Health is Your Wealth Magazine

Health is Your Wealth A Magazine For Everyone in Recovery And Their Families

Health is Your Wealth www.facebook.com/HealthisYourWealthMag

Magazine @hiywmag Page

Contents: Front Cover: Magazine Logo

Exercise -Body Maintenance

30-32 33-34

Editors message and Reader Letters

3

Speech and Language Tips

Key Contacts

4

Mental Health—Confidence

35

Contributors

5

Mental Health / Physical Fatigue

36

Readers Testimonials

6

Ex Military Conditions: PTSD

37-39

Living With Asthma

40-41

How I became a brain surgeon!

Ambulance Service Stories

7-8 9-10

Train Your Brain

42

Family Relationships

11-12

Brain Training Applications

Children's Corner

13-15

Playtime

46

A Parents uncertainty

16-18

Golden Nuggets

47

Brain Injury: What the future holds? 19

Importance of a routine

48

To Do List

20-21

Learn to pace yourself

49

A Readers Personal Story

22-24

Book Review

50

Classified Mobility Adverts

51

Statistics

25

43-45

Carers World

26-27

Subscriptions

52

Sexual Issues

28-29

Useful Contacts

53

Health is Your Wealth Magazine

Page

2

Editors Message “Never, never, never give up” Winston Churchill

―Welcome to the first issue of "Health is Your Wealth" magazine" ! A magazine specifically for people and their families in recovery. Which in the case of a neurological condition, maybe longer than everyone wants. This publication aims to enhance the lives of people by sharing strategies which enables their recovery and independence. There are a many golden nuggets of information there just needs to be one place to put them! Giving people extra life skills will in enable patients to do things they either can't or have difficulty doing. We are a firm believer that everything is possible, in the words of Winston Churchill ‗Never, never, never give up‘.

Readers Letters …

Send letters to: letters@healthisyourwealth.co.uk

I thought I would be okay when I left hospital. It wasn't until I went home that I realized that I was just finding out how different life would be. I am looking forward to the next issue!

Gary, Leicester, UK

sightful …

Des, Essex Just a quick note to say the ―Playtime‖ article was really helpful to me as I can use my tablet now in new ways!

Darren NJ, USA

The article on pacing has inIt has been ten spired me to try years since my di- new things! agnosis and this Danny, Southend magazine has given me new hope and ideas ! Keep the feedback coming Jackie, Derbyshire Looks good.

Keep up the good work.

Ian, Ireland An interesting read, most in-

Health is Your Wealth Magazine

Page

3

Key Contacts Sales/ Advertising gs@HealthisYourWealth.co.uk

Classified Adverts / Subscriptions adverts@HealthisYourWealth.co.uk

Questions Editor@HealthisYourWealth.co.uk Feedback / Comments / Customer Testimonials feedback@HealthisYourWealth.co.uk Information / Enquiries info@HealthisYourWealth.co.uk Letters / Articles letters@HealthisYourWealth.co.uk Website / BLOG— www.HealthisYourWealth.co.uk Contact: webmaster@HealthisYourWealth.co.uk

Health is Your Wealth Magazine

Page

4

Contributors To this issue Thank you to the authors who had input to this magazine.

Without your valuable content this first issue would not have happened!

Ambulance Service Stories: Emily Dunn, East Midland Ambulance How I became a brain Surgeon: Mr Michael Jenkinson, Consultant Neurosurgeon Family Relationships: Sharon Marks Children's Corner: Cora and Niamh Marks A Parents Uncertainty: Ian Marks

Exercise:, Body Maintenance: Chris Halling Fitness Instructor Speech and Language Tips: Tim Hardman, Specialist Speech Therapist Ex Military Conditions, PTSD: SSG Joseph Irvine, United States Army Living With Asthma: Valerie Marks Readers Personal Story: Jackie Rochard Carer‘s World, Derby Carers Association

Health is Your Wealth Magazine

Page

5

Customer Testimonials ―Improvement through listening to constructive feedback‖ Winston Churchill As this is the first issue of Health is Your Wealth magazine we have not received any constructive feedback yet however we are open to all comments, both positive and negative as that is how we will improve this publication.

This magazine does not provide medical advice. It is therefore in no way a substitute for your doctor or medical team. The contents of this magazine are intended to be informative only. Do not consider using the contents as a replacement for medical advice. You should always consult a physician or qualified medical advisor on any aspect of your health. Please note that you agree to read this literature of your own accord and that the creator nor the authors and publishers do not assume any are liability. The use or reliance of this magazine contents and images are solely at your own discretion and risk.

Any tests,

Feedback …

Send feedback to: feedback@healthisyourwealth.co.uk

medical procedures, medication, exercises, diet and any other products or processes are not intended to be used for self diagnosis or treatment. This publication does not provide any medical services or care. For medical advice or an emergency please contact your physician or nearest rapid response team.

Apple, iPhone and iPad are trademarks of Apple Inc., registered in the U.S. and other countries. App Store is a service mark of Apple Inc. Android is a trademark of Google Inc. Amazon is a trademark of Amzon.com, Inc. or its affiliates This publication is written by people who are still in recovery therefore some grammatical and punctuation errors can be expected

Available on ALL Tablets Apple Android Windows

Health is Your Wealth Magazine

Page

6

“How I became a

“So what is it like being a neurosurgeon?”

brain Surgeon!”

Brain surgery, it‘s not exactly rocket science…but it is one of those jobs that people can‘t quite believe you do and I am usually asked if I am joking. So how did I end up becoming a neurosurgeon? My inspiration to become a surgeon came after watching the movie M*A*S*H with Donald Sutherland and Elliot Gould, which portrays the antics of two army surgeons during the Korean war. For those of you who have not seen the movie, the characters Hawkeye and Trapper are not typical role models, but they did appeal to my personality, and in 1992, I started at Liverpool Medical School.

All through medical school, (and I hesitate to write this since it will be in the public domain forever), I wanted to be an orthopedic surgeon. It was only after doing a junior doctor job in neurosurgery in 2000, that I changed my mind. Ten years later and after many exams, I was appointed a consultant neurosurgeon at The Walton Centre NHS Foundation Trust in Liverpool, sub -specializing in brain tumors.

In common with rocket science, neurosurgery sounds more glamorous than it really is. My day starts with the 8am team meeting to discuss the patients referred for a neurosurgery opinion over the previous 24 hours. The Walton Centre serves a population of ~3.5 million, and we receive on average 20-30 referrals each day. From 8.30am onwards, each day of my working week is different and consists of outpatient clinics, inpatient ward rounds, operating theatre, team meetings, research meetings and paperwork.

