Am I lucky or un-lucky? by Perry

Lucky – stroke/aphasia.  I am lucky.  I could be dead after stroke, and paramedics did CPR.  I have a family (mom and dad {dec 2015 dead} and 2 sisters) and 2 twin-daughters.  I have dog Koda. 

Unlucky – I was at Northrop Grumman computer science – unlucky work.  I had friends, co-workers, and boss – unlucky friends.  I had marriage --  divorce (2 years).  I had car break down (1 year), and traffic workers called car-towing.

Make lucky or un-lucky?  I am lucky!!

Travel Tips by Christie

After my stroke, I had limited ability on my right side so I needed to adapt to make it easier.  You don't realize it until it happens to you.  It's the smallest things that turn into a nightmare but I will try to get some tips to make it easier to travel. 

Walking is an issue with gravel and uneven steps so I need a cane.  A normal cane is smaller and there is no grip just for stability.  I purchased poles from REI which as longer in size and it has more traction so I don't slide. The brand is called Trail Trekking Poles. 

Another issue is taking a shower.  After my stroke, I needed a shower chair to sit down.  I went online typed shower chair in the city you are traveling and found a number to call.  Make sure to tell the dates you will be staying and either you want to rent or purchase it.  We picked it up at the Medical Supply Store.

In the US, you can take your handicapped sticker and try to use it, if possible.

 

Please be safe when you travel and make sure to have fun on your adventure!

Building Bridges to Exercise by Randy

 

The Stroke Comeback Center is Building Bridges to survivor exercises.  What does that mean?  It is for helping survivors to always be involved with our recovery. 

 

I had a massive hemorrhagic stroke on May 19, 2011.  At age 51 I could not understand what happened to me.  As a survivor I got lucky that I am able to walk and run.  However I do have a language disability called Aphasia.  I speak pretty well however I have trouble with words.  My memory is a challenge as well.  Reading and writing is also extremely difficult.  However due to all of this we as stroke survivors never give up!

 

Okay here we go.  Exercise has always been one of my passions.  Exercise began for me as running.  Weight lifting started shortly after running.  After my stroke I started working out at home.  Part of this was because I had to practice my physical and occupational exercises from the therapists.  My wife bought a treadmill to help me with my walking and balance.  In August of 2011 my wife and I were at the beach.  We were walking then we began running.  My runs were slow.  Now I am able to accomplish my 5k runs.  Basically my 5k is roughly a 37 minute run. 



So now that that has happened, my new passion is to be a exercise trainer.  I want to be able to help other survivors.  It is very important to me to help these people. 

As a trainer, which I am not yet, but I hope to be.  I think that is a problem due to my memory is not good.  This is very much due to my reading and writing.  I am able to help other people and do many of the right moves but I have a very hard time with the words.  I have trouble connecting the word to the movement.

Ruff! by WILSON (and Pat)

This is what my working America's VetDog, WILSON told me.

 

--- My name is "Ruff" but everyone calls me WILSON. The new girlfriend I got calls me Moog. I like it.

 

--- I am from Smithtown, New York. I got this job from the America's VetDogs. I am black, short, my head is huge and I am 90 pounds. It was really weird but I had blue eyes. Then over time my eyes became black. I had a bunch of friends.

 

---After 6 months I lived somewhere it was hot. I lived in a house. There were nice people there. One person gave me food and told me to do stuff. We got to walk around, sit, stay, left, right, brace and heel. Once I went to a building with tons of people there and one guy talked and then everyone would sing. One time we went to a park. There were thousands of people there. There were nine people in the grass. One other guy hit the ball. I wanted to go get the ball but I wasn't allowed to. After so many months I realized I was living in Atlanta.

---Then I went home. I got to see some old friends. Every day we got to run around. Some human threw the tennis ball and 5 of us ran to get it. Then later I learned these words: busy busy (to go to the bathroom), forward and stop. They told me that I could not bark. I thought that was a bummer. I learned this strange thing. This guy was on my right side. He told me to start walking. I got it. He would tell me a "word". I learned not to bark.

 

---One time two people showed up. That night I stayed in a room with them.  Then I showed Pat how to work with me. Then I started using a harness. It helped that guy Pat. Then I realized that he walks slow. Then he took me to his house.

 

---I've been there for almost 4 years. I don't mind. Pat gives me food. I don't mind walking around. I help Pat in crowded restaurants, around people and up big hills. This girl, Patty, likes to eat apples. Sometimes I can eat some!!!!!

 

 

(Hi, my name is Pat. Let me tell you about WILSON. He is a great working VetDogs. When we walk, I can't see on the right side. Wilson looks left and right the whole time. Making sure I don't run into things. A couple years ago I had a seizure. Wilson barked and barked and barked. He was trying to tell somebody and he wanted me to wake up. He is a smart dog. Also, he wants to go outside and walk. That is good because I need some exercise. He has been a wonderful working dog! To Wilson I say, "Bark, Bark!" )

Needlepoint by Christie

I have been in a rut for over a year dealing with issues.  But I now have free time again and I need a project.  Since we rescued a dog, I wanted to make her a Christmas stocking to hang on the mantle.  So my next project is going to be needlepointing a picture of our new dog, Kona.  I have finished projects in the past, a Santa and a Rooster and they took some time because I would put them down from boredom.  So I'm sure it will take some time but my goal is to finish Kona's stocking for Christmas.

 

My history was not needlepointing as a pastime until I got a stroke and I needed something to do instead of sitting idle all the time.  My husband and I found a stand called 'The Original E-Z Stitch Needlework Frames' because of my limited ability with one hand.  It holds the work upright and it doesn't slide around.  It's comfortable to sit and watch TV.

 

 

I have a needlepoint kit from years ago but I really want a picture of Kona.  Suzanne found a website where you can take a picture and turn it into a needlepoint cross stitch pattern.  (Website:  http://www.myphotostitch.com/)   I am searching for a perfect photo to use.  Then I will purchase colors of thread from DMC Embroidery Floss Color Cards.

I hope it will be exactly what I needed to pass the time and decompress.



Happy New Year! by Randy

Now it is almost 2016.  New Years Day is this Friday.  2015 has been an amazing year. Recovery is always getting better.  Recovery is a change with everyone that gets better.

We have so many wonderful members that have changed their lives. Survivors are members that have had a stroke, aphasia and brain injuries.  They are always working hard for learning so many changes.  

Not only are we meeting new members at the SCC.  We are also meeting new members from around the world.  These are amazing survivors.  People that never give up getting better.  So many of us are always trying to read, write, speak, walk, and workout.

Enjoy and love the new 2016!!

Aphasia Will Not Be Silent!!!

Log Cabin Getaway by Christie

 

It was a much needed getaway so my husband and I went to a log cabin in West Virginia for a week.  We needed to relax and unwind from my husband's budget and board meeting extravaganza.  He was ready to leave before he went to the board meeting so he needed to get away.  We packed up with bags, fold-up chairs, coolers, tons of food and Kona's items and her.  We drove 2 hours away and stayed put until we left. 

We went for walks around the path, watched a movie, 'Trainwreck' and the show 'Suits'.  The movie was the worst one yet.  It was slow and there was no plot.  However, the 'Suits' we watched was fantastic. We watched many episodes and there were all great.  If you haven't watched it, you should.

During the day, I read my books.  The first one was ‘Missing You' by Harlan Coben.  I've read a couple of books but this was one of the best.  The next book was The Cuckoo's Calling.  I haven't finished it yet but it's coming along.  I use the Audiobook and the accent is British so the narrator is awful. 

All and all we had a wonderful vacation.