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Paul Berger & Stephanie Mensh's
Stroke Survivor
News & Attitude
For YOU
January 2006
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~~~<<~~ IN THIS ISSUE ~~>>~~~
1. NEWS: Research on Stroke Recovery & Rehabilitation
2. PAUL’S SURVIVORS TIPS: Try Your Local
Community College
3. STEPHANIE'S CAREGIVERS TIPS: Fighting the Scale
4. FAVORITES: Getting Around
5. WHAT'S NEW on StrokeSurvivor.com
Q & A: Medicare Therapy Cap and more...
6. HARVARD Medical Conference: Paul & Stephanie on Faculty
7. Subscribe
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1. NEWS: Research on Stroke Recovery & Rehabilitation
Proposed legislation to create a new American Center for Cures as part of the National Institutes of Health was recently introduced in the US Senate by Senators Joe Lieberman (D-CT), Thad Cochran (R-MS), Kay Bailey Hutchison (R-TX), and Thomas Carper (D-DE). The bill, S. 2104, would focus on turning basic science research into actual products that improve human health. In his statement on S. 2104, Sen. Cochran said that the bill "represents a new commitment to finding a cure for diabetes, cancer, heart disease, and stroke.”
More information is available on Sen. Lieberman's website.
PAUL’S COMMENT: Although S. 2104 does not specifically list stroke, it targets deadly, common, and costly diseases. Stroke is estimated to cost the US more than $56 billion in health costs and lost productivity. I plan to write to my Senators and urge them to co-sponsor the bill.
STEPHANIE’S COMMENT: This proposed Center is very innovative because it will help to bring different resources together from different agencies in the government, as well as private researchers, device manufacturers, and pharmaceutical companies - large and small - to develop actual treatments. I believe that innovations to cure or improve the quality of life after a stroke requires this kind of mix.
2. Paul’s Tips for Survivors: Try Your Local Community College
After my stroke, I lost my job. One helpful resource was my local Community College. Before taking a course, I met the counselor who helps students with disabilities. She gave me information, for example, on how to get help with taking notes, since this is hard when you have aphasia (the speech problems caused by my stroke). I took a course on job exploration. We had field trips to actual work sites to learn about the jobs, including a horticulture center and airport services - jobs that I would not have thought about.
The counselor arranged a meeting with the computer drafting course instructor, who helped me decide to enroll in a certification program. Drafting was a way that I could use my previous career interests in building, and my skills with computers, without worrying about my speech problems.
Community colleges have courses in many job-related subjects that meet at different times of day, and at home, by mail, internet or cable TV. I took a grammar course by mail. Why not call your local community college and see if you can still enroll in a class for the Spring semester.
For other tips, please visit:
http://www.strokesurvivor.com/articles_and_tips.html
 3. Stephanie’s Tips Caregivers: Fighting the Scale
As a caregiver & wife, I feel like I am always expected to be supportive of Paul and others. It's easy to become overwhelmed and anxious and angry. At times like this, I know I should use a healthy stress-buster like exercising or taking a walk. Instead, I go for comfort food, usually chocolate. After a few days, I notice my weight going up, which adds to the stress.
I mentioned this during a support group meeting, and the other caregivers all had stories about the weight they had gained since their husbands' strokes
I tried to make a "deal" with myself, like "promising" that I'd go back to my diet after the next holiday or event. It's hard to break the cycle. I couldn't do it alone. So a few years ago, I went to a nutritionist for weekly meetings for about 6 months. She was expensive, and her services were not covered by insurance, but she helped me lose over 35 pounds, which is a lot for a short person like me. After all the years of supporting Paul's recovery - emotionally and financially - I finally spent a little on my own health and self-esteem.
I kept the weight off for more than two years, then noticed it inching up. I returned to the nutritionist for a few visits. She helped me see that an occasional "tune up" --as she called it -- does not mean I'm a failure. Recently, I've noticed that I'm inching up again. If I can't turn it around in the next few weeks, then I'll go in for another tune-up. I found my nutritionist by asking my family doctor for a referral.
4. FAVORITES: Getting Around
PAUL: In the winter, my indoor activities include visiting museums. I can't stand up for too long, and there are not always good places to sit in the museum. So, I take my own seat. I have a light weight folding cane-chair with a canvass seat.
I prefer this four-legged cane seat to the three-legged ones, because it is more stable to sit on, lighter to carry, the canvas is a more comfortable seat, and it doesn't clank when I walk. Also, I have a cane that folds down to the size of an umbrella to pack when I travel.
Don't let problems with walking or standing stop you. You can do the activities you enjoy - you just have to find new ways to do them. If I can do it, you can do it too!
For details and information on other products I use, click here.
5. WHAT'S NEW on the Stroke Survivor.com website.
We're adding new things to our website all the time. Coming to our Ask the Experts page are new questions and answers on these topics:
- Therapy limits under Medicare start 1/1/06
- Dysphagia - swallowing problems - after stroke
- Primary Progressive Aphasia
Coming to the Articles & Tips page:
6. HARVARD Medical Conference: Paul & Stephanie on Faculty
STEPHANIE: We've always wanted to study at HARVARD, and now we have the chance to learn and to TEACH there! I'm moderating panels of experts, and sharing my expertise in Medicare reimbursement policy as a co-chair of "The Medical Device Regulatory and Compliance Congress," sponsored by the Harvard Health Policy Review, Health Affairs, AdvaMed, and other leaders in the field. Classes will be held in Harvard University's Annenberg Hall, Lowell Hall Science Center and the Harvard Faculty Club, Cambridge, MA, on March 29-31, 2006.
Paul's presentation during the general session on March 31 will be: “How Access To Medical Technology Improves Quality Of Life - From The Patient’s Perspective.”
For details, please visit the Congress' website.
7. SUBSCRIBE
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Copyright (c) Paul E. Berger & Stephanie Mensh
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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,
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