Paul Berger shares:

I understand numbers and can read them, but it is hard for me “catch” them when spoken. For example, if you tell me your phone number, I may only get half the numbers. But if you write it down, I will be able to call you. My speech therapists explain that this is part of my stroke-related aphasia, a problem with processing the words.

Before my stroke, I never realized how much our daily conversation uses numbers, numbers, numbers! The cost of things, the weather forecast, the time of an appointment, the date to meet for lunch, and the score and plays in a baseball or football game.

I try to practice every day to improve my ability to catch numbers:

* I listen to the weather forecast and the stock market numbers (the Dow Jones) on the radio in the
car. I try to remember the numbers. Then when I return, I check the numbers on the computer or TV.

* When I’m watching TV with Stephanie, and I hear numbers, I’ll write them down and ask her if I’m
correct.

* Recently, I was in a local government office where you take a number and wait your turn. The
number board was not working, so I asked the person sitting next to me to help me listen for my
number. I was anxious while I waited, and happy that I heard my number correctly when they called it.

Many stroke and aphasia groups play “Bingo” — also a good way to practice listening for numbers.

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 Stroke Survivor .

I had a massive stroke when I was ten years old. I was living in Ohio and came to Las Vegas with my family. The trip was supposed to be 3 days, but I got home nearly 3 months later. This is my story of how I overcame many challenges over the last fifteen years so I could live a “normal” life again. Hear from David by visiting youtube .

Before my stroke I was active, outgoing, and had lots of friends. I loved school and was in the gifted program.

On the first day in Las Vegas I wasn’t feeling well. My mom and I stayed back at the hotel while the others went to Zion National Park.

Shortly after they left, I had my stroke. I ended up in the Intensive Care Unit and couldn’t talk, read, write, or even understand. My entire right side was paralyzed. I couldn’t walk and even swallowing food was hard. I had some seizures.

I had to have two brain surgeries because of a vascular problem that caused my stroke. Once I stabilized, the hard work of rehab began.

After nearly 3 months of rehab, I was finally able to go back to school. I was so excited!! But, most of the teachers and my friends didn’t really understand what I was going through. I was now in a wheelchair and couldn’t talk due to my aphasia. Aphasia is the disability that affected my speaking, reading, and even writing. Aphasia does not affect intellect.

I was so frustrated. Everyone treated me differently. I felt lonely, sad, and really angry. I knew inside that I had to fight to get better.

I progressed in rehab. I learned how to use my left hand for everything. (I’d been right handed) I went from the wheelchair, to walker, to cane, to walking by myself.

My aphasia was my biggest problem. I went to lots of speech therapy and my mom worked with me and she hired others to help me too. Finally, I was able to talk again – starting with just single words

It’s now been 15 years since my stroke. I am now 25. I’ve had years and years of speech therapy and can now speak quite well. I can read and write again. I’m walking. Things aren’t as easy as before, but I live independently and strive to live a “normal” life.

“You need to do what needs to be done, whether you feel like it or not.”

I will never give up. I still go to rehab in Henderson, NV where my family has moved to. I attend a stroke support group and joined in an aquatic swim class for survivors. I work out at the gym.

My hobbies are going to the movies, playing the Nintendo Wii as part of my therapy, and traveling. My family even organized a stroke cruise a few years ago. I went on a trip to Europe this past year by myself. For me, traveling is a good way to challenge myself and enjoy life again.

I’d like to share my thoughts on achieving goals. Stimulating the mind is important. I had lots of therapy. I was not allowed to sit in front of the TV all day. I kept busy with learning how to grow a garden, learning to watercolor paint, use educational games on the computer and more.

I believe it is impossible to recover by lying in your bed all day as you won’t accomplish anything. You have to make an effort.

It is very hard work to be faced with a disability and rehab. Everything changes. It affects you emotionally, physically, and your goals can change.

Coping with this new disability is rough and it affects the people who love you too. But, eventually you will get it. Patience is important, very important.

I couldn’t even talk, play soccer, or even hang out with my friends. My life had totally changed. Sometimes, I felt sad and even angry. I think it is normal to show your emotions as it’s part of the healing process.

I think having faith is crucial too. You have to believe that you will get better. It takes a strong desire to recover and work hard on it so you can. There are many obstacles, but you have to believe you can face them to overcome them.

I often had failed attempts at things I tried. But, I tried again and again. When you put your mind to it, you can go far.

I think it is important to focus on what I can do, not on what I can not. I still have some paralysis on my right side with my hand, ankle, and toes. I can drive and I walk without a cane. I talk, read, and write again. It isn’t as easy as before.

No two strokes are alike. No two recoveries will be the same. But we all must find the motivation and courage to keep trying. There will be times you want to quit. But, you must fight to overcome the down days. You have to do what needs to be done whether you feel like it or not.

My goals have changed.   I wanted to be a doctor like my dad.  I think I would have been a great doctor.  But, I can still help people.  I want to encourage and help others with stroke and aphasia.  I can still make a difference.  My stroke can’t take that away from me. 

