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Paul Berger & Stephanie Mensh's
Stroke Survivor
News & Attitude
For YOU
October 2009
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~~<<~~ IN THIS ISSUE ~~>>~~~
1. NEWS: RESEARCH on Stroke Recovery & Rehabilitation: Strokes Among Working Aged Challenge the System
*** Intensive Aphasia Therapy News ***
2. PAUL’S SURVIVORS TIPS: Speak Up for Health Care
3. STEPHANIE'S CAREGIVERS TIPS: Finding Friends
*** New Sets for Reading & Listening ***
4. PAUL'S FAVORITES: Measuring With One Hand
*** Paul Honored as "Man of the Month" October ***
Disruptive Women in Health Care Blog
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: Strokes Among Working Aged Challenge the System
Strokes among working aged people are increasing, yet rehabilitation programs provide little, if any work-related reintegration services, according to new research by a team in St. Louis. Researchers reviewed medical records of 7,740 patients admitted for stroke to Barnes-Jewish Hospital and found that 45% were under age 65, and 27% were under age 55. The majority of the study's patients had mild to moderate stroke and were discharged directly home with limited services.
Follow-up assessments of these mild-to-moderate stroke survivors showed that they were having difficulties with work and other complex everyday activities.
The researchers believe that Occupational and other therapy should extend beyond acute stroke to full participation in work, family and community life.
The study was conducted by the Cognitive Rehabilitation Research Group at Washington University and published in the September/October 2009 issue of the "American Journal of Occupational Therapy", 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.
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*** 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 *
Tele-Rehab Progress Report
A few weeks ago, I was pleased to visit the Plattsburgh, NY stroke community and make presentations to both stroke survivors and professionals at the CVPH Medical Center. The professionals' day opened with a Telemedicine demonstration by Karen LeCompte, MD, a neurologist at CVPH performing a remote examination of a patient in an emergency room in a different location.
I closed the morning session with a Tele-rehabilitation demonstration with Bill Connors at the Pittsburgh Aphasia Treatment, Research and Education Center (PATREC). We showed the audience of more than 100 doctors, nurses and therapists how Bill and I use a webcam and Skype for my speech therapy sessions.
Tele-medicine and Tele-rehab are excellent resources in areas like upstate New York and other rural areas where it may be difficult for stroke survivors to travel to weekly sessions.
I am in Virginia and Bill is in Pittsburgh, but I see him 3 times a week. I set my goals and the pace. I have lots of homework, most that I do alone on my own schedule. 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: Speak Up for Health Care
Stroke is one of those "pre-existing conditions" that can make insurance inaccessible and unaffordable. And many policies have inadequate benefits to cover the rehabilitation services needed after stroke--speech, physical and occupational therapy services that should extend for months--not weeks--as long as the patient continues to show progress.
Stroke survivors can and must participate in this year's discussion on health care reform. You can do it in many ways. Don't worry about your speech problems or physical disabilities.
(1) Visits. A few weeks ago, I visited my Senators and Congressman's offices on Capital Hill. You can also visit them in their home office near where you live.
(2) Phone calls. My wife called their offices and left a message.
(3) Emails. You and your family can send emails. Our elected officials read and count our emails. And they prefer them to mail from the post office, since the Anthrax scare. Remember to put your address in your email so they know you can vote for them.
You can find information on all the legislation and your Members of Congress at the Library of Congress' website, : click here.
The American Heart Association-American Stroke Association offers ways to learn about the Health Reform bills, and to help you call or email, visit, click here
Other organizations like AARP also have these tools, click here.
If I can do it, you can do it too!
Other insights and tips for coping with life and taking control of your recovery after stroke are available on my website at http://www.strokesurvivor.com
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: Finding Friends
Over the past few weeks, I've had the opportunity to see some friends I haven't seen in a few years. One occasion was a party we planned in Paul's hometown; another was a funeral of a former co-worker. These events reminded me how important it is to have "face" time with friends and acquaintances, and not to wait.
Friendships, like all relationships, take time and effort, on everyone's part. Sometimes when I haven't heard from a friend, I assumed that they didn't want to see me. Instead, for most, it's just the busy pace of life and the daily routine.
So, I am making an effort to email and call friends and invite them to lunch, coffee, dinner, or anything that might fit into our schedules. Sometimes it takes weeks to find the right time, and at the last minute we have to reschedule. But I feel so much better just being in touch, hearing their voices, letting them know I care.
Yes, it takes some emotional and physical effort, but it is worth it!
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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**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 focused on building the caregiving team. The May-June issue focused on building independence for both the survivor and caregiver. The Fall-Winter issue discusses time management. Subscriptions are free and available from the NSA's website at: free and available from the NSA's website, click here.
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4. PAUL'S FAVORITES: Measuring With One Hand
I cook dinner often and need to measure a tablespoon of oil just using one hand. I found the small size OXO GOOD GRIPS Angled Measuring Cup. I put the cup on the counter and pour in the oil to the exact amount I need. The patented angled surface lets you read measurement markings by looking straight down into the cup.
To see a measuring cup like mine, click here.
For details on Paul-tested helpful products, click here and click here.
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* Paul Honored as "Man of the Month" October* *Disruptive Women in Health Care Blog*
October is National Disability Employment Awareness Month and to celebrate, the "Disruptive Women in Health Care" Blog named Paul Berger as their "Man of the Month." To read about the honor and the Blog, 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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