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Paul Berger & Stephanie Mensh's
Stroke Survivor
News & Attitude
For YOU
March 2009
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~~<<~~ IN THIS ISSUE ~~>>~~~
1. NEWS: RESEARCH on Stroke Recovery & Rehabilitation::Writing Software Improves Aphasia Recovery
*** Intensive Aphasia Therapy News ***
2. PAUL’S SURVIVORS TIPS: See & Talk to Friends Everyday
*** CELEBRATE 10 YEARS of HOW TO CONQUER THE WORLD WITH ONE HAND...AND AN ATTITUDE ***
3. STEPHANIE'S CAREGIVERS TIPS: Who is on your call list?
* StrokeSmart Magazine Features Stephanie's Column *
4. PAUL'S FAVORITES:Writing Software
5. WHAT'S NEW on: http://www.StrokeSurvivor.com
6. Stroke Reading Problems? Free Read-aloud Software
7. CONGRESSIONAL STIMULUS-RECOVERY ACT FUNDING WEBSITE :Track Healthcare Funding to Your State & Programs
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:Writing Software Improves Aphasia Recovery
Computerized writing aids not only make writing easier for people with aphasia, they appear to improve writing skills as well.
A researcher in Sweden conducted research using word- prediction and spell-checking software developed for people with dyslexia, and went beyond the typical focus on use of single words to also evaluate their ability to write complete sentences and convey stories, including the process of rewriting. The researcher showed encouraging results with adequate training on how to use the software.
To view a summary of the doctoral thesis presented by Ingrid Behrns at the Sahlgrenska Academy, Institute of Neuroscience and Physiology, "Aphasia and the Challenge of Writing," 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.
======================================== Please forward this newsletter to your friends and
colleagues who would benefit from these tips.
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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 fraction 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: See & Talk to Friends Everyday
I have aphasia--a speech problem from my stroke--and have learned many strategies to improve my ability to talk to friends and family. Gestures, writing notes or drawing pictures are a big help when the person is sitting next to you. Now I have found a way to use these strategies when the person is somewhere else: Skype.
With Skype, I use my computer and a web-camera to have conversations with live video--a picture phone over the Internet. Skype is a free service for computer-to-computer talk and video. It is easy to use and works through any high-speed Internet connection with your computer's speakers, microphones, and webcams.
I use my picture-phone for speech therapy as a long- distance learner with the Aphasia Tool Box. I talk to my wife when she is traveling, and to talk to other friends and family. It is nice to see their smiles, and for them to see that I need a minute to think of the word or to use my other strategies.
This weekend, I greeted attendees at a seminar in another state over Skype.
For information on Skype, click here .
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 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, March 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 this 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.
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.
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 3. STEPHANIE'S CAREGIVERS TIPS: Who is on your call list?
A few nights ago, I was driving home from an evening meeting and listening to the radio show "After Hours With Delilah" featuring call-in requests for songs mostly by people either celebrating or crying over their love-lives. I like the show because Delilah's callers and her responses to their stories give me perspectives on my own relationships.
Being a spouse of a stroke survivor has its challenges, but all relationships go through ups and downs, happy times and bad times, everyday mistakes and successes, and deep hurts and big celebrations.
That night, Delilah received a call from a police officer who needed cheering up after a rough day. Delilah's response was that people call 911 when bad things happen; they don't call to invite the officer to celebrate a particularly happy moment.
She made me think about who I call when I am in trouble, and who I call to share good news. Paul and I have "in case of emergency (ICE)" names and numbers programmed into our cell phones, but we don't have any programmed for "in case of awesome news (ICAN)."
When Paul was feeling a little overwhelmed by a project, I suggested he take a break to call a friend he hadn't seen in a few weeks. And I invited one of my friends to meet for a spur-of-the-moment cup of coffee on a day that I was feeling productive and happy.
This week, call or visit someone you haven't seen in a while, just to say "hi, I'm thinking of you."
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 focuses on building the caregiving team. Subscriptions are free and available from the NSA's website, click here.
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* Give the Gift of Inspiration on a CD *
Inspire stroke survivors, family and friends to live a full life after stroke by LISTENING to the true story of an every-day stroke survivor who returned to work and school after stroke, showing that people with aphasia and a paralyzed arm can stay active in the community, travel, find jobs, lose jobs, and go on to a new career.
All this and more in the 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. You guys did a GREAT job!!!"
-Patricia B., Michigan
It's the complete and unabridged version, professionally recorded on 8 audio CDs, paced for stroke survivors to understand, perfect for book clubs. Great gift idea.
To listen to an excerpt & for more details, click here.
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4. PAUL'S FAVORITES: Writing Software
My aphasia affects my talking and writing. Since each person has different problems, different skills, and different needs, I tried different writing software programs that were demonstrated at the aphasia center I attend. I liked "WordQ"--a software tool used along with standard writing software. WordQ suggests words for you to use and provides spoken feedback to help you find mistakes. WordQ 2 helps with confusing words, and all-in-all is easy to use. Like the software mentioned in the Research article above, this was developed for children with dyslexia.
For more, click here.
For details on other Paul-tested helpful books and
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.
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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. CONGRESSIONAL STIMULUS-RECOVERY ACT FUNDING WEBSITE
Track Healthcare Funding to Your State & Programs
The federal government will be spending billions of dollars for health care programs all over the country under the American Recovery & Reinvestment Act, known as the Stimulus package or the Recovery Act. You can track funding to your state and health programs, like senior nutrition programs, by visiting the Department of Health & Human Services Recovery, click here.
The site publishes weekly reports on progress in distributing the funds and many helpful links.
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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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