Stroke survivor David Dow has appeared in People magazine, Stroke Connection Magazine, and on Good Morning America, It’s a Miracle, Hour of Power, as well as several regional televisions spots on stroke and aphasia. David was named to the Ohio Governor’s Council on People with Disabilities. He has received an award from the Ohio Speech Hearing Association for his work on raising awareness for people with aphasia. Currently, David is working with the American Stroke Association planning a Stroke Cruise for 2011. David lives in Henderson, Nevada.
Email: theaphasiafamily@aol.com Phone: 702-982-3075

Continue Aphasia Therapy at Home with our Video Programs

Communication Partner produces video programs that provide aphasia speech therapy for stroke survivors and victims of traumatic brain injury.

Researchers agree that aphasia recovery dramatically improves as a result of intense aphasia treatment.

Unfortunately, few aphasia sufferers receive enough therapy to maximize recovery. How much is enough speech therapy?
One aphasic client tells more about the struggles of Aphasia than anything else on this site. During a phone conversation, he said the following:
He said “Stroke…3 years(ago)…52 years old…Aphasia…oh man…oh man…Medicare…3 visits(therapy)…month…oh man…Before Stroke…20 friends…now…Zero friends…Aphasia…oh man”

Aphasia impairs the ability to communicate but doesn’t affect intelligence or feelings. We all have an inherent need to communicate and connect with each other. Call to order: Toll Free Customer Service 888-204-6020 or order on internet:
Communication Partner

This important information is delivered by trained peer visitors — stroke survivors who can share their own personal perspective. After completing the ShareGivers™ training course, peer visitors are uniquely equipped with the skills to share their experience, encourage progress and lend support to stroke survivors and their families throughout the recovery process.

American Heart Association .

Xpress Yourself Inside and Out!

Imagine a world where the focus is on the conversation instead of the communication device. Imagine a world where communication happens everywhere – at school, at home, at work and in social settings – naturally and without exception.   The DynaVox Xpress™ makes this world a reality.

The DynaVox Xpress is the world’s most powerful handheld augmentative communication device. Portable, discreet and easy-to-use, the DynaVox Xpress fits in a pocket or purse and delivers full communication capabilities previously available only in larger devices. With the Xpress, you can share meaningful messages, connect with friends and family and browse your favorite web sites with the optional browser – using a single handheld device.

Find Out More

A poignant novel involving Primary Progressive Aphasia.

One review:

With a delicate and loving touch, Katharine Davis explores a deep and often complex relationship –the one between two sisters. Like the tapestry that becomes central to the story itself, A Slender Thread is a beautiful and utterly original creation . . . . Emotionally honest, meticulously observed, but also propulsively dramatic and readable, this is a novel that will resonate with women of all ages –and with everyone who loves a good story, well told. If you have sisters, you’ll want to share A Slender Thread with them. If you don’t, it will serve as solace –and a powerful testament –to what you are missing.”
–Liza Gyllenhall, author of Local Knowledge.

www.Amazon.com.

Two articles posted in Stroke Net newsletters under the title of Speak No Evil, written by Erin and JJ Robertson.

JJ had a stroke in February 2009. Erin is his wife and caregiver. JJ’s primary residual from the stroke is aphasia. In this column they share their stroke experiences.

Click on Aphasia Comes to Roost and Emotions and Stroke

The National Aphasia Association has links to Community Groups State by State.

Note: The Aphasia Community Groups listed below represent a wide variety of group types and structures. Some consist only of persons with aphasia and their significant others and some are more inclusive. Some are free and some are not. The listing below is alphabetical by state and city. Canadian resources are listed at the end.

Also note: See the end of this roster for the names and numbers of national organizations that may also be able to put you in touch with groups.

Click on National Aphasia Association Community Groups and search by State.

From the back cover:  When someone is diagnosed with a serious illness, he or she is taking the first step on a challenging and confusing journey.   For many, it is as if they are traveling alone to someplace entirely new, with only faded directions back to their old lives.  Often, even their loved ones can only guess what they must be experiencing Michael Stern, M.D., uses the stories of his own patients to consider the personal narrative of sickness.  Beautifully written and keenly insightful, “The Lonely Patient” is a valuable book for patients and their caregivers as well as a probing inquiry into this universal experience 

 One Review:  “Stein has come to understand the emotions that patients experience when illness descends, the feeling that the body has betrayed them, the terror of the unknown, the loss of a legion of familiar comforts, and the loneliness of being kidnapped into the land of the ill” – New York Times

“The Lonely Patient” By Michael Stein is more than just a survival guide or owner’s manual for those who are ill or whose bodies are broken. Recognizing that only clinical recovery can nullify loneliness, the author reminds us that a temporary escape can still be found in memory, imagination, and hope. Physicians and especially patients will find that “The Lonely Patient” makes very good company. (A review by the Journal of the American Medical Association). To Order

The idea for Road ID was born out of a father’s concern for a marathon runner but could be very useful and important if someone with aphasia is somewhere without the benefit of a caregiver or friend, possibly hurt and unable to communicate. Read More . And Read More from an article in the StrokeNetwork newsletter.