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Paul Berger & Stephanie Mensh's
Stroke Survivor
News & Attitude
For YOU
May 2010
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~~<<~~ IN THIS ISSUE ~~>>~~~
1. NEWS: RESEARCH on Stroke Recovery & Rehabilitation: B-Vitamins Protect Against Stroke & Heart Disease
*Register for National Aphasia Assn June Meeting *Washington, DC - Saturday, June 12
2. PAUL’S SURVIVORS TIPS: Physical Activity, Strain & Pain
* Celebrate May National Stroke Awareness Month
Announcing 3 New E-Books for Better Stroke Rehab
3. STEPHANIE'S CAREGIVERS TIPS: Graduation Rhythms
*** Intensive Aphasia Therapy News ***
4. PAUL'S FAVORITES: Hard-to-Reach Places Update on Reading
* International Aphasia Meeting, Montreal, Jun 27-29
Paul & Stephanie Deliver Paper at Poster Session
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: B-Vitamins Protect Against Stroke & Heart Disease
Eating a diet of foods high in the B-vitamins folate and B-6 was found to have a protective effect against stroke and heart disease, according to a recently-published analysis of data from 23,119 men and 35,611 women (ages 40-79) who completed food frequency questionnaires under the Japan Collaborative Cohort (JACC) Study. Participants were followed for 14 years.
Researchers divided the diet data into five groups based on the levels of B-vitamins. The highest levels showed significantly fewer deaths from stroke and heart disease, even for people considered higher risk for cardiovascular disease. The researchers suggested that the benefits of folate and B-6 may be their role in breaking down homocysteine, an amino acid in the blood related to cardiovascular disease.
Foods high in folate include vegetables and fruits, whole or enriched grains, fortified cereals, beans and legumes. Sources of vitamin B-6 include vegetables, fish, liver, meats, whole grains and fortified cereals.
To read a summary of the study, click here.
To read the abstract published in the journal "Stroke",
visit: http://tinyurl.com/B-Vitamin-Ab
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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Download 3 all-new E-books on Stroke & Aphasia
Details, click here.
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* Register for National Aphasia Assn June Meeting
The National Aphasia Association will hold its biennial regional meeting, Speaking Out! Conference on Saturday, June 12, from 7:30 AM - 4:45 PM at the National Rehabilitation Center, 102 Irving St NW, Washington,D.C.
Paul will be presenting on the panel session, "Living Successfully with Aphasia/EMPOWER." This conference has been created specifically for persons with aphasia, their caregivers, professionals and students.
This year's Speaking Out! is co-sponsored by the National Rehabilitation Hospital, DC, and the The Stroke Comeback Center, Vienna, VA, click here.
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2. PAUL’S TIPS FOR SURVIVORS: Physical Activity, Strain & Pain
I am an active person. I walk every day and exercise on a stationary bike for a cardio work-out 3 times a week. I have a busy schedule of business meetings, networking, volunteering, socializing, and household chores.
Sometimes I twist wrong, pull too hard, stumble, strain a muscle, bump, bruise, and hurt. My right side is weak from the stroke, so my balance is off and I can trip over the lines on the sidewalk. A long walk or standing for 20-30 minutes can be painful. Here's what I do:
* If it's bleeding, hurts a lot, is swollen, or just doesn't look right, I go to my doctor or the emergency room. One time during my afternoon walk, I didn't see a hole in the path, tripped, and sprained my right ankle. It swelled to 3 or 4 times the size of my other ankle, so I went to the ER.
* Another time, I climbed into the car through the passenger door and over the stick shift, straining my hip and lower back. I went to a doctor of osteopathy (DO) for hands-on treatment.
* My physical therapist gives me exercises to strengthen and stretch my right arm and leg, and the muscles in my back, side, and stomach.
* Before I came home from the hospital, the PT showed me how to get up from a fall by moving my legs into position.
* For pain, I take the over-the-counter pills that my primary care physician approved. Always talk to your doctor about what pain pills to take and how often, since these pills can interact with other medicine.
* Sometimes for back and hip pain, I use a ThermaCare Heat Wrap under my clothes on a busy day. After dinner while watching TV, I use an electric heating pad.
* Sometimes using the exercise bike hurts, so I reduce the time or skip a session.
