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Volume 8, Issue 119
“Dedicated to Excellence”
January 2010
Templeton Newsletter Mailing Address: 204– 2929 Nootka Street, Vancouver, BC V5M 4K4 Canada Published every month, if possible. Contributions are always welcome. The articles should be in, not later than day 25th of every month. Disclaimer: The views expressed in Stroke Recoverer‘s Review newsletter: articles, submissions and spotlights are those of the authors and do not necessarily represent the views of Templeton Stroke Recovery or the editor of Stroke Recoverer’s Review. Reserves the right at any time to make changes as it deems necessary. It is the purpose of this periodical to share a variety of viewpoints mostly from stroke survivors. Contributors: Loy Lai, Guy Radonich Ollie Stogrin, Karel Ley Carol Roycroft, Werner Stephan, Carol Toy, Sue Chalmers, Jose Suganob Production of SRR: Jose Suganob Email: suganobj@gmail.com Printing Person: Kiyoko Akeroyd—
Inside this issue: Encouragements
2
Recipe:
2
From GuyR.,
2
Last Month’s Happenings
3
Merry Christmas Wish
4
Lifebook 2010
5
NSSRC Sing-A-Long
5
West Vancouver
6
WILL THEY BRING BACK THE STREETCARS IN VANCOUVER?
‗Templo‘ Templeton Turtle reporter was here, too!
Volume 8, Issue 119
RECIPE: ‘The Orient Express’
Stroke Recoverer’s Review
WALKING THE DOG from Guy R. A woman was flying from Calgary to Ontario. Unexpectedly, the plane was diverted for pick-up in Manitoba along the way. The flight attendant explained that there would be a delay, and if the passengers wanted to get off the aircraft, the plane would re-board in approximately 40 minutes. Everybody got off the plane except one lady who was blind. The man had noticed her as he walked by and could tell the lady was blind because her Seeing Eye dog lay quietly underneath the seats in front of her throughout the entire flight.
Ingredients: 1 lb ........... Lean Beef Sirloin, ground 1/4 cup ..... Fresh coriander leaves, minced 1 tsp ......... EACH minced gingerroot, green onion and garlic 2 pkg. (900 ml each) Chicken broth 1/2 tsp ...... Chili flakes, dried 1 pkg.(153 g, Knorr Side Plus Teriyaki Noodles with Asian Style Vegetables, uncooked Fresh Limes and soy sauce Directions: 1. Pan-fry ground sirloin, coriander, ginger, onion and garlic in a large saucepan until the beef is cooked, about 8 minutes, drain. 2. Stir in broth and chili flakes. Bring to a boil. Stir in package of Knorr Sides Plus. 3. Reduce heat; simmer for 10 minutes. Season to taste with fresh lime juice and soy sauce. Garnish with additional sliced green onion or chopped fresh coriander, if desired. 4. Makes 8 servings. Enjoy! The Slow Cooker Idea Assemble dinner and set slow cooker to simmer in the morning - complete all day, your other daily tasks while it cooks without you.
January 2010 - Page 2
He could also tell she had flown this very flight before because the pilot approached her, and calling her by name, said, ―Linda, we are in Winnipeg, it will be more likely an hour. Would you like to get off and stretch your legs?‖ The blind lady replied, ―No, thanks, but maybe Buddy would like to stretch his legs.‖
PICTURE THIS: All the people in the gate area came to a complete standstill when they looked up and saw the pilot walk off the plane with a Seeing Eye dog! The pilot was even wearing sunglasses. People scattered.
