2013 Neuro Film Festival

SSTattler: Made films for Neuro Film Festival goes on to the end of January 31, 2013 and this year's winning videos were announced and screened March 22, 2013. There is 23 films (25%) about "stroke" or related topic such as Traumatic Brain Injury and Epilepsy and...   Other non-stroke films SSTattler will not show them but you can find them at View Videos - Neuro Film Festival (80 total).

Each film shown by SSTattler it has the labels about stroke e.g. Moyamoya or Central Pain Syndrome or ... and the corresponding definition by Wikipedia.

2013 Neuro Film Festival

The American Brain Foundation, the foundation for the American Academy of Neurology, is calling on all neurology patients, caregivers, and others to submit a short video to its 2013 Neuro Film Festival telling their story about why more money for research is needed in finding cures for brain diseases. Winners could win up to $1,000 and a trip to San Diego, California. The deadline to enter is January 31, 2013. Entries can come in the USA or Canada.

Now in its fourth year, the Neuro Film Festival aims to raise awareness about the need to donate money for research into the prevention, treatment, and cure of brain and nervous system diseases, such as Alzheimer's disease, stroke, autism, Parkinson's disease and multiple sclerosis. Since 2010, more than more than 300 films have been submitted with more than 100,000 video views.

This year's winning videos were announced and screened March 22, 2013, at the Neuro Film Festival in San Diego in conjunction with the American Academy of Neurology's 65th Annual Meeting, the world's largest meeting of neurologists.

And the winners are...

GRAND PRIZE ($1,000 and a trip to San Diego) Awarded by a select panel of judges for the film exhibiting creativity in a technically polished presentation: Hope for HumaNS by Suzanne Gazda, San Antonio, TX 

RUNNER-UP PRIZE ($500 and a trip to San Diego) Awarded by a select panel of judges: Epillepsy by Ingrid Pfau, Bozeman, MT

FAN FAVORITE AWARD (Online Recognition) Awarded by peers as a result of public voting on video entries: Little Heroes by Paola Leone, Stratford, NJ 

The Neuro Film Festival, presented by the American Brain Foundation, aims to raise awareness about the need to donate money for research into the prevention, treatment, and cure of brain and nervous system diseases, such as Alzheimer's disease, stroke, autism, brain injury, Parkinson's disease, and multiple sclerosis.

A call was put out to neurology patients, caregivers, and others to submit a video sharing a personal story about why more money is needed in finding cures for brain diseases. This year's video submissions were touching, informative and inspiring.

Please continue to spread the word on the need for brain research. Join the American Brain Foundation in the fight to cure brain disease.

Ataxia Cure Brain Disease HQ (#4 - Ataxia)

Published on Dec 22, 2012

Kyle Bryant hosts an annual charitable bike ride that raises funds and awareness for ataxia research. In Ride 4 Ataxia: A Community of Care, Bryant discusses his initial feelings about being diagnosed with the disease and how he got involved in adaptive sports.


Standard YouTube License @ Jon1535 

Part of My Story With More of My Hope (#5 - Epileptic Seizure)

Published on Dec 27, 2012

I have Epilepsy. I am trying to help raise awareness about the effects neurological conditions have on the people who live with them and their loved ones. It is something we don't often hear about in the media. I am hoping you'll watch this video, and consider checking out the web-site I mention in it. It's an important subject. And please check out the Neuro Film Festival You Tube Channel. Hopefully, my video will be amongst the many that will be featured on it for the 2013 Neuro Film Festival. Voting starts in early February! Peace!


Standard YouTube License @ Lexington Sherbin 

Mind Mecca (#20 - Traumatic Brain Injury)

Published on Jan 28, 2013

This film has been entered into the 2013 Neuro Film Festival from the American Brain Foundation at www.NeuroFilmFestival.com. Let's put our brains together to cure brain disease. Visit CureBrainDisease.org.


Standard YouTube License @ Bobbi-jo Marlin 

Faces of CADASIL for Neuro Film Fest (#21 - CADASIL Syndrome)

Published on Jan 28, 2013

View the Faces of CADASIL, a slideshow video about people from around the world with a rare and serious genetic disease. CADASIL is believed to affect many more people than have yet been diagnosed. CADASIL is sometimes misdiagnosed as MS, as patients may have similar symptoms. People from ten countries are represented in this video, but a world map of CADASIL would show that CADASIL does not discriminate.


