|
Paul Berger & Stephanie Mensh's
Stroke Survivor
News & Attitude
For YOU
May 2008
===================================
~~<<~~ IN THIS ISSUE ~~>>~~~
1. NEWS: Research on Stroke Recovery & Rehabilitation: Dramatic New Numbers on Paralysis in the U.S.
2. PAUL’S SURVIVORS TIPS: Move, Move, Move.
*** CELEBRATE MAY NATIONAL STROKE AWARENESS MONTH ***
3. STEPHANIE'S CAREGIVERS TIPS: Working and Caregiving
4. PAUL'S FAVORITES: Shirt Sleeve Tool
5. WHAT'S NEW on: http://www.StrokeSurvivor.com
6.. Stroke Reading Problems? Free Read-aloud Software
7. Subscribe
========================================
Please forward this newsletter to your friends and
colleagues who would benefit from these tips.
========================================
1. NEWS: Research on Stroke Recovery & Rehabilitation: Dramatic New Numbers on Paralysis in the U.S
A recent survey of over 33,000 households showed that 40 percent more Americans live with paralysis and over five times the number of Americans live with spinal cord injury than previously estimated -- 1.275 million people have had a spinal cord injury and over 5.6 million live with some form of paralysis, which is approximately 1.9 percent of the U.S. population. Paralysis is defined by the study as a central nervous system disorder resulting in difficulty or inability to move the upper or lower extremities.
Nearly 47 million Americans are currently underinsured or not insured, 20 percent of whom are people with disabilities. People with disabilities also tend to earn below-average incomes but incur significantly more health care expenses than Americans without disabilities.
The survey also found that 59.2 percent of annual household incomes for people living with paralysis is $25,000 or less, and 62.7 percent of the annual household incomes for people with spinal cord injuries is $25,000 or less. Overall in the U.S. 27.1 percent of annual household income is $25,000 or less.
For a summary of the survey conducted for the Christopher & Dana Reeve Foundation by the University of New Mexico’s Center for Development and Disability, click here.
For the full report, "One Degree of Separation, Paralysis and Spinal Cord Injury in the United States", 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.
========================================
* 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.
For more information contact Bill Connors at bill@aphasiatoolbox.com or phone 724-494-2534.
========================================
2. PAUL’S TIPS FOR SURVIVORS: Move, Move, Move
I read that physical inactivity is a major risk factor for heart disease, coronary artery disease and stroke and is linked to cardiovascular mortality. Regular aerobic physical activity -- moving around -- increases your fitness level and capacity for exercise.
I want to stay healthy, so I add extra walking to everyday activities:
* After meals with my networking groups, I walk
around the restaurant for 20-30 minutes.
* After trips to the bank and post office, I take a
walk in that area.
* After my stroke club meetings, I take a walk.
* I walk around my neighborhood in nice weather.
* I walk in the grocery store or mall when the
weather is bad.
Three times a week, I bicycle on my stationary bike and watch my favorite news show before dinner.
With summer almost here, I plan to swim at my county recreation center pool.
Do you have a tip to share? Send it to me at
Paul@strokesurvivor.com for a free gift if we use it.
========================================
*Celebrate May - Stroke Awareness Month*
Often, the first time people become aware of stroke is when you, or a close family member or friend suffers a stroke. When this happens, the world of the stroke survivor and their immediate family comes to a screeching halt
I had a stroke and learned how hard it is to deal with your emotions, feelings, and relationships. Speech and reading problems (aphasia) make it worse...for both the survivor and their family and friends.
Inspire stroke survivors, family and friends to live a full life after stroke by LISTENING to the true life adventure 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." 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
========================================
 3. STEPHANIE'S CAREGIVERS TIPS: Working and Caregiving
Paul and I were in our 30's when he had his stroke, so we assumed that we would both continue working and building our careers. Yes we continued working, but we didn't reach the levels reached by some of our friends, or where we thought we would be. The stroke forced a major detour.
With all my new responsibilities--as Paul's personal caregiver, case coordinator, advocate, financial planner, insurance chaser, paperwork manager, secretary, and chief worrier--it was hard to focus on my career. A lot of my effort went into trying to look and act put-together professionally from 9 to 5, despite all the worries and interruptions.
In recent years, studies have shown how many other caregivers share the stresses and distractions that I experience. The U.S. Equal Employment Opportunities Commission published guidance to employers in 2007 on non-discrimination against caregivers. Recently, the EEOC issued a follow-up "Employers Best Practices for Workers With Caregiving Responsibilities."
In this economy, with massive layoffs and companies closing, these guidelines are a reminder of the importance of family. I see them as a way to feel positive about my job skills and potential.
The EEOC report is posted on their website, click here.
For more tips for caregivers, click here.
========================================
* 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. The April-May issue focuses on independence. Subscriptions are free and available from the NSA's website, click here.
========================================
4. PAUL'S FAVORITES: Shirt Sleeve Tool
My right hand is paralyzed from my stroke. I can't button my sleeve on my good left arm, so I use a collar extender on the cuff button. This gives me a little extra room to slip my hand through and other people do not notice it. I put the extender on by myself before I put on the shirt, so I do not need my wife's help -- one more small way to be independent!
You can buy these inexpensive and reusable extenders at sewing stores. To see the type that I use, click here:
For details on Paul-tested helpful products, click here.
========================================
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:
* * GettingHired (Careers & Community for People with Disabilities)
* ICON Community Services, Inc.
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
========================================
Would you like to view a previous month's newsletter? Visit our newsletter archive, click here.
========================================
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.
========================================
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.
========================================
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.
~~<<>>~~
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.
|