They not only tried to change planes, but they were trying to change airlines! True story...Have a great day and remember: Things aren‘t always as they appear. A day without laughter is a day wasted!‖ —Submitted by Guy Radonich, Stroke Survivor Templeton Stroke Recovery―
“There’s life after stroke”
ENCOURAGEMENT ―When you get into a tight place and everything goes against you, till it seems as though you could not hang on a minute longer, never give up then, for that is just the place and time that the tide will turn.‖ - Harriet Beecher Stowe ―One has to remember that every failure can be a stepping stone to something better.‖ - Col. Harland Sanders Encouraging Phrases for your friend(s). It‘s not just inspirational quotes and sayings that would help to trigger positive thinking in your friends. Whenever we need encouraging words for a friend, most of the time we are at a loss. We instantly think of rushing to the nearest library or logging on to the Internet. However, we often forget that it isn‘t always famous words that encourage an individual. Sometimes simple and the most commonly used words could be used as encouraging phrases for friends. Here are some phrases and short comments, that would inspire not only your friend but any stranger as well. Just know when to use them. So, go ahead and include these in your regular vocabulary. Way to go, Brother/Sister! That was amazing. How did you do that? That was so smart of you! You make a great friend. I appreciate you being here. I trust you. — Submitted by Loy Lai, Stroke Survivor, Templeton Stroke Recovery www.templetonstrokerecovery.com
Stroke Recoverer’s Review
Volume 8, Issue 119
January 2010 - Page 3
“There’s life after stroke” LAST MONTH’S HAPPENINGS... I can‘t believe it, the month is almost gone. It seems there‘s always something to write about. We started back on January 7th. It seemed the time wasn‘t long enough to get over all that Xmas season eating, burp! I think everyone is always happy the Xmas season is over with, no! Seems there‘s always something happening with our members: Our Tony D. had a fall and broke his leg, then his wife, who has been ill for many years, passed away. All of our members attended the mass and memorial. Only, it was difficult for our members to go the Forest Lawn. Our members came back to Templeton to have lunch provided by our group which Valerie, our coordinator, put together; she did great job! Wanda has been recovering from her heart surgery and she came to our group this week with her walker. She couldn‘t use her walker before last week. I went to see her after she came home from the hospital and she looked great, at that time. Now, she is back, so all is well. Olga has finally left Holy Family Rehab after 3 months! (a long time). She is hoping to get back with us soon. Key is still recuperating from her foot surgery which is taking a long time to heal. It‘s keeping her and Helen close to home. Our Jeanie‘s husband passed away after a long illness. Jeanie hasn‘t been coming to our group, as she‘s been at the hospital with her husband for months, till he passed away. Some of our members attended the memorial. Hopefully, Jeanie will be back with us soon. Our Jose has been going to the SRABC head office on Fridays to work on the Spring edition of ‗Voice of the Turtle.‘ He is now ‗assistant editor.‘ How about that! I think that‘s fantastic! He has done so well with ‗Templeton‘ newsletter that he is getting requests from other groups to do their newsletter. I don‘t know where he‘s going to find the time? He‘s going to have to work 24 hrs. day to fill all his orders.
He is happy to be in demand, I‘m sure. Our John B. finally showed up this year! Happy New Year, John! Ahh, he shows up to tell us that he is going to be in another stroke study. John has been in a number of studies. They are all to do with the effects of the stroke. Just in case, anyone wonders how studies on stroke come about? It‘s done by the people like John that get selected to be a part of the information that‘s gathered, usually done at one of the hospitals or G.F. Strong Rehab. George had become our ‗all-around-man‘! From setting up tables and chairs, making coffee, helping serve lunch and doing information sessions with our members! That‘s part of stroke recovery! We, also have Orlando who has been so helpful, clearing tables, carrying dishes, helping with sweeping the floor after. I saw Jose has been helping with removing and folding the table cloths also. This all, so, wonderful! Having them all pitching in. Loy, Inga and Debbie helping with the dishes and sandwich making as it‘s such a great help! As we have ‗no volunteers‘ this time of the year. And, can‘t seem to get any. I have been #1 volunteer this year! Ahhhh, true!!! Our Reesa has become quite busy with having Athena, Constantino, also and Wanda and Gabriel who need instruction on speech improvement. A new lady, Almaz, has come to us and she will be wanting to improve her speech, too. Guy R. has been sending some very interesting information to our monthly newsletter. We are happy to have our members taking an interest in our newsletter and from other group also. I always look forward to reading the articles sent in by the other stroke group. Thank you all so much!!! The next ‗happenings‘ will be done by maybe? Key or Debbie, as I am planning to be in Australia, where the sun is hot! But I‘m told it‘s very, very dry. That‘s not good?!? Till, I get back, stay healthy and happy! —Ollie Stogrin Templeton Stroke Recovery
