2019-06-29

Episode 075 -- What is a Nurse Practitioner with Sarah Devine


Shortly after I got out of the hospital 3 years ago, a friend and former coworker sent me a link to an announcement from Valley Medical Center in Renton, WA, about the Stroke Club. Despite the commute from downtown Seattle, this would become the first support group I attended.

It's there that I met Sarah Devine, a neurology nurse practitioner who led the group. Since then, the group has grown, we've heard from a wide assortment of speakers, attendees have come and gone, and now Sarah is handing over the reins of the group while she prepares to take her own well deserved break.

Before she leaves, though, I wanted to sit down and talk with her more about her own path.

Bio

Sarah Devine HeadshotSarah Devine is an Adult Nurse Practitioner practicing at Valley Medical Center’s Neuroscience Institute. Sarah sees Stroke and TIA patients in the hospital and clinic to confirm etiology, reduce risk for re-stroke and counsel patients on life style changes while helping through the multiple post stroke syndromes and symptoms that occur. She supports Stroke Survivor programs including encouraging Neuro Tai Chi programs; has run Valley’s Stroke Club for the past four years and sits on the Board of Tango Stride -Tango for stroke survivors.

Sarah received her MsN-ARNP in 2011 from Seattle Pacific University. After graduating, she worked in the post -hospital setting of Nursing Home rounding for several years -a perfect setting for learning geriatrics and internal medicine.

Her nursing career started in 1996, also in geriatrics, for the next 15 years she nursed in cardiology, chronic disease management and hospice in the all settings -hospitals, clinics, nursing facilities and patient homes. It was this broad view of nursing and health care that gave her adequate perspective to translate the confusing language of healthcare to the counties most vulnerable people.

She lives in Seattle with her husband where they are lucky enough to live in the same state as their four grown children

Roles

It's quite significant how our roles define how we see people. Prior to our chat, I never would have guessed Sarah had a liberal arts background, was the child of immigrants, or spent time as a cardiac nurse or hospice nurse. Granted, none of that seems out of character. But once we meet someone and put them in a certain bucket, that's how we seem them -- Nurse Practitioner and Stroke Clinician facilitating a support group and treating patients.

The lesson here on one level is, of course to recognize that the members of our care teams are individual people, too, with their own stories and paths. We may not see or hear those stories in our brief interactions, but the are there, and they shape the people we deal with.

Perhaps the more important lesson, though, is to understand how people see us -- others meet us and put us into a limited bucket with their own perception of what a stroke survivor is, what a care giver is, what an OT is, what a PT is, what a doctor is, etc.

When people make limited assumptions about us based on our role, it's easy to become offended that they're not seeing us as whole people with a history. But give them a break. We do it too. It's part of human nature. And recognize that that view goes both ways.

Grief

Sarah talked about helping survivors grieve for their previous life. Because this new life is different and can be a sharp break from our previous life. It's a concept I've heard before and I think we've talked about it in previous episodes.

But the new concept to me was when she talked about her cardiac patients feeling a sense of betrayal at their bodies. It's the betrayal we never expect to come.

As someone who has always been comfortable thinking in brain space, and who identifies as Ravenclaw, the stroke does feel like a betrayal. I was never an athlete. I could barely strum some notes on the mandolin, and I've never been the life of the party. But I have been a big reader, and I love thinking about things. I can get lost in daydreams and playing out all sorts of scenarios in my head. I can write and share concepts and stories. I've allied myself closely with my mind.

And then it betrayed me by, in part, dying.

Our lives can be turned upside down, not from the outside, but from the inside. And that makes that sense of betrayal that much more severe.

Hack of the Week

Sleep is free medicine. Living with a neurological condition means the brain works overtime and simply needs more sleep. Stroke survivors who find themselves struggling more than normal may simply have been over taxing the brain. The best way to combat that, and to overcome neuro-fatigue is simple to stay hydrated and take a nap.

There aren't a ton of advantages to having a stroke, but socially acceptable naps is one to embrace.

Links

Where do we go from here?


Here is the latest episode of The Strokecast

2019-06-25

Episode 119 — Staying in Your Lane with Chandler Walker


2-Minute Tip: Stay in Your Line

 

When on stage, there’s pressure to have all the answers — to be the expert. And when we’re talking about the area of our expertise.

 

What do we do we aren’t the expert though?

 

There’s a lot of power in saying, “I don’t know. I’ll get back to you.”

 

Know what you can speak about and know what you shouldn’t speak about. Focus on your lane and the audience will respect you more.

