Monday, June 30, 2014

SCSS DIVISION GROUP UNSTOPPABLE STROKE SURVIVORS ADDS 25 NEW MEMBERS IN 48 HOURS

Our new Second Chance Stroke Survivors Division Group Unstoppable Stroke Survivors blew all prior records and let in 25 new members from around the globe in 48 hours!

Saturday, June 28, 2014

WHEN YOU POINT YOU FINGER AT SOMEONE YOU HAVE 3 POINTING BACK

You have heard the old saying ....When You Point One Finger At Someone You Have 3 Pointing Back At You!

That was me a few day's ago!

I'm still becoming a better man!

WHOOP! WHOOP!

Thursday, June 26, 2014

PUT ON YOUR ARMOR STROKE SURVIVOR

IT BLOWS ME AWAY!

I was just talking with a friend and the conversion stirred up a ton of emotions in me!

When I look at what Second Chance Stroke Survivors has accomplished in less than 12 months it totally blows my my mind!

I mean we are letting in 1 to 5 people a day!

I'm not sure what constitutes a global movement but I think we're close!

(
What's on Aaron's Mind)

Sunday, June 22, 2014

SOMETIMES IT SEEMS UNREAL

What's on Aaron's Mind

Well it's 9:00pm and I'm getting ready for bed brothers and sisters.

Taking a minute to reflect on all we have accomplished in so little time!  Feels like a miracle!

Everything I dreamed of or had a vision is come and coming true! To help my fellow stroke survivor around the world.

You guys are the reason I do what I do!

STROKE SURVIVORS DREAM SHOE

Ok peeps i'm working on a huge project with George Pierce and the investor of the Subluxsling Sling Robert Thornton.

If you could have a one of a kind shoe designed specifically for a stroke survivor. What would you like to have?

Please help us and put your ideal design in comments please.

Thank Aaron
Your friendly neighborhood stroke survivor.

Friday, June 20, 2014

TOGETHER WE ARE STRONG

A GREAT BIG SHOUT OUT!

I felt a strong pull to acknowledge those people that have significantly helped me along the way! Thank You! And it's my honor to know each one of you! (No certain order)

Rebecca Avila (My Everything)
Ryan Avila (Awesome Son)
Joyce Hoffman (Author-Pa) Aka My Muse
Robert Thorton (Gifted Inventor)
Mark Ittleman (SLP-Tx)
Rebecca Kipping (SLP-UK)
John Martinez (Brother)
Joyce Matzen (Sister)
My awesome family (You know who you are)
And last but not least by any means! Each and every one of my Second Chance Stroke Survivors brothers and sisters around the world! I love you with all my heart!


 If forgot you I'm sorry, I'm a stroke survivor!