FUTURE VANCOUVER STREETCARS? New Olympic Line Streetcars Services is now running between the Canada Line‘s ‗Olympic Village Station‘ and Granville Island. The new system will run for ‗free‘ for two months; through to the end of both Olympics and Paralimpics Games. The streetcars, Bombardier, starts their first run 6:30 am and ends 12:30 am(18 hours). With ‘Bombardier streetcars arriving every 6 to 10 minutes. The two streetcars are on loan from Belgium and are scheduled to be returned after the trial run (two months). The Bombardier streetcars are smooth and fast, too. Rides like a Skytrain or Canada Line train‘ the only difference is: Streetcars have a human driver. Vancouver‘s original streetcar services was retired in 1958. There is a chance that the Vancouver‘s city will bring a permanent system after the Olympic Games. —Jose Suganob, Stroke Survivor, Templeton Stroke Recovery www.templetonstrokerecovery.com
Stroke Recoverer’s Review
Volume 8, Issue 119
January 2010 - Page 4
A MERRY CHRISTMAS WISH TO ALL OUR FRIENDS AND FAMILY May this year has gone bye too fast just like a neighbor in Terrace told me, the older you get, the faster it goes. Well, this past year, we had a lot snow and that makes it hard for us to get around as they don‘t take good care of the sidewalks in Salmon Arm. Because it was so snowy in our complex, I had to wait until almost the end of February to do the canvassing for the Heart and Stroke last year, so I‘m hoping, we don‘t get that much this February. We stayed home all winter. Then, in August, my daughter and granddaughter and me drove up to Prince George to see Todd and his girlfriend. They bought together a house in June. They now are living together after going out for five years. Cheryl even took her dog and in the house they bought had a dog door and the yard is all fenced-in, so, Litsa‘s dog and Cheryl‘s couldn‘t get out. They had a great time, as they are both small dogs. We stayed a week. Just relaxed and enjoyed being with my family. The girls and Tristan Todd‘s boy spent lots of time in the pool. Oh, yes! It even has a heated pool. I never even phoned any of my friends while I was there Cheryl was just glad we made it there and back in one piece, as this was the first time she had drove that far. Then after we got back home, Victor and I took they Greyhound bus down to Vancouver and spent 6 days there visiting his Mom and we took a HandyDart to the Burnaby Hospital to see my Aunt that is a 101 and Victor phoned a few friends and they came one night to the bar in the hotel we were staying at and it ended up being a birthday party for Victor and we went out for dinner with two other friends. My Dad‘s cousin‘s daughter and her son that drove her in from Surrey and his wife came to our room for a visit and the VERY SAD, INDEED… oldie,
but still
funny!
same night my niece from Vernon and her son and girl friend and my sister from Campbell River. This was the night before we were leaving on a cruise to Alaska with the Power Pioneers for a week. There were 258 of us, it was a great time. It was the Upper Island 2009 Jamboree and the theme was the roaring twenties and, boy, there was some great outfits. This was the night before we got back in to Vancouver. The next Jamboree will be in Vernon in 2011. We‘re just staying home for Christmas but because my granddaughters don‘t want any gifts for Christmas, I said to Cheryl that we should take the girls to Kelowna, for two days and take them to their new pool and play. Then, on January 29th, we‘re flying to Orlando. We stayed for two days and then went to a Caribbean cruise for three days. And then, we went back to Orlando for another two days and, of course, we went to Disneyworld and Victor has done his homework and found a place where we can rent scooters, right on the hotel we‘re staying. We flew back to Kelowna on the January 9. Now, I wanted to tell you something about this trip. Well, one day, about seven months ago, we got a phone call from a travel agency from the States about a cruise. At first, Victor thought it was just a scam but the man said it wasn‘t and he would send us the information by e-mail, of which he did. Victor supposed to phone him back and set it up. We‘ll have to let you know if there is any problems with this trip when we get back home. From our home to yours, we wish you a bright and healthy Christmas and Happy New Year. —Carol & Victor Toy, Stroke Survivors Salmon Arm Stroke Recovery Branch
“There’s life after stroke”
Please join me in remembering a great icon of the entertainment community.
Crocker, the Hostess Twinkies, Tony (the Tiger), Charlie (the Tuna), and CaptainCrunch. The grave site was piled high with flours.
