Survivor Gratitude Cards Toolkit:
* Total of 8 different stunning landscapes
* Photo artwork created by a stroke survivor
* High quality, durable keepsake cards
* 4 Thank You cards with inside message:
"Thank you...for being a good friend."
* 4 Thank You cards blank inside
* 8 matching white envelopes
* PLUS, 10 different self-stick pre-printed
messages to customize your note
* PLUS, 50 different message suggestions
to customize your note
* PLUS, an Attitude Upgrade diary/log starter for
giving thanks for everyday
For details and views of the cards, click here
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 3. STEPHANIE'S CAREGIVERS TIPS: Summer Plans
Summer is a great time for caregivers. The sun is up after dinner, making the day seem longer and making me feel better about getting one more thing in before bedtime. I try to spend as much time as possible outside--eating meals on the deck, going for a walk, and finding outdoor activities.
A few weeks ago, we finalized our vacation plans, which will include traveling with Paul and my mother. We've organized it so we fly non-stop into less busy airports. The tickets cost a little more, but it is so much easier and more enjoyable if we don't have to worry about racing between connections.
I'm always torn about summer vacations. Part of me wants to go away and have a change of scenery. Another part wants to have two weeks of uninterrupted time at home to catch up on all the home organizing and decorating projects that I never seem to have time (or motivation) to tackle on evenings and weekends.
Caregivers and survivors need to take "mini-vacations" and de-stress during the week. So I make an effort to find more leisurely activities like spending a few hours with a book or magazine and a snack in the park. I mark dates and times on the calendar for free outdoor concerts, nature programs, and fairs. On rainy weekends (and we've have a lot of rain this year), we go to an early movie when the ticket prices are lower.
I have learned that it is important to make summer plans, otherwise the weeks slip away, and before you realize it, September is here.
For more tips for caregivers, 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 focuses on building independence for both the survivor and caregiver. Subscriptions are free and available from the NSA's website, click here.
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4. PAUL'S FAVORITES: Hold On !
My right hand is paralyzed from a stroke. When I write or do other activities on my desk, to hold the paper in place, I use a square of Dycem. Dycem is a non-slip material that solves many of the stabilization and gripping problems for people with stroke or similar problems using both hands.You can buy a roll for your desk for about $25. To see what I use, 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:
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
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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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