 

Post Tip Discussion: Meet Chandler Walker

 

There’s a temptation when we speak to throw more and more information at an audience. We see this manifest in unreadable slides; long, boring talks; and few opportunities for Q&A or other audience interaction. And I get it.

 

In the corporate world, we are under pressure to cover all the material possible to maximize the value of the audience’s time. Or we may have multiple sponsors for our talk who want to make sure we include all of “their” material.

 

The problem is when we focus on everything, we focus on nothing. We disregard the fact that the audience needs to take away something. It doesn’t matter if we say all the stuff if it doesn’t inspire the audience to do something with it.

 

Bio

 

Chandler Walker holds his baby daughter on the beach.

Candler Walker’s tip about staying in your lane is important. It’s not about “knowing your place.” It’s about being comfortable with where you can add value and where you can’t. As we go through today’s discussion, you’ll see that. You’ll also see how he questions his audience to continue understanding how he can add value.

 

Chandler Walker has built a personal brand that has catapulted him to the keynote stage, fireside chats and corporate speeches. He’s spoken in the US, Australia, The Netherlands, and Canada. He also hosts the Chan’s Logic Podcast.

 

Links

 

Chandler’s Website

http://Chanslogic.com

Chan’s Logic on Facebook

https://www.facebook.com/ChansLogic/

Chan’s Logic Podcast

https://www.chanslogic.com/podcast

Chandler on Twitter

https://twitter.com/ChandlerSAF

Chandler on YouTube

https://www.youtube.com/c/chandlerwalkersaf

Chandler on Instagram

https://www.instagram.com/chandler_saf/

 

Call To Action:

 

  • Check out Chandler’s website, Facebook page, and other social media accounts in the links above.
  • Subscribe to the Chan’s Logic Podcast and 2-Minute Talk Tips for free in your favorite podcast app so you never miss an episode
  • Don’t get best…get better.

 

2-Minute Talk Tips is the public speaking podcast that help you become a more effective speaker in as little as 2 minutes a week.


Check out this episode!

2019-06-22

Episode 074 -- Rehab or Ripoff?


Snakeoil or Revolutionary Treatment?

New treatments for stroke related conditions are coming out all the time. And with the deficits some folks live with, we desperately need them. Unfortunately, that also means there are a lot of scam therapies out there, too.

Or even if they are not scams, there are still treatments that just don't work. The research doesn't support them and for many people the represent a waste of time and money.

How do you tell the good from the bad? This is the framework I use.

First, who is recommending it? Is it your doctor, therapist, or other member of your care team? If so, there's likely some validity to it. They have a vested interest in recommending safe and effective treatments to you, and they want you to get well.

Or is it a random poster in an internet forum or a YouTube video? Those could still be good, but it pays to be skeptical. You need to go deeper into the scientific research or talk about it with your doctor or care team.

Second, will insurance pay for it? If your insurance will pay for it, then it's pretty likely the data shows the treatment is effective for many people because the insurance companies don't like throwing away money.

If insurance won't pay, well that doesn't tell you too much. They might be stingy or the data might show it doesn't work. or there might simply not be enough data yet.

Third, Is it FDA approved (or approved by the appropriate standards body in your country? If so, that a positive sign. If not, then it likely hasn't been shown to be safe or effective and you ought to be cautious.

So when we have that data, what else should we consider?

First, look at the therapy to see if it's safe. What does the research show? Often this is the first phase of research. The recent Stanford study on stem cells, for example was about determining if it was safe, not determining if it was effective. We talked about this research last year with Dr. Nirav Shah.

Second, is it effective?

Has the research demonstrated scientifically that it is effective? Does it actually work for more than one or two people and how often does it work? Earlier this year, I talked with Dr. Michael Bennett, one of the world's leading experts in Hyperbaric Medicine. This is a therapy that is known to be safe, and it's effective for lots of other conditions, but the research does not demonstrate that it is effective for stroke.

But if it's safe and only maybe effective, isn't it worth a shot?

Maybe. But that brings us to the question of Opportunity Costs.

Few of us have unlimited funds. And none of us have unlimited time. Spending time and money on one therapy means not spending time or money on something else.

The traditional therapies like PT, OT, and Speech Therapy have evidence showing they are effective. Skipping them in favor of an unproven therapy can actually delay your recovery.

So go into new and alternative therapies with a clear view of the risk if you opt to pursue them They may not work.