One of my colleagues once gave a talk at a medical meeting titled ―Pediatric neurosurgery – the pinnacle of human achievement‖. This slightly flippant title belies the humbling nature of the specialty. As a neurosurgeon I want my patient‘s admission to be as routine and mundane as possible. I want my patients to have successful brain tumour surgery and go home. Fortunately for most patients, brain tumour operations proceed as planned with no complications. However, because we are still learning about the complexity of the brain and how it functions, and because each patient is a unique individual, the

Health is Your Wealth Magazine

Page

7

“How I became a brain Surgeon!”

reaction of the brain to surgery can vary from person to person.

Whilst there is no margin for error during brain surgery, complications do happen, for example, bleeding from the tumour or brain swelling. In these cases the patient may not recover and may be left with permanent neurological deficits such as difficulty speaking or limb weakness as a result of surgery. This is the worst part of being a neurosurgeon.

Being diagnosed with a brain tumour is devastating for patients and families. Unfortunately, many brain tumours are malignant and one of the most difficult things for patients to deal with is uncertainty.

I aim to give patients a clear idea of what to expect in hospital and after surgery. Unfortunately things are not always black and white, and I have to work with the information available at the time. But talking to patients, I realise how the patient is often more accepting of the diagnosis and prognosis, than the relatives.

Health is Your Wealth Magazine

“Research, Research and more Research” Research forms a significant part of my job. I work with researchers in the UK, Europe and the USA. Unlike many cancers, treatment options for brain tumours are limited.

My research is focused on understanding more about how brain tumours grow in the hope that new therapies can be developed in this field.

All the staff at The Walton Centre are dedicated to providing outstanding care to our patients, and I feel privileged to be working in this field.

Mr Michael Jenkinson Consultant Neurosurgeon

Page

8

Stories from East Midlands Ambulance Service

Making a decision is something we do on a daily basis but not many of us have to make a decision which directly impacts someone‘s life.

One patient who suffered a serious trauma injury has thanked EMAS paramedics‘ for their quick thinking and rapid response which in his words ‗saved his life more than once.‘ Back in October 2011 David Marks was driving his motorbike on the A453 when he slipped on some diesel and drove 70mph into a lamppost. The events that unfolded after the collision are blurred from David‘s mind, as a result of the impact he suffered two cardiac arrest and a severe brain injury.

It has been two and a half years since his accident and David has been through a tough recovery process involving learning to walk and talk again, and he now feels strong enough to meet with the paramedics and personally say thank you.

David said: ―I need to say thank you to the EMAS crews who responded to me, there quick thinking and skilful response saved me and means my family are eating dinner with me this weekend, not visiting my grave. ―I was in hospital for 6 months, suffered 2 cardiac arrests, had eighteen broken bones and a severe brain injury which has taken a lot of recovery time but I am here alive and breathing which is the most important thing.‖ David lives in Ashbourne with his wife Sharon and their two daughters. He added: ―What happened was very traumatic for me and my family, and still is. There are a lot of things that I can‘t do that I used to take for granted, like flying a kite with my girls. My balance isn‘t very good so I can‘t walk very far and flying a kite is out of the question. ―Despite all of the things I miss I am here, alive with my family

Health is Your Wealth Magazine

Page

9

Stories from East Midlands Ambulance Service

thanks to the work of all who helped me on that day.‖ Steve Church, Paramedic in Leicestershire was first on scene said: ―When I got to David he was in cardiac arrest and both lungs were punctured, it was obvious that he was seriously injured. ―It‘s a really great feeling to know that my years of training and experience helped to bring David back to life so that he can spend time with his family. ―When you receive such positive feedback from a patient you feel complete elation and delight that you can make such a difference to someone‘s life‖ Before his accident David was a Director at Derby based Bombardier.

He added: ―I used to work in a really fast paced environment and when I sent a wrong email I thought it was an emergency.‖

―After what happened to me I have a new perspective on life and truly appreciate the meaning of the word emergency.‖

David has chosen to document his recovery by writing a book called TBI—Our Never Ending Journey where he talks about his recovery. He said: ―I think my book is useful for people in hospital and ambulance staff who don‘t get to see the recovery of their patients after they have taken them to hospital.‖

Health is Your Wealth Magazine

Page

10

Family Relationships.

“The effect on the rest of the family should not be underestimated” The effect on the family is easy to underestimate. The relationship between the affected and their family can be changed forever and sometimes help is needed to work through this.

Various issues can arise due to a head injury. Sometimes they can be quite dramatic and sometimes they can be quite subtle. Personality changes can be the worse as your family can feel like they don't know you any more. A psychologist can help tremendously and so can Headway, the charity which is specific for head injured victims and their families. Even some personality changes which are considered minor are a major impact. The best people to inform you and will tell you more about how the family feel are themselves and the following is an extract in their words: To say the least it's been hard. When you see the scene played out in a movie , you never actually think it is going to happen to you. Police knock

on the door, listening to what he has to say \, the heart wrenching cries that are coming from your children, and your silently dying inside trying to keep it together for everyone, but its happened so now we have to deal with the outcome whatever it may be. Our lives have done a complete 360, everything has been adapted, adjusted to the new life style we have. Changing from a wife to a caregiver, our children who have also changed from daughters to helpers, but through out have never grumbled for everyday we are thankful that we have a father and husband with us and all the changes are worth it.

“If I have to much to time to sit around I think I will eventually break down” His personality has changed slightly, being meticulous about certain things and the fact that things need to be done at almost that very minute he thinks about it. We work around these things to please everyone involved and eventually get to meet both ends amicably. I'm having to

Health is Your Wealth Magazine

Page

11

Family Relationships.

play both roles now, doing my husbands jobs and mine and I'm tired more now than I have ever been but its best to keep going for if I have to much to time to sit around I think I will eventually break down and not be able to keep it up.

things that will involve the girls with all of us doing more than just watching, and continue being a strong family unit, then the effects of the accident will soon dwindle away and the life we are living now will be the normal way of living for us.

The children miss their Daddy, he was the father you would see racing in the park with them, playing on the swings, kicking a ball and just 100% involved with their everyday activities and life.

Now they have adjusted to daddy just watching and it's sad as I know it affects them and my husband too.

―the effects of the accident will soon dwindle away‖ All we can do is continue the best we can, help David through his recovery and do

Health is Your Wealth Magazine

Page

12

Children’s Corner “The effect on children can be anything from mild to severe, however there is an impact and one which should not be ignored” My name is Cora. I am 14 years old and a couple of months ago my dad came out of hospital after his motorbike accident and has asked me to write an article about what it's been like for me over the past few years, what's happened, how it's affected my life and anything else. Hopefully in writing this article I and others in the same situation will find some form of comfort knowing that there are other people putting up with the same thing and not being sure what to do. I would also like to use this as an opportunity to help others my detailing by story and giving advice and tips on everything. I am going to write a little of the story in every article so it‘s easier to remember the details. Here it goes.

