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| www.strokecamp.org |
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| http://www.unitedstrokealliance.org/ |
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The following is from the fall Stroke Connection Magazine
http://strokeconnection.strokeassociation.org
HELPFUL TIPS FROM REED AND MARY HARRIS
When Reed Harris had a stroke at the age of 50, it left him almost completely unable to communicate verbally or understand what others were saying. He also had partial paralysis on his right side, profound apraxia, and anomia, the inability to recall or say the correct words. Reed also had some auditory processing issues, causing difficulty with how his brain processed what he heard. Reed and his wife, Mary, worked together on Reed’s stroke recovery and they share some of the most helpful things they’ve learned along the way:
The Harrises emphasize that it’s important to be PATIENT with all of the ATTEMPTS (successful or not). And remember, lack of speech does not mean there is a lack of hearing.
Act with patience
• Demonstrate: Show how to perform the task.
• Break all actions into smaller steps.
• Clarify the next step.
• Repetition - Approach the 20th time as if it were the first.
Communicate with patience
• SLOW it down.
• E-NUN-CI-ATE.
• Come close/make eye contact/touch.
• Do NOT finish sentences unless asked to.
• When questioning: MULTIPLE CHOICE is better than YES/ NO.
• BE specific. Allow time to respond.
Long-haul tips
For couples new to stroke recovery and aphasia, Mary says, “Reed and I resoundingly respond together with the words, ‘Never give up!’” Through their own experience and that of so many people they have come to know, it’s critical to:
• Be creative and customize the plan for recovery. Everyone is
different. Remember that even a conversation with a pharmacist
can be a source of motivation and speech therapy!
• Be persistent in the endeavor to recover.
• Celebrate the tiny steps of progress.
• Life is the best therapy, so live it!
PATIENT PERSPECTIVE CONTINUED
“THE EXPERIENCE OF
STROKE AND RECOVERY
HAS ENRICHED US AS
INDIVIDUALS AND AS
A COUPLE”
REED AND MARY HARRIS
Excerpted and adapted from “Caring for a Survivor with Aphasia,” Stroke Connection® Fall 2016.
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At United Stroke Alliance we urge you to Be-Faster!
If you have detected the following stroke symptoms, don't wait.
BE-FASTER!
Don't wait, be Be-Faster to save someone's life. Awareness is critical! What if you could help save your life or someone else’s by knowing the signs of stroke? Once a stroke begins to present itself, BE-FASTER and dial 911 immediately - the more time that is wasted, the more functioning you could lose as a result – up to 1,900,000 brain cells a minute or worse - death. Act FAST when stroke strikes. Be aware of the signs of a stroke and how to act:
BALANCE
Sudden loss of balance
EYES
Sudden blurry or loss of vision
FACE
Sudden numbness, one side drooping - can you smile?
ARMS
Sudden weakness in arms - can you raise both?
SPEECH
Slurred or mumbling speech
If you have detected the following stroke symptoms, don't wait.
BE-FASTER!
Don't wait, be Be-Faster to save someone's life. Awareness is critical! What if you could help save your life or someone else’s by knowing the signs of stroke? Once a stroke begins to present itself, BE-FASTER and dial 911 immediately - the more time that is wasted, the more functioning you could lose as a result – up to 1,900,000 brain cells a minute or worse - death. Act FAST when stroke strikes. Be aware of the signs of a stroke and how to act:
BALANCE
Sudden loss of balance
EYES
Sudden blurry or loss of vision
FACE
Sudden numbness, one side drooping - can you smile?
ARMS
Sudden weakness in arms - can you raise both?
SPEECH
Slurred or mumbling speech
TIME
CALL 911 NOW
EMERGENCY
ROOM
Get to the ER by ambulance they know what to do FASTER!
CALL 911 NOW
EMERGENCY
ROOM
Get to the ER by ambulance they know what to do FASTER!