A New Day

Welcome back

If you are a new visitor or you are someone who has been following this blog for a while, this post is for you...

It is time to turn the page on stroke awareness, education and recovery. I will be eight years post stroke on August 10th of this year 2010. It has been my privilege over the past year and a half to be part of the stroke caregiver workshops and support meetings here on Prince Edward Island. During the past three months I have enjoyed the opportunity to contribute on one of the provincial sub committees working to put in place the final pieces of the Prince Edward Island Stroke Strategy. Specifically concerning awareness and education as it applies to both primary and secondary stroke on P.E.I.

Additionally, I have also been given the opportunity to contribute at the national level by joining with the Canadian Stroke Network's Canadian Stroke Strategy group as they develop a national strategy to reintegrate stroke survivors back into their communities.

I feel that as I approach my eighth anniversary of being a stroke survivor I have achieved a new level in my recovery. To mark this sense of accomplishment I have created a new blog from which I will be posting in future. The blog is simply named "Prince Edward Island Stroke Recovery" and an explanation of direction and goals is contained in the welcome post. You can click here to come over and read the post, then sign up to follow if you wish.

Thank you so much for being a reader/follower of this "Signs Of A Stroke" blog over the past five years and I hope that we will enjoy a continued relationship with your following my new blog.

Smiles :o)

Gary

p.s. You can also Google my new blog by searching for the term "Prince Edward Island Stroke Recovery"

5 Warning Signs Of Stroke

Do you know the 5 warning signs of stroke that could save a life, even your own?

Here they are:

5 warning signs of stroke

1. Visual problems like a sudden change in vision or sudden double vision.


2. Numbness of the face, weak arms or legs, weakness on one side of the body.

3. Disorientation, problems with speech (e.g., slurred speech), and/or trouble understanding others.

4.  Trouble walking, dizziness, loss of balance or coordination.

5.  Painful headache that comes on suddenly and has no known cause.

If you or anyone else that you are near shows any of these 5 warning signs of stroke CALL 911 right away.

Time is extremely important when dealing with stroke so don't delay. A life could be at risk!

To learn more about stroke, stroke recovery and the 5 warning signs of stroke read my entire blog.

Smiles :o)

Gary

Garrett's Story

Hi

Garrett Mendez is a young stroke survivor from New Jersey. He has just launched his personal web page to increase awareness and educate about stroke.

Garrett wrote:

"I am twenty three years old and a stroke survivor. I had no risk factors, no warning signs. On November 26, 2005, my life changed in the blink of an eye. Four years ago, I was a freshman at Western New England College in Springfield, Mass. I had a pretty typical life. I was having a great time in college, I was playing hockey on a Junior Hockey team. Sports had always been an important part of my life. I learned to skate soon after I learned to walk and had played hockey since I was four."

Click here to read more:

Garrett has lots of videos and other valuable info to help stroke survivors and their families deal with recovering from experiencing stroke. Be sure to make good use of ALL the resource material that Garrett has posted and continues to post as he recovers his own life from stroke.


Click here to learn more:

Smiles :o)

Gary

Fruits and Vegies in your diet can be an adventure...

Sometimes we can get too set in our ways or are intimidated to try new things, especially when it comes to food. Take a look around your grocery store, visit an ethnic food shop, health-food outlet or stroll through your local farmers’ market for new vegetables, fruit and other foods you’ve never tried before. You can find recipes for almost anything from artichokes to tofu by searching the web, going to libraries or buying new cookbooks.

from an article by:  Alyssa Rolnick, RD

Learn more here...

Garrett's Video

Stroke Recovery Goals

Hi

I call it pushing the envelope...gently. lol

I am posting a video from Jill the GoalGuru to help you understand why it is so important to set goals in stroke recovery. Physical goals, mental goals and benchmark goals, all kinds of goals.

Then as Jill says, "go for it!"



You see Jill overcame her fear and climbed the tower. (to the top) At the end of the video says that she climbed it three more times that day.

Jill said, after reaching her goal of climbing the tower then she felt like she wanted to climb something higher and bigger.

This metaphor can be applied to stroke recovery Our goal may not be as lofty at first but the same principals apply.

Set your stroke recovery goals and climb your stroke recovery tower. then do it again and again and again. Keep pushing the envelope gently!

Make stroke recovery your daily routine. (watch the video as many times as you need to...thanks Jill)

My name is Gary and I am a seven year stroke survivor.

Visit my web site

Join my net friends

Till next post,

Smiles :o)

Gary

Stroke Prevention

Hi and welcome back

Here is some very valuable information on "Stroke Prevention" found on the P.E.I. Heart &Stroke Foundation website.

This is information that everyone should be familiar with and it could very well save your life or the life of someone you love.

 

Stroke prevention

You can't control your family history, age, gender or ethnicity. But luckily, you can do something about other factors that could increase your risk of having a stroke such as obesity, diet, diabetes, smoking, high blood pressure and high blood cholesterol.
Stroke occurs when the blood supply to part of the brain is cut off. Without oxygen-rich blood, brain cells begin to die. If the blood supply is not restored, the affected part of the brain dies, causing disability and death.
Help prevent a stroke by learning more about the risk factors you can do something about and those you can't control.

Risk issues you can do something about

• High blood pressure (hypertension)
• High blood cholesterol
• Heart disease atrial fibrillation
• Diabetes
• Being overweight
• Excessive alcohol consumption
• Physical inactivity
• Smoking
• Stress
• Women's unique issues

Risk factors you can't control

• Age
• Gender
• Family History
• Ethnicity
• History of stroke or TIA

What is your risk?

