"Life After Stroke" Launched 2011 - Help Make It Better.

Gary Gray - Stroke Survivor since 2002

Just a quick note to let you know about ; - SOMETHING SPECIAL!

You know stroke is all about awareness, education and prevention. (or at least that has been mostly the case in the past)

While awareness, education and prevention are of utmost importance (even for secondary stroke prevention) there is a need that has been largely ignored in the past.- Stroke Survivor Support!

A few years ago (Nov 2007)  I met a researcher from a university in Montreal at a stroke workshop in Charlottetown. Her name was Dr. Nancy Mayo and her focus was on finding ways to support stroke survivors to get the most out of life. She gave a presentation titled "Getting On With The Rest Of Your Life After Stroke". (45 minute video on the community based stroke support program)

Charlotte Comrie, Dr. Nancy Mayo and Gary Gray (2007)

In her presentation she talked about a research project that was about to be rolled out in a number of communities in Canada. As part of the project there was a booklet published also titled "Getting On With The Rest Of YourYour Life After Stroke". It talked about acceptance, attitude, setting goals, getting involved and generally building a NEW life after stroke.

Can You Help?

It is interesting and sad to see in the above video just how technology challenged our health system is.Unfortunately when it comes to long term support for stroke survivors it is just as challenged. We must be grateful for The Canadian Stroke Network and their support to Dr. Mayo in conducting her research which shows the need for project based stroke support in communities throughout the country. It is a painfully slow process to engage minds and resources within communities, to adjust attitudes and build the kind of support network needed to give a reasonable level of community project based meaningful activity to stroke survivors everywhere...editors note (Gary)

Last year a stroke survivor posted a comment on this blog asking why everything was geared to awareness and prevention and asked why the focus was not on support for survivors. That got me to thinking and I just couldn't get that question out of my mind.  So,  I created a Facebook page and a blog. and called them "My Life After Stroke"  These sites were designed to support us as survivors by providing a place to meet other survivors and tell our stories, discuss questions that are important to us, share photos, pages, groups, videos, books and blogs taken and written by us and post research information about stroke recovery that may be helpful to us. So far there are 152 fans following the "My Life" page.THANK YOU EVERYONE!

In late September 2011 "The Canadian Stroke Network"  launched a new website designed to provide support for survivors and help us and our families rebuild our lives based on the original Dr. Nancy Mayo model of "Getting On With The Rest Of Your Life After Stroke"

The Website is www.lifeafterstroke.ca and it can be a huge step forward to supporting us in our recoveries..

I encourage you as a stroke survivor, caregiver, family member or healthcare professional to PLEASE:  FIRST: Go to the new site and take a look around. SECOND: Click on the contact link and tell the people at the CSNW what could be changed and/or added to improve the site to make it a place of support for US.


Gary Gray
Stroke survivor since 2002

Make Death Wait!

A NEW public awareness campaign launched by Heart and Stroke Canada.

Make Death Wait...Women!

Make Death Wait... Men!

Yes it's dramatic because it needs to be  to get our attention.

Pass this on to your family and your friends.

THANKS!  "The more that we share means the more that we care"


Gary


Stroke survivor since 2002


I'm not the fastest turtle on the beach

Touched by stroke? Join our conversation at www.facebook.com/mylifeafterstroke

Brain Attack 101!!!

Brain Attack, A Stroke Survival Guide...


Learn three important points about Stroke.


1. Stroke is the third leading cause of death after Heart Attack and Cancer. Stroke is the leading cause of long term disability.


2 Stroke can happen to anyone of any age anywhere and at anytime. Learn the signs of stroke.


3. Prevention of stroke and recovery from stroke is possible. Watch the video and visit the website www.stroke.org to learn more.


If you would like to share your story, you can. www.stroke.org/faces  


Gary 


Stroke Survivor since 2002


Not the fastest turtle on the beach :p

PEI Organized Stroke Care Model Progress Report

The Question?


Improved infrastructure, staffing, training, programs and more will take some 4 years to put in place to improve stroke care in Prince Edward Island. True or False?

