Scary Trip to New York City by Chris

 

I'm frightened but it's really awesome to go to train, it was heading north to New York City!  

 

I've never been to New York, I thought it's basically the exact same thing DC. I didn't realize how big buildings are and the traffic is such a nightmare. So I went to catch a cab and every cab is full, so I ordered a Uber.

 

Looking around I thought it's DC but it's so so so not... It's a lot of people, cars and big buildings. I got to the hotel and checked in I'm going to go to 9/11 memorial. It's so hard for me to go there, steps, trying to slam a lot of people.  It was sad and inspirational.

 

Amazing Day at GWU Hospital by Randy

Listen to this Amazing Day at GWU Hospital

On October 13, 2015 I introduced myself to 350 people.  These where doctors, nurses,
SLPs, PTs and OTs.  I told these individuals that I am a stroke survivor and I have
aphasia.

I was sitting with 3 other SLPs and another stroke survivor who also has aphasia.  We
were both nervous but as soon as I started to speak my nervousness came to an end. 
The feeling was calm from that point on.  There was a time when I could not speak,
read or write.

We spoke for roughly an hour.  We were asked many questions about healthcare. After
my stroke I was not able to do much of anything at that time.  After 4 years my life, my
new life is getting better.

Cooking Up a Storm by Christie

I have always loved cooking, but I'm not sure how I learned it because my mom was an awful cook.  I was self-taught.  I started after college by trying different options.  I'm not sure how I got my cooking genes because my heritage from all sides were a disaster but I truly love cooking.

After I had my stroke, I had to find different tools that would help me be able to cook again.  A normal can opener uses 2 hands to turn, therefore stroke survivors can't do it.  That is why I found a one-hand can opener online.  The manufacturer is Chef'n EZSqueeze.  It is less than $15 dollars. 

My memory has some issue with remembering items and measurements.  I use software called Key Ingredient Recipe.  It has all of my recipes so I don't have to remember anything. My reading is also an issue so I use software called Apple Speak.  It is on my iPhone and my iPad.  It makes my life easier.

When I prep, I use a mixing bowl and it doesn't stay put.  It moves around constantly.  I have a non-slip mat that holds it in place which makes me happy!  The manufacturer is Dycem.

I enjoy food.  It is my passion. My favorite food is Mexican.  I usually fix tacos, burritos or enchiladas.  Here is one of my all time favs!            

Spicy Chicken and Hazelnut Enchiladas

Ingredients:

1          pound fresh tomatillos

2          Cloves Of Garlic

2          Jalapeno Peppers , seeded

2          tablespoons Cilantro

2          tablespoons Onions

⅓         cup Sour Cream

⅓         cup Plain Yogurt

1          tablespoon Honey

¼         teaspoon Salt

⅓         cup Green Chiles Canned

6          Corn Tortillas

2          cups Chicken Breasts Cooked

2          cups Cheddar Cheese

1          cup Hazelnut Roasted & chopped

Directions:

1. If using fresh tomatillos, prepare by washing and removing husks. Place in saucepan, cover with water and simmer until tender, about 5 to 7 minutes; drain. If using tomatillos, drain and discard liquid.

2. For sauce, mince garlic, jalapenos, cilantro and onions in food processor or blender. Add drained tomatillos, sour cream, yogurt, honey and salt; puree. Mix in green chilies and set aside.

3. Soften tortillas either by frying on both sides in a small amount of vegetable oil, by wrapping in foil and placing in hot oven until hot, or by placing in microwave oven until heated.

 
4. In the center of each tortilla, place about 2 tablespoons each of chicken, sauce and cheese. Add about 2 teaspoons chopped hazelnuts.

5. Pour 1/4 of the sauce in the bottom of a greased 9x12-inch baking dish. Place filled enchiladas in dish and pour remaining sauce over top. Sprinkle with remaining cheese and then with hazelnuts.

6. Bake in a 350 oven until heated through, about 20 minutes.

Aphasia Will Not Be Silent by Randy

Aphasia will not be silent. What the hell is aphasia?  Very good question, aphasia is a language disability.  My stroke happened 4 years ago and I have aphasia.

It is unbelievable how my life has changed.  Four years ago I could barely speak.  I also could not read or write.  My therapy was very helpful to me.  The thing that has helped me in my recovery is the Stroke Comeback Center.

Not only the SCC but my wife has made so many differences to me.  She has been with me through every step of my recovery.   She is the lady that has really made me to not give up.  I have not and will not give up.

From the beginning of my stroke and having aphasia sucks.  Having this disability could have easily caused me to do nothing.  Quitting was never a possibility.  I am a different person. 

God always has a reason and mine is having aphasia.