Standard YouTube License @ Janet M 

Mari Odegaard - Neuro Film Festival Entry

          (#28 - Brain Stem Stroke Syndrome)

Published on Jan 30, 2013

This film has been entered into the 2013 Neuro Film Festival from the American Brain Foundation at www.NeuroFilmFestival.com. Let's put our brains together to cure brain disease. Visit CureBrainDisease.org.


Standard YouTube License @ mkodegaa 

Why Brain Research is needed (#29 - Aphasia)

Published on Jan 30, 2013

"This film has been entered into the 2013 Neuro Film Festival from the American Brain Foundation at www.NeuroFilmFestival.com. Let's put our brains together to cure brain disease. Visit CureBrainDisease.org."


Standard YouTube License @ Karen Kelly 

Jamais Vu - Short Film (#31 - Epileptic Seizure)

Published on Jan 30, 2013

This film has been entered into the 2013 Neuro Film Festival from the American Brain Foundation at www.NeuroFilmFestival.com. Let's put our brains together to cure brain disease. Visit CureBrainDisease.org.

This film presents an epileptic patient describing and experiencing a feeling he experiences before getting an episode of seizure. This feeling is called Jamais Vu, which is described as being in a familiar situation or with a familiar person but not being able to recognize them. The film also discusses how little is known about epilepsy despite the major advances in diagnosis and treatment and it highlights the emotional difficulties epileptic patients face as a result of having the disease.


Standard YouTube License @ Abraam Mikhael 

Stampede for Stroke 2012 (#35 - Stroke)

Published on Jan 17, 2013

This film has been entered into the 2013 Neuro Film Festival from the American Brain Foundation at www.NeuroFilmFestival. com. Let's put our brains together to cure brain disease. Visit CureBrainDisease.org.


Standard YouTube License @ Alex Carter 

Future of our children? - CADASIL (#37 - CADASIL Syndrome)

Published on Jan 22, 2013

This film has been entered into the 2013 Neuro Film Festival from the American Brain Foundation at www.NeuroFilmFestival.com. Let's put our brains together to cure brain disease. Visit CureBrainDisease.org." In this video, a neurologic disease called CADASIL, affects not only the patient and the family but also the future of their children and future of other generations unless researchers can find a treatment or cure.


Standard YouTube License @ Billie Duncan-Smith 

Unconditional Love by Marty Novitsky (#39 - Stroke)

Published on Jan 31, 2013

This film has been entered into the 2013 Neuro Film Festival from the American Brain Foundation at www.NeuroFilmFestival.com. Let's put our brains together to cure brain disease. Visit CureBrainDisease.org.

Short film about the Son Marty Novitsky, who took care of her paralyzed mom for 10 years. And the amazing gift that he received at the end.

In our speeded-up, highly complex society we need to remind ourselves about the REAL important things in life. "Unconditional love" is a video that emphasizes the importance of taking care of a loved one and to inspire that you too can be your family's care giver. As the traditional phrase reminds us, "Do to others as you would have them do to you."

Marty: I have had countless friends. They were all very important. I was the best man 7 times. My bests friends were Alex and Irene Novitsky. They taught me to obey the golden rule. The golden rule is give onto others what we would have others give onto us.if you follow this rule you will be a very proud caregiver.

Produced by www.utcinema.com, New York, 2013


Standard YouTube License @ Uladzimir Taukachou 

CureBrainDisease (#41 - Traumatic Brain Injury)

Published on Jan 27, 2013

Joyice - CureBrainDisease.org contest.


Standard YouTube License @ annilama123's channel 

Central Pain Syndrome: I am one among 100,000

              (#42 - Central Pain Syndrome)

Published on Jan 13, 2013

This film has been entered into the 2013 Neuro Film Festival from the American Brain Foundation at www.NeuroFilmFestival.com. Let's put our brains together to cure brain disease. Visit CureBrainDisease.org.


Standard YouTube License @ MrsPattiG1 

Central Pain Syndrome: lives in constant pain

              (#43 - Central Pain Syndrome)

Published on Nov 5, 2012

Let's put our brains together to prevent brain disease. Visit CureBrainDisease.org ABF, Neuro Film Festival, American Brain Foundation, AAN, neurology, and film festival.


