Podcasts are Coming! by Randy

The PT Pintcast is a Podcast.  This podcast is being recorded from 3 survivors and Jimmy.  Jimmy is a PT student.  Jimmy is the creator of PT Pintcast. 

 

This recording has been from the Stroke Comeback Center.  These members have talked about there stories.   It is about what happened to them and what their recovery has been like. 

 

This is what it was like to these survivors.  It was hard for all of us, recovery is what it is all about.  We have worked hard to get better.   We never give up.

 

These people were asked about how they feel about the SCC.  We all truly felt that it was about community.  The community from the center helps people feel that it is very much like a home.

 

Some day we hope that Jimmy will post his PT Pintcast that he made with us.  We hope that that will happen. However we, as the members at the SCC, are working hard to make our own Podcast.  As stroke survivors making a podcast like this is a challenge.  It's all about recovery.  The slow road to better...

My Birthday Month by Christie

This was a big milestone, turning 40. My celebration week begun on April Fools and my brother texted me "Happy Birthday you filthy animal.”  He finally made a big deal for a whole month by texting every day.  He's awesome.

 

Each day has been fantastic.  My husband and I went to our favorite Mexican restaurant and then went to Duck Donuts for a cinnamon bun donut.  It was super tasty. 

 

On Monday, my mom came up and we went to the Zoo.  We saw the new baby panda and the new baby monkey.  The baby panda was taking a nap but right when we found the perfect place to watch him sleep he awoke and started to climb down but couldn't figure how to get down.  It was so intriguing on how to master it.  The mom came to help but got bored so she was showing off instead of helping.  He eventually came down but it was humorous to watch.  We had a magnificent day.

 

I went to see Oma on Thursday and my parents came up as well.  My Oma gave me a balloon, cupcakes and she sang 'Happy Birthday'.  She is truly the most amazing Grandma.

 

On my birthday, my big present was we went to Bethany for the weekend.  The weather wasn't perfect but on my birthday it was sunny and warm.  We walked down to the beach to see the ocean.  Chris and Kona went running and went down to the ocean to see how cold it was.  It was freezing so he didn't paddle.   We made a Banana Espresso Bread Pudding dessert which turned out to be tasty but I will change it slightly by adding cinnamon and more bananas. 

 

I am now 40 and it is the same.  Nothing to report just getting older.  It seems like you are in your 20's, carefree and happy and that's who I am.

Building Bridges by Chris

 

My name is Chris Vincent and I was injured in 4 years ago.  2 years ago I went to Stroke Comeback Center and changed my world. My words and sentences I have gotten so so so much. There is camaraderie among everyone! It's a small center, it's in Virginia, and I want it to be huge and LARGE 2 centers in Maryland and DC in 1-2 yrs!!  I want more than that in the least Florida and NC or SC.  Have it least 5-6 Group classes, lunch and area for fridge, acupuncture, massage and gym!  How do I get money?..  I already started fundraising.

 

I raised 25k through a company who my dad knows.  I'm hoping to finally open the year off with a bang.  I'm hoping to have 100K in the next 1 1/2 yr! That's a lot of money! I will raise at least $50K this year..  Now how my going to raise that! So I've got a buddy is mom had a stroke 35 yr, she's doing excellent she has no issues, sides she misses a word or 2. But I figure I've known them for 11 yr for a while. I will speak with the whole family a probably 3-4 month they're in Florida.  Then hopefully the company that raised money last year will do least $50K.. How is the other $50K.. I will see, I have a year to decide! I'm building a bridge to help stroke or accident to get better and really live!

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!" )