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Your internal thermostat

2010-06-07T13:31:00Z

Most homes in developed countries are equipped with a thermostat.

The thermostat raises or lowers the temperature of the house to a specified preset degree regardless of the temperature outside.

This device has absolutely no control of the weather outside. There could be a heat wave or sub freezing conditions.

It doesn't matter, a well functioning thermostat will regulate the temperature on the inside for you despite the conditions outside.

What about you? Do you have such a device that enables you to determine how you react to outside influences?

Just like the thermostat has no say in the conditions on the outside, we are also confronted with daily elements that enter our life.

How do you react when someone offends you, or cuts you off while driving?

How do you react if you receive some disturbing news?

Because we have little control of all outside events, wouldn't it be beneficial to at least have the final say in our own emotions?

We have wide range of possible emotions available for us to choose between Joy & Happiness and Fear & Depression.

Given that choice most people, I would imagine would choose the former over the latter.

It is possible even during the course of a single day that are emotions could fluctuate between both ends of that scale.

It's like the old adage our life is determined by 10% of what happens but 90% of how we react.

Have you thought about setting your inner thermostat to a preset emotion?

You do have the choice to to how you react. How you respond is in your hands only.

Don't you think it would be wise to preset your emotions at Positive Expectations?

When you feel anger, rage blame,doubt, worry or any of the other negative emotions that do nothing to serve you,

think of your inner thermostat and move the lever to Positive Expectations.

Try it for one day and see how it works for you. It may very well be difficult for you at first but through practice you will improve.

Bob Miller
The Stroke Coach

My Friend Joe

2010-06-05T14:53:00Z

I spent a few hours with a dear friend who is prepared to leave his physical body due to the advanced stage of Pancreatic cancer that

he has courageously been battling for about a year now.

Spiritual people seem to have a peaceful transition from this earth.

I along with my eight living siblings and 20 some nephews, nieces and cousins were there when my mother's spirit left her body

on her 80th birthday last year.

The peace I was blessed with to witness on both occasions will forever be a part of me.

Joe is still here and there is more that I wanted to say that I thought about after I left.

I am not sure I will get the opportunity but I did my best with my tears.

The tears however were not for him but selflessly they were for me and his family and friends.

I may not be able to speak to him anymore in this plane.

But he will speak to me as long as I live the same way my mother lives through me now.

Bob Miller
The Stroke Coach

Patient Heal Thyself

2010-06-04T02:40:00Z

After something as devastating as a stroke it is vitally important that you get therapy (physical,occupational,and or speech) as soon
as possible. Get as much therapy as your insurance will allow. Then learn from your therapists the specific exercises that you can do at home on your own or with your caregiver, spouse, etc.

I am not a doctor or a therapist nor do I play one on the internet.
So before you do anything on your own consult first with your doctor and therapist.
Eventually though the insurance will probably stop funding your therapy but youmust keep doing your therapy if you wish to continue to improve.

The internet is your friend. Do extensive research about your specific affliction and learn as much as you can and continue to get updates as new advancements and treatments are always being found.

Remember"that if you don't use it you will lose it". Use your weakened limbs(and brain) as much as practical without causing harm. Always be safe. Don't over extend yourself.

Design a practical plan with your doctor, therapist, caregiver or family members and never give up.

Strive for little improvements every day and you will amaze yourself.

Even years after a severe stroke many survivors continue to see improvements but you can really help your cause by your own diligent work and a positive can- do attitude.
Bob Miller
StrokesSuck.com

Give it up

2010-06-02T12:24:00Z

I have a personal life/success philosophy that I have been diligintly following for several years now.

It is called my ABCD of Success. My intent was to create a simplified road map for myself to help me stay focused and on target.

Each letter symbolizes an area of my life including my mental/emotional, physical, relationships, financial and spiritual self.

The spiritual is actually the hub if you can imagine a circle or a wheel and the hub being in the center.

This is the center of our being, our universal connection or God.

My personal belief is that we are all designed to grow in all areas of our life.

In most cases we have the ability and duty to improve ourselves, our life, the lives of those around us and our sphere of influence.

There are times however when through circumstances in life that it seems to become too difficult, confusing or overwhelming.

If life reaches this point, a wonderful and extremely powerful strategy is to relax and clear your mind totally.

Take a few deep breaths and close your eyes.