The Pillsbury Doughboy died yesterday of a yeast infection and trauma complications from repeated pokes in the belly. He was 71.
Aunt Jemima delivered the eulogy and lovingly described as a man who never knew how much he was kneaded.
Doughboy was buried in a lightly greased coffin. Dozens of celebrities turned out to pay their respects, including Mrs. Buttersworth, Hungry Jack, the California Raisins, Betty
Doughboy rose quickly in show business, but his later life was filled with turnovers. He was considered a very smart cookie, but wasted much of his dough on half-baked schemes. Despite being a little flaky at times, he still was a crusty old man and was considered a positive roll model for millions…
www.templetonstrokerecovery.com
Doughboy is survived by his wife, Play Dough, three children: John Dough, Jane Dough and Dosey Dough, plus they had one in the oven. He is also survived by his elderly father, Pop Tart. The funeral was held at 3:50 for about 20 minutes. Please rise to the occasion and take time to pass this on and share your smile with someone who may be having a crumby day and kneads a lift. jokeonly —Submitted by Guy Radonich Stroke Survivor Templeton Stroke Recovery
Volume 8, Issue 119
Stroke Recoverer’s Review
January 2010 - Page 5
“There’s life after stroke” LIFEBOOK 2010... HEALTH: 1. Drink plenty of water. 2. Eat breakfast like a king, lunch a prince and dinner like a beggar. 3. Eat more food that grow on trees and plants, and eat less food that is manufactured in plants.
You have no idea what their journey is all about.
10.Make peace with your past so it won‘t spoil the present.
2. Don‘t have negative thoughts or things you cannot control. Instead, invest your energy in the positive present moment.
11.No one is in charge of your happiness except you.
3. Don‘t over do; keep your limits.
4. Live with the 3 E‘s—Energy, Enthusiasm and Empathy.
4. Don‘t take yourself so seriously; no one else does.
5. Make time to play.
5. Do n ‘t wa s t e y o u r energy on gossip.
6. Play more games.
precious
12.Realize that life is a school and you are here to learn. Problems are simply part of the curriculum that appear and fade away like algebra class but the lessons you learn will last a lifetime. 13.Smile and laugh more. 14.You don‘t have to win every argument. Agree to disagree.
7. Read more books than you did in 2009. Sit in silence for at least 10 minutes each day.
6. Dream more while you are awake.
8. Sleep for 7 hours.
8. Forget issues of the past. Don‘t remind your partner with his/her mistakes of the past. That will ruin your present happiness.
15.Call you family often.
9. Life is too short to waste time hating anyone. Don‘t hate others.
17.Forgive everyone for everything.
9. Take a 10-30 minutes walk every day—and while you walk, smile! PERSONALITY: 1. Don‘t compare your life to others!
7. Envy is a waste of time. You already have all you need.
COMMUNITY: 16.Each day give something good to others. 18.Spend time with people over the age 70 and under the age of 6. 19.Try to make at least three people smile each day. 20.What other people think of you is none of your business. 21.Your job won‘t take care of you when you are sick. Your family and friends will. Stay in touch. LIFE: 1. Do the right things. 2. Get rid of anything that isn‘t useful, beautiful or joyful. 3. Time heals everything. 4. However, good or bad a situation is, it will change. 5. No matter how you feel, get up, dress up and show up. 6. The best is yet to come.