A Day in a Life with Spasticity

A few months ago, the American Heart Association reached out to me about participating in a video about tone and spasticity. I initially talked about tone and spasticity way back in Episode 3 -- Tone 101.

You can see the new video here or just play it below:

 

Share it with other folks in your life who might want to learn about spasticity.

Language

A member of the Strokecast community sent me a private message on Twitter politely taking me to task for something I said last week. 

When I talked about "The Diving Bell and the Butterfly" I initially referred to Jean Dominique Bauby as a victim. I ought to have referred to him as a survivor.

Language matters as we rewire our brains. If you have had a stroke, and you're reading this today, you are a survivor. You are not a victim. Victims are folks who did not survive their stroke.

Now Bauby ultimately passed away due to complications from his stroke nearly 2 years later. In that time, he learned to communicate despite his locked in syndrome and even wrote a book by blinking his eye. He seems to have lived well beyond the victim stage.

Links

 

Spasticity Video

http://Strokecast.Com/SpasticityVideo

Episode 048 — Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy with Dr. Michael Bennett

http://Strokecast.com/Hyperbarics

Stem Cells on Strokecast

http://Strokecast.com/StemCells

Thought on The Diving Bell and the Butterfly

http://Strokecast.com/movies

Tone 101

http://Strokecast.com/Tone101

Strokecast Facebook Group

http://Strokecast.com/FacebookGroup

American Heart Association

http://Heart.Org

 

Where do we go from here?

  • What alternative therapies have you tried? Did they work? Let us know in the new Strokecast Facebook group or in the comments below.
  • Check out the spasticity video from the American Heart Association.
  • Help a friend, colleague, or relative subscribe to the Strokecast for free in their favorite podcast app.
  • Don't get best...get better.

Strokecast is the stroke podcast where a Gen X stroke survivor explores rehab, recovery, the frontiers of neuroscience and one-handed banana peeling by helping stroke survivors, caregivers, medical providers and stroke industry affiliates connect and share their stories.


Here is the latest episode of The Strokecast

2019-06-18

Episode 118 — Quit Asking for Permission with Logan Rena


2-Minute Tip: Mine Social Media for Stories

 

We talk a lot about the importance of storytelling in talks. And I’m sure many of us have seen speakers who have a story for everything. How do you do that?

 

Review your social media. We tell stories throughout our day on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and a variety of other platforms. Then we often forget them.

 

So next time you need a story go ahead and mine your own social media to find some good ones. It’s likely filled with moments you wanted to remember and share. And those are the good stories.

 

Post Tip Discussion: Meet Logan Rena

 

Logan Rena Headshot

Logan Rena is just overflowing with energy, enthusiasm, and self-discipline.


Her approach to life is about not asking for permission. But it’s not in a reckless manner. In fact, it’s highly disciplined because once you no longer ask for permission then you become responsible for your actions at a much deeper level.

 

Logan Renā is the Chief Creative Director of The Logan Design Project Affirmation Clothing company and author of the #1 New Released book, Never Ask For Permission Again. Logan’s heart work is taking women on a journey of self-love, self-awareness and self-care through speaking engagements, The Logan Rena Show on YouTube and through the SoulKation podcast.

 

Links

 

Logan’s website

http://LoganRena.com

Soul-Formations List

https://soulformations.loganrena.com/

Logan on Instagram

http://www.instagram.com/loganrena_

Logan on Twitter

https://twitter.com/loganrena_

Logan on LinkedIn

https://www.linkedin.com/in/loganrena/

SoulKation Podcast

http://soulkation.libsyn.com/

Never Ask for Permission Again

https://amzn.to/2Bp9U77

SoulKation TV with Logan Rena

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCl4QE0V6YDPj_qzdyB-2ZSw

 

Call To Action

 


Check out this episode!

2019-06-14

Episode 073 -- Movies and #JusticeForJoe


Sometimes art can help our friends and family understand our lives when we cannot. We're all too close to our own situations to adequately explain them. I'm gradually working my way through a list of stroke related movies. It's not always easy to watch them, but they are often rewarding. This week, I talk about 2 of them.

My Beautiful Broken Brain

This film chronicle the life of film producer Lotje Sodderland in the year after her stroke. We see her struggle with language, improve, decline, and generally come to terms with her new way of seeing and communicating with the world.

 

 

The Diving Bell and the Butterfly

This film is "based on a true story."

It's based on a book written by Jean-Dominique Bauby, the former editor of Elle magazine in Paris, and it's his memoir.