Picture the middle of the circle as your connection to God. This is your hub that binds your life together.

This is also your portal to the entire universe, like a window to the all that there is and ever was.

This is God and nothing else really matters.

Go there and deposit all of your troubles. Let them disperse into the infinite vastness. See all your troubles drift away

Let go and let God.

Bob Miller
The Stroke Coach

Perspective

2010-06-01T13:09:00Z

Great tools available at our disposal offering to assist us in our daily journey through life.

Books, DVD'S, quotes, you name it, they are there if we open our eyes.

Two books come to mind that were helpful for my perspective during my stroke recovery.

"My Stroke of Insight" by Jill Bolte Taylor and "Ask and it is Given" by Esther and Jerry Hicks

Both books and their authors offer viewpoints that differ with mainstream thinking but that I have found conducive

towards implementing a favorable perspective on life.

Most stroke survivors disagree heartily with Taylor's version of what it feels like while having a stroke.

I can't imagine nor have I heard of anyone else describe their stroke as a "Nirvana like feeling"

Hick's book is very "New Age" in it's thoughts with their conversations with the "Universal Source", Abraham.

The commonality they both provide though is our ability to control our emotions and perspective.

Instead of us being carried away in the river of harmful emotions like hared, anger, worry, guilt, blame,

unworthiness and all of the others that will only serve to destroy, we have the ability within us to at the very least

set positive expectations as our default emotion much like your thermostat in your home.

This is not to say that you will not feel fear when you are confronted or anger when assaulted. It simply means

that we have the power to switch out of these destructive emotions at will and aim for emotions like, love, happiness,

hope and joy.

Sort of like Dorothy in The Wizard of OZ, we have the power within ourselves to go home at will simply by clicking our heels.

Bob Miller
The Stroke Coach
Strokes Suck

Don't lose it

2010-06-01T04:49:00Z

Everyone has heard the phrase "Use it or lose it" and it is definitely a true statement and never more true than for stroke survivors.
When I had my brain attack my entire left side became paralyzed. The rehab technicians in the hospital were trying to get me to move as soon as I was released from ICU.
This was a great strategy even though I think I caused more pain to my therapists. One poor girl sprained her wrist trying to catch me from falling.

Each persons situation is exclusive to them and mine was pretty bad, to make matters worse my left shoulder became sublexed which basically is a major separation of the ball from the joint.

Any attempts to exercise the shoulder at that point only made my particular condition worse. That being said one should, under the supervision of their doctor or therapist begin as soon as safely possible to use their muscle groups and not just the muscles that are affected or injured.

The longer that you put it off the harder it will be to gain back the flexibility and lost strength.

So be prepared for a lot of pain and frustration but it is much better than the alternative.

Use it or lose it applies not only to rehab situations but also our professional and personal life as well.
When was the last time you told your husband or wife how much you loved them?
When was the time you polished your people or business skills?

Remember, "Use it or lose it"

Bob Miller
StrokesSuck.com

What Can You do?

2010-05-28T17:02:00Z

As the creator of a popular and growing online stroke support network I have been blessed to have been inspired by so many

who have done so much with so little.

When something as major as a stroke enters your life it is easy to question, "why me"?

Few things in life will surpass the the enormity or life changing event as a stroke.

It is understandable the loss of such things as your ability to walk, talk, make love, earning a living, carrying on a relationship,

saving your marriage or your memory, can have a depressing kind of effect on someone.

This is especially true for those still suffering from the recent shock after it first happens.

It is not for me to tell someone what they can or should do to improve. Nor will I stand in judgment of another because in many cases

not even they themselves can fully grasp what is going on in their minds.

One lesson that I can share however that I do believe can work for not only stroke survivors but people of all walks of life is to focus

on what we can do. Whether you are a sales person making a phone call or someone relearning how to walk.

Take that first step and do what you can now do and give absolutely no thought whatsoever to what you can not do.

Then do what you can and do it again tomorrow only a little bit more and a little bit better.

Bob Miller
The Stroke Coach
Strokes Suck
Strokes Suck UK

Doing

2010-05-26T03:27:00Z

Doing! Perhaps my favorite topic. No matter what it is that you would like to accomplish whether it is playing tennis or the piano, the only

way to improve in any endeavor is by doing the desired task.

This is hardly a revelation, everyone reading this knows it is true

Why then do we not do the things we know we must do to succeed?

