Saturday, January 25, 2014
Def'n: Anti-Gravity Treadmill
Section:
- Weight-Bearing From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
- Space Medicine From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
- AlterG - Physical Therapy Treadmills for Outpatient Rehabilitation
SSTattler:
- Does it work?? Probable - it is the early days but at least you can try it for stroke survivors if you want to.
- We will a sub-set for stroke survivors but you can look at the whole article specifically the NASA Space Medicine.
Weight-Bearing From Wikipedia,
the free encyclopedia
After surgery of the hip, or of the bones of the leg, ankle, or foot, it is of the utmost importance for recovery to get the right amount of weight-bearing when moving around with crutches or frames.
The grades of weight bearing for each phase of recovery will be determined by the surgeon. The Anti-Gravity Treadmill can allow testing of weight bearing by lowering effective body weight in 1% increments from 20% - 100% of body weight.
Grades
Video: Anti-Gravity Treadmill
Anti-Gravity Innovation
SSTattler: 15 seconds of ad's but the rest about AlertG and it is very good!Dec. 12 (Bloomberg) -- Bloomberg Enterprise is your exclusive look at the leadership and strategy behind America's most intriguing and growing businesses. This week, how Alter-G founder Sean Whalen is defying gravity with his father's space-age idea. (Source: Bloomberg)
© Bloomberg
Saturday Comics
| For Better and For Worse Lynn Johnston - 2014/01/24  "Is uncle Phil mad at me???" | Dilbert Scott Adams - 2014/01/24  "This report says you slapped our CEO senseless..." |
Garfield Jim Davis - 2014/01/23  "Garfield, I feel unloved !!" | Betty Delainey & Rasmussen - 2014/01/24  "How's watching TV on the posture ball going now??" |
** I tried to get low or free price at the people http://www.UniversalUclick.com/ for the images for the cartoons. It was too high for Stroke Survivors Tattler i.e. we are not a regular newspaper and our budget is very low. Fortunately, you will have to do only 1-click more to see the cartoon image, it is legit and it is free using GoComics.com and Dilbert.com.
*** Changed from "Pickles" to "Betty" -- "Betty" is a excellent cartoon and Gary Delainey & Gerry Rasmussen are authors/artists/cartoon-strips and they live in Edmonton.
Eclectic Stuff
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Definition: Eclectic(noun) a person who derives ideas, style, or taste from a broad and diverse range of sources.
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Exercise Enhances Memory Consolidation in the Aging Brain
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| Dean Reinke Deans' Stroke Musing |
Whom is going to come up with the exercise protocol for survivors and the heart rate that should be attained? No one is going to do that for us because we have craptastic stroke associations and our doctors haven't done anything since medical school. So there. You are just f*cked and out of luck. http://www.frontiersin.org/Journal/10.3389/fnagi.2014.00003/abstract
1-Shikha Snigdha, 2-Christina de Rivera, 2-Norton W. Milgram and 1-Carl Cotman
- University of California Irvine, USA
- CanCog Technologies Inc., Canada
Exercise has been shown to reduce age-related losses in cognitive function including learning and memory, but the mechanisms underlying this effect remain poorly understood. Memory formation occurs in stages that include an initial acquisition phase, an intermediate labile phase, and then a process of consolidation which leads to long term memory formation. An effective way to examine the mechanism by which exercise improves memory is to introduce the intervention (exercise), post-acquisition, making it possible to selectively examine memory storage and consolidation. Accordingly we evaluated the effects of post-trial exercise (10 minutes on a treadmill) on memory consolidation in aged canines both right after, an hour after, and twenty-four hours after acute exercise training in concurrent discrimination, object location memory (OLM) and novel object recognition (NOR) tasks. Our study shows that post-trial exercise facilitates memory function by improving memory consolidation in aged animals in a time-dependent manner. The improvements were significant at twenty-four hour post exercise and not right after or one hour after exercise. Aged animals were also tested following chronic exercise (10 min/day for 14 consecutive days) on OLM or till criterion were reached (for reversal learning task). We found improvements from a chronic exercise design in both the object location and reversal learning tasks. Our studies suggest that mechanisms to improve overall consolidation and cognitive function remain accessible even with progressing age and can be re-engaged by both acute and chronic exercise.