Bauby suffered a stroke while at the peak of his professional life. When he woke from a coma, he had Locked-In Syndrome. He had all his cognitive abilities but he couldn't speak and he couldn't move. He couldn't communicate with the world outside his body.

Eventually, he was able to communicate by blinking his left eye. And that's how he dictated his book.

 

 

#JusticeForJoe

A few weeks ago, I spoke with Joe Borges from The NeuroNerds on this show. You can hear that episode here.

Recently, Joe shared the story of his care at Valley Presbyterian Hospital in Van Nuys, CA. Basically, when he was a patient, they lost him.

The administered significant narcotics to a brain injury/brain surgery survivor and ignored him. Completely not in his right mind, Joe got up in the middle of the night, got dressed -- sort of -- wandered by the empty nurses station, and eventually encountered a security guard who ignored Joe's fall-risk bracelets, obvious head wound, and told him to leave.

Joe wandered the streets of Van Nuys in the middle of the night for hours with no memory of what he did or what happened to him. Eventually, his sister found him.

Joe has significant post traumatic stress from the incident and the hospital is convinced they did nothing wrong.

Check out the full story here or just play the episode below. And let Valley Presbyterian know your thoughts. (Twitter: http://twitter.com/VPHCares)

 

 

Hack of the Week

Hemiparesis can make it hard to shake hands. The cane is in my right, and there not a whole lot I can so with the left one yet.

The fist bump is a great alternative. I find I can do a right-handed fist bump while holding my cane. I can do a left handed one if I concentrate.

It's a nice, simple way to engage in social protocol despite my disabilities.

Where do we go from here?

Strokecast is the stroke podcast where a Gen X stroke survivor explores rehab, recovery, the frontiers of neuroscience and one-handed banana peeling by helping stroke survivors, caregivers, medical providers and stroke industry affiliates connect and share their stories.


Here is the latest episode of The Strokecast

2019-06-12

Episode 117 -- Understanding Audience Needs with Kim Baillie


2-Minute Tip: Practice Breathing

 

Breathing is, of course, an essential step in speaking. After all, it's how we make sounds. But it's more than that.

 

Getting adequate air into our lungs calms us down. It helps us counter act the nerves many speakers experience. It ensures our brain has the oxygen it needs to stay on task. And it enhances the volume and confidence with which we speak.

 

To practice breathing:

  1. Place 2 hands on your chest so your fingers barely touch.
  2. Inhale deeply until your fingers separate.
  3. Exhale
  4. Repeat 4 more times

 

Do this exercise 5 times a day for several weeks and your body will get used to breathing in a way that  maximizes effectiveness in speaking

 

Post Tip Discussion:  Meet Kim Baillie

 

 

Kim Baille fell into public speaking, like many of us do,  by simply not hating it. In many fields, being willing to speak means that colleagues will ask us to speak

 

Kim lives in Australia where she acquired her 30 years of experience coaching engineers, architects, senior executives, and now floral designers in public speaking. Her focus is combining their expert knowledge with practical tips to increase their impact as presenters of information.

 

Kim cohosts the Inside-Exec Podcast with Fulyana Orsborn, a former Citigroup Executive and wealth management expert. Together they help today's corporate executives learn from managers outside the traditional corporate world.

 

Pre Speech Warm-Up

 

Kim talked about doing vocal warmups before going on stage. This is probably more common among singers and voice actors. It's helpful for speakers, too, because you still need to tune your instrument.

 

To me the real value, though, is in how it shifts your mindset. It puts you in a position to go out and speak. It's a ritual that helps you refocus your mental energy on the speech you are about to deliver.

 

And when it successfully does that, it has the added benefit of knocking down the nerves

 

Inside-Exec Podcast

 

Kim talked about one of the most popular episodes of her podcast.

 

That episode is called "What are the similarities between elite athletes and executives?"

 

Kim and Fulyana interviewed triathletes Josh and Krystle Hockley. You can listen to the episode  here.

 

Links

 

Call To action

 

  • So check out Kim's site Talking in Public to learn more about her programs.
  • Explore Kim's Podcast, Inside-Exec in your favorite podcast app.
  • Share this episode with a friend, colleague, or relative by giving them the link http://2MinuteTalkTips.com/Kim
  • Don't get best…get better

Check out this episode!

2019-06-07

Episode 072 -- 5 Lessons from Stroke Recovery


This week began with my 2nd 2nd Birthday. June 3 was 2 years since my stroke. I shared some thoughts earlier in the week in Facebook live here. In this episode, I expand on those concepts and share 5 lessons I've learned about stroke recovery.