GOLDEN OLDIES AND CONTEMPORARY FOLK SING-A-LONG! Because our regular music therapist was away this month, John Cronin came, sung and played many of our favourite songs during lunch time. Once we had finished eating he lead us in a sing-a-long of Golden Oldies and Contemporary Folk which was great fun! Photos taken January 28, 2010, at North Shore Neighbourhood House. —Sue Chalmers, Stroke Survivor, North Shore Stroke Recovery Center www.templetonstrokerecovery.com
7. When you awake alive in the morning, thank GOD for it. 8. Your inner most is always happy. 9. Last, but not least, share it with everyone you care about. —Submitted by Carol Roycroft Stroke Survivor, Burnaby Stroke Recovery
Volume 8, Issue 119
Stroke Recoverer’s Review
LIVING IN PARADISE IS NOT FOR EVERYONE
January 2010 - Page 6
by W. Stephan, NSSRC, West Van Group
Some years ago, I met a fellow in Washington State who had moved from Hawaii to the mainland and wanted to return to the home state of his wife, one of the eastern (and rainy) states of the US. I asked him why he wanted to do a crazy thing like that. He replied that he and his wife were sick and tired of sand, surf, palm trees and sunshine. He explained that in Hawaii, when he was working; he was surrounded by people happy to be on holidays. These people were not looking forward to having to work for another 11-1/2 months before their next holidays. But in Hawaii he missed all that because he already lived in a holiday paradise. It took me years to understand this desire for hardship and stress. I just read an article by an expat from England; who had a similar experience: ‘Life in a New Zealand paradise turns sour.‘ The author had moved to a small village on the South Island. His English friends predicted that he would go ‘bonkers‘ in a week. They were wrong. It took two weeks. His family ate fish from the ocean, fresh vegetables from the garden and home-made date scones. They biked everywhere, no car needed. They lived an environmentalist‘s dream. Once, his little son, joyfully pointed out a skylark; he felt like getting a rifle and blasting the bird from the sky. He craved the traffic jams, the pollution, the highrises, the competition of the rat race and the infernal stink of a big city. At first, everything was great, but then whisper it softly; but the paradise is, well (he said it straight out) boring as hell. He noted that: if that‘s a measure
of his own shortcoming as a human being then so be it. I also read an article by two professors who lived about two driving hours away from Cape Town in South Africa on an estate surrounded by vineyards and roses and mountains. This husband and wife team of doctors treasured the sunshine; the vivid colors of the loc al birds and plants and the beauty of the sunrise and sunsets. They noted in their write-up ‘A paradise that‘s not for everyone‘ that many of their friends; while passionate about life in South Africa; are well aware of both the evil and the danger of the huge gap in lifestyle between the prosperous minority and the rest of the population. It provides enough of a challenge to make living in paradise; if one wants to agree that it is one, desirable. The writer from NZ called living his dream a strangely empty experience. I can understand him now; it is somewhat comparable to retiring. If one grows up in a city and wants to feel alive, one needs the challenges of stress, the crowded office, the deadlines and the car traffic or one becomes a lunatic lark slayer. So, remember when it is raining and you are stuck in traffic, it could be worse without a challenge. You could be living in paradise. —by Werner Stephan, Stroke Survivor NSSRC, West Vancouver Group
“There’s life after stroke”
ARE YOU A: MARTHA OR MAXINE??… Martha: To keep potatoes from budding, place an apple in the bag with the potatoes. Maxine: Buy Hungry Jack mashed potato mix. Keeps in the pantry for up to a year.
Martha: Cure for headaches: Take a lime, cut it in half & rub it on your forehead. The throbbing will go away. Maxine: Take a lime, mix it with tequila, chill & drink. All your pain will go away.
Martha: When a cake recipe calls for flouring the baking pan, use a bit of the dry cake mix instead & there won‘t be any white mess on the outside of the cake. Maxine: Go to the bakery! Hell, they‘ll even decorate it for you.
Martha: Don‘t throw-out all that left-over wine. Freeze into ice cubes for future use, in casseroles & sauces. Maxine: Left-over wine??? HELLO!
Martha: If you accidentally over-salt a dish while it‘s still cooking, drop in a peeled potato & it will absorb the excess salt for an instant ‗fix-me-up.‘ Maxine: If you over-salt a dish while you are cooking, that‘s too bad. Please recite with me the real woman‘s motto: ‗I made it, you will eat it & I don‘t care how bad it tastes.‘ Martha: Wrap celery in aluminum foil when putting in the refrigerator & it will kep for weeks. Maxine: Celery? Never heard of it?
Martha: Stuff a miniature marshmallow in the bottom of an ice ream cone to prevent ice cream drips. Maxine: Just suck the ice cream out of the bottom of the cone, for Pete‘s sake! You are probably lying on the couch with your feet up eating it, anyway. Lastly, if you don‘t forward it to your friends within the next 5 minutes; your belly button will unscrew and your butt will fall off. Really, it‘s true! Have I ever lied to you? I’m going with Maxine, she has never been in prison! —Submitted by Karel Ley, Stroke Survivor Delta Stroke Recovery
www.templetonstrokerecovery.com