Standard YouTube License @ MrsPattiG1 

Let's Find A Cure For Brain Disease (#48 - Epileptic Seizure)

Published on Jan 31, 2013


Standard YouTube License @ Sam Inglese Jr. 

Evan's Story (#49 - Moyamoya Disease)

Published on Jan 31, 2013

My wife Nataile suffered a stroke in the hospital after a mild brain surgery related to here Moyamoya condition. It has affected our lives in ways that I can't even put into words, but the person that has felt the brunt of the changes is our son Evan. This is a look at the Events through the eyes of a 6 year old (4 when it happened).


Standard YouTube License @ Mike Comstock 

A life free from stigma (#52 - Epileptic Seizure)

Published on Jan 31, 2013

"This film has been entered into the 2013 Neuro Film Festival from the American Brain Foundation at www.NeuroFilmFestival.com. Let's put our brains together to cure brain disease. Visit CureBrainDisease.org."

Meet Kenna, a 14 year old highschool student. She is in the color guard, enjoys creating YouTube videos, and hanging out with her friends. Kenna is a "normal" kid, the only difference is that she has epilepsy.


Standard YouTube License @ holleymoseley's channel 

Hope for Humans founders on Nodding Syndrome

               (#54 - Epileptic Seizure)

Published on Jan 31, 2013

This film introduces a mysterious and fatal neurological disease plaguing the children of northern Uganda. Neurologist Suzanne Gazda and Sally Baynton, PhD discuss the disease, its ramifications and their efforts to bring hope to the families suffering as a result. In this film, Hope for Humans documents the opening of its Care Center in August, 2012 which serves as a site for education, research, and much needed respite for the children and their families.

This film has been entered into the 2013 Neuro Film Festival from the American Brain Foundation at www.NeuroFilmFestival.com. Let's put our brains together to cure brain disease. Visit CureBrainDisease.org.


Standard YouTube License @ HopeHumaNS 

Beneath the Cracks (#59 - Traumatic Brain Injury)

Published on Jan 31, 2013

"This film has been entered into the 2013 Neuro Film Festival from the American Brain Foundation at www.NeuroFilmFestival.com. Let's put our brains together to cure brain disease. Visit CureBrainDisease.org."


Standard YouTube License @ kutisuhi 

Walled In By Stroke and Aphasia (#62 - Aphasia)

Published on Jan 31, 2013

"This film has been entered into the 2013 Neuro Film Festival from the American Brain Foundation at www.NeuroFilmFestival.com. Let's put our brains together to cure brain disease. Visit CureBrainDisease.org."


Standard YouTube License @ Aphasia Files 

Overcoming Stroke and Aphasia (#63 - Aphasia)

Published on Jan 31, 2013

"This film has been entered into the 2013 Neuro Film Festival from the American Brain Foundation at www.NeuroFilmFestival.com. Let's put our brains together to cure brain disease. Visit CureBrainDisease.org."


Standard YouTube License @ Aphasia Files 

Five Strokes and Still Fighting (#66 - Aphasia)

Published on Jan 31, 2013

Asiati has had five strokes resulting in physical and speech disabilities. But she is a fighter. She struggles daily to overcome her speech disability known as Aphasia. The strokes have confined her to a scooter, but she defies that by getting out of it and walking a few steps when she can. She will never give up!

"This film has been entered into the 2013 Neuro Film Festival from the American Brain Foundation at www.NeuroFilmFestival.com. Let's put our brains together to cure brain disease. Visit CureBrainDisease.org."


Standard YouTube License @ Aphasia Files 

Life After A Stroke (#72 - Stroke)

Published on Feb 1, 2013

This film has been entered into the 2013 Neuro Film Festival from the American Brain Foundation at www.NeuroFilmFestival. com. Let's put our brains together to cure brain disease. Visit CureBrainDisease.org.


Standard YouTube License @ Kimberly Sark 

Never Say Never (#74 - Aphasia)

Published on Feb 1, 2013

Often taken for granted, thrombolytic therapy and interventional modalities of stroke require further research and momentum to improve the rate of excellent clinical outcomes. We highlight a case which shows just how important and amazing such therapies can be. Lets put our brains together to cure brain disease.


Standard YouTube License @ Ajay Sood 

Saturday Comics

For Better and For Worse
Lynn Johnston - 2008-01-25

"I wish you didn't have to go!"

Dilbert
Scott Adams - 2013-05-10

"Try cancelling all maternity leave..."

