2016...It's a wrap!

In this episode of the Slow Road to Better the group discusses what they would want every person with aphasia to know IF this was our last podcast.  Why?  Well, because 2017 is going to be bring some big changes for us.  

First a look back:

The idea for a member-driven podcast started when I went to speak at Marymount University and met Jimmy McKay...then a PT student.  He was already producing a very successful podcast called the PTpintcast and suggested the Stroke Comeback Center start their own. He said that he would help!  And so he did...with mentoring, equipment, donated time and expertise. He used the umbrella of PTpintcast to help us grow, get us listeners and get us started in the world of iTunes.  Fast forward a year and now Jimmy has his PhD, a new job...you know, a life.  

What we accomplished:

Ashley, Chris, Jerry, Joyce, Kathryn, Pat, Randy and I started recording.  We took advice, asked questions, received help and jumped in!  We tried it out to see what would happen. We learned about microphones, soft voices, Audacity, editing and how loud putting a coffee cup down really was!  We shared with the world that people with aphasia are funny, honest, motivating and still have fights with their spouses.  Between June and December 2016, we published 7 podcasts. Might not sound like a lot to you, but to us, each one was an effort in team work and perseverance....kind of like rehab. 

Looking forward:

It's time for the Slow Road to Better to become independent.  Jimmy has a life and needs to focus on it.  So, in 2017 we have set ourselves some goals.  We need to have our own iTunes feed so that others with aphasia can find us a little easier.  We also would like to give Jimmy back his microphone and upgrade our equipment to headsets so that our sound is better.  That also means a mixing board...something else to learn and buy.  So WHEN, not if, you listen to episode 7 you will hear that we are asking for donations to help keep this podcast going.  If you can help....we would REALLY appreciate it.  If not, just spread the word about the podcast, there is someone out there who can and will.  I believe that!  The Stroke Comeback Center is dedicated to keeping this podcast going.  We will find a way to buy our equipment and get onto iTunes.  

So, if you are still reading...thank you!  Have a question, a comment or lucky lottery numbers? Let us know!  You can leave a comment here, or on our website:  http://strokecomebackcenter.org/

Ok, enough reading...let's listen in on episode 7.  It's a good one!  Oh, and here are the pictures that you hear Ashley taking.

Let's listen in!
https://www.ptpintcast.com/slowroad7/

Melissa

Catching Up!

We are combining the blog posts for Noise and Thanksgiving  

Better late than never, right?

In NOISE the group discusses:

• How conversation impacts them differently than music
• How music helps their speech and language
• Alive Inside...a documentary about music and people with Alzheimer's

Meet Kevin...a guest podcaster. You'll hear from him in Noise!

In THANKSGIVING the group discusses:

• How they handle Thanksgiving...the good, the bad and the ugly
• Rocker Knives and dysum.  Links to examples of these items are below

What is a rocker knife?
https://www.amazon.com/Maxi-Aids-Rocking-T-Knife/dp/B00014VWUW


What is dysum?
https://www.amazon.com/Dycem-Non-Slip-Mat-Small-Rectangle/dp/B00294OJ1G

_______________________________________________________________________

And some words from Randy on Thanksgiving.

This is my 6th Thanksgiving since my stroke.  Wow!!  My how life changed when having a major stroke with a brain injury.  God bless you Lord I am alive.

        I don’t remember much about that first Thanksgiving.  The only way to now about me since that day is from photo’s.   My brother and nephew helped us to set up the outside Christmas tree lights.

        I do not have many pictures from the 2011 but I have more now in 2016.  Now it is November 24, 2016.  Laura and I did Thanksgiving dinner with my sister-in-law, brother-in-law and mother-in-law as well as two very cute kids.  We had a very nice prayer, great food and wonderful conversations.  

        Of course we had Turkey and it was very tasty.  We used our new Butterball Electric Fryer.  A 14 pound Turkey that was cooked in 55 minutes.  Using this device with peanut oil was the key.