5 Lessons on Stroke Recovery

  1. Repetition is important to learning.
  2. Life is full of puzzles.
  3. I am responsible for my own recovery.
  4. [YAWN] Sleep is under appreciated.
  5. Stop and celebrate the wins.

Jim Boggia

I was listening to an interview with Jim Boggia on Meredith Harper's Ukelele is the New Black podcast. If you're not familiar with Jim's work, check out these videos. He is an amazing ukelele and guitar player whom I've had the pleasure of seeing many times on the JoCo Cruise.

Meredith let me share a clip from her interview in this episode where Jim talks about doing the work to learn to play the guitar as a kid. It was about trying and trying and getting a little closer until one day you can do it.

That story reminded me a lot of what we do in stroke recovery. We work at it again and again to build new connections in the brain until it finally happens.

You can find the whole interview here.

 

You can find Ukulele is the New Black in all popular podcast apps.

And here are some examples of Jim Boggia's work

[embed]https://youtu.be/23OsLo_-eWE[/embed]

[embed]https://youtu.be/HS-2t14Z1HM[/embed]

[embed]https://youtu.be/zRrYCPqo_Dk[/embed]

[embed]https://youtu.be/6Wl6vP4aD14[/embed]

 

Hack of the week

My conversation with Gianna Rojas from a few months back is the gift that keeps on giving. This week, we share Gianna's strategy for clipping and painting the finger nails on the one hand that has fingers.

Instead of trying to move a fingernail clipper, she keeps it on the counter, and squeezes it with her other arm.

She uses a similar strategy to paint her nails. Instead of bringing the polish to her fingernails, she brings her finger nails to the polish.

Links

Strokecast Facebook Group

http://Strokecast.com/FacebookGroup

Strokecast on Instagram

http://Strokecast.com/Instagram

Jim Boggia on YouTube

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCWSNwK691dry5WuMpnCILDw

Ukulele is the New Black

https://www.ukuleleisthenewblack.com/

Strokecast with Kristen Dingman

http://Strokecast.com/Kristen

Strokecast with Gianna Rojas

http://Strokecast.com/Golf

Where do we go from here?

  • Continue the discussion in the comments below or in the new Strokecast Community Facebook Group at http://Strokecast.com/FacebookGroup
  • Follow the Strokecast on Instagram by searching for Bills_Strokecast or just visit http://Strokecast.com/Instagram
  • Find Ukulele is the New Black in popular podcast apps.
  • Celebrate the important milestones in your life.
  • Don't get best…get better

Here is the latest episode of The Strokecast

2019-06-05

Episode 116 — Comedy, Speaking, and Podcasting with Phil Johnson


2-Minute Tip: Cross the Screw It Line

 

We can prepare and prepare all we want, but at a certain point before a talk, we’ve done all that we can do.

 

The anxiety we may feel in going out on stage is less helpful on stage.

 

There comes a point, where we just have to say to ourselves, “Screw it.” (Or a less family friendly version of that). At that point it’s time to go execute. You’ve done everything you could to be ready. Once you get to that line, you have to trust that you’ve done enough.

 

And if not? Well, screw it. You’ve got a job to do.

 

Post Tip discussion: Meet Phil Johnson

 

I like talking with comedians because they are not just interesting people to chat with. The one-on-one conversations may not be the laugh-fest you might think, especially considering how many are introverts.

 

But I really like talking with them because comedy is such a precise craft. It involves understanding language, timing, and storytelling at a deep level.

 

Most public speakers understand these topics at a basic level, but we can be successful by wielding them in broad strokes — almost clumsily. Sometimes we can land our points and message like we are using a paint roller.

 

Comedians however, can’t use a paint roller. They have to use a fine tip touch up brush because their success relies on precise timing, wording and even emphasizing the right syllable. So there’s a lot we can learn from them.

 

Bio

 

Phil Johnson, a guy with long hair sings or shouts into a microphone with a guitar strapped across his chest.

Phil Johnson is a man who gets mistaken for a woman, but only by those not paying attention. That revelation kicks off a battle for self-awareness where comedy and music are the weapons of choice. It’s a battle that has taken Phil to such esteemed festivals as the Edinburgh Fringe and Sundance Film Festivals and the Top 8 Finals of the World Series of Comedy.