Garfield
Jim Davis -2013-05-06

"Not a good morning, Garfield !"

Betty
Delainey & Rasmussen - 2013-05-10

"The key to a good system is Trust !"

  
*For Better and For Worse" is a serious topic of stroke but with a very nice cartoons. It is all about Grandpa Jim had a stroke and 88 further cartoon "strips" that happened to Grandpa Jim. (See as well  the author Lynn Johnston).

** 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 & Articles

Definition: Eclectic(noun) a person who derives ideas, style, or taste from a broad and diverse range of sources.

Try: To Attempt to Do or Accomplish

Peter G Levine
The Stroke Recovery Blog

Saturday, May 4, 2013

Here is clarification of a paragraph in the previous post:

Of course, there's a fine line between the exercise and movement needed to relearn movement. But the emphasis on trying to build muscle is as mistaken as changing the oil in a car with no gas: Its a good thing, but hardly the main issue.

This difference between exercise and repetitive practice (movement needed to relearn movement) may seem like a distinction without a difference. In fact, both build muscle and both drive plastic changes in the brain. The distinction is in the focus. Repetitive practice paradigms focus on driving changes in the motor and sensory cortices of the brain, not specifically in changes in muscle strength. Sure, muscles will build. But focusing on strengthening is like climbing a ladder to the top only to find the ladder is leaning against the wrong building. Stroke is brain damage. And, unlike most other forms of acquired brain injury, stroke involves just one part of the brain. So if a survivor is, say, 2 years post-stroke and they can’t open their hand and then, later they can, that is not a reflection of muscular strength. It is a clear indication of a change in the brain. The muscles have been there all along. Muscle strengthening is the easy part.

Clinicians often sweat the fact that survivors have limited energy for therapy. But does it need to be very strenuous to be beneficial? No! The ability to open the hand (or lift the foot or straighten the elbow or move the mouth) can be done while sitting in a comfy chair. Each attempt should be focused and deliberate. The very ends of the movement should be the point of focus. Each attest is measured as a success if it is just beyond the previous attempt.

See the original article:
      Try: To Attempt to Do or Accomplish
      in The Stroke Recovery Blog

Sunday Stroke Survivor ~ Bye Bye OT

Jo Murphey
The Murphrey Saga

Sunday, May 5, 2013

Well this week saw the final hurrah of my last Botox series of injections. The spasticity has returned to full force. In other words, I can't do nuthin' with my arm and leg.

Well almost nothing. I have a bit more mobility than I started with, but I have to really work for it. It now takes 45 minutes to get my wrist out of the 90 degree angle into a neutral position. Before the Botox, it just wasn't going. So putting on my splits and braces is a two-hour long process instead of 15 minutes. If it's not my wrist and hand it's my bicep holding me back.

After Fluto and paraffin, it still took 40 minutes for my therapist working with my hand and fingers to get them partially relaxed, but the tendons were so tight. That pretty much ate up my session. I looked at her and she looked back at me, and I said, "We're just pissing in the wind trying to stay dry aren't we?" She nodded her head sadly. That was my last therapy appointment until after my next Botox treatments.

I knew it was coming last week. I started achieving less with more spasms. I was reaching 8 out of 10 pain levels a lot more than the week before. Even the grip I had accomplished during my sessions is gone. I'm back to my inverted, contracted self.

But the good news is that I've got a neurologist that is all for anything I want to try. Ask her and she'll write an order for it. For someone like me who thinks outside the box most times, this is a godsend. Now if something is truly unreasonable after I voice what and why I want it, she'll deny it. She is the doctor after all. But just like me having all my ducks in a row when I ask for something; she has to do the same when dealing with me. But I like this relationship and it is a relationship. A partnership borne out of mutual respect and wanting to see me achieve. These are all my doctor patient relationships. I don't have the time or money for anything else. There are just too many ologist in our lives.

My next scheduled Botox is on the 23rd so I should be back in therapies (PT and OT) by June. It is my hope to strengthen the weakened muscles to compensate and eliminate the spasticity for good. Otherwise I wouldn't put myself through this. I'm looking forward to the day when I can say, "Spasticity? What spasticity?" It may be a long time coming, but I'll continue for as long as it takes.

Nothing is impossible with determination.