Aspen! by Pat

Who thought I would ever go to Aspen? I had never been to Colorado! So Patty and I decided to go. The last 2 years we went to Two Top Mountain Adaptive Sports Foundation. It was so fun. Patty talked to some friends and she wanted me to go to Aspen, CO. I didn't know that much about it.

It turned out the VA has been doing this for 29 years. Everyone in the DAV and VA can go skiing. We did the papers and did a physical. Then on March 28th we flew to Aspen for a week. I had been drinking water for a week and the altitude was very high!

On Monday and Wednesday I went to go curling. I couldn't wait! I had watched curling on TV for 20 years. It was hard to do. Then you had to walk on the ice. And you push a stones that weigh 40 pounds. I loved it!! I got better by the last day. And I drank water!

The other sport I did was skiing. I got very lucky. There were two people to show me how to ski. I was scared, Dave and Lisa were not. Dave was 63 years old and retired from the Army. Lisa was 35 years old and finished college in NYC. She was there and she went back to Colorado. She wanted to ski all the time and enjoy herself. They were nice right away. Then they made me get into the chairlift!

I went up and up. Then I got off. Phew. I relaxed. The guides were talking. Then the decided to go up again! It was freaking me out. It turned out where I skied were good for me. It was not too fast. I skied 5 times. I was getting better. Then Lisa told me to let go of my left arm. The last ski I did that day was interesting. We were skiing and Dave said something to Lisa. I was focusing until we stopped. Lisa told me to look at Dave on the right. I looked at the right and Dave was gone. He was not holding on or saving my life. He was 10 feet behind me. He started to clap. Check out this video.

Then Thursday I did some more skiing. And it snowed on Wednesday night. I worked with Lisa and Dave again. (My skiing heroes!) Right away I felt I could do it. We went to the same place to ski. The snow was faster. But I said, "Let's try to be faster. But not too much faster." It felt great. I was getting better, faster and not so scared. The last run they told me that I needed to let go of the pole. They said they would be with me. So we started, I let go of the pole and they pushed the pole all the way down. I couldn't reach it!  I needed to ski. I got to the end and I was so excited. I never fell down. It made my smile.

One night there was a group meeting for people like me, with Traumatic Brain Injury. There was about 30 people there. The stories were interesting and they taught me that TBI is different. All people are different.

On Saturday we went home. Flying was scary in the beginning. The airplane just went straight. I went to sleep. I thought that Aspen was incredible!! We will see you there next year.

        

Firecracker 5K by Randy

July 4, 2015 I ran my 4th 5K at the Reston VA Firecracker Run.  Running was always something that I did before my stroke and it is my recovery as well.

Four and a half years ago I had a massive stroke.  I also have Aphasia, which is a language disability.  This 5K run is to prove to people that this is about recovery.

The flag has always been used on the 4th of July.  It's about America so the run was fun.  This run was a little different this year.  It rained like crazy at this 5K.  I mean it rained.  Everyone was soaked. 

There were probably 2000 people running and walking the 5K.  It is always very interesting to me to see all of these people who are involved with the 5K. Of course it was the Fourth of July.  Many people also had clothing for the celebration.

 

This is about my recovery from my stroke.  Many of these runners and walkers do not have a disability, but I do.  All of these people were at the 5K.  Do not ever give up!!

Kalikie Classic by Christie 'Kalikie' Arnold

I had a massive stroke when I was only 30 years old which affected my ability to effectively communicate.  In the early days of my recovery, I felt hopeless and alone when I was in the hospital.  After I went home, I started my recovery. It was slow and daunting. I felt like I had a choice: fight back or give up. I chose to fight. I found an amazing place called the Stroke Comeback Center in Vienna, VA, for stroke survivors just like me. My stroke was 8½ years ago and it was a long hard road but I believed in myself and found a way to regain my life back even if there are some quirks; but it suits me just fine. My ability to fight keeps me occupied and I will never give up as long as I live!

After I had my stroke, I wanted to give back to a charity to enrich the lives of stroke survivors. The founding fathers and I started a golf tournament called the Kalikie Classic. It's my name in Hawaiian. This year the event will be held at Raspberry Falls Golf & Hunt Club in Leesburg, VA. The date is September 16, 2015. If you are interested, you can email me at kalikieclassic@gmail.com.

Part of my work is to get sponsors and donated items for the goody bags.  We have many different sponsorship packages to choose from. You can visit our website at http://www.planmygolfevent.com/28050-8thAnnualKalikieClassic. All of the proceeds go towards the Stroke Comeback Center Scholarship Fund for survivors who can't afford to pay the full amount for groups.

We have been operating for 8 years and will continue to help survivors for many years to come.