―It seemed like a normal Sunday morning, except you could

hear the police sirens before anything else‖ It seemed like a normal Sunday morning, everybody sleeping in and my dad would head out on his bike at about six. But that morning I was up already and looked out the window to watch him go.

My sister and I would usually (when dad returned from his morning thrill) go horse riding and dad would take us and it would be sort of like a father daughters thing that we used to do.

So anyway everything seemed all good and well, we all woke up and had breakfast and got into our riding gear. But when It got to 10 o'clock (which was when we would set off for riding) dad still wasn't back. 11 o'clock. 12 o'clock. Still no dad. We just assumed he was stuck in traffic.

You could hear the police sirens before anything else. I remember hearing the screeching sirens from the bike before the police man knocked the door. He was huge and was one of the nicest men I have ever met. My mum answered it and the man asked her name. I'll never forget what happened next, mum's shoulders

Health is Your Wealth Magazine

Page

13

Children’s Corner sank lower than anything I'd seen before, her face contorting in pain and shock and her eyes welled up.

She asked me to take the dog out to the field while she talked to the man and to take my sister with me. So we did and the dog took her time. I knew that something had happened as soon as the police man showed up and when my friend Charlie came out of his house to say hello (he's like a little brother to me) I panicked and thought the worst had happened and retold everything that I had heard the policeman say. I guess it's just human nature. And for that one fleeting moment I selfishly thought I wouldn't have a dad anymore.

Never have I felt so guilty about a thought in my entire life.

Charlie tried to convince me that it would be okay and he's probably just broke his arm or somebody stole his bike or something like that and so I kept positive and thought that it would all be fine and we would be calling Julie (The horse riding instructor) later to apologize about

missing the riding lesson and asking to reschedule it for later in the afternoon and we would be going out for tea and shopping for Halloween costumes and washing the car and walking the dog.

―Life isn't served to you on a silver platter with caviar and champagne‖ But unfortunately as I and many people should learn, life isn't served to you on a silver platter with caviar and champagne. For those people that can snap their fingers and have that brought to them, you will find it more difficult to deal with bad luck as you have never had it. If you really want something you will never ever give up until you get it ! Personally my satisfaction in life is doing something or proving somebody wrong about doing something and being able to turn around and say

"I told you, you're wrong ".

That's what I am proudest of my dad for. He looked death in the eye and said ―no‖. Was offered to be pushed around In a chair everywhere and told ―them there was no chance‖.

Health is Your Wealth Magazine

Page

14

Children’s Corner I wish everybody could be like him. In the next article I'm going to talk about the hospital experience, when we got there, what had happened and the process of recovery.

Just to let you know, as I am writing this article at 8:30 pm I am lying down on the sofa typing this up and my dad is sat across the room with the laptop while simultaneously singing to the dog- it seems like nothing has changed.

Is this magazine in your doctors waiting room yet?

If not go to www.HealthisYourWealth.co.uk Health is Your Wealth Magazine

Page

15

“A Parents Uncertainty” After the first phone call we knew whereabouts but not how or why. It was a Sunday afternoon.

All flights and ferries were booked until the following Tuesday and no discounts, the full fare to pay. So two days of phone calls and frustration then early in the morning hire car booked, hotel booked on the ferry, route plan initiated , anxiety levels overstretched , weaving through a large city to eventually arrive at an enormous hospital and a twenty minute walk to AIC. What is AIC ? A frantic reunion with family and so many friends and relatives. Tense anticipation of the worst.

What is the worst ?

“He is lucky to be alive” Very little news other than accident and comatose.

What happened ? Resuscitated thrice and air lifted to

AIC. AIC means adult intensive care. Emergency room, and bang on head.

Various breaks and cuts.

We push our way through and manage to get to the bedside. He is ventilated.

He is sedated. He is connected to various monitors.

There are supports and dressings. The nurse in charge is one of six others in continuous attendance.

There is a drain in the top of his head.

It occurs to me that some of the people outside are associated with the thirty others in AIC and there are others comatose ! A nurse talks to us. She explains the around the clock patrol.

She tells us the consultant will see us soon and explain what has been done.

That he is lucky to be alive. Uncertainty.

The tears flow as shock sets in. Hugs and hope. What will the future bring ?

What practical arrangements can be made. What have been made ? We have somewhere to stay tonight.

Where is it? Have to find accommodation for how many nights ?

The small room. Wife sister mother the doctor and me. He kneels down by their side to explain. David has received a blow to the side of the head and several other injuries. A small bleed into the skull has been drained .

He is sedated and given pain killers.

As the sedation is reduced it is to be

Health is Your Wealth Magazine

Page

16

“A Parents Uncertainty� hoped that he will come out of the comatose state. The Doctor is shaking and in a state of high tension.

Until the extent of the brain injury is known they will not attend to the other injuries.

It could be that his state gets worse: a pause: if so we may ask your permission to reduce the life support.

Silence. Surely it is too early for a statement of this sort. I stand in front of him, he gets up. I tell him that David is a fighter. If there is a chance and he comes around then the hospital will realsise what a feisty character is on their hands. He must be given every opportunity to pull through. The Doctor changes.

Yes, of course, every opportunity will be given‌.do our very best..We are left with the dilemma of a serious situation.

Uncertainty.

You want to be near even though you know there is nothing you can do. It is impossible to touch or hold him because of the tubes and contraptions. Just a fingertip stroke on an arm.

You talk to him aware that nothing may be heard: familiar things : from childhood to recent times. It is impossible to focus because your never alone. Eventually I ask everyone to leave. Just for a brief golden moment I am able to speak from the heart hoping to reach beyond the coma and to awaken .

Over the next few days we make regular short visits eagerly anticipating news. We comfort other parents and they comfort us. Some have been there for months . Is this how it will be ? Nothing else fills the mind.

Hello says the waiter as we eat an evening meal in the hotel. Are you enjoying your holiday ? And too quickly we explain the reason for our stay realizing as it is said that there is too much information. The waiter apologizes and quietly moves away as we take the sadness to our room. Our room, but for how long ?

Health is Your Wealth Magazine

Page

17

“A Parents Uncertainty”

It is a waiting game.

Our life is on hold. And the finances cannot stretch much further. A decision has to be made .

“Every phone call is an anxious moment” Sharon is supported by her family and by her sister in law Sarah and her husband. We can do nothing except wait. We will wait in our own home where we are better able to cope with the future events. The hours pass slowly. Every phone call is an anxious moment. You hang on to each word, interpret and discuss . Uncertainty. Sympathy comes from everywhere. It is not what you want.

The social graces make you accept it. Arrangements are made and the financial barrel is scraped ready for another visit. You want to be there knowing that although unlikely it might just help.

Dr Ian Marks

Health is Your Wealth Magazine

Page

18

“Living With Brain Injury; What does the future hold?”