8 comments:

Elsie Amata May 5, 2013 said... Many hugs to you. My dad suffered from a stroke too. He was paralyzed on his left side and had the same sunny and determined attitude like you. I get botox for my migraines. That stuff is like magic!

J.L. Murphey May 5, 2013 said... Elsie, Welcome! Botox works so long as they hit the right spots.

Teacher-Mom May 5, 2013 said... You are one tough lady!

Zan Marie May 5, 2013 said... {{{{hugs}}}} Jo, you're in my thoughts and prayers.

J.L. Murphey May 5, 2013 said... Teacher-Mom- I'm one tough lady because God and life taught me to be. Zan Marie- ((((((hugs)))))) back at you because you know fibro and can relate. Will take all the prayers I can get, They are holding me up.

Deanie Humphrys-Dunne  May 5, 2013 said... Sending hugs and prayers to you as well. I hope you find therapy that will really help.

Lara May 6, 2013 said... Sounds like you're making progress, even though it might be slow. Hang in there!

Deanie Humphrys-Dunne May 6, 2013 said... JoAnn, I nominated you for another award. Please go to: www.dhdunne.blogspot.com to find out more.

See the original article:
      Sunday Stroke Survivor ~ Bye Bye OT 
      in The Murphey Saga

The Serial Killer & The Exploding Catheter

Diane
The Pink House On The Corner

Saturday, May 4, 2013

Lately, I've been in a bit of a slump. A sort of caregiver's-burnout-don't-feel-like-doing-anything-more-than-I-have-to slump. This because Bob has been in an even worst slump. Ever since he quit PT, all he wants to do is lie around with his sore foot propped on a pillow and do nothing except shove hand towels up his butt....

I kid you not.

This is not because of any physical problem down there. No, this is because he is not moving around, not doing anything, and as he is paralyzed, he is always in the same position, flat on his butt and hence, he is perspiring down there. Profusely.

And I've got a truckload of hand towels to wash daily. And he still runs out of them. I hate to say, it's driving me nuts.

That being said, I've not been doing much this past week except fetching hand towels, and washing hand towels, and drying hand towels and folding hand towels.

That, and sort of taking a break from it all. I figure, I deserve a break, now and then. Right? And next week is going to be a busy one with three doctor's appointments and finally, a feeding tube replacement!

So, the other day, I was "taking a break" and we spent a quiet afternoon watching a movie. It was one of those the-nice-guy-next-door-turns-out-to-be-a-serial-killer movies. We were just at the climax of the movie, you know the part where the cute, but dimwitted, young heroine is standing in the serial killer's kitchen when she comes across a wallet containing the driver's license of a missing woman and it dawns on her that this nice guy, whose kitchen she is standing in, is in fact a serial killer. Just then, the killer is coming upstairs from the basement. With each step he takes, the basement stairs are creaking: creak creak creak... and you are gripping the edge of your seat and thinking run, you stupid bimbo, run!  Just then, at that very moment, there is a loud, and I mean, really loud explosive SQUEEAK!

I tell you, I shot up from my seat so fast, I nearly hit the roof. Because that SQUEEAK was not in the movie but in our house! And I thought, lord almighty, there is some kind of giant rodent or squirrel or other wild beast in the house.

Then, I looked over at Bob and to my horror saw a fountain of pee shooting from the crotch from his pants. Oh shit! And I mean this thing was shooting, straight up in the air. A long arcing stream of piss flying straight up into the air.  I tell you, I just stood there mesmerized for a moment. Amazed. I'd never seen anything like it.

Then, I dash to the kitchen to grab some hand towels, and, of course, there aren't any towels left because Bob has shoved them all up his ass. So I grab some dish towels instead and dash back to Bob and throw them on top of his crotch in an attempt to stamp out that fountain of piss. And really, I am totally baffled because this has never happened before. And Bob has his condom catheter on so why in the world is piss flying into the air. Unless his leg bag has sprung a leak. Finally, I think I've got the fountain of piss under control and I remove the towels and then attempt to pull Bob's pants down to take a look at the catheter bag, and in the process of removing his pants I somehow manage to reactivate the fountain and it shoots straight at me.

