How to Join a Google Hangout and Create a New Hangout Event

• I have created instructions on how to join a Google Hangout, and how to create a new Google Hangout event.

• Links to the instructions are below. 

• I have found that it is very confusing to use Google Hangout on an iPad or tablet device, and would recommend using a laptop or desktop computer.  

• The instructions below will only work on a laptop or desktop computer using the Google Chrome browser.

For step-by-step instructions on how to join a Google Hangout, click here.

For step-by-step instructions on how to create a New Google Hangout event, click here.

Number Therapy by Tactus Therapy Solutions Ltd.

Number Therapy app is a game changer.  I'm practicing MYSELF.

I had a stroke seven years ago. I have aphasia and apraxia.
I have great difficulties comprehending numbers when they are spoken to me. However, I do understand them when they are written down.  It is hard to say numbers.

Tactus Therapy's Number Therapy App is good, really good.  Three sections - Understand, Speak, and Type.

I mostly practice the double digits. Anything goes - currency, phone number, time and more.  And you can record yourself... It's cool!

Understand - I use "listen" and guess from 4 multiple-choice.

Speak - I like cues.  You touch the cue buttons and it helps right away.

Type - I use "listen" and guess.  You ask a hint, and it gives a number word.

By the way, I like "select the text" to hear it spoken by the help/information page.  How cool!

Number Therapy Lite (free) - here

What is Aphasia? PDF

I will be going to Bunco night with my friends and some very nice strangers.

I looked for a wallet card or PDF to explain aphasia, but nothing I found was quite right.

I was looking for one that had points about:

1. Defining "aphasia" in simple English 

2. Reducing background noise 

3. Asking yes/no questions 

4. Writing down key words (names, places, numbers)

So, I created my own! I made a PDF.  If a very nice stranger at Bunco (dice game) Night introduces herself to me, I say, "I'm Trish. I have aphasia."

The very nice stranger will say, "What is aphasia?"

I will whip out an iPhone and my "What is aphasia" PDF in the iBooks app.  Ta-daaaa! 

I put a PDF file here

iPhone - What is Aphasia? PDF in iBooks app

What is Aphasia? PDF

Sarah Scott - Teenage Stroke Survivor & Aphasia

Sarah had an unexpected ischemic stroke in May 2009 when she was 18. She now suffers from aphasia, a communication disorder.  She still has problems with numbers, reading and writing, as well as speech.

She is an Ambassador for The Stroke Association in the UK and works to raise awareness of aphasia, which affects millions of people worldwide, about 1/3 of this who suffer a stroke will have aphasia, a communication disorder.


Sarah's video - February 2010

Sarah's video - May 2012

 

Sarah's video - May 2015

Certain things that can help if you are talking to someone with aphasia

Many people with aphasia have difficulties with expressive language.
Expressive language is when you put thoughts into words and sentences, in a way that makes sense and is grammatically accurate.
It can be very frustrating if this is hard for you.

If expressive language is a challenge:

• You may get stuck on a word or sound and repeat this often when trying to communicate.

• You may be able to refer to places and different objects but not be able to name them. You may miss out these words when you speak.

• You may know the word that you want to say but another word may come out instead. Sometimes these words can be related to the one you wanted to say e.g carrot instead of potato and sometimes these words may be unrelated, e.g table instead of potato.

• You may say ‘yes’ and ‘no’ but mean the opposite. This can make it difficult as your answers can be unreliable.

• You may pause a lot when you talk. The word you want may be on the tip of your tongue but you can’t get it out.

• You may speak at a normal rate but your speech may not be recognisable by others . This means your speech may not mean what you wanted it to.

• You may not be able to speak at all. You may be able to produce a few sounds. You may find it hard to form certain sounds.

• You may only have a few set words that you can say. These words may be swear words or emotional words. You may say these words when you didn’t mean to.

• You may find it hard to speak in full sentences. You may get the words in the wrong order or only be able to say a few words at a time. You may miss out certain words that are important in that sentence.

by Rebecca Kipping, Speech and Language Therapist
January 16, 2014 · Facebook
The Speech Therapy Centre - North West England
http://www.speechtherapycentre.com

Arm and Hand Exercises for Stroke Rehab

Like me, many stroke survivors have weakness in their arm or hand. It is important to exercise the muscles so they don't get tight. This can be painful and can impede recovery.

Here is an article about Arm and Hand Exercises for Stroke Rehab:  here

Here are some videos of arm and hand exercises. Please check with your doctor or Occupational Therapist and ask if these are the right exercises for you. Some of the videos show caregivers helping with the exercises.

Some of the exercises can be done either sitting or lying down on your back.

Post-Stroke Exercises (Part 1: Upper Limb)

• by SingaporeHealth

Arm Range Of Motion (Shoulder, Elbow, Wrist, Hand)

• by physicaltherapyvideo

Top 3 Stretches for a Tight Shoulder.

• by physicaltherapyvideo

Exercise For Stroke Patients, (For The Arms)

by physicaltherapyvideo

Shoulder Passive Range of Motion Exercises - Ask Doctor Jo

• by AskDoctorJo

Act FAST - Call 911 immediately

Think someone might be having a stroke?  Call 911 immediately!!

Act FAST to recognize someone suffering stroke symptoms.

Paramedics came recently to our Young Adults Stroke Survivors meeting. They gave these important tips.  If you think you or someone you know is having a stroke:

Don't drive yourself to the hospital! You could have an accident! Call 9-1-1 immediately. The paramedics will call the hospital to let them know that a storke patient is coming, and it is easier and more efficient for hospital personnel to receive a patient from an ambulance rather than a car.  You'll get your care quicker when you are transported in an ambulance.

Most hospitals in the Silicon Valley are Certified Stroke Centers. You'll be in in good hands.

The paramedics also reminded us to have an emergency contact on your phone. Label it "ICE", which stands for "In Case of Emergency." Emergency personnel know to look for that on cell phones.

It's also a good idea to get an app that can store your medical information.  The newest iPhone operating system has a new "Health" app which has a place for medical information, called Medical ID. The Medical ID can be accessed from the emergency dialer without unlocking your phone.  Below is a screenshot of my Medical ID information.

It is also a good idea for everyone to have emergency contact information that emergency personnel can find:

• Post Contacts and medical condition  on the refrigerator. Paramedics know to look there for emergency information.
• Get a emergency call system, such as Alert One.  Find it  here.
• Wear a medical I.D. necklace with important information.