Give a Hand: October 2015

Are you a wannabe tennis pro or a budding artist? Can you bake a ‘showstopper’?

 Whatever your forté this October put your passion into action for stroke survivors around the UK.

A stroke strikes in an instant but its effects can last a lifetime. Three quarters of stroke survivors lose the use of one of their hands. Often they have to re-learn to do the things they’ve always done – using their other hand. 

For Give a Hand the Stroke Association wants you to undertake an activity to raise funds for stroke survivors, such as baking or gardening - but there’s a twist, you need to use your non-dominant hand!

Get Baking -  Bake up a storm with your other hand - bake and decorate something for Halloween

Get Gardening - Take on a challenge to carve out some terrifying Halloween pumpkins,. 

Get Creative -  Are you a dab hand at knitting? Can you paint a Picasso? Get creating 




 Get Playing - Fun and games for all the family indoors and outside, using your other hand

 I am still working hard to get my right hand and arm back to normality. It is a long and protracted recovery, sometimes you don't want to carry out the daily exercises - but it is the only way to fullly recover. Why don't you try and do a daily chore that we all take for granted - - but remember to use your other hand - - your non-dominant one.

Give a Hand from 26 October until 1 November
 https://www.stroke.org.uk/GAH 

 At a recent night out I chose to wear these fingerless gloves which assist in keeping the nerves warm and lessen the probability of the hand clenching. I have several pairs of these type of gloves and found them to be not only practical but they can also enhance a look. During the colder weather I also wear them inside the house.

 

"Think before you speak" . . .

I still walk with a limp or "rock and roll" after six years and always use my stick. An acquaintance called me Jake for about three years. I mostly took it in good humour until I snapped one day. It occured to me, that if it had been a really vulnerable person who had been spoken to in this manner that it could have had a really detrimental effect on them.

In the past someone has suggested that if they had a walking stick that they may be able to walk faster, but the most insensitive thing that has ever occured was when another acquaintance kicked my walking stick away saying that "he'd always wanted to do that to someone"

I am lucky that I know how to deal with these kind of situations, but I hope that people would really think how it could affect the more vulnerable.

So:

Hands, neck and head - degrees of discomfort

It  is now 4 weeks since our mini break and 6 weeks since the Saeboglove trial.

During the third week in July my husand & I had a two nights break in Cheshire where we visited a National Trust property: Dunham Massey and the RHS Flower Show at Tatton Park.

http://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/dunham-massey/

Tatton Park, we knew to be a very big park which has two lakes, and we were advised that the flower show is spread over a large area of parkland. With this in mind we took my wheelchair to enable me to get around more easily. (I must stress that I do not use this very often but had to concede that "it was needs must". ) I did find this uncomfortable as it did shake me up and afterwards my neck really began to be painful.

Over the last three weeks I have experienced a very painful neck and shoulder, a "swimmy" head and have noticed that the fingers on my right hand have started to be very tight and curl under. I have found it difficult to be in situations where there are a few people, walking any distances, reading, doing anything on the computer for more than 30 minutes and speaking with people on the telephone.

These areas of discomfort may or may not be related and I have thought about what I can do to allieviate these problems or what may be causing them. It can be difficult at times to separate the issues from one another.
I have had some acupuncture treatment which enabled me to sleep much better however the stamina and heavy legs were just the same - maybe my body is just telling me to rest.

With no sign of these symptoms ceasing I visited my practitioner 4 days ago. After a lengthy discussion I had the treatment to relax very tight neck muscles and put my body back in alignment again. Within minutes the pain that I had been experiencing in my neck and the "swimmy head" all but disappeared and I walked out 35 minutes later feeling a great deal better than I had done over the last weeks. - - Now I need to increase my walking distances and gradually build myself up to the level where I was previously.

I can have meaningful and rational discussions with the people who still work with me and we see various angles of the intermittent problems that I do experience. I do find this very cathartic and useful to stop some of my anxieties.
Last week's pre-treatment dialogue brought me around to giving these points consideration:

1) Try drinking decaffeinated drinks
2) The neck problems and other sore areas in my back were the likely result of using the wheelchair
3) Reading will stimulate the brain and could cause the swimmy headaches - as will over use of the computer
4) The fingers may be as a result of exercising for the 2 weeks period whilst wearing the glove and now I have stopped it may have caused the fingers to tighten.
5) Exercising whilst using the glove will have stimulated muscles and tendons that could have been fairly dormant and will now have stimulated brain activity, causing the swimmy heads.

I just still accept that I will have these little blips but talking and discussing issues are always still a very useful aid to recovery. Knowing what the body is attempting to put right and how it choses to do so is still astonishing to me. I can only thank all the people who are helping me along the way not only in the physical treatment but also with good dialogue.

Saeboglove trial - updates

The Saeboglove trial came to an end three days ago and from my personal experience the signs are encouraging.  The Saeboglove is a way of working on the neuropathways and has certainly made a difference to some of my weaker areas and meant that I could do things for the first time in a long while.