Sincerely,
Your Friendly Neighborhood Stroke Survivor,
Aaron



Wednesday, June 18, 2014

THE EFFECTS OF STROKE ON THE BRAIN

Physical effects on either side of the brain
Stroke usually affects one side of the brain. Movement and sensation for one side of the body is controlled by the opposite side of the brain.
This means that if your stroke affected the left side of your brain, you will have problems with the right side of your body.
If your stroke affected the right side of your brain, you will have problems with the left side of your body.
Changes that may happen after a stroke on either side of the brain include the following.
Abnormal muscle tone
This is a nerve problem that can make your movements slow and jerky. There are stages of muscle tone recovery:
Your limb or joint may be limp and floppy.
Your limb or joint may move on its own when your muscle tone starts to return. It doesn't always do what the brain tells it do to.
Your limb or joint begins to respond to your brain.
Bladder changes
You may have problems urinating or controlling your urine (urinary incontinence).
These problems can be caused by damage to the parts of your brain that control your bladder. You might also have an infection.
Your doctor or nurse can help you regain your normal control.
Bowel changes
Constipation is the most common problem after a stroke. This may be caused by lack of liquids or limited physical activity.
Your doctor or nurse can help you regain your regular bowel pattern.
Cognitive problems
You may have problems with memory, thinking, attention or learning. For example, you may:
have trouble following directions
get confused if something in a room is moved
be unable to keep track of the time and date
have trouble making decisions
have short-term memory loss.
Because of these concerns, you may do things that are not safe.
Coordination problems
You may have reduced hand-eye coordination. When reaching for an object, your arm may waver or your hand may overshoot the object.
Signs of aspiration
Watch for these signs of aspiration:
a wet-sounding voice
breathing you can hear
struggling when breathing or swallowing
shortness of breath
rattling sound in your lungs
higher body temperature.
Dysarthria
Dysarthria (dis-AR-three-a) means you have a speech problem caused by damage to the motor center in your brain. You know the right words, but have problems saying them.
Weakness or lack of coordination in your lips, tongue and mouth muscles may affect your:
voice
word pronunciation
speech rate, rhythm and/or resonance
ability to chew, suck or swallow
breathing.
If you have mild dysarthria, you may have clear or slightly slurred speech.
If you have severe dysarthria, you may be unable to move or coordinate your speech well enough to be understood. A speech-language pathologist will likely work with you.
Dysphagia
Dysphagia (dis-FAY-ja) means you have a swallowing problem caused by weakness or loss of feeling in your tongue, lips, palate and/or throat.
You may have problems:
moving food around your mouth
with food sticking in your throat
coughing or choking on liquids or solids.
A doctor or speech-language pathologist will recommend the correct diet for you.
He or she may recommend some ways to help your swallowing. These include:
correct body and head positions
Stay as upright as you can.
If you are in bed, make sure the head of the bed is as high as it can go.
Bend your knees so you won't slide.
Put pillows behind your back.
Keep your head slightly bent downward. This will keep food and liquid from going into your lungs (aspiration).
correct food texture
correct food quantity
correct feeding utensils and containers.
If you can't eat or drink by mouth, you will need to get your nutrients by a tube. This will keep food a liquids from getting in your lungs.
A nasogastric feeding tube is passed through your ose and esophagus to your stomach. This will be used for short-term tube feedings.
A gastrostomy tube is put through your abdominal wall into your stomach. This will be used for long-term feedings when your recovery is slow.
The dietitian will suggest which feeding product will fit your schedule. Tube feedings will be closely watched for any problems or adjustments.
Your ability to swallow may return during recovery. The speech-language pathologist will give you updates on your progress.
Choking prevention
You can reduce your risk of choking by doing the following:
Check with your speech-language pathologist or doctor if you cough when you swallow.
Don't try to stop a cough. A cough is your body's natural protection against choking.
Stop eating if you can't stop coughing or if you can't clear your airway. Call 911 right away.
Drink thickened liquids to slow down coughing or choking. Gelatin, pudding powder or potato flakes can thicken liquids. The texture of food and the utensils you use will affect you ability to swallow.
Emotional changes
Please see the section on emotional effects.
Endurance problem
You may find you are unable to do a task or activity for a long period of time. This should get better as you get stronger.
Fatigue
You can expect to be tired as your body learns or relearns how to work.
Hemiparesis or hemiplegia
Hemiparesis (hem-ee-par-Ee-sis) or hemiplegia (hem-ee-PLEE-ja) means you may have weakness, partial or complete paralysis on one side of your body or must one arm or one leg.
If the stroke was on the left side of your brain, the right side of your body will be affected.
If the stroke was on the right side of your brain, the left side of your body will be affected.
Impulsivity
You may act without planning ahead.
Judgment
You may not know your own limits. You may act without thinking about the consequences of your actions. You may misinterpret situation. You may be unable to judge, problem-solve, organize and/or use "abstract" reasoning skills.
Memory problems
You may have poor memory. This may lead to problems retaining, blending and recalling information.
Sensation changes
You may have numbness or loss of feeling in different parts of your body.
Sexuality concerns
It is rare that a medical concern would keep you from sexual activity. Fear may keep you from being intimate with your partner. You may feel anxiety about:
how you look
changes in your relationship
rejection.
Talk to your partner about how you feel. Talk about how the two of you can become close and tender again. Talk with your doctor if you are having intimacy concerns.
Vision changes
You may ignore or not be able to see anything toward your right. You may only eat from the left side of your plate or read from the left side of a page.
Source: Allina Patient Education, Understanding Stroke: Information about Stroke and Recovery, fourth edition, ISBN 1-931876-13-4
First published: 02/01/2006
Last updated: 12/09/2011

RETHINKING HARD TO PORT

Peeps I woke up with a creative thought!
This is my vision and I would love to hear what you think?

All SCSS Chapters and Chapter Leaders become extensions of SCSS Official and me. Inspiring stroke survivors around the world!

I will in turn build local only members Chapter Divisions that will help stroke survivors on a local level, working with local hospitals, forming Second Chance Stroke Survivors Support groups and more!

See I feel by not including all SCSS members in all Chapters around the world that we will miss out on being part of the Global Movement SCSS has become!

I select only the best inspirational Chapter Leaders!
I don't want any of you to miss out on other gifted people like me.

Give me your thoughts. .....

Tuesday, June 17, 2014

JOIN THE NEWEST SECOND CHANCE STROKE SURVIVORS FLORIDA CHAPTER



https://www.facebook.com/groups/594790823967635/members/


Chapter Leader - Lynne Anderson - Campbell


https://www.facebook.com/lynne.campbell

SCSS HARD TO PORT

Thanks to our SCSS Australian Chapter Leader Aaron Powell, it has been brought to my attention that all members of Chapters not groups that are not local to that specific Chapter will be removed from the Chapter. I want to make clear that if you want to be in a specific Chapter and get notifications you will need to rejoin. I will be doing this house cleaning over the next few months.
Each Chapter and Leaders will begin to go out into their local community and recruit and give support to local stroke survivors.
I will be working on a plan on how a local Chapter can offer help to stroke survivors in that local area.
Exciting changes in store for SCSS!
Hold on!
The ship will lean hard during this change in course but the long run it will be powerful!

