Survivor Louise Ingram - American Stroke Association

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Hi-Tech and High Touch by Jon Caswell many people can say they have two families,” said survivor Cindi Twickler of her online stroke support group, the AOL “Not Strokechatters. Cindi, 47, was speaking at their annual get-together held in Fort Worth, Texas, this past May. “We are lucky. We honor each other, we support each other, we guide each other, but most of all, we relate to each other, and that makes our personal tragedies easier to cope with.” The AOL Strokechatters is the Internet child of survivor Don Aitro, 72, of Fort Worth. The Strokechatters is a private chat room, and membership is required. Membership provides access to the chat room, message board and e-mail. “I started my first chat room on AOL in 1998,” says Don, who uses a wheelchair. “It was a public chat room, and people came in who weren’t survivors or caregivers. I don’t know why they want to do that. You learn to spot them right away, but still it created problems, so I started a private chat room last year so we can control it better.” Donna Ricci, 52, of Ft. Lauderdale had her stroke 27 years ago. Although she is in a wheelchair and has aphasia, she has raised two daughters and lives independently. “I was a member of a support group in Ft. Lauderdale,” she says, “but it only meets once a month, but with this group, we meet every day. We talk about personal stuff and stroke stuff. Because of them I have another family who’s interested in my life. They are there for me, day or night. We don’t just talk on the computer, we talk on the phone. Many of us visit in each other’s homes.” Many of the AOL group have known each other from other chat rooms, but they have only begun having annual gatherings recently. The Fort Worth weekend was their third, and they had it there so Don could attend. Donna hosts next year’s in Orlando. “Stroke leaves many people with unusable parts or a different look,” Cindi Twickler said. “We just don’t seem to fit the same anymore. It’s like putting together a puzzle for months, and when you get to the last piece, it’s missing! All of us are those last pieces, but when we go to our group, we all 0 September/October 2006 fit fine. No one notices that foot we drag or that arm we prop up on the table or that crooked smile. We all just fit. We’ve found a special place that allows us not only to receive help, but it allows us to focus on issues that others are facing and help them.” The AOL Strokechatters has about 40 members. If you are interested in joining this group, you can contact Don Aitro at Don349@aol.com. You must subscribe to AOL in order to participate in Don’s group. “Once you have a stroke, a lot of your friends disappear, so you’re left on your own,” says Don. “We survivors have our emotions right under the skin, and they come out easily when we come together. When we get in that chat room, we’re all the same, the disabilities disappear.” For information on other online support groups, visit our Web site at www.StrokeAssociation.org. Type “stroke support groups” in the Search window. What’s in It for You The stroke support group at Mercy Hospital in Iowa City, Iowa, will celebrate its 20th anniversary in 2007. Like many groups, it was started by a stroke family who wanted the counsel and support of people who were on the same journey to recovery. Maintaining a support group for so many years takes a lot of dedication and energy from stroke families and the allied health professionals who serve them. Recently the members of the Mercy Hospital group shared their top 10 reasons for attending the group: • Learning to think as a survivor, not a victim • Sharing and learning with other people • Keeping hope in your heart for the future • Realizing that stroke affects people differently • Being with people who understand your situation helps you heal • Helping overcome depression • Learning what to expect • Gaining inspiration from others • Discussing meaningful topics and being with others • Celebrating the little and big successes that survivors have — Submitted by Mary McCarthy, Patient Education Coordinator, Mercy Hospital, Iowa City, Iowa
Hunting with One Hand by Knute Wallin, Survivor Greenwood, Wisconsin i love deer hunting, but after my stroke in October 2002, I doubted I could ever do it again. I am right handed, and the stroke affected my right side, so shooting a deer rifle would mean not just learning to shoot one-handed, I’d have to do it with my left hand. In August 2004, I was considering selling my rifle and other equipment when John Waters, a teacher and dear friend who I had worked with during my 40 years as an educator, said we should go hunting. I didn’t think he was serious but he offered to take me out to practice shooting my .30-06 one-handed. ‘‘i marvel at how much work my wife korky and friends will do just so i can do what i love.’’ He and his son Nathan took me to a shooting range, and I shot at targets at 25 and 100 yards. They were very helpful, and I passed the test to go deer hunting. I got a license, the orange clothing and ammunition and registered to participate in the West Central Clark County Hunt for Hunters with Disabilities. Central Wisconsin has plenty of deer, and each year disabled hunters go out a week (Saturday through Sunday) before the regular hunting season. Dale Petkovsek heads the organization that puts on the hunt near Willard, Wis. Each year, he enrolls more landowners in the program, and there are an increasing number of volunteers to help the hunters. Others donate money for the after-hunt “feeds” and door prizes. There’s even a CD with pictures of each hunter and the deer he got. Each hunter buys his own license, but all other expenses are covered. The spirit is really great. With my wife Korky’s help, I was ready at 5:15 that first Saturday morning. I had my orange clothes, tag, gun, ammo and, of course, my wheelchair, though I typically walk with a cane. Another teacher friend, Bob Lenz, and John took care of the tent, lunch and the horsepower to get me to the stand where I would hunt from. It was a great October day, and we enjoyed a full day of hunting, but the deer population didn’t cooperate. September/October 2006 1
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