WWW.PowerToEndStroke.Org

WWW.PowerToEndStroke.Org

Health Corner Features Ron Gardner's Story

Hi Everyone

My stroke buddy Ron Gardner sent me a message yesterday with a link to his story that was featured on the T.V. program Health Corner this past Sunday.

This is the intro that they gave as a lead up to Ron's story.

"More than 162,000 Americans die from stroke every year, a shocking statistic that motivated Emmy® award winning actress Cicely Tyson to speak out and start giving back. Health Corner profiles a New Jersey family affected by stroke. See how their lives have been transformed and why they're closer than ever."

Click here to watch the video feature and read more about Ron and his family.

By the way Ron is one of my Net Friends and if you would like to be one too then just Click Here to sign up.

As one of my Net Friends I will be passing on to you all sorts of great free content that I uncover as I explore the Net. It could be articles, videos, e books, software whatever. If you have something that you are looking for then just email me garydotgray@gmail.com and tell me what it is. More than likely I can find a free resource for you on the net.

Till next post,

Smiles :o)

Gary

A Srtoke Survivor's Story...

Hi Everyone

Welcome!

Read this!... A stroke survivor telling the true story of what happened to him.

Click Here to read his story.

Thank you for reading Ron's story.

Please get to know the signs of a stroke. It just might save someone's live including your own.

Till next post.

Smiles :o)

Gary

Healthier Outcomes Article...

Hi again everyone

Just a quick post to give you a link to today's front page newspaper article featuring my stroke buddy John Montgomery and his wife Bev.

John Montgomery enjoys a sucker as his wife, Bev, gives him a loving embrace. A stroke left John, now a resident of Hillsborough Hospital, with little ability to understand or express speech. Guardian photo by Jim Day

I first met john after his first stroke in 2005 and before his second which left him with a much greater degree of disability. He was one of if not the most enthusiastic supporter of my presentation Finding a "New Normal" at the PEI Heart and Stroke Strategies for Stroke Recovery conference in Charlottetown in November 2007.

Click Here... to read the entire article

This article gives even more details about the establishment of the organized stroke support program announced on Thursday.

Till next post,

Smiles :o)

Gary

Organized Stroke Care Model for PEI

Hello Everyone

I have to tell you that I am pleased with the announcement of the establishment of a n acute stroke unit for our province in yesterday's provincial budget.

I am also very happy with the overall roll out as it was presented in the press release at the special press conference held this morning in Charlottetown.

I am including the press release from government here so you can read it in detail.

April 17, 2009
For immediate release

Government Commits to an Organized Stroke Care Model for PEI

Health

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As unveiled in the Provincial budget, Government has introduced an Organized Stroke Care program to improve the outcomes for Islanders who have suffered a stroke. This program not only makes provision for a dedicated Acute Stroke Care Unit, it goes far beyond the stroke unit and provides a comprehensive prevention and treatment program for stroke survivors. The program will be phased in over 4 years.

After careful consideration, Government has chosen a care delivery model called “Organized Stroke Care.” This delivery model has been proven to improve patient outcomes after stroke. It promotes a coordinated approach with early assessment, mobilization and rehabilitation for every patient who can benefit.

“The number one priority of this Government is health care,” said Premier Robert Ghiz, “and the implementation of an Organized Stroke Care model will provide significant support to Islanders and their families who suffer from strokes. We had identified the need for such a model and we are pleased to be moving forward with this important initiative.”

The cornerstone of the Organized Stroke Care model is inpatient Stroke Unit Care, which includes management on an Acute Stroke Unit followed by intensive rehabilitation on a Rehabilitation Stroke Unit. Stroke Unit care is provided on specific nursing units, involving collaborative care between health professionals with special interest and expertise in stroke care. To achieve optimal outcomes, this care model must include care on both the Acute Stroke and Rehabilitation Units.

It is recognized that there will be health human resource challenges associated with the implementation of an Organized Stroke Care model. For this reason, Government has chosen a phased-in approach over 4 years. Staffing of stroke care positions may leave vacancies elsewhere in the system, so careful consideration will be taken to move forward in a responsible manner that ensures quality care across the entire system.