See the original article:
in
Progress
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| Barb Polan Barb's Recovery |
Yesterday, when I went to PT, my PT said it was time to let the insurance company know what progress I have made since first starting rehab at this particular facility - so she was going to list for them what I could do now that I could not do when she first evaluated me. The list was long:
- I could ride the stationary bike for 6 minutes without having my thighs strapped together - for the first time, I could keep my left knee pulled toward the center so that my left foot didn't slide out of the strap on the pedal.
- Lying on my back, I could pull my left knee toward my chest and then extend my leg out slowly, to rest parallel to my right.
- Lying on my back, I could move my left leg from the hip, swinging it out so that my foot was about 12 inches from my right foot, leg straight, and then back close to my right foot, again, slowly.
- With my left knee supported and my foot dangling, I could flex my foot and pull my toes up "toward my nose."
- I could sit up unaided from a lying position. Also, I walked on the treadmill (very slow speed) for 5 minutes.
- And in OT, the excitement of the day was that I brought in the electronic stimulator Tom bought to get my recalcitrant arm back on board; and my OT taught me how to use it to straighten out the fingers on my left hand, which I did for 20 minutes there and then 20 minutes last night while watching the Olympics.
See the original article:
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Treadmill for Stroke Recovery
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| Amy Shissler My Cerebellar Stroke Recovery |
I am of the opinion that one of the best things you can do for yourself after a stroke is buy a treadmill – if you can walk that is. If you can’t walk yet leave it to the rehab professionals. But, as soon as you can walk, buy a treadmill for your home. You don’t have to go fast, go really slow if you need to. Be safe, safety first. A treadmill does a lot of things. First, it gets you walking, this will improve your gait. There are published research studies that say treadmill walking helps neuroplasticity. This is the rewiring of the brain. I was a lucky one – I could walk soon after my stroke. So after a few months I bought a treadmill. At first I walked a ton. I just got on the treadmill everyday. Now, this is my routine….a 5 minute warm-up followed by 30 minutes of intervals followed by 20-30 more minutes of just plain walking. For more info on interval training go here. I absolutely love my treadmill.
See the original article:
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[Guest Article] Rerun
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| Pamela Hsieh Rehab Revolution |
I met Michael Leitson through this blog, as he’s another young stroke survivor who sustained his injury at age nineteen. He’s been gracious enough to share his story about learning how to run again — something I still haven’t done yet (but will — it’s really from lack of trying). I am excited to offer a new perspective from another survivor to inspire the rest of us!
To our healing,
From playing T-ball in pre-school, to playing a couple of seasons of soccer, and just plain old running around with the neighborhood kids, I was an active child, a true kid at heart. When I watch home videos of those days, I feel nostalgic and happy for my childhood.
An Accident Waiting to Happen,
aka The Dangerous Treadmill Throws Me for a Loop
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| Joyce Hoffman The Tales of a Stroke Patient |
2009 was a rotten year for me, and brutish Mike Tyson as well. That was the year I had my stroke. That was also the year Mike Tyson's 4-year-old daughter, Exodus, died from a treadmill cord wrapped around her neck, strangulation style. (Her mother was busy, cleaning in the next room because they couldn't afford a housekeeper. All of Tyson's money now belongs to the IRS, but I digress). The point that Laura Cox made in '09, as a medical writer for ABC news, who informed us of Exodus' death, was that exercise equipment is dangerous.
Take treadmills, for example. Treadmills are risky pieces of equipment. Health club owners have an obligation to inspect their machines and tell members who use them if the treadmill is not in condition to work properly. Typical injuries connected to defective treadmills include back problems, spinal cord injuries, fractured bones, torn ligament and knee injuries, electric shock, facial fractures and lacerations, and traumatic brain damage. If placed too close to a wall or other equipment, a treadmill user may become trapped and the moving treadmill belt can access exposed skin which, in some cases, can require expensive skin grafts and rehabilitation. The problem with the treadmills has gotten so dire, there's attorneys out there who only represent treadmill injuries.Support
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| Sharon D. Anderson Stroke Survivors Tattler |
-– There’s a fine line between under and over support and getting it “just-right”.
