People Can’t See Aphasia Disability by Perry

I am aphasia speech – not digits and words. Society: Aphasia is not important – society (handicapped people: wheelchair, cane walk, walking/seeing dog and speech. I am speech aphasia. Society can people see wheelchair and cane walk.). I go to Stroke Comeback Center. We run the gamut - technical, financial, high school and/or college student, and President of companies, etc. The people here have aphasia, disabled from speech.

I don’t say “verbs” in my speech, and/or I don’t speak “objects” and “people” speech, etc. The society are waiter/waitresses, people and computer scientists, managers can talk I -- I can speak. People and Society can not know my disabled aphasia people. The highest aphasia, and never speak and forget words – society can know. The number is severe aphasia (I am several years), not words, or words (aphasia “xyzzy”: but “I am sorry” I would say!) not feeling but subject and object (I am now later), or story locally …. Most people is short time, and extra time.

(St Patrick Day I can walk to an Irish bar. The drink is Irish beer. I talked bar waiter, and I order the whiskey, and see I point third bottle on top. I speak to waiter: “I want the beer” but I should “I want whiskey, third bottle whiskey – not iced”. The waitress brings beer. The waitress can’t understand!! Right in my brain, not speech!!)

Because: Aphasia people is time and extra time.

The most important thing for people in society is time, time, and TIME!!!

With time, and I can talk.

Foster's Grille by Randy

The Stroke Comeback Center received a phone call from the manager at the Vienna Foster’s Grill. They asked if the center would be interested in doing the Dining for Dollars. Apparently they have seen many survivors from the center come in for lunch.

 

Foster’s Grill is located in Florida, Maryland, North Carolina and Virginia. When I was a UPS Driver, I used to have lunch at the one in Herndon. Back in the day, a burger for lunch was one of my favorite weekly rituals. It was a great time to catch up with my UPS buddies. Now as a stroke survivor I was happy to learn that Foster’s was located in Vienna. I know have my weekly ritual of having a burger at Foster’s with my stroke survivor buddies.

 

20% will be donated to the SCC. We are using this monthly. Dining for dollars will be used every 4th Tuesday of every month. We did it for the first time on January 24, 2017. 

 

The center gets a check from Forster’s Grill every month. That is awesome for the SCC. Foster’s Grill is a fantastic neighbor! Just as they support our community, let’s support Foster’s and the SCC by Dining for Dollars next Tuesday!! 

Foster's Grille of Vienna
Vienna Shopping Center
138 Maple Ave W
Vienna, VA 22180

Super Slippers by Christie

Wouldn't you like to wear slippers in your house? For 10 years, I have struggled to try to find slippers to wear around the home. I've tried many different shoes without luck. I needed slippers that have heel support and grips and won't twist my ankle when I walk.

 

I think I solved the problem. I found a shoe that has the support I needed. It's called Mahabis and it's made in London, England. It has a sole which protects walking around the house and taking Kona outside as well. It's relaxed and comfortable but feels like slippers.  Here is the website if you interested:  https://mahabis.com/pages/classic-slipper  

 

This is the style I chose:

 

 

ALIVE for 10 years! by Pat

Today is the start of 2017 and I need it. The beginning of 2016 was great. Then in the summer I got sick. My body was in charge the rest of the year. I didn't do the Army 10 Miler. Then I went to see a lot of doctors. I just was not having fun.

But I am mad. I can only say, "Thank You!" When I got hurt, I lived. I am ALIVE... July 7, 2017 will be Alive for 10 years. Think about it. I am retired. There are two things that needed to happen.

1. Exercise! I need to walk often (WILSON, he loves walking) and use my trike. I read that walking is better than running on your brain. And I need my brain to be working on the time.
2. Speak! For my friends, you know I has gotten better speaking. That is incredible. But let's keep going. Do you remember these words? Every year it has gotten better. Talking, listening, reading and writing.  

Since I got hurt I met so many great people. I need to thank my doctors, nurses and the military friends. I went to different places: RIC Chicago, Casa Colina, University Michigan Aphasia Program, Walter Reed and the old NNMC, Bethesda, Stroke Comeback Center and Learning RX. My PT, OT and speech teachers have been incredible!! (There are 3-4 that Were bad. So, it is possible that 95% of therapists fixed me back together.)


It is the last thing I need to tell you, "Thank You!!!!!!!" Friends, you came to see me right away in the hospital. Now hundreds of you have come for the Army 10 Miler race. Then they really love the party! My family as been good, also. If you know the Horans they are quiet. But they showed up and they never let me quit.

 

Finally my wife, Patty, has change my life. Doctors said I was going to die, she told herself that I would get better. I was able to go to a really good hospital. The speech therapist said I would never speak and got a DynaVox. Two years later she gave it to the speech class at Walter Reed. When I was in Walter Reed I did PT, OT and speech too. She knew 3 hours was not enough. She found different therapists and programs. I didn't know what I was doing. But I got better. And after 10 years I wake up in the morning, thankful I am still alive and my wife made me better than I ever was supposed to be. I LOVE PATTY because she saved me!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I need Obamacare by Perry

I need Obamacare, and I got stroke and aphasia.  I am divorced, and two daughters college.   The Obamacare protects preexisting conditions like stroke.