Are you at risk? Take the Heart&Stroke Risk Assessment^TM and get a personalized risk profile and a customized action plan for healthy living that includes tips, tools, recipes and much more to help you reduce your risk.
For more information on stroke prevention, please read our brochure Taking control: Lowering your risk of heart disease and stroke.

I am a seven year stroke survivor.


Read my story

Join my Net Friends  


Till next post.


Smiles :o)


Gary

You Can Be A Stroke Hero...Learn To ACT FAST!

Hi

Learn to ACT FAST, so you will know what to do when someone with you suffers a stroke.



This is not rocket science. Anyone (yes, even you) can be a STROKE HERO!

Check out the FAST catalogue ( I do not receive any money if you use this link)

My name is Gary and I am a stroke survivor.

Read my story


Be one of my Net Friends

Till next post.

Smiles :o)

Gary

SMILE

Hi and welcome back

Stroke is no joke! It is the leading cause of disability and as such creates the greatest cost in dollars as well as lives disrupted.

BUT, by learning three simple things and helping others to learn them too we can recognize when it is happening and get help FAST!


Please just do these two steps (it's that simple)

Step 1:

watch this video (it is a catchy tune)



Step 2:

Share this video with everyone that you can.

Just copy either of these links into an email if you want and send it to all of your friends.

http://signsofastroke.blogspot.com/2009/09/smile.html

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L0Gg2A_GVCk



You can share the video on Facebook and Twitter too.

That's it just two simple steps to increase stroke awareness and help people know when it is happening to them or someone they love.

THANKS!!!

Smiles :o)

Gary

Do You Know These Guys?

Do you know these guys? Let me introduce you. Knowing them could save a life!





Personally I knew Slurry and Weaky and that allowed me to get help FAST!

You see I suffered a stroke in 2002 at age 53. Knowing these guys gave me the edge that I needed to survive.

Please help to promote awareness of stroke symptoms by sharing this post with everyone that you care about. Thanks!

You can read my story by clicking here.

You can join my "Net Friends" by clicking here

Smiles :o)

Gary

What/Who Inspires You?

Hi all

Here is a simple video to challenge you to think about how you would respond if something happened to you.



The video (above) features Sir Ken Robinson author of the book "The Element".

If you can, get Sir Ken's book and spend some time reading it. One of my favorite quotes from Sir Ken's book is "If you change your attitude...you can change your life".

I am sure you will love the book as much as I did and if you think about Ken's video just enough it may very well change your attitude.

People just like you are joining my "Net Friends" every day and you can too. Click here to signup.

Till next post.

Smiles :o)

Gary

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

Available Photos

View details and
download

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

Stroke Awareness hits the Big Screen

Hi Everyone

Stroke Awareness hits the Big Screen
The Calgary Stroke Program is bringing a fresh approach to stroke education in the Calgary Health Region with a new independent short film titled “Inside Out.”
The first of its kind developed by a health region in Canada, the film is a fictional story that focuses on the health, wellness, and lifestyle choices of a young professional woman trying to balance work and family life. Now available on the Region’s website, the film trailer for Inside Out is also set to air at the Calgary International Film Festival from September 21 to 30, and will be available on YouTube later this month.
Thelma Inkson, Vice-President, Northwest Community Portfolio and Foothills Medical Centre, says the Region needs to step outside the box to find ways to reach out to the community. “Hopefully by bringing our messages to the big screen, the film will capture the interest of people and will allow us to tell a story that will resonate in the Calgary community,” she says.
“A stroke is not just a disease of the elderly – it can happen to anyone at anytime,” says Dr. Michael Hill Director of the Calgary Health Region’s Stroke Unit. “That’s why it’s so important for all of us to know the warning signs of stroke and to act immediately when they occur. This type of film is a perfect vehicle to get that message out to our community in a new and exciting way.”
The Calgary Stroke Program, a partnership between the Region and the University of Calgary’s Department of Clinical Neurosciences, is one of the top programs in North America for stroke research and treatment. Now, through its involvement with the Alberta Provincial Stroke Strategy (APSS), the Stroke Program is collaborating with the other eight health regions, Alberta Health Wellness and the Heart and Stroke Foundation of Alberta, NWT, and Nunavut to standardize stroke care and awareness throughout the province.
“Funding for this project wouldn’t have been possible without the support of the APSS,” says Dr. Hill. “In addition to working to standardize the continuum of stroke care throughout Alberta, the APSS mandate also focuses on supporting the development of programs and tools to educate the public on the signs and symptoms of stroke.”
“We can’t control our family history, age, gender, or ethnicity,” says Dr. Hill. “But we can try to change the way we live – we can eat healthier, exercise, quit smoking. Some strokes can be prevented. Hopefully, the more we send this message out there, the less often we’ll have to treat strokes in the future.”
For more information:
To arrange interviews with members of Calgary Stroke Program, contact Léora Rabatach,
Communications, Calgary Stroke Program at (403) 944-8637 or (403) 875-8716.
To view click the link below.

Inside Out

Thank you for taking this valuable time from your busy day to view this life saving information. Please tell others!

Smiles :o)

Gary

Stroke Network Stroke Awareness

Hi and welcome back

I want to give you a link to a review that is found in the October issue of The StrokeNet Newsletter an online newsletter that can be very helpful to stroke survivors and their families as well as anyone wanting to know more about stroke.

Click here to read the review.

Once you have read the review, be sure to follow the links that will take you through this very valuable stroke awareness information.

I hope that you find the information helpful in your search for stroke related information on the internet.

Smiles :o)

Gary