On Saturday, my mom celebrated her 100th birthday. Garry, a good friend, was at the party. He was sitting down to tie his shoes with one hand and another guest offered to tie his shoes for him.
Garry told her he could do it himself and proceeded to tie his shoes. She was amazed that he could tie shoes with one hand.
It is really easy to do everything for stroke survivors. However, the more you do for a survivor, the less they do for themselves. It is difficult to watch a survivor struggle to put on socks or shoes or put water into the kettle to make tea, especially when you know that if you helped it would be much easier for them and you – at least in the short term.
It can be much easier to do activities yourself than to let the survivor do it themselves or assist only with the parts of the task they cannot do at the time. Absolutely it will take less time to do it for them. Absolutely you are more efficient.
Happy New Year Everyone!
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| Richard (Dick) L. Burns Live or Die: A Stroke of Good Luck |
In my introductory blog, I had the opportunity to share some of my experiences as an advertising executive in Manhattan in the 1960s (a real life “Mad Man”). I was part of a team that created the “Fruit of the Loom” guys, among many other recognizable brands, slogans and logos, until a hemorrhagic stroke tore my world apart on December 26, 1968. That’s the day my wife was advised by doctors to publish my obituary.
Today, I’m thriving. In fact, for the majority of the past 46 years, I’ve lived a happy, fulfilling life. But it wasn’t easy, and it took a lot of hard work and determination. I’ll always remember this admonition by a professor in college: “One man’s tears are another’s lesson”. Perhaps my tears can provide some direction to you or a loved one. After all, I was considered dead once.
So, here’s the “dead” man’s eight steps to recovery and renovation:
Step One: Reduce pampering and self-pity, and take positive actions. In other words, “stand-up and be counted” and take responsibility for good or ill – block-out any insecurity and know that it’s going to be good.
Ten Commandments
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| Mark A. Ittleman The Teaching of Talking |
TEN COMMANDMENTS
FOR SPEECH LANGUAGE PATHOLOGISTS
AND THEIR CLIENTS
THE TEACHING OF TALKING
I. Thou Shalt find a way to improve a person’s speaking ability if that is what they are coming to you for.
II. Thou Shalt smile and show kindness in everything you do with the person who is having speaking difficulty.
III. Thou Shalt treat the person with the speaking difficulty as if they are a VIP (Very important person).
IV. Thou Shalt treat families with dignity and respect. (In the same VIP way you treat the person with the speaking difficulty.)
V. Thou Shalt make the task you are conveying easy and simple enough to be easily grasped without frustration or upset.
VI. Thou Shalt share what you know with the family member or caregiver so they can help improve speaking at home.
VII. Thou Shalt find a way to make speaking fun, while helping each individual improve the aspect of speech or language needed.
VIII. Thou Shalt be a good speech model and speak simply, slowly and clearly.
IX. Thou Shalt change what you are doing if what you are doing is not working. You will seek out others to guide you if you get to the point where you are not sure what to do next.
X. Thou Shalt be a student of therapy methods for a Lifetime, always researching new ways of practicing your art. You will be on a constant quest to be the Best you Can Be!
Best, Mark
Mark A. Ittleman, M.S., CCC/SLP
Speech Language Pathologist
Author: Teaching of Talking
http://www.teachingoftalking.com (website)
markittleman@teachingoftalking.com (e-mail)
http://www.facebook.com/teachingoftalking (Facebook)
My Cane
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| Grace Carpenter My Happy Stroke |
Around of the end of last summer, I started walking around my neighborhood without a cane. It was a little scary at first, but I'm happy that I've made the leap (so to speak). I'm putting more weight on my affected side, and in general I feel stronger.
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I have many canes, but this is my favorite
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Sometimes I think I should ditch the cane, but I wish there were some other way to signal that I might need extra space or time. I guess I could hang a sign around my neck, that says: "Warning: Brain-Injured Person," but the cane does seem more elegant.
See the original article:
in
Ukrainian Secret to a Long Marriage
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| Jackie Poff Stroke Survivors Tattler |
At the session last week, the priest asked Frank, who said he was approaching his 50th wedding anniversary, to take a few minutes and share some insight into how he had managed to stay married to the same woman all these years.
