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Paul Berger & Stephanie Mensh's
Stroke Survivor
News & Attitude
For YOU
June 2006
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~~~<<~~ IN THIS ISSUE ~~>>~~~
1. NEWS: Research on Stroke Recovery & Rehabilitation
2. PAUL’S SURVIVORS TIPS:
Doubling the Value of Speech & OT-PT
3. Special Review from Minnesota & Professional Resources
4. STEPHANIE'S CAREGIVERS TIPS: How to Advocate, Part 2
5. PAUL'S FAVORITES: Summer Refreshments
6. WHAT'S NEW on: http://www.StrokeSurvivor.com
7. June is National Aphasia Awareness Month:
What is "Aphasia"?!
7. Subscribe
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Please forward this newsletter to your friends and
colleagues who would benefit from these tips.
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1. NEWS: Research on Stroke Recovery & Rehabilitation
Free information on stroke research -- ongoing and completed clinical trials -- including intervention and drug trials for prevention, treatment, and rehabilitationis available on www.stroketrials.org. It's a registry supported by the NIH. For example, hot off-the-presses from a May meeting in Madrid is a listing of an ongoing study showing that hyperbaric oxygen plus physical therapy relieves spasticity in subacute and chronic stroke patients for months after the treatment.
For additional resources to help you find information on medical, health, rehabilitation, recovery, self empowerment, and more, we have collected our favorite links.
2. PAUL’S TIPS FOR SURVIVORS: Doubling the Value of Speech & OT-PT
Videotaping speech, occupational and physical therapy sessions can double to the value of the time spent with these professionals. You can use the tapes to practice speaking and exercising at home. Also, after a few months,you can see how you have improved.
Every morning, I use my OT-PT tapes for morning stretching and strengthening exercises -- the tapes are easier to follow than the written instructions with stick figures (my therapist is an excellent therapist, but not the best illustrator). When I look at old speech tapes, I'm impressed with the progress I can see myself -- otherwise it's very hard for a survivor to see their own progress especially overcoming aphasia. One of my friends carries videos of his speech exercises on his iPod.
Tips on how to overcome aphasia and stroke, plus motivation whenever you need it can be found in "You Can Do It! Three Things to Give You Motivation," the videotape/DVD of my speech to the NAA Speaking Out! 2004 National Conference.For details, click here.
For more free tips, click here.
Do you have a tip to share? Send it to me at Paul@strokesurvivor.com for a free gift if we use it.
3. Special Review from Minnesota
In its May newsletter celebrating National Stroke Awareness Month, the North Memorial Stroke Center, Robbinsdale, Minnesota, reviewed our book, "How to Conquer the World With One Hand...And an Attitude," saying: "This is a must read book for anyone who has experienced a stroke, knows someone with a stroke, or works with stroke survivors."
For more, click here.
 4. Stephanie’s Tips for Caregivers: How to Advocate Part 2
There are three types of advocacy: (1) personal advocacy by individuals, family members, friends or others to obtain benefits and services from public or private service providers (see last month's newsletter); (2) political or policy advocacy by lobbyists and concerned citizens to change government systems; and (3) legal advocacy by a lawyer to navigate legal processes.
Most caregivers learn to be personal advocates by on-the-job training. When you need services that are not provided in your area, you may need to change the system -- by translating your personal advocacy skills and passion into political or policy advocacy.
You can start by writing letters or emails, and visiting your elected officials or their staff. You can do this on your own, with your survivor/family member, and with other caregivers and survivors. Your local city, county and state officials want your vote in November -- so do your Congressman and Senators. They want to hear your concerns and find ways to help.
The first step is to learn about your elected officials --who they are, where their offices are located, how to contact them, and details of their policy interests. For example, learn what committees they serve on, and what bills they have drafted, supported, and voted for. Most have web sites with this information, and their offices will answer questions and mail you additional material. For the US Congress, click here.
Last month, in celebration of National Stroke Awareness Month, we participated in the American Heart-American Stroke Association's Lobby Day in Washington, DC, and continue our advocacy from home as part of the AHA/ASA's "You're the Cure" grassroots network -- an easy way to stay informed on state and national issues. To join, click here.
Watch for a future newsletter article for tips on legaladvocacy.
For more tips for caregivers, click here.
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PROFESSIONAL SPEAKER WITH APHASIA & OTHER RESOURCES
You can bring our expertise--on maximizing stroke recovery and motivation to regain a fulfilling life--to your organization.
Do you know of an upcoming program, conference, convention,seminar, workshop, or sales meeting? We will send information on our speaking and workshop services. Email us at: Paul@StrokeSurvivor.com, call 703-241-2375, or click here.
For details of our recent presentations at Harvard, click here.
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6. FAVORITES: Summer Refreshments
I like to drink iced tea all year-round, and usually make a pitcher at a time. To do this safely with one hand, I use a Iced Tea Maker, instead of a kettle. A full kettle of boiling water is difficult to pour into a pitcher, even if you haven't suffered a stroke. This Iced Tea Maker is light-weight and quick and easy to use. I brew green teawith a bag of peppermint tea for flavor. It's very refreshing and healthy. I'm drinking some as I'm writing this tip!
For details on other helpful products, click here.
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6. WHAT'S NEW on the Stroke Survivor.com website.
We're adding new things to our website all the time. Visit our Resource Links section to learn about these new additions.
- Stroke Trials Registry, a continuously updated registry of randomized clinical trials in stroke and cerebrovascular disease.
We're adding new things to our web site all the time. Visit our "Ask the Experts" section for new questions and answers on stroke, aphasia, and maximizing recovery to achieve yourgoals:
Do you have a question that you would like us to answer? Email us at Paul@strokesurvivor.com.
7. June is National Aphasia Awareness Month: What is "Aphasia"?!
Aphasia is a medical word for problems with reading, writing, and speaking, usually resulting from a stroke or brain injury or tumor. Having aphasia is very hard because people think that you are not smart if your speech is bad.
For Paul's seven quick tips on how to overcome aphasia, and Stephanie's ten tips for communicating when your spouse has aphasia, click here.
To celebrate Aphasia Awareness Month, we're attending the National Aphasia Association's Speaking Out! Conference in Boston.
7. SUBSCRIBE
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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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