Are you afraid to fall, fail or look foolish?

Perhaps you are waiting for the right time or situation.

The problem is we can never be certain exactly when that will be.

And yes you most likely will fall, fail and look foolish.

Accept that and get on with doing.

Sometimes we just need to hear it one more time.

Now get out there and start doing.

Bob Miller
Strokes Suck

I Suck at Everything

2010-05-24T17:45:00Z

Most of the things that I do these days are more difficult for me now especially after my second stroke less than two months ago.

I detailed my experiences of "starting over again" in a recent blog post.

Today during my morning walk I began to reminisce about the strategies I used to recover my physical abilities from my first stroke.

I remember how my daily walks would include unorthodox sessions of lunges, bending, picking up stones with alternate hands and

writing the letter B in the dirt with a different finger on each bend.

Joining a local Toastmaster's group helped me regain some of my lost speech capabilities.

Today I sent an email to my Toastmaster group asking them to schedule me for as many jobs in as many different roles as possible

Some of these positions are much less desirable than the others, and not everyone is enamored with these posts.

The only way, that you will ever improve proficiency at any task however is by performing or "doing" the chore over and over.

I may "suck" at things that I do now but I will improve. There is no place to go but up.

Repetition creates mastery.

Bob Miller
Strokes Suck

Starting Over Again, Something Old Something New

2010-05-22T15:16:00Z

Very seldom will you hear or read about me complaining about my personal situation.

Instead of being a glass half full person I like to imagine me as being a glass filled to the brim type of guy.

I needed to say that in order to qualify where I stand with my recovery at the present after my second stroke.

On my scale of 1 to 11, with 11 being dead, I would have to classify my first one three and a half years ago as a solid 8.

Sparing the details for the sake of brevity, I have made continuous steady improvement until my recent much smaller stroke

less than two months ago.

Fortunately this stroke was in my estimation perhaps a 2 on my stroke measuring scale.

I may have been a little too eager to begin my victory celebration as my previously "good" but now slightly weakened right leg gave

way to a slanted and holey roadway causing me a severely sprained ankle as I crumpled helplessly into the street.

Finally over a month later as my ankle is near 100%, I am beginning to assess the actual effect the second stroke had upon me.

Happily most of the physical effects of my recently effected right side are now only minimal, however my left side which was

making so much improvement has seemed to regress by about two years worth of effort.

I am not sure this makes sense from a neurological stand point. Brain damage on the left affects the right and vice versa.

The only explanation I have is that the connections that I "rewired" from the first stroke now got sort of tangled or kinked.

Oh well, what happened is done. Life is 10% what happens to us and 90% of how we deal with it.

As I previously stated, I am not one to feed or give power to any negative sources so I won't.

I simply need to rely on some strategies of old. I remember after my first stroke when relearning how to walk how I would tell

myself the following, "left foot, right foot". Not only couldn't I physically do it, I didn't even remember how at that point.

That reminder worked for me then and it is proving useful once again as I continue repairing all the damaged but not

broken connections.

I guess the lesson for me in all of this in order to be victorious is either use strategies that worked before or find new ones.

Oh yeah, and Never, Ever, Ever give up.

Bob Miller
Strokes Suck

So much to say

2010-04-03T19:53:00Z

Here I sit April 3, 2010 just five days from my second stroke. There is so much that I want to say that I may need to break it down into

separate topics. First let me say that like the first stroke this one took me totally by surprise.

Looking back, I can totally understand why the first one happened though. I had hypertension that I totally ignored, I packed on about

30 extra pounds plus I was haphazardly attempting to operate three businesses. I believe there are quite a few quotes relating

to the jack of all trades and master of none. Ever get stuck in either deep snow or sand? the faster you spin your wheels the deeper

you descend and the more you get stuck.

But I changed my life after that paralyzing encounter that brought me uncomfortably close to sending me to the promised land.

I never thought anything like that would ever happen to me. Isn't that what everyone who has a major life changing event says?

Things do happen though and I accepted it as my cross to bear. It was a one time thing which I had no choice but to adapt.

What a confusing time. The uncertainty, will I ever walk again?

Will I return to work? Will I ever be able to use my left hand? Will my shoulder go back in place? Will my face look normal?

Shall I ever be able to think and speak coherently? Will I make love ever again? Will I even live? Overwhelming questions with few

answers and no one to ask or anywhere to turn. Strokes Suck.