Frank replied to the assembled husbands, "Well, I've always tried to treat her nice, spent lots of money on her, but best of all, I took her to the Ukraine for our 25th wedding anniversary!".
The priest, amazed responded, "Frank, you are an amazing inspiration to all the husbands gathered here! Please tell us what you are planning for your wife on your 50th anniversary?".
Frank proudly replied, "I gonna go pick her up."
Another Milestone Downward and Venting
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| Jo Murphey The Murphey Saga |
It seems all I'm writing about these days are doom and gloom reports. Sigh!
That isn't why I started this blog. It's really hard to find hope in hopelessness. No I'm not depressed, just battle weary just like my hubby. A tiny pin light shines in the distance of life ever after while maintaining a toe hold to our current life. But daily life goes on. The beds still need changing. The clothes still need to be folded. Dishes done. Animals cared for. Cooking of meals must be prepared for. Etc, etc, etc.
It started this afternoon just before the hospice nurse visited. The nagging cough that my hubby has been experiencing changed. He's on Tussin to help him bring up the junk in his lungs. He can no longer cough hard enough to bring it up on his own.
His sputum went from milky to green and I knew he was in pneumonia again instead of just congestion. Then he brought up blood. Just a little from a broken vessel in his throat. No, I didn't panic but he did. I know the difference in the blood brought up. Calming him down and fixing him a warm drink, we sat and waited for the "official" word. We've been here too many times before.
10 Tips Medics Must Say to the #Brainstem #Stroke Survivors Loved-Ones
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| Kate Allatt A Rocky Stroke Recovery |
I tell them they should say:
- “All strokes are different. Fact. “You never lose a VOLUNTARY pathway if it returns!
PLEASE TELL THE PEOPLE AFFECTED BY STROKE & THE PATIENT! - “On a graph, we just don’t know where your loved-one will be. They could be like Kate Allatt, Richard Ford, Mark Ellis, who appear quite ‘normal’ considering after their period of locked-in syndrome. However, there are people like Tony Nicklinson who represented a very severe case indeed, with every single permutations in-between. We just don’t know the long-term prognosis in the early weeks or months of diagnosis.”
- “Intensive and good therapy immediately after the coma and be patient-centered – psychological, emotional, neuro physiotherapy, Speech & language therapy (S.A.L.T), Electric Stimulation, PRACTICE..It’s about Repetition, Frequency & Intensity, as opposed to doing task related activities like getting dressed or making a bed.”
- “You must have an ‘end of word’ box on the colour-coded communication board in ICU & Rehab and a TV & radio, which gets switched on/off.”
- “The word ‘plateau’ is GARBAGE! It is a term used by medics to describe the way progress will slow to almost nothing, but that is really due to NHS funding and ignorance, rather than the patients’ own desire or ability to improve.”
The STROKE-O-MATIC 76
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| Peter G. Levine Stronger After Stroke Blog |
When it comes to selling stroke-recovery machines to therapists, the phrase "another tool in the toolbox" is all the rage. Vendors (sellers) use the toolbox idea to soft-peddle to therapists. Here's how the pitch goes...
"We have this great new machine. It works great. Now, I'm not saying to pitch what you use. I'm just saying that this machine of mine is...another tool in the toolbox." But therapy time is very (very), very limited. So, Ms. Therapist, if you use their machine, there'll be no time for what you have been using. And the vendor knows this.
Smoking: Linked to So Many Needless Deaths
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| Jeff Porter Stroke of Faith |
Smoking is getting even more bad press. It kills 480,000 people a year and it's a leading cause of strokes. I can't understand how someone in the tobacco industry lives with himself. If the industry ground to a halt tomorrow, it would not be too soon.
Now, USA Today reports, a new surgeon general report says that smoking causes diabetes, colon cancer:
A new report from the surgeon general finds that smoking causes even more physical and financial damage than previously estimated, killing 480,000 Americans a year from diseases that include diabetes, colorectal cancer and liver cancer.