The Department of Health, in its leadership role of providing quality, sustainable health care to Islanders, has recognized and supported the priorities of stroke care, as well as the overall prevention and management of chronic disease. The Province’s Strategy for Healthy Living continues to address risk factors for chronic disease, including healthy eating, tobacco reduction and physical activity.

“This is a great day for health care in PEI,” said Doug Currie, Minister of Health. “I wish to thank the Heart and Stroke Foundation for their ongoing cooperative efforts to improve stroke care for Islanders. This stroke model will not only allow us to provide better care, but, when fully implemented, it will also alleviate some of the current bed pressures on our health system.”

In collaboration with health system partners, PEI has already begun to implement various initiatives within the 2006 provincial stroke strategy across the province. These include Ambulance direct transfer policies and implementation of TPA (clot busting drug) protocols at the two major hospitals in PEI. As well, the Heart and Stroke Foundation, Island EMS and Murphy’s Pharmacies launched a media campaign to increase the awareness of signs and symptoms of stroke.

The Heart and Stroke Foundation and other partners have led many of the activities implemented to date. Government applauds these efforts and recognizes that further advancement of the strategy cannot occur without significant investment by Government.

Phase one (years 1-2) of the program includes a Stroke Unit Care model and a Rehabilitation Stroke Unit to be located on a specifically designated Unit at the Queen Elizabeth Hospital (QEH) in Charlottetown. The QEH was identified because two thirds of stroke occurring in PEI occur in Charlottetown and in Eastern PEI. The QEH is the central referral hospital in PEI, access to neurologists and physiatrists is best at QEH and the Provincial Rehabilitation Unit is already located at the QEH. Island EMS will continue to take patients to either the QEH Emergency Department or the Prince County Hospital (PCH) Emergency Department for initial stabilization in emergency care and critical care.

Also, in phase one, the PCH will run a Secondary Stroke Prevention pilot that is intended to roll-out province wide. The Prevention Unit will be focused on patients who have already had a stroke or TIA, which is commonly referred to as a “mini stroke.” The objective of the prevention care will be to delay future disease events, achieve improvement, promote wellness and enhance the patient’s quality of life.

Stroke is the third leading cause of death and the leading cause of disability. In PEI, there are approximately 340 to 360 strokes annually – this equals about one stroke every day.

-30-

Media Contact: Laura Jones

As you can see by committing to an "organized stroke support program" our government has gone beyond the scope of an acute stroke unit and has addressed other important issues such as prevention, recognition, first responders, acute treatment, rehabilitative treatment as well as follow up care.

This is a giant step forward that addresses most if not all of the concerns raised by my information piece that I had presented to each of the sitting members and official opposition members prior to budget meetings leading up to the budget presented yesterday.

How could I not be pleased with a result like this.

Congratulations to everyone involved in working toward this end. April 16th, 2009 will go down as a red letter day for future stroke victims and their families as well as present stroke survivors and their famiies in Prince Edward Island.

Congratulations!!! Woooo Hoooo!!!

Till next post,

Smiles :o)

Gary

GOOD NEWS FOR TOUGH TIMES

Hi everyone

Welcome back!

Have you heard of Ron Gardner? Neither had I until today! Ron invited me to be his Facebook friend earlier today and joined my Net Friends list so I started checking him out. As a fellow stroke survivor with a business background and his ability to speak makes him someone that I will want to be getting to know better as time goes by.

In the meantime you may wish to check out his book "The Brave Steps For Stroke Survivors and Families: A Message of Motivation and Hope"

His press release follows along with a link to his book site. His book is available in three formats. Book, audio on CD and audio on MP3.

Click here to go to Ron's book site and his training site.

A Survivor of Near Fatal Stroke Offers Motivation and Hope to Millions

Pennsville, NJ - May 28, 2008 - Stroke is the third leading cause of death and the number one cause of adult disability in the United States. For survivors and their loved ones, it is a life-altering event. Ron Gardner, a survivor of a severe stroke, understands what it feels like to have his life changed forever. He has made it his personal mission to better the lives of the more than five million survivors with his new book, Take Brave Steps For Stroke Survivors and Families: A message of Motivation and Hope.

