My 3 Dog Pet Therapy Dogs!

These 3 dogs are my great therapy for life besides music and running!

Swinging on Swings: Therapy

Below are photos of me swinging on swings in Eugene, OR! I can still do it.


Advice; I grip with my left hand (affected hand). My left leg can gain enough strength. My right hand and right leg push the most and my left side follows. Enjoy the swing ride!

Hiking: Walking: Therapy

Here are pictures of me hiking throughout the year! This is important because exercise and time to yourself is important to hear and understand yourself.
It is also important to include others; i.e. you can see my cousin, his roommate and one of my close undergrad dormmates. It is a good place talk and get exercise or see views that take your breath away.. i.e. Oahu!

Advice: Find the exercise you enjoy! Go do it!

Night Golfing: Therapy Opportunities

Golfing is a form of therapy for me. The picture below is of me night golfing with my cousin and one of his roommates on Sutter Ford in Oahu, HI!

My ball is the RED!!! These are also glow in the dark balls.

Eating out

Eating out has always been hard. People can be rude and ask questions because they find that you do things differently. I only eat with my right hand and only use my left hand (affected hand) when with people I trust and know.

Here is a picture above eating dessert at a nice place to eat in San Fran, CA, September 2009. I only use one item, such as a fork but in this case, a spoon to east dessert.

Advice: Be who you are and use both hands. If people want to say something and be rude, let them. In all reality, I have learned that they are the ones that make a fool of themselves in the end by approaching someone who has to do things differently. I have learned to just do it, if people are rude, they are rude. I am ok with my differences and it is only a piece of me, not the picture of who I am as a whole.

Statement phrases or one word statements by Bridget

What makes everyone laugh and enjoy my company are my one word statements or my phrases on life. Above is a photo of a present that I got for my 30th Birthday that states one of my statements. I have a lot and will have a section/chapter when the book comes out.

Advice: I believe that if you find a way to connect to the world and provide good humor as well as real statements; you can leave your mark on the world. My phrases and one word statements provide that to whom ever I encounter. I believe that laughter with this is one of the best therapies for any survivor.

Board Game and Card Game

My two favorite games to play are Monopoly (Board Game) and Apples to Apples (Card Game).  I believe that these types of games help me as well as providing an activity for that day or night.

I believe that these games are the best for survivors, like myself to have fun but also not stress or make me uncomfortable because I do not quite understand the game.  My personality tends to light up and bring light to the event of the game!

Preparing food with a knife

I like to cook. My dish to cook is the Chili from a friend's family receipe! My family and friends love it. I have to chop up a lot of items for the chili in doing so.

With the handle cutting board; I do loss a handful of food because I only use one hand and the pieces go off the board.

Advice: I cut onions etc.... all on a current cutting board that has a handle for my left hand to hold while I cut.
The Stroke Connection Magaizine has listed a cutting board that is for one handers.  You need to order these one hand cutting boards via the website.
I have gone into stores that sell kitchen supplies and they do not offer the one hand cutting board. They also do not know where you can purchase the item.

Advice: Prep work to cook

Cooking is a little difficult. The difficult part more so is the prep work to cook. It is not necessarily the cooking.

Advice:
I feel that the best advice is the Slow Cooker/CrockPot. I have found that all my family and friends love my food from the device. I also find the device to be the most stroke survivor friendly.

Walking in a group: Walking in the back row

This is an example of me walking behind everyone while walking with three or more in a  group. I believe that this has to do with my speech and cognitive abilities. I need to concentrate on walking, keeping my balance, pace and talking at the same time, can be a little much. I take my time and have learned as time goes on that you will get there, like everyone else. I might just get there a little behind everyone else. I have also learned to do things at my pace because if that is what I need, that is what I need and that is ok. 

Advice: If you are like me, I would suggest, walking at your own pace, and if that is behind everyone, do so!

Signed up and Ready too "STRIKE OUT STROKE" June 22!

Last night; I registered to go to Strike out Stroke in San Diego on Saturday, June 22, 2013. I am so excited to have my family with me that day! It is an honor to have their support. This is the second year we will go to support myself and others for Stroke! My family and I will be support the American Heart Association/American Stroke Association, San Diego while the Padres at Petco Park take on the LA Dodgers. It should be a great game indeed.. BEAT LA!

Advice: After Several MRI's and close encounter spaces

"Home Sweet Home" "Sweet Home Chicago" Yes, being born and raised in the suburbs of Chicago, Downtown is an adventure. This past year, I went home and went to "Sears Tower, know known as "Willis Tower"!
I think the last time I was at the Sear Tower, now known as, the Willis Tower, was in the 3rd Grade.

Between 2011-2012; I had 8 MRI's. One of the 8 MRI's; I got stuck and was in for too long and needed to end the session. After the MRI encounter; I felt trapped in airplanes, if someone got to close to me, being in lines, stuck in traffic. As a result; I had panic attacks. I had to focus my attention upon other things to ensure that it was not noticeable to all around.

Now, a year and a half later; I think the only thing;  I still fear, is falling and feeling trapped; i.e. the Sears Tower, Sky Deck. Therefore; in the second to last photo; this is the closest I got to the new exhibit they offer.

A trip to Chicago without the Sears Tower is not complete. The top floor has stunning views, similar to Jameson Whiskey in Dublin, Ireland of the city. It has has great history information of "Sweet Home Chicago"!

Advice; if you have been like me to close encounters; time will help heal the close encounter spaces.... However; make sure that you are still doing things and let a person with you know about it. I informed my parents beforehand for these photos. The best part----I DID IT! GO out and DO IT TOO!