Now I am drenched with pee and, of course, Bob is drenched with pee. As is the bed. And the towels which I have quickly thrown on top of him to stop this new assault. But now I can see that the catheter bag attached to Bob's leg is empty. Which is weird. So the pee must coming out of the top of the condom catheter. I can also see that there is more urine trapped between the condom catheter and the catheter bag and it's not going down, for some reason, so that's why it's going up, instead. So I, first, detach the leg bag straps. Then I try to sort of shake the urine down into the bag. Nothing happens. Then I try to squeeze the urine down into the bag. Which truly backfires on me. And another explosion of pee squirts out the top of the catheter. Finally, I decide I must take the whole contraption off, because something is definitely malfunctioning.

Once I have the condom catheter off, I have to clean up Bob and clean up the bed, then clean up me... Then I take the condom catheter to the kitchen to get a good look at it. But I don't see any apparent problem. So I attach the still sticky condom to the kitchen faucet. I turn on the faucet and the same time taking a step backward, just in case. But the water goes down into the bag....

Evidently, there was a kink somewhere in the tube. And the urine backed up to the point it exploded out the top with a loud SQUEEAK. At least that's what I think happened.

All I can say is, glad this didn't happen out in public.

And so much for my well deserved break...

2 comments:

Anonymous May 5, 2013 said... And I thought "Murphy" was always hanging around me giving me grief with problems. Apparently he made a quick trip to your home for a visit too. I do hope you have a much better and very relaxing day today. You are both in my thoughts and prayers. -- Hugs and prayers, Dan

Anonymous May 5, 2013 said... All I can say is you are an amazing woman!!!!! -- Hugs to you, Alice

See the original article:
      The Serial Killer & The Exploding Catheter
      in The Pink House On The Corner

Why My Stroke Was the Best Thing to Ever Happen to Me

Dean Reinke
Deans' Stroke Musing

Monday, May 6, 2013

At the funeral reception a woman was aghast when I told her that the stroke was the best thing to ever happen to me. This is a longer explanation than I gave her.

Short version:

Stroke---> fatigue---> job performance coasting--->
layoff--->  job search---> new job, new location--> separation---> divorce---> new friends--->
new purpose in life---> happy, happy, happy.

Long version:

Stroke caused massive fatigue and I was coasting in my job. In order to keep my job I needed to go back to work in 6 months, I worked half-time for 6 weeks, then fulltime, this was under a new director since my previous director/friend retired.

Everything went swimmingly until she was promoted to vice-president and a new director came in. Subjective performance measures were used and I guess I failed one. Realized too late that the director had set me up to fail and was forced to retire. Which was interesting because when I applied for unemployment I got it. The question asked was 'Were you involuntarily released?' 'Yes'.

The answer to that question from the employer has to match yours in order to receive unemployment.

No local jobs were available, the two I interviewed for I did not get. Started looking in other states.  Got and accepted a mainframe programming job offer from IBM in East Lansing, MI. I'm back to the work I loved, programming, which I'm damn good at.

Moving to a new location by myself with no contacts in the area forced me to become a social butterfly and I liked that. It forced a logical look at my relationship with my wife, totally dysfunctional. Read the book, Stop Walking on Eggshells, to understand the dynamics involved.  That led to divorce proceedings.  I got numerous comments this past weekend how happy and smiling I've become.

I now have a purpose in life and that is to completely change everything to do with stroke, nothing in stroke is worth keeping, everything can be improved at least 200%, considering all the incompetent people in the field. The stroke also brought out my extreme arrogance, which is a good thing if you are trying to change the medical establishment. Read the book Myths of Happiness for why you are wrong about what makes you happy.

Its true, I'm happy, happy, happy. And its all because of the stroke.

Life is good.

1 comment:

Marcelle Greene May 7, 2013 said... AWESOME!!!

See the original article:
      Why My Stroke Was the Best Thing to Ever Happen to Me
      in Deans' Stroke Musing

In 'N' Out

Marcelle Greene
Up Stroke

Thursday, February 14, 2013

Sometimes I notice that I hold my breath when I'm doing something challenging. Pre-stroke I caught myself holding my breath whenever I changed lanes on the freeway. Post-stroke I notice it most often while doing hand exercises.

My occupational therapist used to command me to "BREATHE!"

My retort: "I can pick up this ball or I can breathe, but you can't have both!"

I wasn't the only rehab patient with this problem. I heard other therapists bark the same instruction at other straining patients.

Here's my new tactic: When I become aware that I haven't exhaled, I stop whatever I'm struggling to do and take a few purposeful breaths. Then I make another attempt while focusing on my breathing. Whenever I do this, I notice my coordination and execution improve. I have become convinced that my recovery will coincide with my ability to breathe easily through my motions. Like golf or yoga, the perfect swing or the perfect pose feels effortless.