The book illustrates how motivation can meet inspiration. Gardner hopes it will lead readers from “bitter to better.” Ron shares his heart-felt personal tragedies and triumphs over stroke survival and guides readers and loved ones through the complex maze of stroke recovery with his self-reflections, tips, and other informative tools. Because families are adversely impacted by stroke in many ways that are difficult to manage and understand, he also introduces his wife Patti and daughter Molly to share how the stroke changed their lives and to tell how to prepare families and loved ones for the significant challenges that are about to unfold.

There are more than 780,000 new strokes each year. Many are preventable. According to Gardner, contributing factors to his stroke were unchecked stress and high blood pressure after more than twenty years in the corporate business world. Gardner urges everyone not to think this only happens to the “other guy.” Now a motivational speaker and trainer, he intends to use his book and its powerful testimony to encourage fellow corporate executives to make healthy lifestyle changes before they become the “other guy,” as he did.

Click here to go to Ron's book site and his training site.

By the way don't you miss joining my Net Friends List. Just enter your name and email address in the form over on the Right margin of this blog. I share from time to time interesting finds that I come accross on the net as I research the various topics that I blog about.

Till next post,

Smiles :o)

Gary

Stress and Your Health

Welcome

Do you worry? You want to scream just make it stop!!!

There is so much to worry about these days. The declining economy, Stock Market investment losses, the environment, the downturn in the housing market, the job losses happening all around the globe.

So stress is a direct result of worrying about these things and can lead to major health issues.

Here is just part of what Talli van Sunder of Being Healthy for Busy People has to say on the matter

"Today’s episode is the first in a two part series about stress. Now is an appropriate time for this topic because these are tough and stressful times for many people. Unemployment is up, home foreclosures are high and the stock market is way down. Some people have lost their jobs and others are worried that they might lose theirs. There are a lot of people worrying about whether they can continue to pay their bills and mortgages."

Just click here to read the rest of her post and listen to part one of her podcast on stress and how to cope with the effects of today's stresses in our lives.

If you like the topics that I research and post on my blogs then you just might want to join my Net Friends List. It is where I share interesting and valuable nuggets that I uncover as I do research for my blogs.

If you wish to sign up then just enter your name and email address into the form in the Right margin of this blog and confirm the double opt in and you will be added to my Net Friends.

There are no fees (totally free), we never share your info, we don't spam you and you can unsubscribe a any time that you wish.

Til next post,

Smiles :o)

Gary

Seven Simple Steps to Prevent Back Pain

Who is watching your back?

Well the stats say that more than four out of every five people will at some point in their lives suffer from some degree of back pain. This condition in the United States can cause 300 million days per year of restricted activity or an average of one day per year for every man, woman and child in the entire country. It can also cost the US economy nearly 150 billion dollars in medical treatments and lost productivity.

You may ask, "What can I do to help prevent back pain from taking away my active lifestyle and costing me hundreds and even thousands of dollars in medical costs?"

Well the pain in our back is not necessarily the result of serious injury. So to prevent and relive aches and pains from common causes here are seven things that you can do.

1. Get up and move around (every half hour or so) Don't get so focused on your work that you forget to get up. This moving about will stimulate your blood circulation which in turn will nurture back tissues. Use a timer (egg) to remind yourself to take a stretch break and move around a bit.

2. Watch your posture. When you sit maintain a natural curve in your lower back. To get the idea you can use a sponge roll or a rolled hand towel in the small of your back to help in training your body how to sit. Use a proper chair and avoid the use of overstuffed, sagging chairs.

3. Get your sleep. Check out your mattress for firmness. When you are lying on your side you want your spine to be straight. Try sleeping with a pillow between your knees (or under them if you are lying on your back) If you wake in the morning and you're comfortable, the mattress that you are sleeping on would appear to be just fine.