WE ARE ALL BROTHERS AND SISTERS, BOUND TIGHTLY TOGETHER THROUGH STROKE SURVIVAL

Monday, June 16, 2014

I'VE SEEN BETTER DAYS.... BUT........


MORNING AFTER SMILE

I woke up with a big smile in my heart thinking just how awesome of a Fathers Day I had!

My wife, son and his soul mate along with several other family made it the best Fathers Day yet!

Yes, it brings a big smile to my heart just reflecting on Fathers Day!

Sunday, June 15, 2014

PLEASE LIKE THIS GREAT STROKE SURVIVORS & CAREGIVERS RESOURCE


https://www.facebook.com/strokesurvivorsnetwork?ref=hl&ref_type=bookmark

FOR ALL YOU FATHERS AROUND THE WORLD

The Rascals - A Beautiful Morning: http://youtu.be/WrwhfhncPfM

HARD TO BE UPSET - FATHERS DAY 2014

As a stroke survivor sleeping issues are common.

So it's fathers day and it's impossible to be upset about getting up at 4am when you go outside and see this!

I'm so thankful to be alive and given a Second Chance at this life.

If I died back on September 17th 2010 I could not have seen this!

Ya I can't walk, Wheelchair bound since then, can't talk very well and countless other things but you know, I'm alive to see my awesome and beautiful wife Rebecca Avila, my amazing and gifted son Ryan Avila who I got to see get engaged to a beautiful young lady inside and out, Amanda Bruno. ..... and best of all I've got a strong feeling I'm going to get to meet my grandchildren!

Tell me, again how I'm not supposed to be so thankful and deeply grateful I'm alive when for sure I should be dead!

WE'RE ALIVE!  WE'RE ALIVE! WE'RE ALIVE!

TO ALL YOU FATHERS OUT THERE. .......

HAPPY FATHERS DAY!

WITH REAL LOVE,
AARON

Saturday, June 14, 2014

Thursday, June 12, 2014

CALLING ALL CAREGIVERS

This group is for caregivers only!

NO STROKE SURVIVORS!

If your a caregiver join!

This group has been created for you only caregiver.

To help you as only other caregivers can. I want this to be a safe confidential group so you can share anything on your mind. Struggles from a caregivers perceptive!

Support each other. For caregivers need care.

Group Leader - Kathy Latham

Kathy's Facebook address - https://www.facebook.com/kathy.latham.311?fref=ts

Group address - https://www.facebook.com/groups/650202988377074/


ARE YOU A STROKE SURVIVOR WITH YOUNG CHILDREN?


Stroke Survival is hard!
Stroke  Survival with young children, even harder!
This stroke support group is just for you!


SCSS Now has a leader for this awesome group - Pami Waite-Clark
Join this group today and breathe life in to it!


https://www.facebook.com/groups/1810978359043466/



SECOND CHANCE STROKE SURVIVORS WELCOMES CHICAGO NEW CO-LEADER - Theresa Benton

For the fist time in the history of Second Chance Stroke Survivors I am proud to announce that our Chicago Chapter has added a second or Co-Leader 

Wednesday, June 11, 2014

IT HAPPENED IN CHICAGO

Well the fist ever in the history of mankind two stroke survivors met in Chicago!

Your seeing the beginnings of a local Second Chance Stroke Survivors Support Group!

SO PROUD!!

100% REAL

I'm really hoping I'm not alone here!

My fellow stroke survivors have you said anything to your spouse you deeply regret?

Well I did a dooozy!

PRAYERS NEEDED PLEASE!

Tuesday, June 10, 2014

WATCH ME!


NEW SECOND CHANCE STROKE SURVIVORS AMBASSADOR

It's with great pride I introduce to you our newest SCSS Ambassador - Rick Ernst.

https://m.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100001548559072&tsid=0.7507781640160829&source=typeahead

Saturday, June 7, 2014

THE WAY I STARTED MY SATURDAY

What an awesome way to start the weekend! With Ryan Avila and Amanda Michelle Bruno. Riding dirty (lol) in my sons bad a-- Dodge 2500.

With the window rolled down, tunes cranked, cruising the valley I grew up in!

And to make it even better,  my son bought 3 dozen doughnut holes and we went v to Howarth Park and enjoyed!

Thank I'm alive!

Thursday, June 5, 2014

Survivor - Eye Of The Tiger (with lyrics) --BETTE…: http://youtu.be/rwer1CiteBg

Tuesday, June 3, 2014

DOES THIS HAPPEN TO YOU?

I'm extremely fortunate that my stroke did not take away any details of my childhood.
But.....
There are times my brain's filling cabinets are completely 100% empty.
I know it's occurring when Rebecca says "remember when"
So I walk over to my brains filling cabinet and it's 100% empty.....totally blank! Nothing!

As a stroke survivor does this happen to you?