My passion and new found purpose then was to become the very best that I could possibly be.

To become my best self and to help others through my website Strokes Suck.

I did just that while creating a great exercise/rehab tool to help me in my recovery, pushing myself harder than ever in my life

I gained strength and grew stronger daily never giving up. I read and continue to read positive inspirational books.

I listened to tapes and attended seminars and webinars always with the purpose of bettering my life. My diet changed. I began to

meditate. I learned to relax and breathe properly. I studied yoga.

I was finding the answers and became passionate to share what I learned with others.

This past summer was spent in part writing a yet to be published book appropriately titled "Strokes Suck...But"

Recently I created an interactive version of my site of Facebook with the same name that is truly helping many including myself.

The membership list grows daily. God helped me to free a young survivor and mother of two toddlers from the bottom of the abyss.

She understood the power of removing the focus of misery from herself and to partner with God to empower others.

Jesus wasn't kidding when he said to simply give Love. I don't know why we have such a difficult time understanding this concept.

Four other young women survivors joined ranks with the same philosophy. We began to help even more.

Our numbers began to swell. Our philosophy is to Give, Help and Inspire with Kindness and Love.

An angel with a broken wing appeared from across the pond. She desired to fly once again. God helped me to assist her on her

own Climb from the abyss. She needed a Push and is now remembering how to fly. This angel with a mending wing is

operating Strokes Suck in the United Kingdom and has become my best friend.

If only I had a had these people, some of the answers or even a place to share with others like Strokes Suck during my first year of

recovery. But God has a plan like the changing of the seasons. You can not force fruit to ripen on the tree.

The snow will melt and the flowers will bloom when it is there time. God's universe is in no hurry, can we do better?

So after all that imagine my surprise when my right hand developed that familiar feeling of numbness that accompanied my brain

bleed of three and a half years ago. Why am I talking funny? Could this really be happening again? Only on the other side now?

A delayed April Fools joke perhaps? Sometimes lightning does strike twice. Another brain attack back for an encore.

Fortunately for me this one was less severe. Knowing what I know and going through what I have, I am more than prepared to

place this genie back in the bottle.

Everything happens for a purpose and I doubt that with my "pay grade" I will ever fully understand God's plan in my time on earth.

I have some thoughts though as to why I was spared once more.

I am glad that I believe and trust in God's plan. This promises to be interesting. To be continued.

Bob Miller
Strokes Suck
Strokes Suck on Facebook
Strokes Suck in the UK

Rehab Tips from a Non Expert- The 1% Solution

2010-03-22T03:53:00Z

I am certainly not an expert in rehab therapy by any stretch of the imagination. Each stroke and the subsquent damage done is

as unique as the individual. My three and a half years as a survivor has given me an understanding of what it takes to improve

a non- responsive left side, at least from my personal point of view. My range post stroke has taken me from total paralysis to sharing

typing this with both hands. I am not bragging though, in fact typing with my left was one of my least favorite activities even before

my stroke. It certainly is not at the top of my favorite things now.

After speaking with hundreds of fellow survivors, I have come to harbor the belief that everyone not attached to life support has

the ability to improve. How much is unknown to all but the Almighty and the will and determination of the person.

I like to suggest you strive for a 1% improvement. per week regardless of the task.

I realize 1% does not sound like much nor would it be easy to measure. 10 % would be much easier to measure, So then just do

about 10% 0f 10%. In other words just do a tiny bit more of whatever you are trying to do.

Being paraylzed, confused, sick, disoriented and scared it would be easy to" throw in the towel" and just give up. I felt like that myself.

I suggest when you are inudated with all of the aforementioned negative feelings and emotions that you take a nap without delay.

After a stroke your mind and your body for that matter, need as much rest as possible. Provide this required ingredient always.

Upon awakening fresh and rejuvenated, it is now time to work on that 1%. If you're typing 100 words, type one word with your affected

hand is 1%. Squeeze a foam ball, apply deodorant, turn a doorknob, hold your toothbrush, rub shampoo in your hair, turn on a

light switch all with your affected hand.

Do the same for your legs. Keep doing it until after one week you have improved about 1%

That"s not much but it"s huge.

Say you were able to actually improve 1% a week, what is that over a month? With four weeks in a month @1% a week improvement

that is 4% a month. Now you are beginning to see measurable improvements

Use this same.template for 3 months and you now have a 12% improvement. even if you slipped a tiny bit, you should still see a

10% improvement over a three month time. Not bad huh?