4. Exercise. A well-supported back depends on strong muscles in your midsection. By doing a few simple exercises on a regular basis you can tone your abdominal, side and back muscles. Simply set aside a few minutes in your day for your regular exercise routine and just do it.

5. De-Stress. Stress doesn't create back pain but it can magnify it. Try some relaxation techniques such as message or progressive muscle relaxation. My favorite is simply sitting passively in my favorite chair while listening to my selection of quiet time music. Don't forget to have that cup of tea.

6. Delegate the lifting. Lifting is where we can injure our backs so think twice about doing it. We may think we are still twenty but our backs have endured those extra years and now if you over lift or do repetitive lifting you can exceed the endurance of your back muscles. So simply think before you do it and let a younger back do the heavy lifting.

7. Don't twist and lift. Our backs hate it when we twist and lift so remember to turn your entire body and don't overextend your reach. If you are at your desk simply turn your chair rather than twisting your spine. So there you have seven simple tips that we all can do to keep our backs healthy and strong. Put these on your fridge or anywhere else that will remind you every day to watch your back. Don't we all appreciate it when someone is watching our backs.

For more on maintaining a healthy body visit http://www.physicaltherapyexercises.blogspot.com or click the hyperlink.

Physical Therapy Exercises.

Gary Gray

I am a six year stroke survivor on my long journey back to recovering as many abilities as possible and finding my new normal.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Gary_D_Gray

Is this the future....or not?

Hi Everyone

Check this out... Dr Jill Bolte Taylor is a featured guest blogger on Moblogic TV. Are we looking at the future of brain science here or just a confused stroke survivor who got lost in the lengthy recovery process from her stroke of almost twelve years ago.

You tell me... Read the blog post, watch the interview and then post your thoughts back here as a comment. Or follow me on Twitter and tell me @garydotgray

Guest Blogger: Dr. Jill Bolte Taylor

"Everything we are capable of thinking, feeling or doing is because we have cells in our brain that perform that function. I can track a moving target because I have cells designed to do that. I can move my finger because I have cells wired specifically for that function. Once those cells are either traumatized or die, then I can no longer perform that function.

On an emotional level, I can experience anger or sadness or loneliness, because I have emotional circuitry, made up of cells that perform those functions. Equally important, I have the ability to experience deep inner peace or a connection with something that is greater than I am, because I have cells that perform those functions."

Go to the post to read the remainder of Dr. Taylor's comments

Enjoy and be sure to comment with your thoughts.

Smiles :o)

Gary

Meet Kyle Jay a Brain Stem "Locked in" Stroke Survivor.

Hi Everyone

In March of this year (2008) I was introduced by Cathy Sinclair of the Heart and Stroke Foundation of PEI to a young man from our community by the name of Kyle Jay.

Cathy introduced me by way of telling me that Kyle had suffered a Brain Stem Stroke and was "locked in". He and his family were in a hospital in Halifax (200 miles away) and could I be available to be contacted by them and help them with access to getting support from the stroke community.

So after an email introduction to Kyle's mom Darlene I began to get the word out to the stroke community and stroke survivors and caregivers started to respond to my request to contact Kyle through his FaceBook group, email or a personal visit.

Thank you every body for your support. Kyle has been moved back to te Queen Elizabeth Hospital in Charlottetown where he continues to make good progress with his recovery.

He was moved into the Rehab Unit on Monday where I got to visit him (and meet him for the first time) Monday evening and his dad (Garth) snapped this picture of us together.

Here is a link to my Stroke Network Blog where I have been re posting Darlene's FaceBook posts so that Stroke Network Members that don't have a FaceBook account could follow Kyle's progress.

Here is a link to Kyle's FaceBook Group so you can learn more about this amazing young man.

Kyle is an amazing young man through his "can do" attitude, his great smile and laugh, support of his family, friends and community as well as members of the world wide stroke community Kyle is accomplishing the impossible. (recovery from a brain stem stroke and a "locked in" condition)

Yes Kyle is a real life inspiration to all stroke survivors everywhere. "Yes We Can"

Smiles :o)

Gary