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Paul Berger & Stephanie Mensh's
Stroke Survivor
News & Attitude
For YOU
November 2009
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~~<<~~ IN THIS ISSUE ~~>>~~~
1. NEWS: RESEARCH on Stroke Recovery & Rehabilitation: Brain's Center for Gestures & Words
*** Intensive Aphasia Therapy News ***
Group Session Online
2. PAUL’S SURVIVORS TIP: Celebrating the Little Things in Life
3. STEPHANIE'S CAREGIVERS TIPS: Stress Reduction On-the-Go
*** New Sets for Reading & Listening ***
4. PAUL'S FAVORITES: Morning Routine
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. Click it forward to people in your stroke club, volunteer groups, place of worship, community services and neighbors, too!
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1. NEWS: Research on Stroke Recovery & Rehabilitation: Brain's Center for Gestures & Words
The same areas in the brain that interpret words also interpret gestures, according to new research. These findings may point to the origins of language development in humans, and so may lead to new ways to treat language disorders like aphasia resulting from stroke.
Researchers tested subjects who did not have any speech problems. They used functional MRI imaging to locate areas of the brain that activated as the subjects viewed various gestures, then listened to an oral description of the action.
The study was conducted by the National Institute on Deafness and other Communication Disorders (NIDCD) of the National Institutes of Health with researchers from Hofstra University, NY, and San Diego State University, CA. To read the report published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, click here.
To read a summary, 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.
========================================*** ADVERTISE YOUR PRODUCT OR SERVICE IN OUR NEWSLETTER ***
Contact us at Paul@strokesurvivor.com or 703-241-2375. Special rates for newsletter & web: www.strokesurvivor.com!
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*** Intensive Aphasia Therapy News ***
Group Session Online
As the readers of my newsletter know, I am continuing speech therapy with Bill Connors at the Pittsburgh Aphasia Treatment, Research and Education Center (PATREC).
I am in Virginia and Bill is in Pittsburgh, but I see him 3 times a week over the Internet using Skype. I set my goals and the pace. I have lots of homework, most that I do alone on my own schedule.
This month, Bill has pin- pointed the elements of the speech problems caused by my stroke. Now that I understand my exact problems, I can focus my work. My personal project is learning to understand and use the word "may" in sentences. Also, we have started online video group sessions.
My friends tell me they are impressed with my improvement.I enjoy Bill's innovative approach and tools at http://www.aphasiatoolbox.com.
For a complimentary consumer Q&A fact sheet, contact Bill Connors at bill@aphasiatoolbox.com or phone 724-494-2534.
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2. PAUL’S TIPS FOR SURVIVORS: Celebrating the Little Things in Life
Recovering from a stroke is a daily battle for the survivor and their family and friends. It is important to set goals. When you achieve one of your goals, and are ready to start on the next, remember to celebrate the accomplishments, no matter how small or large. Stroke survivors and their caregivers--as do so many busy people these days--often become overwhelmed by their day-to-day activities and forget to take some time out to enjoy each other.
The holiday season is a good time to look back over the year, think about your progress, and thank the people who have helped you.
And remember to celebrate caregiver's achievements, too. Cards, flowers, a small gift, or a special meal at home or at a favorite restaurant can mark your progress.
After many years of speech and physical therapy, I decided to have a big celebration, and invited family, friends, and my therapists to a nice dinner at a local restaurant. Details of this party, which included speeches from everyone, and a singing waiter, are described in Chapter 13 of my book, "How to Conquer the World With One Hand...And An Attitude."
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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 3. STEPHANIE'S CAREGIVERS TIPS: Stress Reduction On-the-Go
Caregivers, professionals, and survivors constantly face everyday stresses that make us feel emotionally, mentally and physically drained. This time of year is particularly stressful, with lots of extra activities and responsibilities demanding more energy.
Here are 3 ways to reduce stress and boost your energy levels on-the-go:
1. Enjoy the extra walking. Wear comfortable shoes and plan to park the car a little further from the entrance. Go to shops where you can accomplish a number of errands on foot. Take the stairs instead of the crowded elevator.
2. Practice deep yoga breathing. You can do this sitting in traffic, in line, on phone-hold, in long meetings, while watching TV, while waiting for the oven or dryer to bing. This type of deep breathing is from your diaphragm. Put you hand just below your ribs and push in and out. Take a very deep breath and feel your diaphragm expand. A few minutes of concentrating on your breathing is a nice break.
3. Visualization. Close your eyes and think of a place, or person, or experience that makes you feel calm, happy, safe, joyful. With your eyes closed, take a few minutes to explore the sensations of that pleasant memory. This can be a real-life scene, or a scene from a favorite movie or book.
A few weeks ago, we attended a Stroke Seminar, and the first session was a stress reduction program that included deep breathing and guided visualization. After rushing to get to the meeting and tapping my foot in line waiting for a slow server to bring coffee, this session improved my frame of mind and I believe helped me to enjoy the whole seminar.
For resources on yoga and visualization, search click here.
For more tips for caregivers, click here.
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*** New Sets for Reading & Listening ***
Add adventure, inspiration and motivation to your long holiday driving and long weekends with special new combination sets of
"How to Conquer the World With One Hand
...And an Attitude"
and
"YOU CAN DO IT, 105 Thoughts, Feelings and
Solutions to Inspire You"
By stroke survivor Paul Berger, for stroke survivors, families and professionals. Real life, real feelings, real thoughts, real everyday solutions.
Combination set #1 offers both books in paperback book format for a discount of $3.50 !!
Combination set #2 offers both books in audio CD format for a savings of $7.00 !!
Order your sets from our secure online store:
Books set only $19.95 plus shipping, click here.
Audio CDs set only $64.45 plus shipping, click here
For details on these award-wining books and CDs, please
visit:, click here.
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4. PAUL'S FAVORITES: Morning Routine
Shaving is difficult with one hand, and cleaning the shaver can be a challenge, too. So I use the electric shaving system, the new Braun Series 7- 790cc Pulsonic Shaver. It gives me a good, close shave, and it cleans itself in a special electronic stand.
To see one like mine, click here.
A nice gift, too!
For details on Paul-tested helpful 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. 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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