Those three months are going to come and go whether you are improving or having a pity party. Why not take the improvement route?

It works, I do it all the time. It works for everything. Unless you are a finely tuned athlete where you are at your total peak potential

already, you can improve. 1% a week is certainly doable.

So let's start doing it. Let's all do it. Let's all get on the 1% bandwagon. Let's talk about it and post it.

Perhaps you can place your hand on a table and force something between your fingers to open what previously wouldn't open before.

Do this every day for a week. What if you failed miserably and moved it only 1/2% of 1% well at the end of three months you still

accomplished a 6% gain. What have you got to lose by trying?

Bob Miller
The Stroke Coach
Strokes Suck
Strokes Suck on Facebook
Strokes Suck UK

Then One Day...

2010-03-16T15:48:00Z

Then one day all of a sudden after years of relentless attempting, I was able to do some things that I couldn't do very well before today.

Let me explain and please, I am not trying to brag about my accomplishments rather my intent is to impress upon you that you can

and will improve after a stroke especially if you are diligent and persistent in your rehab.

By rehab, I am talking about doing things that you once did over and over. My actual "paid therapy" was over and done a few short

months after my stroke.

As Peter Levine in his book "Stronger After Stroke" says, "Real therapy begins when the paid therapy ends."

During the past few days I have been able to a of a sudden do things that I have been trying to do for a long time.

Actually three instances stick out clearly in my mind. The first, a few days ago as I was performing my daily routine of walking on

boulders, I found myself in a precarious spot between boulders where I was forced to shuffle my left (affected foot) in such a manner

to avoid falling. In years past even before my stroke such a move would have surely caused an ankle sprain. I know that for a fact,

recalling myearly basketball playing days. Fond memories return of me defying gravity into the air a good one to two inches above

earth only to fall in a heap with a badly sprained ankle. Not to go to the race card but since my youth I was afflicted with a

severe case of WMD aka White Man's disease. I simply never had the ability to jump very high and on those rare occasions

when I cleared two inches, it all to often ended in disaster to my ankles.

This maneuver I performed startled and amazed me with a warm sense of accomplishment. Could it be that my left ankle which

would roll automatically after my stroke was now actually stronger than it was before? I have honestly been relentless the past

three years practicing walking, running and climbing in extreme conditions.

Now I believe I finally witnessed the fruits of my labor.

Just this morning while returning from my workout area where my boulders are located, I drove the two and a half mile circular

road using my left hand only. I have practiced using my left hand in small spurts off and on over the years but never exclusively

like I did today.

Lastly, when I returned home I skimmed our pool of leaves and debris while using my left hand equally where in the past I would

have done so mostly with my right.

Again, I am not writing this in an ego gratifying way rather to reaffirm that with persistent practice, patience and prayer, we can

expect improvement. I am far from where I intend to be in my recovery, in fact I am convinced that it is a life time journey.

You can and will improve with consistent effort. Never,ever give up.

Bob Miller
Strokes Suck
Strokes Suck on Facebook

Something Will Resonate

2010-03-15T03:00:00Z

What you focus on and believe in is true. What you focus on expands. Both of these quotes are similar in meaning.

Both of these quotes resonate with me and I read and repeat them daily. The majority of my thoughts toward success these days is

directed towards encouraging other stroke survivors to live their life in their full potential. To become their best self. Of course this

same message would apply to anyone in their attempts at self development.

My passion is to inspire and what I say may or may not hold any meaning to any one individual. I am compelled however to continue.

Perhaps it may be something I say after you hear it elsewhere or perhaps you hear the message again after myself or anywhere

for that matter.

The message of course is one of hope and inspiration. I am a firm believer that we can improve our lot in life regardless of our

current situation.

If you are looking to improve and you do not give up, you will find what you are searching for. The universe must comply in some form.

Like the saying,"When the student is ready, the teacher will appear", When you search long enough an answer, it must be given.

It is a universal truth. Only the method of delivery needs to be determined.

Something somewhere will resonate with you that will finally shine upon you the light of clarity.

Will it be the rule of 10,000 hours or is the prospect of working that hard a step backward. What is it for you?

What motivates you? What inspires you?

What is life about for you?

What will be your turning point? Your tipping point?