The Model!

Organized Stroke Care Model

"About Organized Stroke Care Model
Organized Stroke Care promotes a coordinated approach to early detection and assessment of warning signs of stroke, and timely access to appropriate treatments and specialized health care providers. "

So, What does the progress report look like?

Progress of the Organized Stroke Care Model for Prince Edward Island is moving along nicely.

This model that was announced in the April 2009 Provincial budget to be put in place between 2009 and 2013 is progressing along and meeting the time lines that has been set out for it.

A common myth is that the stroke unit located at the QEH in Charlottetown was the only component of the plan to improve stroke care on Prince Edward Island.

The fact is that there are a number of components that were announced in the 2009 budget under the banner "Organized Stroke Care Model" that would in fact take four years to bring into being.

Read the full report here. 


For comparison purposes here is the information paper that I published in cooperation with the Heart and Stroke Foundation of PEI. just prior to the release of the 2009 provincial budget.


Acute Stroke Unit PEI pdf


Gary Gray
Stroke Survivor since 2002


p.s. A special thank you to everyone who has helped to bring about the amazing accomplishments involved with this program and those who continue to work hard to make sure that it will be fully in place by the end of 2013.


On behalf of the entire Prince Edward Island stroke community -  THANK YOU!!!

Stop My Stroke n Get A FREE Tee :D

Stroke is a Medical Emergency....Call 911

Great news!!!

This morning when I opened my mailbox I got a surprise... A FREE "Quick - Responder" Tee Shirt from the folks at www.stopmystroke.com

I challenge you to also learn the signs of stroke and you can at www.stopmystroke.com 

Once you know the signs of stroke you can take the quiz. By knowing the signs of stroke you too can answer the quiz questions correctly and qualify for your own FREE Tee.

Not only will you get a great tee but you will have something very valuable to carry with you for the remainder of your life. The KNOWLEDGE to stop stroke. You can save yourself......you can also save others.

How awesome is that?

Gary Gray
Stroke Survivor Since 2002 

"Living A Healthy Life" Spring 2011 Newsletter

The "Living A Healthy Life" program has released it's Spring 2011 newsletter and we are giving you a link to read, download and/or print it out.  Enjoy!

The uploaded file is in "Google Docs" in PDF format so if you have trouble with accessing the file please let me know. My e mail is garydotgray@gmail.com

Here is the link:  https://docs.google.com/viewer?a=v&pid=explorer&chrome=true&srcid=0B6aiexyJGOgWMTdmZDQ2MzgtNjdjMy00Yjg3LTg2ODMtOGI4M2E0NWQ2NWQ1&hl=en_US

or, to make it easy, you can CLICK HERE to get the newsletter. It is also online at: http://www.gov.pe.ca/photos/original/DHW_LHL_Newslet.pdf

You can also visit the PEI HEALTHY LIVING WEBSITE 


Thanks for visiting... Simply click the "Join this site" button (up and to the Right) to be notified of new posts on this blog.

Wishing all stroke survivors the very best with your recovery and beyond!

Gary 
Stroke Survivor since 2011

Jennifer Drawdy Shares Her Stroke Testimonial

Did Jennifer notice that a stroke was about to happen to her?

No, it was early in the morning. She had been reading in bed and had made herself a cup of coffee. She had just got up to let her dogs go pottie and was  getting another cup of coffee and going back to her reading.

The lesson here is that Stroke CAN strike ANYWHERE and at ANY TIME.

How many stroke signs did you notice?

1 Numbness on the Left side of her body
2 Paralysis to the point of collapse and unable to get up.
3, One side of her face drooping.
4, Passing out.

Did she know what was wrong?


No, She didn't recognize the signs of stroke.

Did she call 911?


No, she called friends and family.

Would you know what to do?

Would you call 911?

Learn the SIGNS OF STROKE and if you or someone near you is showing any of the signs, CALL 911

STROKE is a  MEDICAL EMERGENCY.(knowing this basic information could save the life of you or someone you love)

5 warning signs of stroke 

If you or someone near you experience
- Trouble seeing in one or both eyes
- Numbness, weakness of face or limbs.
- Bad Headaches
- Difficulty walking, loss of balance
- Difficulty speaking or understanding speech - Call 911!!!

