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Paul Berger & Stephanie Mensh's
Stroke Survivor
News & Attitude
For YOU
November 2005
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~~~<<~~ IN THIS ISSUE ~~>>~~~
1. NEWS: Research on Stroke Recovery & Rehabilitation
2. Paul's Tips for Survivors: Finding Sunshine in Winter Days
3. Stephanie's Tips for Caregivers: Dealing with Holiday Stress
4. Announcing new and improved website: StrokeSurvivor.com
5. Receive your GIFT today!
6. Subscribe
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1. NEWS: Research on Stroke Recovery & Rehabilitation
There are some new findings showing that people with aphasia, the loss of language often due to stroke, can recover more of their speech through short bursts of intensive therapy. The professional journal Stroke published a study on "constraint-induced" aphasia therapy that shows permanent speech improvement.
The constraint-induced therapy in this study gave people with aphasia 30 hours of training over 10 days. They had measurable gains in speech that were still evident when the same people were tested six months later.
The article's summary is posted at: http://stroke.ahajournals.org/cgi/content/short/36/7/1462
Paul's comment: I use a similar, non-scientific approach to overcoming my aphasia and improving my speech. Drilling sounds and words, and repeating over and over, works for me. After my stroke, I had therapy 2 or 3 times a week with a speech pathologist, and practiced at home with a tutor 3 times a week for 90 minutes each session. Today, before I give a presentation, I practice for many hours.
Stephanie's comment: I believe that the successes in the constraint-induced therapy and in Paul's approach result from having live feedback from a therapist, tutor or family member to get the person's sound formation and patterns correct during repetition. Paul's ability to give more fluent presentations improves each time he prepares for one, and he gets the side benefit of adding new words and phrases to his everyday speech. It works for us!
2. Paul's Tips for Survivors: Finding Sunshine in Winter Days
November is a good month to start or return to an indoor hobby or craft. Living with stroke and other disabilities is hard. Working on my hobby is a vacation from winter and everyday problems. I can order kits, tools, and supplies from online hobby catalogs.
I have a model train layout in my basement. I like to make buildings and scenery. I designed it to look like the Northwestern U.S., with a mountain made from paper mache over chicken wire. My cat thought the mountain was real, jumped on it, and crushed it. It was time for a change, so I replaced the mountain with a parking lot, and built a dock for international shipping.
Model train layouts can show different locations and times, for example, Pennsylvania in the mid-1900's or Kansas farmland. If you are interested in model trains, many local clubs sponsor holiday displays. The National Model Railroad Association lists clubs at: www.nmra.org.
My book, How to Conquer Hobbies With One Hand, gives 50 tips for finding a hobby, making things with one hand, and helpful resources. Click here for more details.
 3. Stephanie's Tips for Caregivers: Dealing with Holiday Stress
Family of stroke survivors feel extra stress everyday, but it seems to be worse during the holiday season. I follow three steps for coping: (1) do what I do best; (2) encourage Paul's independence; and (3) share and communicate with others.
I'm better at making salads and desserts than doing the whole meal, so we either go to a nice restaurant for holiday meals, or to our family or friends. This reduces my stress, and bringing dishes helps our hostess. I usually take charge of clean-up after the meal, too. This keeps me from overeating, gives me a little exercise, and makes my hostess happy.
Paul has always helped with household chores, and as he improves, he takes on more responsibilities. Each of Paul's contributions means a little less work for me.
By planning, sharing, and communicating with Paul and other family members, we understand each person's role and responsibilities. This helps us all enjoy the holidays!
My presentation, "How to Succeed in Life When Your Husband Has Aphasia," discusses these three steps. Click here for details.
4. NEW and IMPROVED: www.StrokeSurvivor.com website
A few days ago, we launched our NEW website:
www.StrokeSurvivor.com.
It's dedicated to sharing more solutions and motivation to overcome challenges, return to favorite activities, and lead a full life.
On www.StrokeSurvivor.com you'll find
- Articles & tips for survivors, caregivers & professionals
- 7-part e-course on overcoming stroke
- Books & dictionaries for aphasia & speech
- Readings for building self-esteem
- Survivors stories
- Paul-tested products:
- Grooming
- Kitchen
- Physical & mobility
- References we use often
- Our monthly newsletter - NEW for November
- Questions & Answers
- Details on our presentations & workshops
- Excerpts from our books & tapes
- News of our TV & newspaper appearances
5. RECEIVE YOUR GIFT TODAY!
** We value our readers' thoughts and comments. Send us your comments on the new website, on any of Paul and Stephanie's books and tapes, or a question for the Q&A. The first 100 people who respond by November 25 will receive a GIFT from us.
6. Subscribe
Sign up to receive the next copy by email by filling in the blue form on the right.
If you wish to receive the newsletter or have it sent to someone by postal mail, please send name, address, city, state, and zip to info@strokesurvivor.com, or Positive Power Publishing, P.O. Box 2644, Merrifield, VA 22116.
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Copyright (c) Paul E. Berger & Stephanie Mensh
Permission is granted to reprint this article
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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