If you seek you will find. Something somewhere will resonate with you if you are searching. Seek and you will find..

Bob Miller
Strokes Suck
Strokes Suck on FaceBook.

The Lesson of Scott Tatro

2010-03-05T21:31:00Z

Scott Tatro reinforced a valuable lesson to me today. I won't spend a great amount of time explaining about who Scott is other than to

say he is a fellow I met recently on my (our) stroke support page on Facebook, appropriately titled StrokesSuck. I will say this though,

Scott recently wrote a book about his experiences of having a stroke and being"locked in" for three months where he couldn't move

but was aware of his surroundings during this ordeal.This was due to a visit to a Chiropractor. It is not my intent to say anything pro

or con about Chiropractors. I'll let you make up your own mind after reading Scott's book titled "Scotts Locked In".

The purpose of this writing is about the lesson of giving before receiving one that Scott thoroughly understands.

As someone who runs a popular stroke support website Strokes Suck.com and now a very popular interactive Facebook page with at

present six lovely ladies who are also stroke survivors (I know lucky me right?) I get requests all the time from people to feature their

book or webpage on my sites. Often times I will if I feel that it will bring value to the people we serve.

Scott's book was one such book that definitely fit that criteria. I even told Scott that I will buy it as soon as I could.

Anyone like myself on a fixed income like Social Security does not usually have much expendable income for... well anything.

So I was waiting until I won the lottery or some other wonderful event to enter my life before I made the purchase.

Most of the books I read I get from the library. Hopefully this will change soon but for now that is my reality.

Anyway Scott never asked me to "buy" his book. Rather he invested much sweat equity of his own into educating me and others about

his compelling story. Just today Scott contacted me requesting my address so he could send me a copy of his book.

I was touched by his offer. He knows the value of "giving before receiving" and not just because he is going to send me a free book

but by all of his actions of service and making connections beforehand. Never once did he solicit me to buy his book.

I am very grateful for his offer even though Scott is losing a future sale, I am sure he will receive many more in return.

I am really looking forward to reading his book and if it is as good as I am anticipating it will be, he will receive my hearty

endorsement.

Bob Miller
Strokes Suck
Strokes Suck on FaceBook

Our FaceBook Page

2010-02-20T14:38:00Z

In the last week of December while contemplating my goals for the approaching New Year and the decade approaching

I created a stroke support page to work with my stroke support site, Strokes Suck.

I named this page appropriately, Strokes Suck. My intent was the same as my website but with the ability to become much more

flexible and interactive. I am happy to report that the concept has become an almost instant success.

My philosophy was and remains to Give hope and inspiration to others so that they can reach their full potential despite their

challenges. To help them become their best self. At the same time to encourage them to do the same.

This is the "Pay it forward" concept and it works.

By giving without expectations, I discovered that by taking my focus off of my problems and helping someone else, I became

much stronger in the process. I receive at least tenfold in return from what I give.

During this short six weeks since I created this page I have learned more about strokes and people in general than I have

in my last three plus years as a survivor.

You see during my last three years, even though I did have my stroke support website, I was still mainly focused on myself

and my own rehab and recovery. There is nothing wrong with that. In fact you have to bear down and do whatever it takes

to improve and I am continuing that process.

By taking my focus off myself and focusing on others, I have found and am continuing to find many wonderful people

who feel the same. Many of these people have volunteered to help me to manage the page as it grows.

The first to offer to help was Julie Curtis a young survivor and mother of two toddlers with an amazing story of her own.

You can read her story in our Discussions Forum on our page.

Recently three lovely ladies from Canada who we refer to as our Canadian Connection have joined our team.

Those ladies are Kim Tucker, Naomi Chester and Miranda Therrien.

I have also begun a newsletter that you can subscribe from on my site and we just added a chat room on our page.

As of today we have over 660 fans belonging to our group page and that number is growing daily.

One of the best features is our Discussions Forum. People can read and respond to the stories of others and also post their own.

I am in a continuing state of awe of the inner strength exemplified by the amazing people who come here daily.

We support and encourage all of the other groups out there who are working for the common good of encouraging

and inspiring survivors and their families.

This is a beautiful ride. I encourage everyone to jump on board and enjoy the scenery.

Bob Miller
Strokes Suck
Strokes Suck on FaceBook

All things Being Equal

2010-02-20T13:55:00Z

I had at least three titles for this blog that I am about to write. We Must Work Harder, It's A Fine Line and All Things Being Equal.