“I’ve always been the guy who isn’t quite what people expect,” says Phil. Using that experience, Phil pokes holes in the medical marijuana argument, discusses being a white guy at a hip hop show (and the innocent gestures that can get him in trouble), and reveals why Hawaii isn’t the paradise we think it is.

 

From Shakespearean bees to redneck vampires to anthropomorphic cell phones with weight issues, Phil Johnson fills the stage with quirky characters that combine social satire with absurdist flights of fancy. Then the guitar comes out and kicks the show into an even higher gear with songs about the bright future (and dark past) of babies and what he would do if he woke up one morning as an actual woman.

 

On stage, Phil’s playful humor and likeable, endearing manner allow him to shake things up without antagonizing the audience. In the end we can only be who we are, try to understand others, and hope they understand us.

 

RA Curtain CallRoadside Attraction comes from leader Phil Johnson’s twin careers in music and comedy. “The idea here is songs that are musically interesting and challenging, but also funny, and understandable by a casual music listener,” says Johnson. It’s more eclectic than Stephen Lynch, funnier than Prince, and more palatable than Frank Zappa, though influences of all three abound.

 

“Afrodizzyac” is their take on Blaxploitation film themes. This one is about an international super spy (Afrodizzyac) saving the women of the world from his archenemy, Left Nut. “Brown Ring Around The Collar” is a happy tirade about the stupid people we meet every day. And “Hella Good Day” is Phil Johnson’s own musing on what would make his perfect day. “I wrote it during a really bad day and it helped cheer me up. I don’t expect people to personally relate to each lyric. But I hope it will make them think about what would make them happier.”

 

Two of the greatest forms of release are live music and a hearty laugh. And Roadside Attraction delivers in spades as evidenced by the audience of young and old, and every ethnicity you’ll find in the audience. Roadside Attraction play by their own rules, and doing everything they can to help you loosen up.

 

Phil’s Upcoming Tour Dates

 

Here’s where you can see Phil in June 2019.

 

June 2019 Tour Dates for Phil Johnson 06/07/19 Clovis, CA DiCicco’s United States Add Time: 8:00pm. Admission: $15. Age restrictions: 18+. Address: 408 Clovis Ave. Headlining! BUY TICKETS 06/08/19 Clovis, CA DiCicco’s United States Add Time: 8:00pm. Admission: $15. Age restrictions: 18+. Address: 408 Clovis Ave. Headlining! BUY TICKETS 06/13/19 Temecula, CA Pechanga Casino United States Add Time: 7:30pm. Admission: $18. Age restrictions: 21+. Address: 45000 Pechanga Pkwy. Headlining! BUY TICKETS 06/14/19 Temecula, CA Pechanga Casino United States Add Time: 7:30pm. Admission: $18. Age restrictions: 21+. Address: 45000 Pechanga Pkwy. Headlining! BUY TICKETS 06/14/19 Temecula, CA Pechanga Casino United States Add Time: 9:30pm. Admission: $8. Age restrictions: 21+. Address: 45000 Pechanga Pkwy. Headlining! BUY TICKETS 06/15/19 Temecula, CA Pechanga Casino United States Add Time: 7:30pm. Admission: $18. Age restrictions: 21+. Address: 45000 Pechanga Pkwy. Headlining! BUY TICKETS 06/15/19 Temecula, CA Pechanga Casino United States Add Time: 9:30pm. Admission: $18. Age restrictions: 21+. Address: 45000 Pechanga Pkwy. Headlining! BUY TICKETS 06/16/19 Temecula, CA Pechanga Casino United States Add Time: 7:30pm. Admission: $18. Age restrictions: 21+. Address: 45000 Pechanga Pkwy. Headlining! BUY TICKETS 06/21/19 Benicia, CA First St Cafe United States Add Time: 8:00pm. Age restrictions: 18+. Address: 440 1st St. BUY TICKETS 06/22/19 Oakland, CA Comedy Oakland United States Add Time: 9:30pm. Age restrictions: 18+. Address: 1628 Webster St. BUY TICKETS 06/28/19 Burbank, CA Flappers Comedy Club – Yoo Hoo Room United States

 

For more appearances, check out the list on his website here.

 

Phil in Action

 

These videos highlight Phil’s comedy. You might not want to play them loudly in your office.

 

 

 

 

Other Conversations with Comedians

Way back in Episode 3, I talked with my good friend Jon Clarke about his experience as a musician, comedian and advertising creative.

 

You can find that here.

 

In Episode 62, I spoke with British comedian, host, and podcaster Iszi Lawrence about the power of storytelling.

 

You can find that episode here.