It‘s the million dollar

“How long is a piece of string?” question!

It is the answer which is often given by medical professionals.

Not much of an answer to a simple question when you‘re trying to determine the duration of recovery, when you will return to work or trying to plan the next holiday. It appears that medical community are much more comfortable answering complicated questions when they are comfortable with the answers !

can be classed as a bonus.

The truth is that the recovery study has only really just started. Many universities and hospitals are contributing to a study which aims to collect all the information into one place Such an immense task is going to take some time!

Is this magazine in your doctors waiting room yet?

After all they don‘t have a magic wand or a crystal ball and as everyone recovers differently! So how is your medical team supposed to know?

Their view is that as everyone recovers differently therefore it maybe better not to set any expectations at all and err on the side of caution. Then if something positive does materialize it

If not go to www.HealthisYourWeal th.co.uk and click on subscriptions.

Health is Your Wealth Magazine

Page

19

“To Do List, Don’t Forget !”

When it really does hit the fan the last thing you need to be worrying about is money, Insurance, Will, Legal issues etc. If there was ever a time to get organized now is it!

“These things are worth doing!”

There is so much to do and everything seems to come at the same time. You have to learn to prioritize.

Keep it simple and have a small number of rules, for example: 1) Things which aid recovery 2) Things which give you financial wellbeing 3) Things which are fun Each issue we will add to the ―To Do List‖ by picking one topic and documenting the ―How, What, Where and When‖. This issue is budgeting, not only do we show you how but give you a FREE template to get you started! Firstly you don‘t need to do this long term but you do need to know short term how much income is coming in each month and how much is going out plus if there is anything left over for savings you can use for the fun things!

Why bother go to all this effort?

I hear you wonder. There are many reasons but the three main ones that spring to mind are as follows: In going through this exercise you may find duplicate insurance policies. For example car breakdown cover such as AA and motor insurance policy that co me with green f lag cover. Therefore saving you money as you can cancel one, It's a very good idea to have clarity on what you actually need verses what is a "nice to have". We know one person who dropped the " nice to have " items and put the money into savings! This way at least you know what to do should you get into financial difficulty and can act quickly!

Budget TAB - This section is where you estimate what you have incoming, outgoing and savings per month.

Actuals TAB -This section is where you look at your actual bill and then clarify the accuracy of your budget estimates

Health is Your Wealth Magazine

Page

20

you are comfortable with and then do a manual transfer at the end of the month, this way you are saving something each month!

“To Do List, Don’t Forget !”

in the budget section. This way you can modify your budgetary amount for the coming months and when you prepare the budget for the following year you can use the actual numbers and therefore increase the accuracy.

“If you want to do fun things or save for the long term it's a good idea to put something aside” Savings Tab — Once you have completed the budget tab you will have a good idea of how much you will have left over each month after all your bills are paid. Now you can see the total you estimate you will spend each month verses the amount you have incoming. If you want to do fun things or save for the long term it's a good idea to put something aside into a savings account.

When To Start?

At the end of each month or whenever all outgoing transactions have completed is best. Often your bank will have an on-line application that has these details.

Outgoing Section —Here you document how much you think you are going to spend each month on Mortgage/Rent, Food, Gas & Electric, Phone etc.

Incoming Section — Here is where you document what you expect to coming into your bank account each month (Wages, Benefits, Tax Refunds etc) Obviously this list will be shorter but hopefully it won‘t total more than the incoming list!

Click Here

to get the FREE Microsoft Excel Template for you to START organizing now!

OR Go To:

The amount may vary each month due to birthdays, yearly celebrations etc. So maybe complete a standing order for what

www.healthisyourwealth.co.uk And Click on e-magazine

Health is Your Wealth Magazine

Page

21

Jackie's Personal Story “200 feet fall from a Paraglider”

My accident happened on 15 May 2004. I suffered from a broken leg, arm, fractured pelvis and a serious head injury. I previously paraglide with my husband, Lee, but this was the first time that I had para-motored.

Para-motoring is where someone has an engine attached to them to keep the wing flying.

We went to a para-motor flying site in Derbyshire. I was the passenger to someone else who was the pilot of the para-motor.

We took off after one failed take -off and were at about 200ft when there was a problem with the equipment. We started to spiral round and crashed down in the field. My husband saw this happen and I was unconscious, 999 was called and an air ambulance came for me.

I was taken to hospital in Derby and was then moved to Queens Medical Centre in Nottingham who specialise in head injuries.

I was put into an induced coma.

When coming out of the coma I was unable to speak and remem-

ber my family by name. This was quite frightening but after several weeks I found my memory was returning. I stayed in hospital/ rehabilitation for 3 months in total.

I was told by the doctors that my recovery was helped due to my fitness. I was an aerobics instructor and eat a balanced diet.

“This didn’t go too well as I couldn’t remember what they had asked for” After spending time at the Queens Medical Centre High Dependency Unit and the DRI in Derby I attended a rehabilitation hospital called Kings Lodge in Derby. I underwent various treatments to teach me to walk again and different treatments to help my head injury. I had many friends and family visit me so I was told to ask them what they wanted to drink and try and remember what they had asked for and make the drinks.

This didn‘t go too well as I could-

Health is Your Wealth Magazine

Page

22

Jackie's Personal Story Continued... n‘t remember what they had asked for. At the time I felt quite cross that I had to do such simple things when I thought that I was absolutely fine.

Looking back ten years on now, I was really upset that I had been placed in a rehabilitation home with other people who were clearly not well and normal when I felt that there was nothing wrong with me. I can remember being very agitated and annoyed. I obviously wasn‘t ok and needed to be there.

I was ok in the day time because I always had family with me or I was undergoing walking lessons but it was when I was on my own that I felt confused and upset. In the night time I would often wet the bed.

At the time this didn‘t really register that this wasn‘t normal.

Once I left and went home it took a long time to get back to normal. I wanted to get back to some sort of normality and so I went back to work as a Legal Secretary part- time. It was really far too early to go back to work but it was very impor-

tant to me to be able to start living the life I had before the accident. I really struggled with work and I was trying to act and feel the same as I was before but this is impossible to do when suffering from a head injury.

“My place of work was not very understanding” My place of work was not very understanding and I was called to a disciplinary hearing because I wasn‘t working the same as I was before. I ended up leaving the job. I then trained to be a nail technician and passed all my exams. I set up my own business from home/mobile.

We moved into a new house in Ashbourne and went on to have a baby in November 2008 and although I suffered from a head injury I have been able to study, take exams, run my own business and go out to work.

The most challenging area of all is to have a baby and bring her up. I still suffer from bad short term memory and I do tend to get more agitated and annoyed than I used to but it helps to have someone close to tell you to take some deep breaths and calm down.

Health is Your Wealth Magazine

Page

23

Jackie's Personal Story Continued...