The report, released today, represents the first time the surgeon general has concluded that smoking is "causally linked" to these diseases. The report finds that smoking causes rheumatoid arthritis, erectile dysfunction and macular degeneration, a major cause of age-related blindness. Smoking causes inflammation, impairs immune function and increases the risk of death from tuberculosis, an infectious disease. Smoking also harms pregnant women and their fetuses by causing birth defects called cleft lips and palates and by causing ectopic pregnancy, which occurs when a fertilized egg implants in the fallopian tubes instead of the uterus.
The new report — issued 50 years after the first surgeon general report on smoking — finds that exposure to secondhand smoke, previously linked to cancer and heart attacks, also causes strokes.Read the entire story to get more details and the non-answers from some tobacco companies.
Strokes. Cancer. Arthritis. Blindness. And more. Those are the results of too many cigarettes smoked. And one is too many.
See the original article:
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Home Therapy Continues
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| Diane The Pink House On The Corner |
The good news is that I managed to get 20 more units of PT approved and so the therapist is coming again, twice weekly.
I don't know why, but it seems to be so much easier to get therapy ordered, approved and continuing than it was in the beginning... Is this because of a different doctor ordering it? Or because we have a great RN coming every 8 weeks to change out Bob's tube and she really keeps on top of things? Or because this therapist is more understanding of Bob's situation and does not expect HUGE leaps in "progress"?Whatever it is. Knock on wood! And hope it continues this way.
Bob is standing much better, though he still refuses to take a step. And I'm not sure, is this because he is afraid? or unable? or a pain issue?......
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Some well deserved playtime
with Ripley, after PT
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I know it really wears him out.
And after an hour session, he is pretty much done for the day....
See the original article:
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Search Powerful Subsets of Stroke Survivors Tattler
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| John C. Anderson Stroke Survivors Tattler |
Search Powerful Subsets
of
Stroke Survivors Tattler
- This website, stroke-survivors.org i.e. “Stroke Survivors Tattler” is divided to three subsets, see slide #2.
- Headline - the specific topic each week,
- e.g. Dystonia, and (usual) have Wikipedia & Video,
- Comics - Currently it is: For Better or For Worse, Dilbert, Garfield, and Betty,
- Eclectic - Provided from many Guest Bloggers usual about “stroke”,
- Trailer (a subset of Eclectic) - Humorous & intelligence provided by Rick Mercer Report.
- We added Weekly Index divided to every week and publish on Saturday. As well, they have the specific titled e.g. Dystonia, see slide #3.
- Guest Bloggers Index - Many bloggers provided the articles to Stroke Survivors Tattler. Most bloggers have their own website. See slide #4.
- YouTube & Vimeo Index - Show a subsets that will include a video. See slide #5.
- All Synopsis of Comments by Date - Anybody can add comments to an article but I will edit a comment and it will not include porn, violence, etc… See slide #6.
- Google Advanced Search @ SSTattler - PageRank was named after Larry Page, one of the founders of Google (in 1996 he got a patent & PhD degree in Stanford). Basically, it will index the whole article (except “a”, “the”,...) and find it. A keywords index is used to useful, i.e. a thesis, but lots of manual effort and fail sometimes of a weird question, i.e. “ischemic volkswagen”; keyword index failed but PageRank the whole article find it or it will reply “Missing: volkswagen”. PageRank has a subset for the keywords. See slide #7.
See the diagram in 7 slides Subsets of Stroke Survivors Tattler.
Guy Hoffman: Robots with "Soul"
SSTattler: Great lecture! Robots does like a jazz musician - playful, reactive, curious; the anti-gravity treadmill does the same kind of simulation, hmmm....
What kind of robots does an animator / jazz musician / roboticist make? Playful, reactive, curious ones. Guy Hoffman shows demo film of his family of unusual robots -- including two musical bots that like to jam with humans. (Filmed at TEDxJaffa.)
Standard YouTube License @ TED
RMR: Rick and Murdoch Mysteries
Rick visits the set of Murdoch Mysteries to go behind the scenes with stars Yannick Bisson and Jonny Harris.
Standard YouTube License @ The Rick Mercer Report
Saturday, January 18, 2014
Def'n: Standing-Up Desk for Stroke Survivors
Standing Desk From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
A standing desk is a desk conceived for writing, reading, or working, while standing up or while sitting on a high stool. The term stand-up or stand up desk is also used. During the 18th and 19th centuries, standing desks were popular in the homes and offices of the rich.