Being active after a stroke is like the old escape artist, Harry Houdini. But I don't let the challenges or the pain stop me from enjoying life. 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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* Celebrate May National Stroke Awareness Month
Announcing 3 New E-Books for Better Stroke Rehab
May is National Stroke Awareness Month. Stroke is the leading cause of disability among adults. Even with emergency medical treatment, many stroke survivors will require rehabilitation and have long term effects/weakness or paralysis in arms and legs, changes in speech-language, and with everyday living skills.
To help stroke survivors, their caregivers, families and professionals make every day better, 3 new E-Books on stroke recovery are now available from Paul Berger, stroke survivor and award-winning author of "How to Conquer the World With One Hand...And An Attitude," with Stephanie Mensh, his wife/co-author, and StrokeSurvivor.com.
These E-books provide great practical solutions & motivational tips available now to download anytime, anycomputer!
* "Conquering Aphasia & Stroke TODAY!"
* "Conquering Aphasia & Stroke for Caregivers'
* "Articles to Take With You"
Many thanks to our sponsors:
* Bioness, Inc. http://www.bioness.org and
* Aphasia Solutions Network http://www.aphasiatoolbox.com
More details below
Excerpts, details, order/download your copies, click here
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 3. STEPHANIE'S CAREGIVERS TIPS: Graduation Rhythms
Returning from a party celebrating our niece's graduation from college made me think about the rhythm of school: up in the morning, class work all day, homework and activities after school, a calendar of public holidays and vacations.Due dates for papers, projects, tests, and grades. Start, middle, finish, giving a sense of forward motion, tangible goals and achievements.
I wish there were a rhythm like this to life after stroke for the survivor and/or the caregiver. Unfortunately, it seems that the only marker you can count on is the end of insurance-paid rehab services. That point is seldom the end of recovery, and we sacrificed to pay out-of-pocket so Paul could continue speech, occupational and physical therapy.
The first year after Paul's stroke, I felt that I had little control over my schedule. Paul's daily routine changed every few weeks, sometimes for the better as he was able to do more on his own. Sometimes, a step backward.
I'm glad that I continued to work full time, not only for the salary, but also for the familiar rhythm for that part of my day.
Over the years, I have learned the importance of setting personal goals for myself, not related to stroke. I am trying to establish a new rhythm now, to go to Curves before work at least 3 days a week. I like Curves because it provides a circuit training workout with cardio and strength that I can complete in 30-45 minutes. It provides camaraderie like a class, but I can start the circuit at any time, so I don't have the worry of being "late" or the excuse that it's too late to go if I need a few extra minutes to snooze or to do one little chore. To learn more, click here.
Pardon the pun, but I wanted more rhythm...to listen to music while I work. But I didn't want to buy an i-pod, download music to my computer, or search for online radio stations that played "my" music. My hairdresser introduced me to Pandora, a website that lets you "build your own station." You select a few artists and/or types of music you like. Pandora's system assembles the music, filling in with similar artists. It "learns" by giving you an option to rate a particular song. You can see the group, lyrics, etc. online while the music is playing. Hear for yourself, click here.
For more tips for caregivers, click here.
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*** Intensive Aphasia Therapy News ***
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 or 4 times a week over the Internet using my webcam on Skype or ooVoo, in individual and group sessions. I set my goals and the pace. I have lots of homework, most that I do alone on my own schedule.
This month, I achieved a new personal goal: I was a peer instructor for one of Bill's clients. People with aphasia have different strengths, so I used my strengths to mentor the client. This helped both of us to re-build our communication skills.
My friends tell me they are impressed with my continuing 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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4. PAUL'S FAVORITES: Hard-to-Reach Places; Update on Reading
I can only use one hand, so in the shower I use a long- handled soft brush to reach my back and left arm. These are available at drug stores, bath shops, and online. To see one similar to the wood bristle back brush I use, click here
A few months ago, I purchased a Kindle from Amazon.com. I downloaded Tom Friedman's "Hot, Flat, and Crowded," a very intense non-fiction book about the world economy. I used the Kindle's read-aloud function (with an earplug) to help me read it. I'm proud to say that I just finished this 450 page book, and am ready to download my next book!