To be honest it wasn't the best period to have undertaken the trial, the day after our instruction on how to fit it we travelled to London to meet our new grandchild. I tried extemely hard to be diligent but on four days I achieved the wearing of the glove and exercise routine only once. On one occasion I had been outside most of the day and got very chilled , insted of trying to get the Saeboglove on I did gentle stretching exercises insted.

I returnd to see the neurophysio at hospital three days ago for a follow up, so we could discuss my progress and whether it was worthwhile to purchase one. "Research" from professionals and clients indicate improvements and once the glove had been removed continue to see the benefits in improved movement patterns. I have reached the decision that I will purchase one and will have the additional benefit of being intermittently monitored by the physio.
Having said that it is important to stress the motivation factor, it was rather tedious performing the same exercises but once the improvement became evident that was the driving force, for me, to want to achieve more. My ultimate goal would be able to drive again.

Over my two weeks trial I have:
1)  Increased the length of time that I can stand on one leg - Right leg increased by 16 seconds and the Left leg by a staggering 2 minutes.
2) My walking has improved and my bad arm, the right, is straight, loose and at times swinging.
3) I can quite easily move objects by grasping and releasing
4) Put my right hand two inches further up my back
5) Raise my right arm further to try and reach out behing the head.
6) Pick up and drink 1/3 cup of water without spillage.

All this has left me very positive about my continued recovery and has prompted my motivation once more. It is hard sometimes to keep focussed, (during the trial it was the 6th anniversary of my stroke), I still look to further my improvement and sometimes amongst all the hard work I create a bit of fun for myself - another target, (not set), was to be able to put my right index finger in my ear!!! Achieved!!!

-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-

Whilst out shopping recently I bought this book. A very useful tool to work the hand control.

A test to see if I can stay in the lines!

Saeboflex - "No Plateau in Sight"

Saebo Glove

 

 

 

 

 

   I have been extremely fortunate to have been loaned a SaeboGlove for a controlled two week trial and it is hoped that this will help my right hand to further recover. Saeboglove is a low profile  functional device that will assist with finger and thumb extension. The glove positions the wrist and fingers into extension in readiness for functional activities.
I wear the glove twice a day and over the given period will increase the time worn from 10 minutes initially, to 30 minutes.
I have shown my individual tailored training programe and am currently keeping a record of my achievements whilst I am wearing it and noting any changes afterwards. 
At the end of the trial I will engage in discussions on my progress and look forward to the next stages of my on-going recovery.
As I write this I note that it is 6years ago, this very day, since I had my stroke but am still optimistic that I will make a full andd complete recovery.

Action on Stroke month: May 2015

May 2015 is "Action on Stroke" month.

 Making May Purple for Stroke.

Bake purple  cakes, wear purple clothes plant purple

flowers:

 What better way to Make May Purple for Stroke that by baking a purple cupcake or two? Whether it's a healthy smoothie or an indulgent dessert, there's  a recipe for everyone. Dust off the apron and the wooden spoons, and get baking!

 

Plant it purple

Get involved this Action on Stroke Month by planting it purple. Whether you're a green-fingered guru or a novice gardener, it's a great way to help us Make May Purple for Stroke!

• Plant purple flowers - Lilac, Alliums, Lavender, Pansies, Love-in the-Mist, Peonies, Iris, Primula and late flowering Tulips are all in bloom during May
• Grow it purple - Grow purple fruit and vegetables suchn as blackberries, plums, aubergine, red cabbage, beetroot, purple spouting broccoli and red onions.
•  
  A beautiful splash of colour can make all the difference to a garden, so let’s get our gloves on and plant it purple for the Stroke Association.”
  If you have green fingers and are celebrating Action on Stroke Month with some purple blooms, remember to share your photos with us on Twitter - don't forget the hashtag #MakeMayPurple. 
  
  
  

Wear it purple

How purple can you go? Hats, wigs, ties, coats and sunglasses - put on something purple or wear as much as you dare! We're Making May Purple for Stroke this May and we'd love you to join in. So pile on the purple,

 To find out more:
http://www.stroke.org.uk/strokemonth

Sip for Stroke 2015

Sip for Stroke

Throughout spring, the Stroke Association  are encouraging people to organise a Sip for Stroke event and help stroke survivors and their families.

Sip for Stroke is a great excuse to meet up over tea or coffee and cake and an easy way to help raise money for those affected by stroke.
What better excuse to catch up with people over a cuppa and a piece of cake whilst doing your bit for charity this year.
You could Sip for Stroke anywhere, at work, home, school, village hall or even a local community centre that you are part of.
It's simple, quick, and a great way to do your bit for those affected by stroke whilst having fun and catching up with people.
If you cannot organise your own event, why not ask if your local coffee shop wants to get involved and donate a small amount for every drink or cake they sell on a particular day or week?

Registering couldn't be easier:   http://www.stroke.org.uk/fundraise/sipforstroke

I am hosting one of these events at my local Cricket Club on Saturday April 4th. 10.00am - 12.30pm