Family life is always very busy and we all have pressures and stressful times but the thing to remember is that what ever happened to us we are still here to tell the tale and enjoy life.

Jackie lives in Derbyshire and continues to improve and recover even though her accident was ten years ago.

Jackie Rochard

For further information on head injury go to Headway which is the UKwide charity that supports people affected by brain injury.

To find your nearest Headway group or branch, visit www.headway.org.uk or contact the free-phone helpline on 0808 800 2244 or helpline@headway.org.uk

The video below is part of the DVD series "Understanding Brain Injury" created by Shepherd Center. Visit braininjury101.org to view the entire video series.

Excellent Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) Video https://www.youtube.com/ watch?v=9Wl4nNOGJ0&feature=player_deta ilpage

Health is Your Wealth Magazine

Page

24

“Statistics are like a drunk and a lamppost. Used for support rather than illumination.�

We are not a huge fan of the numbers game however some of this information is both insightful and startling.

A lot of this makes sense. Cars are getting faster. Extreme sports are becoming more popular and medical advances mean more people are surviving. This results in a significant increase in the quantity of people having accidents and in long term rehabilitation.

Every 8 hours someone is told they are paralyzed through spinal cord injury 354,000 people are admitted to hospital each year with brain injury 5.4 million people suffer from asthma in the UK and Someone dies every seven hours from asthma 50,000 people each year are in recovery from a stroke 100,000 people are diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis in the UK

1 in 500 people have Parkinson's. 127,000 people are currently diagnosed in the UK Approximately 5,000 or 7 in every 100,000 in the UK have Motor Neuron Disease (MND) 1 in every 3 people who have a traumatic experience suffer from Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) 800,000 people in the UK suffer from Alzheimer's Cancer affects over 2 million people in the UK There are over one thousand charities in the UK helping people live their lives and aid recovery.

Visit http:// www.healthisyourwealth.co.uk/ useful-contacts.html for further information

Health is Your Wealth Magazine

Page

25

Carers World

Health is Your Wealth Magazine

Page

26

Carers World

Health is Your Wealth Magazine

Page

27

“SEX after Brain Injury” The subject people don’t want to talk about!

“Sexual problems are not unusual after brain injury” A loss of interest in sex is fairly typical. There are many reasons why this may happen but the following paragraphs outlines the most common ones: There may be a direct effect of the injury on the areas of brain involved in sexual function or your medication may have some impact which affects performance. Add to this that there may be a loss of confidence and you have a pretty good recipe for some level of performance degradation.

Another possibility is that the issue also stems from a change in the relationship, which in itself may arise from personality changes following brain injury. A brain injury not only affects the

person directly concerned but also all those close to them. A personality change after brain injury frequently occurs so this is not a rare incident at all.

Physical problems, such as the inability to gain an erection, can be caused by bodily damage, emotional or psychological problems or sometimes a combination of both. Although psychological factors are the most common cause of sexual difficulties it is often possible to tell between physical and emotional or psychological causes for sexual problems.

The brain has a major influence on sexual function and certain parts are responsible for aspects of sexual behavior. It is important to consult your doctor as there are a number of tests available to detect physical damage and hormonal problems and they may be easily rectified through medication.

Changes do not always occur immediately so consulting your doctor later in your recovery may also

Health is Your Wealth Magazine

Page

28

“SEX after Brain Injury” The subject people don’t want to talk about!

be worthwhile.

Many of the drugs commonly prescribed after brain injury can have the side effect of preventing erections in men and effective vaginal lubrication in women. In general it is estimated that 25% of all erectile difficulties, for example, are caused by prescribed medication.

For men, one way of telling whether the problem has a neurological or physical basis is this: if you still have periodic or early morning erections and you are still able to obtain a response to self stimulation the chances are that the problem is caused by a loss of confidence.

This may at first seem a bit odd but your body has gone through significant trauma and is still in recovery therefore not everything is working as well it used to.

A problem caused by loss of confidence is good news in that it is always possible to overcome a lack of confidence. However it is not always easy to do this without professional assistance and will probably require specialist help. If a problem is caused by damage to the brain or the nervous system there may be a medical solution but this is not always the case. Either way, it is usually possible for the person to lead a sexually active and fulfilling life. For further information see http:// www.thedtgroup.org/brain-injury/

Health is Your Wealth Magazine

Page

29

Exercise, “Maintenance for your body !”

“Benefits of structured exercise after injury” It‘s common knowledge that exercise will make you fitter and healthier, but what about when you are recovering from a major/minor injury or condition?

Many people who are recovering from such thing believe that they have become too weak and unfit from their injury/ condition and understand that exercise will potentially only worsen their problem.

In most cases however this couldn‘t be further from the truth, as the majority of injuries/conditions can be helped in conjunction with a suitable structured exercise plan, in some cases this can be more effective than medication!

instructor, types of services that we offer include exercise referral where a doctor can refer patients to specialist instructors that will devise specific exercise plans in correlation to their condition. Also, cardiac rehabilitation, after a myocardial infarction (heart attack) a patient is required to complete 3 stages of rehabilitation within a medical environment, ―Healthy Hearts‖ is our phase 4 group exercise class, which the patient is advised to attend to carry on with their fitness and rehabilitation.

Both are run by suitably qualified instructors and help to add structure to exercise plans, also by joining such a scheme you know you are in capable hands and will only be doing what you‘re supposed to, in order to help your condition rather than hinder it.

Another type of structured exercise that you may find in your local gym or leisure centre will include chair based exercise as seen in the advert in this magazine.

I currently work in a local council run gym as a fitness Health is Your Wealth Magazine

Page

30

Exercise, “Maintenance for your body !” into the blood stream known as serotonin, this is known as the feel good hormone

Well known benefits of exercise in general consist of: 







Improved cardio vascular fitness which helps you not get out of breath so easily when walking up stairs or any other day to day tasks.

Reduced resting heart rate, as the heart becomes stronger and its ability to pump blood around the body more effectively, this helps reduce pressure and stress on the heart as it doesn‘t have to work as hard.

Improvement in core muscles (abdominals) and core stability, this will improve things like posture and balance.

General mood and energy levels will be more positive, as you exercise hormones are released





Improve flexibility of joints and muscles which will increase mobility Increased bone density, if you should fall and injure yourself then this will help decrease the risks of breaks or fractures and also help speed up recovery.



An increase in co-ordination and other motor skills to help with day to day tasks and overall quality of life.



Decreased body fat and improved BMI rating.



Other benefits of exercise in a structured format consist of:



Education, in a structured exercise program there will always be a qualified instructor who is not only there to help you with exercising but also educating you on a healthy lifestyle, things like diet.

Health is Your Wealth Magazine

Page

31

Exercise, “Maintenance for your body !” 

More confidence and better social skills plus meeting new people.