Jack Kornfield tells a story about a meditation student who complains to his teacher that focusing on his breath during meditation is boring. The teacher grabs the student by the neck and plunges his head under water. When the teacher finally releases the struggling student, he says: "Do you think your breath is boring now?"



5 comments:

Barb Polan February 14, 2013 said... Yes, yes, I do this whenever I concentrate on something, and I have to monitor myself and make myself breathe.

Janet Mc February 14, 2013 said... After attending a workshop last month where a 6 minute per day meditation was recommended, I have recently started this daily meditation which consists of sitting quietly with my eyes closed and counting my breaths, in and out, up to 100 counts. Just to sit mindfully for this amount of time is a lovely discipline. When I find myself in a challenging situation, one that requires patience, I stop and begin to silently count my breaths. Your blog just confirms the many ways mindful breathing is helpful!

Rebecca Dutton February 14, 2013 said... I hold my breathe during hand exercises too Now before movement begins I take a breath and try to remember to blow it out slowly through pursed lips.

Dianne February 15, 2013 said... You are so clever and funny and insightful and tenacious and such a wonderful writer. I'm so doggon proud of you!

findingstrengthtostandagain March 25, 2013 said... I love your Uncle Wells' joke. I have never heard that before, and it made me chuckle. :-)

See the original article In 'N' Out in Up Stroke

Sue Austin: Deep Sea Diving... in a Wheelchair

Published on Jan 8, 2013

When Sue Austin got a power chair 16 years ago, she felt a tremendous sense of freedom -- yet others looked at her as though she had lost something. In her art, she aims to convey the spirit of wonder she feels wheeling through the world. Includes thrilling footage of an underwater wheelchair that lets her explore ocean beds, drifting through schools of fish, floating free in 360 degrees. (Filmed at TEDxWomen.)

TEDTalks is a daily video podcast of the best talks and performances from the TED Conference, where the world's leading thinkers and doers give the talk of their lives in 18 minutes (or less). Look for talks on Technology, Entertainment and Design -- plus science, business, global issues, the arts and much more.


Standard YouTube License @ TEDTalks

Wheelchair Accessible Home

Uploaded on Aug 5, 2011

This video shows the modifications made during the construction of my home to make it wheelchair accessible.


Standard YouTube License @ Paralyzed Living

Malcolm Gladwell Explains Why Human Potential Is Being Squandered

John C Anderson
Stroke Survivors Tattler

Uploaded on Jan 12, 2012

Pop sociologist and best-selling author Malcolm Gladwell has honed in on a profound new question: what separates extraordinary and average people? Discussing findings from his much like book “Outliers: The Story of Success,” Gladwell details how we’re squandering human potential everywhere from the football field to the classroom – and what we can do to change it.

"When we observe differences in how individuals succeed in the world our initial thought is always to say, to argue that that is the result of some kind of innate difference in ability.

And when we look at the different rates that groups succeed we think that that reflects some underlying innate trait in the characteristics of that group. And that is wrong... what capitalization rates say... is there's another explanation and that has to do with poverty, with stupidity, and with culture." 

"We have a scarcity of achievement... not because we have a scarcity of talent. We have a scarcity of achievement because we're squandering our talent. And that's not bad news that's good news; because it says that this scarcity is not something we have to live with. It's something we can do something about."

As well, watch full talk at PopTech Malcolm Gladwell Explains Why... [19 min.].


Creative Commons Attribution license @ Crossroads Times

Man Owned & Drove the Same Car for 82 Years

Jackie Poff
Stroke Survivors Tattler

They  certainly don't make them like that anymore. This man Owned & Drove the same car for 82 years.

Can you imagine even having the same car for 82 years!

"How Long Have You Owned a Car?"

Mr. Allen Swift ( Springfield , MA.) received this 1928 Rolls-Royce Piccadilly-P1 Roadster from his father, brand new  - as a graduation gift in 1928.

He drove it up until his  death last year... at the age of 102 !!!

He was the oldest living owner of a car that was purchased new.

Just thought you'd like to see it. It was donated to a Springfield  museum after his death.

It has 1,070,000 miles on it, still runs like a Swiss watch, dead silent at any speed and is in  perfect cosmetic condition. (82 years). That's approximately  13,048 miles per year (1087 per  month)...