Stroke is a medical emergency...

Being The Best That I Can Be... My New Normal!

Stroke Survivor Gary Gray in the Community

I would like to share with you a series of videos that will help you to learn about Stroke.
You may not be familiar with stroke, what causes it, how it manifests itself, the damage it causes and how someone who has survived a stroke can relearn to do basic skills that were damaged and/or destroyed by the stroke.

 The series will also help you understand how a survivor can rebuild a life. (always different and often better than our pre stroke life)

Video # 1:  Understanding Stroke



Video # 2: Risk Factors Of Stroke




Video # 3: Symptoms Of Stroke





Video # 4: Preventing Stroke







Video # 5: Effects Of Stroke (Stroke Recovery #1







Video # 6: Recovering Mobility After Stroke (Stroke Recovery # 2)





Video # 7: Recovering Emotions After Stroke (Stroke Recovery # 3)







Video # 8: Recovering Cognition After Stroke (Stroke Recovery #4)





Thank you for taking the time to watch these videos so that you can become  better educated and more aware of Stroke.


A survivor has a lot of work to do. By working with a therapist the survivor moves toward the goal of independent living. Independent Living can be broken down into three areas.


1. ADL Activities of Daily Living: Through use of Physio and Occupational therapy a survivor can relearn to carry out the tasks of daily living like housekeeping, food preparation, eating, bathing, dressing, laundry etc.   

2. Socializing and community living: Through use of Physio and Occupational therapies as well as speech a survivor can relearn to carry out the tasks of daily living within the community such as walking, talking, driving, grocery shopping, eating out and spending time with friends.


3. Returning to meaningful productivity within the community: Through use and by expanding the use of skills learned in numbers 1 and 2 a survivor can relearn to become a productive member of the community once again. Whether it be going back to do paid work or doing volunteer work, the survivor can relearn the skills that are needed to become a valued productive  member of their community.


The one option that is NOT an option is staying in bed and/or not leaving the house. Survivors need to get up and get going. Our communities need to support survivors to achieve their goals.


Lets consider survivors that have made the efforts  required and have been given the support required to accomplish their goals. Everyone has been rewarded with success. We are all winners!


First visit "My Life After Stroke"  to read many stories of how survivors have been successful.


Then if you are a Caregiver or family member of a survivor you might like to visit "Strokecaregivers"


In order to really help people everywhere begin to understand STROKE, why it happens, who is at risk, how to get help F.A.S.T., what are the effects and the possibilities we are working on telling "The Stories Of Stroke" 


This will be released at a future date so if this is something that interests you please become a friend, fan or follower to receive further information and releases.


If you liked this post why not share it with your friends. TOGETHER, WE CAN STOP STROKE!


Gary Gray
Stroke Survivor since 2002

STROKE IS AN EMERGENCY!

Emergency Medical Technition - EMT

The Question: by Mary Runnalls - When you had your stroke how long did it take for you to get to the hospital? Do you think there were consequences because of that or not?


The Answer: by Gary Gray - Thanks for your question Mary. My first indication was when I went to order a coffee at a local coffee shop and I had no voice, none, nada. Next, Left side weakness. Fortunately they called 911 and EMT's arrived within 10 minutes. I blacked out before they put me in the ambulance. Even though there was a hospital only 5 minutes away I would be transferred twice and go to a special brain unit. Over 6 hours would elapse before they did the first cat scan. It confirmed a bleed deep in my brain. Family and friends were with me around the clock. After four more days they took a second cat scan. Then, the next day (6 th post stroke) I was transferred to an acute care hospital. On the 10 th day post stroke I was transferred to a rehab unit and suffered another episode during the transfer. It took me another 12 days before I came out of my coma. A full 22 days post stroke. I guess all things considered I am fortunate to be as good as I am. I spent another 60 days post coma in rehab and acute before I was released to live with my caregivers. There were still lots of issues to work through and another 9 months before I moved to the apartment where I continue to live a basic Independent life. Being able to drive and do some volunteer work came back about 12 months post stroke.Apparently stress was the main cause that made my BP go through the roof and cause the bleed. There have been others in our community that have had this happen to them. Unfortunately I can't talk to them because none of them survived. They say 20% survive. that's 1 in 5 or 2 in 10. It looks like I was the 1 in 5. What more can I say. : ) - Gary