 

(Canada/England/Australia/… insurance companies don’t have preexisting conditions.) 

 

FYI: I am standing up for these rights as American:

1. Obamacare (Stroke and aphasia)
2. Women’s’ Rights (2 sisters; 2 twin daughters)
3. LBGT (constitution says: “all men are equals…”)

P.S. After 11+ years on a stroke, right hand is feels nerves!!!

10th Anniversary of my Stroke by Christie

How life passes by.....you don't realize it until it becomes a milestone to stop and reflect...what have I accomplished in my 10 years after my stroke.  In the beginning, I felt overwhelmed with my situation dealing with many issues.  I had a support of many people helping me including my husband, Chris, my parents, Eileen and Oma.  They have been my support from the beginning and will continue until the end. 

Looking back, I have been positive throughout my ordeal.  There are high and low days but that is normal.  You always believe that there is a silver lining in life and you never give up regardless of your issues.  That has been my mantra.....you roll through the punches! 

A highlight that I have accomplished was speaking at Gallaudet University graduation.  I had a special bond with an intern, Kiki, and she asked if I could speak about my stroke.  I totally said yes.  I started to prepare what I was going to write, many versions later I was pleased with the result but still some tweaks to change.  I started to practice my speech, over and over again.  It was hard back then. I was at the point of my recovery that I felt happy with my result.  It was 5 years ago and now I have grown so much since then.  Now, I can speak well with no problems when it involves conversation which is what I wanted to do.  I'm still working on writing and reading.  It has improved tremendous in the 10 years that I have struggled and I am still hopeful that it will continue to get better.

I continue to make progress even though slowly.  I haven't plateaued yet and let's hope it doesn't stop.   Just remember to believe in yourself and you can accomplish many things.....I promise!

Black-Bottom Peanut Butter Mousse Pie

Ingredients

• Nonstick vegetable oil spray
• 7 whole graham crackers, coarsely broken
• 1/4 cup (1/2 stick) unsalted butter, melted
• 4 tablespoons sugar, divided
• 1 1/3 cups bittersweet or semisweet chocolate chips (about 8 ounces)
• 2/3 cup plus 1 3/4 cups chilled whipping cream, divided
• 2 tablespoons light corn syrup
• 2 teaspoons vanilla extract, divided
• 6 ounces (1 cup) peanut butter chips
• 2 tablespoons creamy peanut butter (do not use old-fashioned style or freshly ground)

Directions

Preheat oven to 350°F. Spray 9-inch-diameter glass pie dish with nonstick spray. Blend graham crackers, melted butter, and 2 tablespoons sugar in processor until moist clumps form. Press crumb mixture over bottom and up sides of prepared pie dish. Bake crust until lightly browned, about 15 minutes. 

Meanwhile, combine chocolate chips, 2/3 cup cream, corn syrup, and 1 teaspoon vanilla in microwave-safe bowl. Microwave on medium heat until chocolate softens, about 3 minutes. Whisk until melted and smooth. Spread chocolate mixture over bottom of crust. Freeze 10 minutes. 

Microwave peanut butter chips and 3/4 cup cream in large microwave-safe bowl on medium heat at 15-second intervals just until chips soften, stirring often. Whisk in peanut butter and 1 teaspoon vanilla. Cool to barely lukewarm. Beat remaining 1 cup cream and 2 tablespoons sugar in medium bowl until very thick but not yet holding peaks; fold into peanut butter mixture in 3 additions. Spoon mousse over chocolate layer. Chill at least 1 hour and up to 1 day.

Hosting Thanksgiving was a Hit! by Christie

When we were asked to host Thanksgiving in our house, I apparently started stressing out because we hosted my husband's family last year and it was a disaster. We got a turkey catering meal delivered to our house. All we had to do was to heat in up.  We had many issues and I didn't want to repeat it again. Well, luckily it worked out perfect. 

 

I started with the menu to figure out what I was roped in for. I knew I had some issues with making the turkey cooked all the way through. I have used the slow cooker to make a turkey breast and it always comes out tasty but it was only a 3 pound turkey and having 8 people is an issue. My mom came a couple of weeks ago and she purchased 2 of them. Well, I was stressed out because I thought it wasn't going to be enough. I have issues to say the least. I purchased another one just to be safe.

 

The menu was as followed: Slow Cooker Turkey Breast, Pecan-Cranberry Cornbread Stuffing, Whipped Sweet Potato Casserole, Pear Spiked Applesauce, Mashed Potatoes-store bought, Vegetable-family member. The desserts I made were Black-Bottom Peanut Butter Mousse Pie and Pumpkin Pie with Pecan Streusel.

 

I started preparing on Tuesday for the applesauce. It was easy, just chopping and simmering and only a couple of ingredients. It is good for a week. The next day, I did 2 pies, cornbread and preparing the sweet potatoes. There were definitely problems with estimating the number of people. I made the sides and realized it wasn't enough so I started the whole process again. At least, I learned my listen. 

 

On Thanksgiving day, I got up at 6:30am, to put the turkey in the slow cooker. The meal turned out to be delicious. It was a great day and I felt like I accomplished a great meal! I will definitely host it again!