1,070,000  that's miles - not kilometres, thus, 1,712,000 km!! 

That's Best British Engineering of a bygone era. I don't think they make them  like that any more.

An Amazing Story...

Monty Becker
Stroke Survivors Tattler

What a marvelous story for horse lovers and an inspiration  for others... to think of the courage and determination.... yet we complain about trivialities in our lives! Wow, and to think of the small things I complain about! This woman is a treasure and so is her horse. 





The determined Bettina Eistel and her very special horse, Fabuleax 5.  I saw this photo today and it took a minute for my brain to register what I was seeing.

Look closely... No arms. What is even more compelling than the fact that she can brush her horse with her feet, is that she competes, very well, at the Paralympics in dressage. Bettina didn't just overcome her disability, she walloped it!  (Kinda makes me feel ridiculous for complaining about anything).





Cantering WHY NO ARMS? Thalidomide. Anyway, she was born in 1961 in Germany, with no arms due to the drug, Thalidomide.







Her Book -- What is Thalidomide? Thalidomide was a drug they gave pregnant women before it was known that it caused birth defects  Hence, Bettina was born without any arms.

Saddling -- Bettina doesn't let her disability stop her.  After all, this way of being is all she has ever known









Bridling -- look at him drop his head. Anyway, as a small child, Bettina learned how to use her feet and toes as her hands and fingers.  As a youngster, she started in horse riding lessons.  She wears riding boots with cut-outs in the toes so she can have hands (imagine how cold her toes must get and how often they clip a branch or a fence board ouch!).  She can saddle, bridle, hose down, wrap, blanket and do just about anything else that is needed for her horse.

And, she rides by steering with her legs and holding the reins in her mouth. IN HER MOUTH.  Amazing. Oh, and besides all those horse riding feats, she can text, write and put on mascara with her toes!

They say Bettina is a master at hose water fights! After high-school in 1979, Bettina studied the History of Art, Archaeology and Ethnology in Hamburg, followed by an eight-year study of psychology. During her psychology studies, she  participated in a project with Hamburgs home for children. In 1989 she completed her studies with a diploma and has since worked as a graduate psychologist in a Hamburg counseling center for children and family therapy.

Paralympics -- I really couldn't find much information on her coaching (Her coach Franz-Martin Stankus) or how she learned to ride.  But, I did find out that:  Eistel was formerly Vice-European and Vice World Champion (two silver and bronze at the European Championships in Portugal in 2002 and three silver at the World Championships in Belgium in 2003) and won two silver and one bronze medal at the 2004 Paralympics in Athens.  She also won the German National Championship three times.  Her most recent successes are the bronze medal in the required tasks of the individual competition and the silver medal in the team standings at the 2008 Paralympics in Hong Kong.



With Her Dressage Medal & Her Horse -- You have to really think about the kind of horse who would let this kind of a rider be his partner.  Really what temperament is needed to perform at high level dressage as well as take care of a disabled rider? I wish I knew if they looked high and low for him or if they simply trained a good horse to understand this rider?I often hear that certain horses are much more gracious with disabled riders than with regular riders.







Taking a Treat from Mom -- Bettina says she trained her horse via voice commands, head movement and leg aids.  Funny, I bet hardly any of us would think it was even possible to ride a horse without arms.  Fabuleax lets Bettina ride him in the only way she can with the reins in her teeth and the other set of reins between her toes.  Also - as you'll see in the photos, he lowers his head to be bridled and to be brushed.  What a gentleman!










Beautiful Boy -- TELEVISION HOST Bettina has also landed a gig as a Talk Show Host.  With a weekly show on German TV station ZDF, Bettina is something of a media star.They say her popularity is because of her engaging and optimistic personality but one cannot ignore her amazing ability to do everything, literally everything, with her feet...











Bettina as talk show host -- AFTERTHOUGHT I wanted to bring this story to you because I think sometimes we give up too easily. I cannot even imagine folding the laundry with my feet, let alone living 24 hours without my hands.  Wow... Very inspirational. What a great team!

RMR: Rick at Monster Jam

Published on Feb 20, 2013

Rick gets behind the wheel of Northern Nightmare at Maple Leaf Monster Jam in Edmonton, AB.


Standard YouTube License @ The Rick Mercer Report

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