Want to see more answers to the question? Cilck Here to read more and visit the "Stroke Survivors Who Love Life" page

Stroke Education And Awareness Events Being Held

As part of the Public Awareness and Education connected with June being Stroke Awareness month I attended an information session at the Montague Rotary Library on Wednesday.

"Services for stroke survivors
Wednesday, June 15th at 2:30 p.m. June is Stroke Month. Judi Gosbee (Physiotherapist-Home Care), Anna Nabuurs (Team Leader-Home Care), and Joan Watson (Occupational Therapist-Home Care) will be at the Library to deliver an information session on services available to stroke survivors and answer your questions. This discussion would benefit stroke survivors, their family members, and caregivers. All are welcome!"


Unfortunately I was the only one who showed up for the event. (I guess stroke survivors and their families in Eastern PEI are being well cared for and didn't see the need to find out what services are available to them)


Melysia LaFrance  was also there from The PEI Heart and Stroke Foundation. Melysia brought along some copies of the booklet "Getting On With The Rest Of Your Life After Stroke"


I met Judi Gosbee a new home care Physiotherapist for the first time and she introduced me to a new product called the "Dictus Band" for drop foot.


I personally found the hour spent there to be beneficial and would recommend for stroke survivors, caregivers and family members  to attend similar events that may be held in your local area.

My Life After Stroke

Gary Gray living "My Life After Stroke"

Hello to all Stroke Survivors, Family members, Caregivers and Stroke care professionals,

I have a simple question: How has your life been touched by stroke?

Let me guess. You or someone that you love has had a stroke, In my case it was a classic case of a bolt out of the blue. I couldn't speak and I was experiencing weakness in my Left side. Fortunately I was in a place where I received help right away. Within a few minutes I lapsed into a state of unconscious.  Due to my blood pressure being unusually high that morning I had a bleed in the middle of my brain and my brain cells were being destroyed by a tiny pool of blood that was flooding through my head.

To tell my story and the stories of other stroke survivors we have created a small community that is dedicated to helping both we stroke survivors and others come together, learn and share just what it is like to experience stroke, survive and recover to a point that we can live a satisfying and productive life after stroke.

Our community is made up of  three main social media tools.

First is our Facebook Fan Page: "My Life After Stroke" by clicking the "Like" button on this page you will be added to our Facebook followers and you will receive in your news feed any posts that are posted on our wall. You can also join the conversation by posting a link to our wall or commenting on our post.

Second there is our Blog: "My Life After Stroke" this is where we will post interesting and informative information about living our lives after stroke. There could be articles, webpage links, mp3s or videos or even podcasts and webinars. You can even publish your own posts on our blog as a guest blogger.

Third is our Twitter Feed: "After My Stroke" this is where we can interactively post short (140 character) bits of information and links that we would like to share about our lives after stroke.

These three social media sites are designed to work together as place for members of our stroke community to learn and share about living our lives  after stroke. These are simple uncluttered pages where a survivor can feel comfortable spending time reading, watching, listening or interacting with other survivors, family members, caregivers and health care professionals.

We warmly invite you to come, join in our conversation and learn more about My Life After Stroke.

We can also be contacted by email if you prefer either  mylifeafterstroke@gmail.com or garydotgray@gmail.com

Smiles :o)

Gary Gray 
Stroke Survivor since 2002  

Pass The Salt!...Interesting Research Results

Image by http://www.jwatch.org

Hi to all of our PEI Stroke Recovery followers,

I just listened to this interesting fifteen minute podcast from  "Journal Watch" about salt and the effects that salt in our diet can have on our health. I thought you might like to listen too.