 

Trina Talks Podcast

 

I had the privilege of being the first man to appear on the Trina Talks podcast.

 

Trina Talks is a podcast with inspirational talk based on wisdom gained through Trina’s life experiences for women who want motivation and inspiration to go to the next level in their lives, whether personal or professional. Trina L. Martin is a motivational speaker, leader, and cyber tech expert.

 

I share my stroke story and journey as we talk about the challenges, signs and causes of stroke, and some of the specific challenges women face. You can listen below or subscribe to Trina Talks for free in your favorite podcast app.

 

 

Links

 

Phil’s website

www.RoadsideAttraction.com

Phil’s Tour Dates

https://www.roadsideattraction.com/tour-dates/

Under the Crossbones — Phil’s Pirate Podcast

https://www.underthecrossbones.com/

Phil Interviews Anne Chambers about Grace O’Malley

https://www.underthecrossbones.com/anne-chambers-grace-omalley/

Phil Johnson on Facebook

https://www.facebook.com/philjohnsoncomedy

Phil Johnson on Twitter

https://twitter.com/roadsidephil

Phil Johnson on Instagram

https://www.instagram.com/philjohnsoncomedy/

Phil Johnson on YouTube

https://www.youtube.com/user/roadside2

Phil Johnson on Spotify

https://open.spotify.com/artist/1zWnuRQeVtq50JDArw5PtF

Lynn Ruth Miller

http://lynnruthmiller.net/

2-Minute Talk Tips Episode 003 — Meet Jon Clarke

http://2minutetalktips.com/2017/01/10/episode-003-skip-the-opening-joke-and-meet-jon-clarke/

2-Minute Talk Tips Episode 062 — Tell A Story to Add Value and Meet Iszi Lawrence

http://2MinuteTalkTips.com/Iszi

Call To Action

 

  • To learn more about Phil, his comedy, his Pirate podcast, and more, visit http://www.RoadsideAttraction.com or check out the links above.
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2019-06-04

Episode 071 -- Where Are We Now?


This article was sponsored by NeuroLutions for the benefit of the stroke community.

A Break from the Journey

Recovery from stroke is a marathon, not a sprint.

You've probably heard or read that before. It's a journey. It's a unique one because every stroke is different, and every stroke survivor is different. We are all on our own trip. But we're not doing it by ourselves. Many of us are lucky enough to be joined by our caregivers and medical teams.

Plus, while our journeys are different, they do intersect. As we go down the road of recovery, we meet other folks on their own journeys and at different points in their journeys.

At these way stations, we share tips. We share laughs. We share experiences. And we just share.

In this episode we have one of those chats as we sit around the proverbial road side camp fire with 3 survivors at different points in their journey.

As of June 3, I am 2 years into my recovery working to regain motor function.

I'm joined by Peter and Ria. Peter is about 21 months into his journey working on his cognitive and emotional skills.

Melia and Kerry also join us. They been on this road longer than the rest of us. Kerry is now about 5 years along his voyage as he and Melia work on his cognitive and motor skills.

So take a short break from the road and join us for the largest panel on a Strokecast episode to date as we ask and answer, "Where are we now?"

Melia and Kerry Wilkinson

Melia and Kerry Wilkinson stand outside a houseKerry Wilkinson had a hemorrhagic stroke 5 years ago in 2014. Melia, his wife, became his primary caregiver and aggressively drove his recovery ensuring he got the medical support he needed. She's been sharing her insights in blog posts on the Strokecast website.

Melia grew up in Maryland and has a degree in economics, which she has never used. Immediately after college, she spent a year in Japan teaching English and learning that she didn’t want to be a teacher.

She and her husband met on the East Coast but eventually moved to the Pacific Northwest for his job in computer games – and for the great coffee!

While knowing very little about strokes, neuro recovery or even blood pressure, Melia quickly became an expert and an advocate and has strong opinions on how we can better help caregivers and fine tune and personalize therapy for stroke survivors.

She and her family are lifelong nerds enjoying Emerald City Comic Con, Doctor Who and anything to do with a super hero. Watching her husband thrive and her daughter prosper does allow her to see the real heroes in her life and makes the hard days better.

We met Melia in Episode 64. You can also read her blogposts at http://Strokecast.com/Melia

Peter and Ria Evans

Peter Evans HeadshotPeter Evans had his hemorrhagic stroke in the fall of 2017. Ria, his wife, became his primary caregiver and together they navigated the new emotional landscape of post-stroke life. They've candidly shared their story of mental health and emotional struggles with us in prior episodes and blog posts.