Best of all, the Kindle solves the one-handed problem of holding a book open and trying to turn the page, especially when reading on a sofa or in bed--you click a button with one finger. It is small, and its battery lasts a long time. It's not cheap, but you can save over time because the e- books are less expensive than the print version. To learn more, click here.
For details on Paul-tested helpful products, click here and click here.
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* International Aphasia Meeting, Montreal, Jun 27-29
Paul & Stephanie Deliver Paper at Poster Session
Join us at the 14th International Aphasia Rehabilitation Conference in Montreal, Canada, from June 27th to 29th, 2010 at Le Westin Montréal hotel. Among other goals, the Conference promotes activities in social awareness of aphasia and developing approaches to support people with aphasia.
For details and to register, click here.
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Stroke Survivors & Professionals Can Save Now!
ONLY from StrokeSurvivor.com SPECIAL DISCOUNT combo offers:
"How to Conquer the World With One Hand
...And an Attitude"
and
"YOU CAN DO IT, 105 Thoughts, Feelings and
Solutions to Inspire You"
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:
For details on these award-wining books and CDs, please
visit:, 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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** 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!
Would you like to view a previous month's newsletter? Visit our newsletter archive, click here.
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SPECIAL!! 3 ALL NEW E-BOOKS ON STROKE RECOVERY
***Excerpts, details, ORDER your copies:
http://www.strokesurvivor.com/e-books.html **
Make every day better for stroke survivors and caregivers with these great practical solutions & motivational tips available NOW to download ANYTIME, ANYWHERE !
EXCELLENT REVIEWS:
"I loved it! Paul's E-book is practical, informative, and easy to read. An uplifting, must-read for all stroke survivors with aphasia. It 's just terrific and I think it fills an important
void in the post-stroke literature."
--Susan Ryerson, Neurological Physical
Therapist, PT, DSc, Alexandria, VA
"I have been asking people for 30 years what helps and what doesn't work. I have recommended Paul's materials to my clients for years. This E-book adds new ideas and suggestions that are so very practical and useful."
--Bill Connors, Founder and Director of the
Pittsburgh Aphasia Treatment, Research and
Education Center
"The parts on getting out in the community were some of the best parts. It is important that stroke survivors try to live as normal a life as possible. This book lets stroke survivors recognize that they can have a quality life which is full and
fulfilled."
--Samuel Aylesworth, Stroke Survivor, Manassas, VA
"Stephanie's E-book is well written, logically organized, easy to understand, and full o practical suggestions that should be helpful and encouraging to caregivers of stroke survivors. I particularly liked the examples of Stephanie’s real-life experiences."
- Janet M. Gritz, MA, CCC-SLP, founding member & consultant to Montgomery County Stroke Association
"This E-book gives useful, practical advice from someone who's lived it. We're all overwhelmed at times, and Stephanie shows you, one step at a time, how to get through the day and make the next day better."
- Gwen Flanders, partner of a stroke survivor
*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*
(1) "Paul Berger’s Conquering Aphasia & Stroke TODAY!"
50 real-life, Paul-tested ideas, solutions and motivation for stroke survivors to return to everyday activities. Organized for easy-reading, with resource links. (44 pages in PDF) ONLY $9.95
* Hospital and coming home
* Solutions for all stroke survivors
* Conquering aphasia
* Enjoying recreation
* Returning to work
* Finding motivation
* Resources
(2) "Stephanie Mensh’s Conquering Aphasia & Stroke for Caregivers"
Get an intimate perspective on 7 key caregivers’ issues and solutions, tested in Stephanie's relationship & observed in others, with unique resources. (31 pages in PDF) ONLY $9.95
* Coping with Change
* How to Be Supportive While Building
Independence
* Building the Caregiver Team
* Time Management Tricks
* Money Issues & Caregiver’s Employment
* Living with Stress...Stress...STRESS !
* Care for the Caregiver
* How the Survivor Can Help the Caregiver
(3) "StrokeSurvivor.com Articles to Take With You"
Take this collection of 11 articles from our website with you, put in your notebook, & add your own notes & pages. (33 pages in PDF) ONLY $5.95
READ OUR E-BOOKS ON ANY COMPUTER. Easy PDF format accessible on all computers with Adobe Reade
Why wait for UPS or the postman to deliver? Order, download and read in minutes!
***Excerpts, details, ORDER your copies, 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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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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