This post is for information only and we are NOT promoting it's content as something that you would want to follow personally. We just thought you might find the content interesting.  It does raise the point that ongoing research can produce interesting results.

After you have had a chance to listen to the podcast, we invite you to share with our followers  by posting  a comment on what you thought of it. Thanks!.

Click the link to go to the podcast page then click on the podcast to listen Podcast 120: Pass the salt!

We will post again soon,

How To Beat The Risk Factors Of Stroke

photo credit - Health PEI

Hi to all of our Stroke Recovery readers.

To help people just like you get help quick in the event of a stroke we have highlighted the "5 Warning Signs Of Stroke" and explained what to do if they are happening to you or to someone around you.

To help people just like you become aware of what the 8 modifiable risk factors that can cause stroke are we have highlighted "The 8 Modifiable Risk Factors Of Stroke"

BUT! -  Until now there has not been, in one convenient place, concise information about how to manage those risk factors. What the bench marks are for each factor to maintain our health and avoid having a stroke.( This includes secondary stroke for people who are living with some of these very risk factors)

NOW! - we here at Prince Edward Island Stroke Recovery are pleased to be able to share with you,  a new publication from Health PEI called "Passport To Health".. It highlights 9 risk factors  to health and explains how to manage each one of them, in cooperation with your health care professional..

Get your copy of the "Passport To Health" publication here.

With the information contained in this publication, along with it's tips, tools and Internet links we can target our risk factors that effect us personally. We can set goals to manage or eliminate those risk factors and enjoy the freedom, of living a healthy life.

We challenge everyone, who reads this post, to obtain a copy of this publication and use it to build your road to a healthy life.

If you live in North America the odds are that you have at least 1 risk factor and the possibility is great that you have more than one. Even people who live in other parts of our world in all likelihood have at least 1 risk factor.

We here at Prince Edward Island Stroke Recovery are working on the "Contract To Health" which should be available in the very near future. It is a contract that you make with yourself to either manage or eliminate all 9 risk factors from your live.

This is doable and now we have the tools to get it done.

Wishing everyone better health and remember that WORKING TOGETHER through education and awareness WE CAN STOP STROKE!!!

We will post again soon,

STROKE Education Suppliment In Canadian-Health Magazine

Canadian Health Spring 2011

Hello to all my PEI Stroke Recovery readers,

While I was at the Lawtons Drugs next door this evening  I noticed a magazine rack in the waiting room filled with the latest edition of the Canadian Medical Association quarterly magazine "Canadian Health" As I leafed through it I noticed an article on Fatigue that I thought I would like to read. I picked up the couple of items that I had come for and then took a copy of the magazine as I noticed the large "FREE" sign that dominated the very top of the magazine rack. The price was right as Lawtons Drugs was providing the magazines at no charge.

Back  in my big blue chair I proceeded to devour the contents of the magazine. I skimmed the article on Fatigue . It dealt not with the "stop in your tracks" fatigue that comes as a result of traumatic brain injury, suffered from  a stroke type brain attack. It dealt with the fatigue that comes late in the day. That comes after not getting proper sleep at night, or not taking in sufficient fuel at the beginning of the day. Th body is left lacking to make it through the entire work day. My eyes skimmed through the remainder of the magazine stopping here and there as something caught my attention. Then, on pages 56 and 57 they met, "full stop", with familiar material.

Two pages of "STROKE Education Supplement" that spoke of the importance of Awareness and Education in reducing the occurrence of stroke in Canada. (50,000 new strokes  in Canada each year) The supplement spoke of methods for health care professionals, stroke survivors, caregivers and families. These methods are  being developed through the "Organized Stroke Care Model" and are being promoted as ways to support the 315,000 Canadians living with the after effects of stroke.

It was great to see this two page "stroke education supplement" in this high profile health magazine.

Please pick up a copy if you are near a Lawtons Drugs. You can also check it out by clicking the links in this blog post. Please pass on this link "stroke education supplement" in order to make others aware and educate them that together we can "STOP STROKE!"