“A structured exercise program will help you achieve this and maybe even progress to more!”

Assessments can be made by an appropriate professional to help you identify areas of difficulty and to also show you just how far you‘ve come since you started your program.

Reducing the risk of developing previous or new conditions/ injuries.

Experts suggest that you try to aim to get at least 30 minutes of moderate exercise multiple times a week and a structured exercise program will help you achieve this and maybe even progress to more!

Chris Halling, Fitness Instructor

Health is Your Wealth Magazine

Page

32

Speech Matters !

“It was as if the word was on the tip of my tongue�

Verbal communication is a very complex process which we master to varying degrees after years and years of practice. It seems slow to start, our first word is usually uttered after we have been hearing words and interacting for about a year. Even in our 20s we are still learning about the nuances of communication.

After a major trauma to the brain, our communication can seem a whole lot less effective and a whole lot more effortful. Here are my top talking tips:

longer over saying a sentence rather than being asked to repeat a garbled message 3 times over.

You can get away with being a lot slower than you think. Just listen to politicians delivering speeches: some of our most gifted communicators hold the attention of hundreds and thousands for minutes at a time whilst using lots of pauses to let their message sink in.

2. Find a quiet spot Filtering background noise from speech is a very tiring process. Finding a quieter room, turning off the TV or radio will really help.

1. Slow down

3. Get ahead with a script

Taking some---very short---pauses----- between ----groups--- of words immediately tidies up the beginning and end of words. This helps you to be understood by other people. It is better to take 1 or 2 seconds

No one likes communication going wrong. You may be apprehensive about speaking to new people because your talking is harder to understand or the words take longer to find....but you have an advantage....you

Health is Your Wealth Magazine

Page

33

Speech Matters !

know it is going to be tricky. Get ahead of this by having a little explanatory script ready to help the person you are speaking with.

You can say it or have it written down.

Example: ―Hi, I'm Bill. My speech sounds different since my car accident. I can still understand you if you say 1 or 2 sentences at a time.

If I get confused I'll let you know.‖ 4. Wrap your present When we speak to someone, we 'give' them information.

Imagine your message is like a present, get it wrapped before they arrive, not as you're giving it.

If you know you have a particular point to get across, get it ready. This might mean writing

down some bullet points and practicing saying the sentences before the conversation.

Knowing WHAT you want to say allows you to pay more attention to HOW you want to say it.

5. Can you say that again please?

Conversations happen quickly but brains recovering from trauma tend to work a bit slower. You might find yourself getting confused in conversations as you are trying to understand what is being said and plan what you want to say. It is OK to ask someone to repeat, slow down or ask a question to clarify.

Tim Hardman is a Senior Speech and Language Therapist in Derby hospital.

Tim Hardman Specialist Speech & Language Therapist

Health is Your Wealth Magazine

Page

34

Mental Health: Confidence

“I used to travel and negotiating my way around London and now simple tasks seem overwhelming” In 2011 Robert had an accident on a quad bike. He hit his head and whilst physically he was okay, no broken bones or major organs damaged the result was a brain injury which has impacted him severely in everyday life.

Simple things are now much more difficult now and he gets frustrated because what was once so easy he didn‘t even have to think about it now takes an extremely long time. The effect is that because he is now having to think more about all the basic things; which are usually automatic; plus fatigue now kicks in earlier than he is used too. Robert is still getting used to his new way of life and doesn‘t like it much but has a fresh perspective and is now much more relaxed than before his accident.

Robert exclaimed

―There are things which seem at first straight forward, like getting on the train from home into London. But when you break it down into steps such as getting to the train station, changing train, then getting the underground and a bus to my destination you start to think about which station platform to use, the correct money for the bus and negotiating my way around London and it all now seems overwhelming‖. Robert used to go into London each week He often uses the expression ―It doesn‘t matter‖ and is managing his frustration and anger levels. Forming new and maintaining relationships has always come easily to Robert, however they take a lot more effort and energy now partly because of various short term memory problems but after nearly three years he is learning different strategies to cope with this and things are getting better, slowly but always moving forward not backwards.

Robert Barnes, Manchester Each issue Robert has kindly agreed to update us on his journey so we can follow his progress. We look forward to his next article submission.

Health is Your Wealth Magazine

Page

35

Mental Health: Mental & Physical Fatigue

“I used to be a person with authority and possessed the ability to speak with conviction and influence people” Christine was working as a teacher when she was placing a box back on a shelf at school and the unit broke and came down on top of her head.

What resulted was a brief state of unconsciousness followed by a period of confusion At 57 she recovers slower than a teenager and therefore there is a greater impact on her life than someone half her age.

She has different difficulties but the one which has really affected her the most is that she now has F.O.S (Foreign Accent Syndrome) which although she is from Yorkshire now sounds as if she is from eastern Europe. Twenty years ago this probably wouldn‘t have mattered so much but

with half her class with English as the second or even third language things are more complex. She is working with a speech and language therapist to change her tone but this is proving difficult in a classroom environment where the children, age nine and ten are having difficulty interpreting when she is stern, cross, angry or trying to be jovial.

“Sound like Dr Nick from the Simpsons television series” It is easier with her peers or other adults as they have a greater tolerance and understanding but if your trying to be serious yet you sound like Dr Nick from the Simpsons television series your audience just switched off and starts listening to the way she sounds rather than what she is actually saying!

Slowly Christine's speech is getting more legible and hopefully it will be good enough to return to teaching. She continues to work hard and do all her exercises so it should be possible !

Health is Your Wealth Magazine

Page

36

Post Traumatic Stress Disorder

(PTSD) My name is Joseph Irvine and I am a disabled Veteran. I served 12 yrs plus in The United States Army ( Infantry ) and have hade many deployments to different war torn countries. I arrived at FT Benning Ga. for my basic combat training.

After you complete Basic Combat Training, you're ready for the next step. Advanced Individual Training (AIT) is where you will learn the skills to perform your Army job, and then on to Airborne school. After 4 challenging months I was physically and mentally exhausted, so after a well deserved 2 week leave I reported to my first duty station in Germany.

I knew this was a career I would enjoy, but was not prepared for the aftermath. Standing on the German border as the cold war came to and end, to the desert of Kuwait, sand, oil fires burning bodies, rounds overhead and torture chambers. Tours in Bos-

nia, mass grave sites, land mines the poor children. Partying, drinking, getting all the unwanted images and things I have done out of my head.

Worked for a while and when they came back the drinking took it away.

Was coming home a blessing ? or was it the start of a curse I was destined to keep with me the rest of my life. After what I thought were 12 glorious years in the Infantry I had enough, seen enough wanted to live a normal life ( Normal?) raising a family, drinking, more drinking, divorce...................