        We never give up!!
________________________________________________

Here are the links to NOISE and THANKSGIVING, just in case you need them!

https://www.ptpintcast.com/slowroad5-noise/

https://www.ptpintcast.com/slowroad6/

Thanks so much for joining us on this Slow Road to Better!

What's the scoop with dating??

In this episode of The Slow Road to Better, the members are talking about dating and family...how life goes on after stroke or traumatic brain injury and how everyone wants someone to share life's ups and downs. Our journey through rehab is to get better and to get back to the business of life.

This blog was written by Ashley.  These are her words to describe this podcast:

Emotions
Power struggle
Lonely
Hurtful
Frustrating

Family
Parent
Spouse

Dating
Strokes match
Men and women are different dating wise
Online dating

Random thoughts
Settle down and get busy in life
Job - circles closing
Comparing yourself

Want to listen in?  Join us on the Slow Road to Better....

http://www.ptpintcast.com/category/slow-road-to-better/

Get Busy Living, or Get Busy Dying

In episode 3, the group discusses what they did during vacation.  Exercise seemed to be the main activity.  What became obvious during the conversation was that life is more fun and less scary with a friend.  The group discusses how peer support makes them more willing to try out new activities, that being cautious is NOT a bad trait and where there is a will, there is a way!

Pat modeling his shirt! As Randy says "Here comes Pat's hammer."

The members mention boxing with Devon.  Here is a link to his gym for more information and motivation.

http://www.dpiadaptivefitness.co/

They also mentioned adapted rock climbing.  Here is a resource for climbing and many other adapted sports.

http://www.disabledsportsusa.org/sport/rock-climbing/

Most importantly, meet Kathryn!

Many thanks to our group members and the PTpintcast for making this podcast happen!

Let's listen in.....

https://www.ptpintcast.com/slowroad3/

What is Aphasia?

Our blog is catching up with our podcast!  We cover a lot of ground in Episode 2.  Somehow we start out talking about the definition of aphasia and end up talking about:

• apraxia and scripts 
• Wilson (Pat's service dog) 
• Married life  
• How well-meaning friends & family can make survivors feel smothered
• Having hard conversations

Wilson

You'll have to listen if you want to hear the group discussion on all of these topics.  We thought we should share some links just in case you wanted more "official" information and not just our opinion.

Check out the National Aphasia Association: 

http://www.aphasia.org/aphasia-definitions/

Information on apraxia of speech after a stroke:

http://www.asha.org/public/speech/disorders/ApraxiaAdults/

Our whole group wanted to send out a major THANK YOU to all of their friends and family who are on the Slow Road To Better with them. Randy, Pat, Chris, Jerry, Joyce and Ashley all acknowledge they would not be where they are today in their recovery without the help of others.  As the survivor struggles to regain confidence and independence, loved ones struggle with letting go and all the "what-ifs". This podcast group encourages all survivors to have those hard conversations.  Maybe you can use this episode as a way to start that discussion?

Thanks for joining us on the Slow Road To Better!  Let's Listen in......

https://www.ptpintcast.com/slowroad2/

Welcome to The Slow Road To Better

We are so glad that you found us!  It took us a little while to get this blog going. It's like recovery, nothing happens as quickly as you would like. So yes.... we have 3 podcasts and 1 blog post. Our plan is to catch up....soon....and then you will find a blog written by one of the group members to go with each podcast. 

How Did I Get Here?

The members of this podcast wanted a way to build a bridge of hope and encouragement for other survivors with aphasia.  By sharing their personal triumphs and failures, Randy, Ashley, Pat, Joyce, Chris and Jerry hope to motivate others to never give up!  In episode one, each member of the group will answer the question "How Did I Get Here?"

Episode One
https://www.ptpintcast.com/slowroad1/

and....so you have a face to put with the voice.

Randy, Ashley and Pat

Joyce

Chris

Jerry and Liea

Thanks for joining us on The Slow Road To Better!  

Special thanks to Jimmy McKay and the PTPintcast for making all this possible!