Greetings,

Holiday greetings to you and your loved ones. This time of year can be a joyous one, but for many it is a difficult time. Take care of yourself and have a good holiday season.

The Creative Writing Issue final submission date is Dec 31. Please take the time to share your creativity!

This month there are two holiday explorations. Chris DeWald shares some ideas for holiday gifts. Su Pickrell has agreed to share his holiday website. Visit it to celebrate the holidays.

Steve updates us on the organization. Kathy Saul reports on Water Exercises. Lin Mouat reflects on living with an able bodied spouse. Jean Guggenheimer shares stroke news from November. This month Deb Theriault provides us two Member Stories, Kathy Saul and Sue Granger. Nancy Fiduk lists December birthdays and stroke anniversaries.

Enjoy the December newsletter!

Submit your writings for the February issue!

Lin Wisman
Editor, StrokeNet
lwisman@strokenet.biz

Organization Highlights

Stroke Network News
By Steve Mallory

Be sure to read Steve's comments including:

Holiday reflection
Links to video clips from the golf tournament fund raiser
Link to a video on making the computer more accessible
Suggestion for Holiday shopping
Invitation to sign up for an Aphasis Webinar (seminar online) to be held in January.

Click to Read Steve's Remarks...

Steve is Founder and CEO
The Stroke Network

Contact Steve at smallory@strokenet.biz

A Time for All Seasons

Holiday Helps
By Chris DeWald

Chris shares youtube footage and a Message Board link. He researched data on inexpensive homemade gifts. Also included is a link to a post on depression during the holidays.

Chis completes his article with links to both humorous and classic songs, and a special wish from Santa.

Explore what Chris has unearthed. Let the inspiration begin!

Click to Read Time

Contact Chris at cdewald@strokenetwork.org

Seasonal Website
A Holiday Gift Stu Pickell hosts a holiday website. It includes seasonal stories and songs as well as international traditions. Get yourself a mug of eggnog and sit back and explore this website. Happy Holidays!! Click to See Seasonal

February Creative Writing Issue
Your Chance to Share! Don't forget to send your submission for the February 2009 Creative Writing Issue. Click below to see the details. Click to Read Writing Issue Guidelines Submit your Writing to the Editor

Water Exercise

Recovery Idea
By Kathy Saul

Over the years, this newsletter has published several articles on water aerobics. Many in our network have found these exercises dramatically help recovery. They are open to all, can be inexpensive and are a great way to meet new people.

Kathy asked members to share their experiences. Read what others have to say. If you have not tried water aerobics yet, give it a go.

Click to Read Water Exercise

Contact Kathy at ksaul@strokenetnet.biz

Fuel for the Journey
Living with an Able Bodied Spouse By Lin Mouat Lin explores the issue of living with an able bodied spouse. Check out her suggestions. Click To Read Fuel for the Journey Contact Lin at lmouat@strokenet.biz

Newsfeed Review

Stroke News Last Month

By Jean Guggenheimer

Each month Jean reviews stroke news that was published the previous month.

Topics reviewed this month:

After a Stroke, Blinded Pilot Guided to Land Safely

Experimental Drug Reduces Damage from Stroke

Specialized Care and Telemedicine Improve Stroke Outcomes

Heart Attacks: Why They are More Likely to Happen Around Dawn

Hormone Shows Promise in Reversing Alzheimer's and Stroke

Beta Blockers Reduce Risk of Heart Attack, Increase Stroke Risk

Gore-Tex-Type Device Designed To Stop Strokes and Mini-strokes

Statins for All? Not So Fast, Expert Says

African American women have Higher Stroke Risk

Children of Centenarians Live Longer, Healthier

Click To Read Newsfeed Review

Contact Jean at JGuggenheimer@strokenet.biz

Member Stories
Kathy Saul
Sue Granger

Deb Theriault helps Kathy and Sue tell their stories

Kathy talks about her slow recovery and how she helped herself improve.

Sue explains the procedure to close the PFO, which caused her stroke.

Click to Read Kathy's Story

Click to Read Sue's Story

There are thousands of stories and thousands ways our Readers are dealing with stroke. If you would like to have your story featured, contact Deb Theriault, the Members Stories Coordinator, at dtheriault@strokenetwork.org.

Member Stories Policy
Read this Policy Statement for more info on this program.

Member Celebrations

Birthdays and Stroke Anniversaries
Compiled By Nancy Fiduk

The Stroke Network congratulates all members who celebrate a birthday or stroke anniversary this month. Click below to see the birthdays and anniversaries we have on file for this month.

Click to Read Celebrations...

Contact Nancy at nfiduk@strokenet.biz

Each month members' birthdays, which they have placed in their message board profile, are listed.

To add your birthday, go to My Controls on the Message Board. Look for Personal Profile on the left of the screen. Select Edit Profile Information. Enter both your birthdate and your interests.

To locate My Controls from the home page of the Message board, http://www.strokeboard.net, select Member Links, My Controls.

If you would like your stroke anniversary listed, send to the the Celebrations Monitor at nfiduk@strokenet.biz. Be sure to include your userid and the month, day and year of the stroke. If you are not the survivor, please include the survivor's first name and your relationship. For example: Bill, husband.

The Stroke Network, Inc

P.O. Box 492
Abingdon, MD 21009

Contents may not be reprinted without the organization's permission. Please contact the editor.

Disclaimer

This newsletter is sponsored by The Stroke Network, Inc. The items contained herein are published as submitted and are provided for general information purposes only. This information should not be considered as personal advice.

Readers should not rely solely on our newsletter information, but should make their own inquiries before making any decisions. The Stroke Network works to maintain up-to-date information from reliable sources; however, no responsibility is accepted for any errors or omissions or results of any actions based upon this information. If you have any questions regarding any of these items, contact the newsletter editor.

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