Like many others, Peter first came to LA hoping to break into acting in film and television, and it was that which brought Peter and Ria together when they worked together on her cable public access TV show and a feature film they both produced on the set of which he says they fell in love. “She may have stolen my heart,” he says, “but what she gave me back in love and support over these past 20 years, on balance I feel like I’m a millionaire—Definitely feel like I came out a huge winner on that deal, the day I met Ria!”

Ria Evans HeadshotPeter continues to this day contributing on-line content for Stroke resources and putting his years of Project Management to good use, paying it forward to all his fellow stroke survivors.

We heard from Peter and Ria in episode 60 and episode 67. You can read Peter's blog posts here.

Discovering New Deficits

Another thing that we touch on that I want to call attention to is the idea that as we recover, we discover new deficits. As I mentioned in the conversation, I've recently discovered I don't have ulnar or radial deviation -- I can't move my wrist left or right. It's not that I've lost any capability. Just the opposite in fact. As I've recovered bigger things, I start to discover things that previously flew under the radar.

That's a good thing.

Power of Hobbies

We also got into a conversation about hobbies -- 3D Printing and older computer challenges from the 90s. And as we started to go into that rabbit hole (I did cut some of it) it wasn't so much about stroke or disability. Just about stuff we are interested in.

And that's important because while it does have a big impact on our lives, our lives are still so much more than just stroke survival. I don't talk too much about the rest of my life on the show because the show is specifically about stroke world. But it's so important for survivors to get involved in other things they are interested in. And the added benefit is the aid a bobby can be in recovery. Just look at Kerry's experience with 3D Printing.

And for caregivers, too, it's important. Caregiver are still must still be able to have their own life and hobbies.

And if you can't imagine doing stuff after stroke, talk to the OT. Talk to Rec therapists. Talk to other survivors and caregivers. There are an amazing number of unexpected solutions out there.

Trina Talks Podcast

I had the privilege of being the first man to appear on the Trina Talks podcast.

Trina Talks is a podcast with inspirational talk based on wisdom gained through Trina's life experiences for women who want motivation and inspiration to go to the next level in their lives, whether personal or professional. Trina L. Martin is a motivational speaker, leader, and cyber tech expert.

I share my story and journey as we talk about the challenges, signs and causes of stroke, and some of the specific challenges women face. You can listen below or subscribe to Trina Talks for free in your favorite podcast app.

 

 

More Social Channels

I mentioned in the previous episode that I've launched a Facebook Group for the Strokecast community. So if you're on Facebook, come over and join us to talk about the latest episode or your own or your loved ones' strokes. Or just pop in and say, "Hi!"

You can find it at http://Strokecast.Com/FacebookGroup

I've also just launched an Instagram channel for the show. I'll be sharing more quotes from the show, images from other survivors, stuff about my own recovery, and other things relevant to folks who listen to the show.

You can search Instagram for Bills_Strokecast or just click here: http://Strokecast.com/Instagram

Strokeaversary

And on a personal note, I'm recording this bit on the morning of June 3, 2019. That makes today my second, second birthday -- my 2-year Strokeaversary. I'll be talking about that in greater detail next episode, but for now I'll just say I'm grateful for all the support I've gotten over the past 2 years, for the progress that I've made, and the future that is yet to come.

You can hear some of my thoughts in this Facebook Live video I shot in the afternoon of June 3, 2019.

In summary, I'm happy to still be here.

 

Hack of the Week

Stand off center while doing dishes.

When I do dishes, I tend to make a mess and get water on the floor and the counter. Granted that happened before the stroke, too, but it happens even more now. And I splash myself more as I do this one handed.

I'm used to standing in front of the faucet, centered on the sink. But really, that's a legacy of the days when I used to do dishes with 2 hands, and both had to have access to the sink.

I recently realized I don't have to do that anymore. Now when I do dishes, I stand a step to the left. That means, my right, unaffected arm and shoulder are now centered to the faucet.

The one working hand has full access to the sink. The weak left is out of the way, and I don't splash my clothes nearly as much anymore.

Part of living with disabilities is figuring out what I used to do to accommodate two hands and that I no longer need to do that in the same way.

Where do go from here?

Strokecast is the stroke podcast where a Gen X stroke survivor explores rehab, recovery, the frontiers of neuroscience and one-handed banana peeling by helping stroke survivors, caregivers, medical providers and stroke industry affiliates connect and share their stories.


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