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Paul Berger & Stephanie Mensh's
Stroke Survivor
News & Attitude
For YOU
May 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: New Guidelines for Treating Bleeding Strokes
New treatments are showing important clinical benefits for the most serious types of strokes, those caused by hemorrhages or bleeding in the brain. These include using hemophilia drugs to stop bleeding, new surgical techniques,and other aggressive treatment in the first hours.
As a result, the American Heart/American Stroke Association recently published new guidelines for intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH) in its journal "Stroke." Only 10% of strokes result from ICH, but cause much higher rates of death and serious disability than the most frequent type of stroke caused by clots.
With all the news about the tPA clot-busting drugs, it is nice to see some advances in treating ICH strokes
Details on the guidelines are available on the American Heart/American Stroke Association's Website, click here.
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2. PAUL’S TIPS FOR SURVIVORS: In Case of Emergency...
Cell phones are an important tool in an emergency, and especially helpful for people with stroke. Home, family,doctors, and emergency numbers can be programmed in for easy access. If you have trouble with the programming ask someone to help you.
And add "ICE" before the names/numbers of the key people who to contact if you have an emergency. Then, emergency personnel and first responders can easily tell the
difference between your spouse and the hobby shop.
I carry my cell with me all the time. Since I can use only one hand, the standard clip-type phone holders are hard for me. At first I stuffed the phone in my shirt pocket, along with my notepad and pen. But when I bent over, it would fall out. I finally found a cell phone holster with loops for my belt similar to the Lux Leather case available on Amazon.com, click here.
3. Spread the Word: May is Stroke Awareness Month
You can be part of the stroke awareness movement by learning and telling everyone you meet about the warning signs of stroke, and to call for an ambulance if you think you or someone else is having a stroke.
A stroke can be devastating, but you can have a good life after stroke.
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
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.
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 4. STEPHANIE'S CAREGIVERS TIPS:Hidden Signs of Stress
Life after stroke is stressful for everyone in the survivor's family, and some of the symptoms sneak up on you. I know that I should get more sleep and drink less coffee, but I didn't realize how much stress I was internalizing until a recent trip to the dentist.
My dentist noticed that my teeth had developed a "chiseled"
look. I had been gnashing and grinding my teeth so hard at night, and during the day, that it was affecting my teeth and jaw
I remembered giving up chewing gum shortly after Paul's stroke because my jaw ached and popped. Years later, the
same thing was happening without the doublemint!
Fortunately, there is a solution:
* At night, I wear a night-guard -- a specially-fitted plastic mouthpiece over my top front teeth.
* During the day, I try to be aware and relax my jaw. Smiling and laughing is a good way to relax the muscles and lighten the stress.
* Taking care of your smile is very important
For an appointment with my dentist, visit here.
For more tips for caregivers, click here.
5. PAUL'S FAVORITES: Overcoming Slang
My stroke affected my speech in many different ways. I was born and raised in Philadelphia, but my stroke turned English into a foreign language. I have trouble understanding some jokes, and many slang words. My first companion, Lucy, is Mexican, and had the same problem. She recommended the "Dictionary of American Slang," by Robert L. Chapman
The Dictionary contains more than 19,000 slang terms, with
easy-to-understand definitions and examples. It helps!
You can view and order it from 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 13 articles and 17 past issues of our newsletter
posted to our articles and tips page. Visit, 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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