All things being equal, because we are a marvelously designed creation of God, you would not wish for a traumatic brain injury

including stroke any more than you would hope that your newly purchased car becomes involved in a major collision.

If your car was in a wreck it doesn't necessarily mean that it is totaled. You may wish that the crash didn't happen, but it did.

Now you do whatever you have to do to get it repaired. Perhaps it was because something that you were doing that put your vehicle

in that position. Or maybe it was through no fault of your own. It doesn't matter now because it happened. We can't change the past.

We need to work harder now. Just like your vehicle that was repaired, maybe it "pulls" to the right or left. Perhaps it has an annoying

sound that it now makes. Whatever, it doesn't really matter. It is our only vehicle that we will ever drive in our life.

It now becomes a fine line how we drive this vehicle. On one hand we must now work harder because it doesn't function like it did

before the wreck. How we drive now becomes a fine line because though we need to work harder at steering, all things being

equal we may have learned some new valuable driving techniques to make us better safer drivers.

All things being equal, we do now have to work harder than before. But it's a fine line that we need to take whether we work too hard

and have another accident. Or slow down and enjoy the scenery as we continue on our journey.

Drive safely.
Bob Miller

Strokes Suck..But

How To Feel Better

2010-02-07T21:51:00Z

Your life has been turned upside down.
Nothing is as it used to be.
Yet you survived.
Perhaps for a higher purpose.
Our problems become magnified,
yet the issues of others remain.
It is difficult to be the light that shines
focused only on ourselves.
Try this little exercise.
Make 3 people smile today.
Do this each and every day.
Tomorrow, recall your chosen three.
meditate on the joy that you shared.
You shined the light of joy onto others
who needed it as much as you.
Only God knows
where this love and joy will reflect.
You can not do this without feeling good yourself.
It will feel so good,
that you will want to do it again
tomorrow
and each and every day.

Bob Miller
StrokesSuck.com
Visit us on Facebook,

The Thief and the storm

2010-01-31T14:56:00Z

Like the thief and the storm, stroke takes without concern.

Endless work, rebuilding ensues like Spring, welcomes Hope.

Leaves scattered, bud once more.

Flowers bloom, birds sing and make love.

Are we selfish to desire at least?

Bob Miller
Strokes Suck

S-T-R-E-T-C-H Therapy

2010-01-23T23:00:00Z

I love using acronyms. I use them all the time in my daily, weekly, monthly and yearly goal planning.

I created the STRETCH acronym for one of many personal therapy strategies that I utilize.

Let me first mention that any therapy or exercise mentioned by me was designed for myself only.

It may or not not be of any value to you .If it or if any variation of these help you fine.

I am not a medical professional, a therapist or even a fitness coach nor do I play one on the internet.

I mention strategies that I have applied only to myself.

Before doing any exercise you should always first check with your doctor and/or therapist to see if it is safe for you to attempt.

I need not look any further than myself for an example of what I am about to write.

As the title of this piece indicates, it would be reasonable to assume that I am advocating stretching as a form of therapy.

That would be a correct assumption however as I was recovering from my stroke a little over three years ago, not only couldn't

I move my paralyzed left side but my shoulder on this side became 'sublexed", which means the ball of the shoulder became

detached from the socket that it was designed to fit into.

Any movement, stretching, pulling or any weight put on my shoulder would only cause more harm by pulling the shoulder further

out of it's socket. This obviously had an adverse effect on my recovery as i was not able to do anything but keep my arm immobilized.

That said let me detail the letters and their meaning in the STRETCH therapy.

S: Stretch as much and as often as you can. Whatever you have that is on your non affected side you should stretch on your

weak side, Stretch your arm, hand and fingers. Stretch your legs, feet and toes. To me it just seems like common sense to get

your limbs and digits moving as soon as possible so they do not contract or freeze up. Any delay in movement will make it harder

to recover down the road. Use it or lose it. After a spell of inactivity it will be difficult and often extremely painful to use your dormant

limbs and digits. For me just holding something like a coffee cup in my left hand brought unbearable pain. That's why people stop

trying. it just hurts so darn bad plus it isn't working anyway. Who wants to have a whole lot of pain? it is often times just easier

to use the other hand. i believe that stretching is the single most important thing that you can do for your recovery.