Was it the right thing to do ? Maybe, maybe not who knows. I struggled for some time quiet a long time actually after my discharge which was an honorable one I might add. No more looking out for your buddy to the left and right of you. No more deployments and coming home to kegs of beer. No more standing in a cold guard tower wondering if the guy on the other side of the fence is going to blow your head off. No more whizzing of rounds, oil fires, the smell of burning flesh or the faces of the young children living on the side walks of Bosnia. No I was home destined to sit behind a desk talk on the phone with

Health is Your Wealth Magazine

Page

37

Post Traumatic Stress Disorder

(PTSD) people while thinking of all these no mores.

Even moving to another state proved to be the wrong idea.

Now I had three children. My divorce was a mess. My children were very puzzled and wanted to know what they had done. I was spiraling no I was already spiraling. My drinking was no better and then the pills. Oh my lovely pills they kept me safe and did not let the bad thoughts and dreams hurt me. I was hurting everyone who loved and knew me and did not even bat an eyelash because I was good I did not have a problem with anything I was good.

I finally met a smart, intelligent and caring woman who recognized I worked as a Correctional Officer which again I thought was my new career. This went on for years I denied and denied some more. Again people surrounded me but I wanted nothing to do with them.

“My world and the world of others toppled hard.�

Shrinks were a dime a dozen to me. I would much rather go see my doctor and tell him I am hurting, that way I get to take my pills and forget everything. But wait let me take some drink to wash down those pills. Now that feels better. I was emotionless, didn‘t care about anything. My kids became afraid of me, my now wife was scared everyone was scared. Denial- refusal to admit the truth or reality, Substance abuse, also known as drug abuse, is a patterned use of a substance (drug) in which the user consumes the substance in amounts or with methods neither approved nor advised by medical professionals.

Alcohol abuse-is a psychiatric diagnosis, describing the recurring use of alcoholic beverages despite its negative consequences. PTSDdevelops after a terrifying ordeal

Health is Your Wealth Magazine

Page

38

Post Traumatic Stress Disorder

(PTSD) that involved physical harm or the threat of physical harm.

BAM man I had it all.

I was now facing the other end of the line for the very first time in my life. I had done the unthinkable. I had crossed that line what was I to do. I knew I had to get help or there was going to be nothing left for me.

My children would forget about me, my wife would leave me I would loose everything that was near and dear to my heart. Its hard taking that first step and it hurts real bad. To a hardened Veteran it will break you down like a double barrel shotgun. I knew this was my only chance I had to act.

is somewhat under control. Working on me is easy, healing the barriers I've torn down with my loved ones is one of the most difficult thing to do. When you think you have it, you don't when you think you are screwing things up believe me you are even though they (loved ones) may say you are not I have a long way to go and I am doing the best with what I have got.

Love yourself take care of yourself and then and only then can you love and take care of others.

And Know One thing YOU ARE NOT ALONE !

SSG Joseph Irvine, United States Army (Infantry) Disabled Veteran

It‘s been a couple of years now and I still struggle with my demons. I've been sober for two years and my PTSD Health is Your Wealth Magazine

Page

39

The impact Asmatha can have is devastating but the condition can be managed “Each issue will include a readers personal story.

The what, why, where and when plus how things are today” Asthma is an uncomfortable, embarrassing and frightening condition. Having said that with the appropriate medication an asthmatic can lead a reasonably normal life. Symptoms vary widely, but the most common are: wheezing, tightness of the chest, coughing and difficulty in breathing. If you have any two of these symptoms you need to see a doctor or respiratory consultant and be diagnosed. Then you can start on preventive medication.

There are different causes for asthma, most are allergies. However one of the most common is an allergy to dust mites, another common one is an allergy to pollen. It's a good idea to take note of where you are and the surroundings when you start coughing wheezing or having breathing difficulties.

“There is help on hand” There is help on hand, inhalers, nebulizers and different medication, all of which are preventive. If you are allergic to house dust there are ways of helping yourself ie. wear a mask while dusting or emptying the vacuum cleaner. Change your bed clothes every week and wash them in very hot water to kill everything.

There is a machine useful in the bedroom called "The dust mite controller". This device works without chemicals and in a few weeks it will dramatically reduce the dust mite population and help relieve allergies.

In spite of all the help available asthma is a serious condition. Don‘t underestimate it and say "its just asthma" One person dies every day in the UK from asthma related illness.

But if you carry your inhalers with you at all times, and use all your preventive medication you can control your problem.

In bed if you are having difficulty breathing, you might find that an extra pillow or two will help.

Asthma can seldom be cured. How-

Health is Your Wealth Magazine

Page

40

The impact Asmatha can have is devastating but the condition can be managed ! ever quite often children grow out of infantile asthma.

In the case of adult asthma it can be managed. Everyone is different and through trial and error can work out for themselves what is best for them.

Never be afraid to go back to your doctor and ask for different medication if what they give you doesn't help you.

Mazes and puzzles are awesome for anyone who has a need to do brain training. There are many different workouts for your brain but we show you simple but impactful things which are fun to do.

Help and support from the Asthma Society is marvelous. They are very practical and pass on information and good ideas from other asthmatics. If you find that when you get a cold or flu you tend to get a chest infection. This is not uncommon with asthmatics and can be caused by shallow breathing. Consider going to a physiotherapist who can give you breathing exercises that will help to keep your lungs healthy.

Train Your Brain Health is Your Wealth Magazine

Page

41

Brain Training

―Each issue will include a exercise to strengthen your brain, which like a muscle benefits from getting stronger‖ The rules of brain training: 1.

2.

3.

4.

5.

Try and do a minimum and maximum of thirty minutes each day.

Try and commit to doing for ten weeks. This duration requires that you set time to one side to complete this.

It has to be challenging to work. If it‘s to easy there are no benefits.

To keep motivated set yourself rewards. If you complete an exercise give yourself a reward, something to look forward to!

As well as doing exercises on your own work with others to increase your social skills.

Word Search - Exercise For The Brain

BRAIN, CARER, EMOTION, FAMILY, HEAD, INJURY, MEMORY, PHYSIO, SPEECH, SUPPORT, THERAPY

Health is Your Wealth Magazine

Page

42

Brain Training Applications “A selection of applications that are fun but will also improve cognition”

mybraintraining was developed with a very special goal in mind: to stimulate the human brain and to train it to its full potential. But of course the training should also be fun, and that‘s why mybraintraining includes many gaming elements. ―We are confident that users will enjoy mybraintraining and hope that many people, young or old, will exercise and maintain their brain‘s fitness with our challenging quizzes and exercises.‖ says Stephan Berendsen, founder and Managing Director of BBG Entertainment. mybraintraining is for all those who seek to exercise their brain at home or while on the road, be it for fear of losing mental capabilities, enjoying a quiz or for other reasons. Furthermore, it is designed for physicians and therapists to use a cognitive training as therapeutic element for treating their patients.