Advice: Getting a Manicure and/or Pedicure

Here are some photos of me or the group that I was with getting a manicure/pedicure. I love getting a manicure and/or a pedicure. However; at time, my left hand and/or foot twitchs and/or gets out of control for the employee assigned to me to get the manicure or pedicure complete.

Therefore; my advice is; read your favorite magazine, talk with the employee, text, or keep yourself busy. I would also let the employee, as I do before he/she begins on my left side that I twitch. I find that this helps the process and a more relaxing pedicure/manicure session.

Bealla and my family

Bealla with my Sister, Jill. Bealla loves to be held and pet. My parents and my sisters give her a lot of attention too! Great calming therapy, Bealla is!

2009: Vision of the Heart: Fusion Glass Heart Table

The top photo is the end piece of the table. The middle piece is my heart for the "Visions of the Heart Table" and the last photo is of the description and information of the table. I did this with a group of ladies in July of 2009 for the 2009 CHI FUND Gala in October. It was an honor to support the organization and be apart of this awesome auction item for the event. It touched my heart. 

Advice: taking the dogs on long walks/runs

One of my favorite things to do is take my dog and my sister's dog, Bealla and Piper to Lake Miramar here in San Diego. This is a five mile walk. The dogs love the nature to smell and the long walk/run. I enjoy the straight forward path and mile markers (being a runner-very important to track the miles) along with trash cans for the dogs.

To prepare for these types of walks; I have a bag that has water (dog), treats (dog), and my keys.

To prepare to have enough; I fill up the dogs water bottle every time we are done at the lake as well as doggy bags.

Advice: preparing to go workout

I organize my clothing the night before or hours before I need to have it ready. I sometimes get stressed if I do not have everything like that organized ahead of time. It will take me longer to take me to get ready if so.

I also organize my drinks the night before or hours beforehand.

It takes me a little longer to get ready, so I need almost double the time allocated to get ready.

Advice: Shoes with laces

I sit on the floor to accomplish a lot because it is more of my level to ensure I can grab onto everything I need. I always sit on the floor to lace up my shoes.

I always hold the laces with my left hand and tie, like the bunny rabbit hole with my right hand.

It does take me a little longer to tie my shoes than the average person. I have this down to a tee now.

Advice: Going out for lunch: Multiple items in your hands

This is always tough for me. What I do is order and use my purse to hold my computer or Ipad or MacBook. I always try to get my wallet and payment option out before I get to the register to make it easier on myself. I also put my drink cup in my purse.

Sometimes though; if eating with a group of people; I will go sit down at the table the group chooses. I will wait for someone to come back to the table after filling up their drinks before going to fill up my drink. Therefore, my purse and computer etc... will be at the table and the only thing I need to bring is my drink cup.

Advice: Filling up your drink cup at an eating venue

This is hard for me. Therefore; I try to make sure that I do not have anything in my left hand. I use my right hand to fill up the drink. I tend to wait till I am the only person, since some people can be a little pushy and do not recognize I may have a left neglect.

I always get the lid with my right hand as well as the straw. I then, hold my cup with my left hand. This is where I have to make sure no one is right around me, or I will clinch my left hand, the one holding the cup and the drink will go everywhere.
Therefore; I put the lid on and lightly take my left hand off from holding the glass. I will end up using my right hand to secure the lid as well as holding the class. It works almost every time...

Connection with dogs

Here is my Dad's brother's family dog, Moxie.

This is an example of a stroke survivor, myself, spending more time with the dogs than with the people at a party. The party was at my Dad's brother's home. It was for my cousin and her now husband's brunch as newlyweds. I felt more comfortable hanging out with the dog for a period of time than with all those people. This is the same thing that has happened all my life. At big events; I need a dog or horse to calm my nerves/ anxiety to enjoy the moments that are happening... Moxie Box was a great resource while visiting!

My Pet Therapy Dog

Here is Bealla and my one of my sister's dog, Piper.... Living the "Good Life" with this type of caring!

Supporting Stroke Month by wearing PURPLE!

I painted my toes to support the cause!

2013: Go Red for Women

This year; I met my support group through this event. It has taken 29 years to find a group of other survivors that fit the same need as I do. I had a great time walking the catwalk to "I will Survive"....
What is ironic about this year is the day prior they had to prepare as I was wearing the 24 hour heart monitor due to heart issues as well as that following Monday; I ended up going on a 30 day heart Monitor... Thanks to all that cheered us while dancing...It meant a lot!

Strike Out Stroke San Diego 2013

Do you like going to baseball games in the summer?
Well; this year, Strike Out Stroke is on June 22nd at the Petco Park where the Padres will take on the LA Dodgers....

Here is a link to get your tickets and a T-shirt for the event....
http://www.strike-out-stroke-san-diego.mybigcommerce.com/

Time: 4:15p.m.
Where: Petco Park, San Diego
Date: June 22nd!

Hope to see you there!!!

Let's Strike Out Stroke for all Ages!

The Gift of Information: Being a Stroke Survivor

This past week has been a blessing for me. I had two family and friends contact me in regards to two survivors of stroke that needed my help. I am honored to help those recently affected by stroke. I am also full of gratitude to those individuals that saw me as a resource as well as mission through the blog and foundation to help someone move forward.

San Diego: Stroke Awareness Day

May 1st is recognized my San Diego, California as Stroke Awareness Day.

May is Stroke Awareness Month

This is the month to raise awareness for stroke...! May 1-31