Users of standing desks have included British Prime Minster Winston Churchill, songwriter Oscar Hammerstein II, author Ernest Hemingway, Former U.S. Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfeld and U.S. founding father Benjamin Franklin.
While most seated desks are a standard height, there is no set height for standing desks. Heights can range from 36 to 50 inches (91 to 130 cm) range for users over 6 feet 6 inches (1.98 m). Ideally a stand up desk is made to fit the individual user. As users of a seated desk are fairly immobile, it is relatively easy to adjust the height of a seat to compensate for variations in the individual height of the users. Users of a standing desk move around a bit more, so it is not practical to have them stand on a small pedestal or some other object. Thus, standing desks tend to vary greatly in height.
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Former U.S. Secretary of Defense,
Donald H. Rumsfeld,
working at a standing desk.
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Users of standing desks have included British Prime Minster Winston Churchill, songwriter Oscar Hammerstein II, author Ernest Hemingway, Former U.S. Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfeld and U.S. founding father Benjamin Franklin.
Variations
While most seated desks are a standard height, there is no set height for standing desks. Heights can range from 36 to 50 inches (91 to 130 cm) range for users over 6 feet 6 inches (1.98 m). Ideally a stand up desk is made to fit the individual user. As users of a seated desk are fairly immobile, it is relatively easy to adjust the height of a seat to compensate for variations in the individual height of the users. Users of a standing desk move around a bit more, so it is not practical to have them stand on a small pedestal or some other object. Thus, standing desks tend to vary greatly in height.
Video: Standing-Up Desk for Stroke Survivors
Sections:
Are standing desks the future? DNews host, Anthony Carboni, comes on to talk about the potential health benefits of standing desks and to help review the UpDesk UpWrite.
https://myupdesk.com/upwrite
http://testtube.com/dnews
Standard YouTube License @ Tekzilla
- Introduction to the Stand-Up Desk
- D.I.Y. - Cost $28 to $500 but you can do it with 1-hand & a strap
- Buy - Cost > $500 but it is worth it!
1. Introduction to the Stand-Up Desk
Is Your Chair Killing You? Why You Might Need a Standing Desk
Published on Aug 22, 2013Are standing desks the future? DNews host, Anthony Carboni, comes on to talk about the potential health benefits of standing desks and to help review the UpDesk UpWrite.
https://myupdesk.com/upwrite
http://testtube.com/dnews
Standard YouTube License @ Tekzilla
Saturday Comics
| For Better and For Worse Lynn Johnston - 2014/01/17 "Its driving me crazy!" | Dilbert Scott Adams - 2014/01/17 "...they have a software patch to fix our problem?" |
Garfield Jim Davis - 2014/01/17 "Liz, I am a man of principal..." | Betty Delainey & Rasmussen - 2014/01/17 "This is what you rented? Tron?" |
** I tried to get low or free price at the people http://www.UniversalUclick.com/ for the images for the cartoons. It was too high for Stroke Survivors Tattler i.e. we are not a regular newspaper and our budget is very low. Fortunately, you will have to do only 1-click more to see the cartoon image, it is legit and it is free using GoComics.com and Dilbert.com.
*** Changed from "Pickles" to "Betty" -- "Betty" is a excellent cartoon and Gary Delainey & Gerry Rasmussen are authors/artists/cartoon-strips and they live in Edmonton.
Eclectic Stuff
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Definition: Eclectic(noun) a person who derives ideas, style, or taste from a broad and diverse range of sources.
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Ikea Standing-Up Desk by Stroke Survivors Tattler
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| John C. Anderson Stroke Survivors Tattler |
Your Health
Many articles about a standing desk but basically it is much better about your health. Please look at Why and How I Switched to a Standing Desk, The Hidden Psychological Benefits of a Standing Desk, We Tested Standing Desks—Here's Proof They Make You More Productive.
- The calories of expenditure of, for example writing a blog, is twice standing up vs. sitting down.
- I'm a stroke survivor so my gimpy right leg probably is going to be a problem. There is no facts about a stroke survivors with a standing up desk! I will tell you a little later in this article.
Anatomy of a Standing Up (from Five Gallon Ideas)
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