I will post again soon,

Stroke Awareness And Support Association

Christa Orsino-Heck

Welcome to all of my younger stroke survivor readers,

When a stroke happens o a younger person teens, twenties, thirties, forties and fifties it can present an extra layer of isolation. Survivors of those ages can feel very alone. Like they are the only person in the world to have this awful thing happen to them.

Actually, that is not the case and stroke does occur in younger persons.

Christa Orsino-Heck a younger stroke survivor has organized a way to reach out to other younger stroke survivors.  She calls her organization Stroke Awareness And Support Association

This is a place where you can share your story on line with other young stroke survivors and reach out to learn about the experiences of others.

I hope that you find Christa's organization to be a place where you can connect with others your own age and through you connections learn more about yourself as well as the others of your own age who have suffered a similar attack and survived. I hope that through these connections you will receive as well as provide the support that you need to get on with the rest of your life.

Together with awareness and education we can STOP STROKE!

I will post again soon..

Secrets To Stroke Recovery

Secrets of Stroke Recovery

Welcome to our PEI Stroke Recovery readers

In this post I want to talk a little bit about the secrets to stroke recovery. These are important secrets that you may not be made aware of as a survivor progressing through the stages of stroke.

This post is intended to be a work in progress and because of that it will be changing and evolving over a period of time. It is my intent to review my stroke experience over the past eight plus years and extract from it the secrets that I have learned along the way.

 Lets start with my number one secret:

 Attitude. - A positive attitude is absolutely necessary. "Thoughts effect Actions and in turn actions effect results" and so it follows that in order to effect positive results in recovery we need to think positive thoughts.

Check out these two posts that I have written over the past few months:.  Number one secret to stroke recovery and Stroke Recovery Is Possible

Now lets talk about secret number two .

Goals -: A goal is like a desired destination. If you went for a drive and you didn't have a destination there would be no sense of accomplishment in getting there. You could end up who knows where and I hope that you enjoyed the drive because that is all it is going to be.

Goals can be short term or long term for example my goal for every day is "to be the best that my body will allow me to be". "Short term" and my life goal is "to improve my quality of life over time". "Long Term"

Here is an Acronym taken from the book "Messy Manager" that can be applied to goals to make them productive. SMAP-TFU

S - Specific
M- Measurable
A - Attainable
P - Passionate
-
T - Time Oriented
F
U - Followed Up

Lets also look at a post that I  posted along the way talking about goals. Click Here to read the post and watch the video.

Secret number three

Heart Healthy Diet - to be developed

Secret number four.

 A Regular Exercise Routine - : to be developed

Secret number five.

Regular Health Care Professional  Checkup Routine - to be developed

Secret number six.

Retraining The Brain - to be developed

Secret number seven.

Learning New Things - to be developed

                    Research - to be developed.

                    Increased Education And Awareness - to be developed

And a bonus secret.

Volunteering - to be developed

                     Helping Others  - to be developed


                     Networking - to be developed

Thi post continues to be a work in progress. Please feel free to provide your own experiences, thoughts, ideas and feedback by posting a comment or more if you wish. Also you can email me if you would rather. Thanks!

Stroke Care Toolkits For Health Care Professionals

Health Care Professionals

Welcome to all our Professional Health Care readers,

We are very excited about the research and development work that has been taking place here in Canada over the past few years to establish a national stroke strategy. As part of this body of work a number of toolkits have been developed to assist health care professionals in their day to day work.

PLEASE take the time to click through to each of the toolkits as well as the 2010 update and the new website. We hope that you will find these toolkits helpful and that you will make good use of them. THANKS!