T: Take Action. Tiny steps or movements. Try something new or something that you once able able to do. It doesn't matter how small

the accomplishment. Just try it anyway. Like the Nike commercial, Just do it. I remember a major breakthrough

for myself when first arriving home after being released fro the rehab hospital was being able to grasp a ribbon with my thumb

and my index finger. The key here is to take action. it is your body, be proactive. Don't wait for someone to help you. Take action.

“The most important thing you can do to achieve your goals is to make sure that as soon as you set them, you immediately begin to

create momentum.” —Anthony Robbins

R .Rest and relax. I don't know why you had your stroke but your body needs to recover.

Do your exercises,work hard but let your body and mind recover

Get plenty of rest and relaxation. Learn strategies like meditation and yoga when you are ready. Slow down and listen to your body.

Learn to relax. Taking deep breaths is helpful to obtain a nice relaxed state.

My stroke was caused by an asrtery rupturing in my brain. I had high blood pressure that I neglected to have treated. Had I listened

to my body and found a peaceful relaxing place within myself, I believe that I could have controlled my blood pressure.

I am not discounting a proper diet here, that should go without saying. We all need how to slow down and relax.

E. Expect great things to happen. Every stroke is unique and we are all affected differently however, I can truthfully say that in over

90% of the survivors that I have spoken with, have recovered far more and faster than their doctors had said were possible.

There is a medical term, Neuroplasticity which is the brains ability to rewire itself after an injury. During my workouts I often

visualize my brain actually repairing itself. I don't know if it works but why not expect the best? Much like the Law of Attraction,

we attract to our life what we are thinking about all the time. Have nothing less than positive expectations.

What you focus on and believe in is true. What you focus on expands.

You may not gain 100% of all of what you had before your injury, however you may end up operating at 115% instead because you

most likely will improve in some other areas of your life. Perhaps your life will have more meaning. it will if you allow it to happen.

T:Be Thankful. I'm not suggesting that you give thanks for your stroke but there are things that you should be thankful for. What are you

thankful for? Let's start with you being alive. I realize that they may not even seem like a blessing to you right now. Believe me, there

were many times in the first few months after my stroke where I wished that God would take me .I was weak and felt worthless. I recall

having a conversation with my physical therapist while still in rehab about how bad my situation (life) was while attempting to relearn

how to walk.

She said, "It could be worse", at that I responded in all seriousness, "Are you joking, what could possibly be worse than this"?

She then rattled off a litany of disorders most of which were progressive meaning they will only get worse. She said,"You are

continuing to improve". it was like someone threw a bucket of cold water in my face. I felt silly and stupid. it reminded me of the

short parable of the man who said,"I used to cry because I had no shoes until I saw a man without any feet".

It's all perspective. What are you thankful for?

C: Celebrate all successes. Yours as well as those of others. Applaud each and every success much like you would to a toddler

learning how to walk. Your subconscious doesn't know who you are rooting for, it only recognizes that you are celebrating a success.

Keep your mind in the celebration mode. Give your self a reason to celebrate often. Be happy for and celebrate all successes.

Make a game out of your little successes. reward yourself and have fun.

H: Help someone else. How can you do that when you are in a wheelchair , your life is so messed , you're angry, depressed and

bitter? Do you want to improve your life? Then help someone else. You can not help someone without helping yourself.

"He who wishes to secure the good of others, hasalready secured his own". -Confucius

Think about it, there is always someone who could use a smile, a kind word or a pat on the back. You don't have a monopoly on

suffering. Was your life problem free before your stroke? Did you have any troubling times before your stroke where a kind word

would have helped? Did you ever need a helping hand when your body was operating at it's peak efficiency?

How about trying to make someone smile every day?

One of my daily goals is to make at least three people smile every day. If you are home bound, in a nursing home or confined

to your bed and only see one person each day, help that person by making them smile or saying something to make them feel

better. This act every day will do wonders for your health by taking the focus off of yourself and onto the goodwill of your fellow

man and for the betterment of the universe in general. try it, you'll like it. When I was still in the hospital even before rehab

my youngest daughter Katey who was 19 at the time created a large poster board sign that she brought to my room that read,

"Who have you helped today?" I wasn't much in the position to help anyone including myself but it did make make me think

and it helped me to take the focus off of myself.

Bob Miller
StrokesSuck