Toolkit #1 of 7 Canadian Stroke Strategy Community Reintegration Toolkit 

Toolkit #2 of 7 Canadian Stroke Strategy Outpatient Rehab Resource Toolkit

Toolkit # 3 of 7 Canadian Stroke Strategy Stroke Unit How To Guide

Toolkit # 4 of 7 Canadian Stroke Strategy EMS Educational Resource

Toolkit # 5 of 7 Canadian Stroke Strategy Best Practices Toolkit

Toolkit # 6 of 7 Canadian Stroke Strategy Secondary Prevention Toolkit

Toolkit # 7 of 7 Canadian Stroke Strategy SPIRIT data collection system

Also a link to the Canadian Stroke Strategy Canadian Best Practices Recommendations for Stroke Care 2010 Update

and a link to the new Canadian Best Practices Recommendations for Stroke Care website

These resources have been in development over the past five years as part of the developing  Canadian Stroke Strategy to improve outcomes as related to prevention, response, treatment, rehabilitation and reintegration  phases of stroke.

As health care professionals you are working in these very areas every day. PLEASE, make the best use possible of these toolkits yourself as well as making others aware and encourage them to make use of them too.

By promoting education and awareness one person at a time we can STOP STROKE!

We will post again soon,
.

Stroke Dropped From Long Time Number-Three Spot

Hi to all of my PEI Stroke Recovery readers,

The Stroke Awareness Foundation is reporting that progress is being made in stroke prevention due to greater education and awareness. This is very good news and it reflects just how important stroke education and awareness is. Please help to increase the education and awareness in your community. Thanks!

Click the links below to learn more.

Stroke dropped from it’s long time number-three spot

http://www.facebook.com/note.php?note_id=470052546723

By making sure that your community is educated and made aware of the warning signs and the risk factors of stroke you can help to reduce the chance of stroke occurring even further.

You can also get to know the stroke survivors in your community. Help them to reintegrate back into the community and support them through the local chapter of the Heart and Stroke Foundation.

Thanks!

I will post again soon,

ps By all means feel free to follow my blog, leave a comment and/or share this post with your Facebook friends and Twitter followers. Thanks! Together we CAN get the message out to our communities.

Stroke Survivors Who Love Life - Therapy Page

Hi to all of our PEI Stroke Recovery readers,

Today we  want to introduce you to a brand new Facebook fan page. It is called "Stroke Survivors Who Love Life - Therapy Page"

This is what is written under the "information" tab:

Description:

"Through The Journey of Life
by Author Unknown

Do not undermine your worth by comparing yourself with others.
It is because we are different that each of us is special.

Do not set your goals by what other people deem important.
Only you know what is best for you.
Do not take for granted the things closest to your heart.

Cling to them as you would your life, for without them, life is meaningless.
Do not let your life slip through your fingers by living in the past nor for the future.
By living your life one day at a time, you live all of the days of your life.
Do not give up when you still have something to give.
Nothing is really over until the moment you stop trying.
It is a fragile thread that binds us to each other.

Do not be afraid to encounter risks.
It is by taking chances that we learn how to be brave.
Do not shut love out of your life by saying it is impossible to find.
The quickest way to receive love is to give love.
The fastest way to lose love is too hold it too tightly.
In addition, the best way to keep love is to give it wings

Do not dismiss your dreams.
To be without dreams is to be without hope.
To be without hope is to be without purpose.
Do not run through life so fast that you forget not only where you have been,
but also where you are going.

Life is not a race,
but a journey to be savored each step of the way." 

Click here to go directly to the page.

Thanks for taking the time to check it out. We hope that ypu will find the page to be a help in your recovery.

We will post again soon. :)

Recovery Is Possible - Ask Garrett!

Hi to all of my stroke recovery readers,

You may remember Garrett Mendez, a young man who suffered a stroke five years ago.

Garrett is an amazing example to any of us who have been effected by a brain injury and or stroke.

Listen to Garrett in his recent T.V.. interview that he did during a fund raiser for his rehab facility

Click here to watch Garrett's interview

Click here to learn the back story

Click here to read Garret's story and visit his website.

Thanks Garrett for this inspiring interview and all that you do to increase awareness, educate and inspire us about just how possible recovery is. Thanks as well to Eileen Mendez (Garrett's mom) for your amazing support through Garret's recovery. You both deserve a high five. - HIGH FIVE!!! (and a Lefty fist pump LOL)

I will post again soon,

Gary