We have developed mybraintraining on the basis of 30 exercises to activate the brain, which

were designed during the development of our successful "Train your Brain with Dr. Kawashima" program cooperating with the Industry University Research Project with Professor Dr. Kawashima. Dr. Kawashima is a famous Japanese neuroscientist and has appeared in other well-received brain training products before.

During this development we conducted several series of tests to measure the brain waves of hundreds of test persons by the means of 28 NIR probes. After thorough scientific analysis, Dr. Kawashima analyzed which of the five parts of the prefrontal cortex w e r e stimulated and how stro n g ly.

For the exercises to show the desired effect, certain levels of brain activation have to be achieved.

If the user wants to know which parts of the brain are activated by a given exercise, he can see the activated parts on a brain map as earmarked by the infrared diodes.

The prefrontal cortex is a major part

Health is Your Wealth Magazine

Page

43

Brain Training Applications “mybraintraining” of the brain‘s frontal lobe. That part of the brain forms the basis of a human‘s capabilities in the areas creativity, memory, communication and self-control.

there are two options to use mybraintraining:

Each brain is one-of-a-kind. mybraintraining exercises are continuously, and automatically, adapting to reflect each individual‘s specific brain capability and personal goals.

The user can define customized training plans or choose between different predefined ones.

2. Professional Version for physicians and therapists, which can be customized

1. Consumer Version, available at www.mybraintraining.com

“Brain Fitness” improving over time The "Daily Test" consists of exercises from each of the four training categories (calculation, logic, memory and vision) and allows the user to measure his "Brain Fitness". If the ―Daily Test‖ is done regularly the user will see his ―Brain Fitness‖ improving over time. mybraintraining will – if done regularly – stimulate the users brain and strengthen its basic capabilities, for example, the memory or reasoning power. In principal,

This applies to both versions: no matter where you are, just open your web browser and log-in with your personal user name or email and your password. That‘s it and you are set to go.

Features of mybraintraining:  

30 scientifically proven exercises for brain activation Four categories of brain exercises: calculation, logic, memory and vision

Health is Your Wealth Magazine

Page

44

Brain Training Applications “mybraintraining”





 









Scientific explanation and tutorial for each exercise Adapts continuously to each users specific brain capabilities and personal goals "Daily Test" to measure the "Brain Fitness" Work-out plan to be best prepared for the "Daily Test" Comprehensive statistics for each exercise, "Brain Fitness" and "Brain Capacity" Calendar which shows all relevant training events Trophies awarded for performance as motivational tool Predefined and customized, individual training plans .. and much more

Functionally similar to COGPACK®, the exercises are packaged in a modern and appealing design, also including elements from the gaming industry. Its features allow physicians, therapists and clinics to create and administer user accounts and create meaningful statistics and much more.

For more information go to :

http:// mybraintraining.com/ en/?ref=healthwealth

mybraintraining Professional for physicians and therapists has an even broader scope and additional features.

Health is Your Wealth Magazine

Page

45

“Playtime” “A selection of applications that are fun but will also improve cognition” Each issue will feature a game which works on iPad, PC or Android tablet and is fun but will also make your brain work! This month is a game called Flow free.

Flow Free is a simple yet addictive puzzle game. You have to connect matching colored dots with pipes to create a flow.

tween. How you play is up to you.

Flow Free features: ★ Over 1,000 free puzzles ★ Free Play and Time Trial modes ★ Clean, colorful graphics ★ Fun sound effects What‘s new in the Extreme Level Pack! A new free level pack to challenge your skills. Watch out, these ones are tricky…

“So are there therapeutic benefits?”

Pair all colors, and cover the entire board to solve each puzzle. However watch out, pipes will break if they cross or overlap!

Free play through hundreds of levels, or race against the clock in Time Trial mode. Flow Free game play ranges from simple and relaxed, to challenging and frenetic, and everywhere in be-

This game can be used as an formal therapy tool for improving all sorts of cognitive impairments and although no formal medical study has been completed which measures an outcome patients have exclaimed that there is an improve over many areas including but not limited to memory, concentration, logic, problem solving and decision making.

Just as important is that it‘s fun and highly addictive!!

Health is Your Wealth Magazine

Page

46

“Golden Nuggets, Strategies to Increase Independence”

“Sometimes the simplest tips are the most effective” Each issue we will provide more Top Tips from real people that are in recovery.

These tips help save time or make you safer or help to prevent accidents. Previous to each issue being released we will update the relevant section on our website with this information.

Tie your shoes together by the laces as your shoes are easier to carry this way, especially up stairs where you can have one hand free to hold the banister.

Put the Fofa (Find one Find All) device on your key ring and the other device in your wallet so if you loose one of them you can press a button and the other one will ring.

Tie the reef knot in your shoe laces three times and the knot won‘t slip before you tie the bow!

Carry things on a tray then if there are spills is doesn‘t go on the floor Wear clothes with zips on pockets to stop you loosing valuable items and buy jeans and chinos with zip flies not buttons so they are easier to get on and off Filling a cup half full and then it doesn't have as much of chance spilling Keep your toothbrush by the sink so you don't forget to brush your teeth and put an elastic band around the bottom so you know which one is yours!

Buy jackets with hoods and put your hood on your head making it easier to get your coat over your

Health is Your Wealth Magazine

Page

47

“Importance Of A Routine”

“The importance of a routine are easily underestimated and yet this simple practice comes with many benefits” ―Wake up at the same time, eat at the same time, go to sleep at the same time‖. That‘s what I was told before my accident. Easier said than done with a hectic schedule and a complex work / life balance that gave unforgiving commitments to this mantra.

So I carried on doing things the way I always did. Then I had my accident and all of a sudden rather than ―party time‖ it was ―Medicine Time‖. There wasn‘t much choice, I was forced to have a new routine. At first this just revolved around my medication but then therapy was introduced and along with that came a pattern of going to the gym and before I knew it I was in a new routine. Because of my fatigue I had to not only revolve things

around my medicine but also the tiredness which rears it‘s ugly head without warning and can last anything from 30 minutes to 4 hours! At first I just carried on as I had done before, then as I slowly learned the benefits an adjustment was made to accommodate the new challenges I have found.

Certainly everyone is different and there is not a one size solution that fits everyone but starting with the following rules will help you and your loved ones no end:   

  





Take your medicine on time Go to bed and try and wake up at the same time Determine when your tired time is and avoid arranging anything at that time Try not to snack. Make a set eating time!

Be disciplined and stick vigorously to your routine However there are always exception to the above rule (Celebrations / Fun things etc.) but don‘t waiver on medicine times!

Make your therapy appointments / Gym at the same day / time each week Schedule one day a week with nothing planned

Health is Your Wealth Magazine

Page

48

“Learn To Pace Yourself” “Not pacing yourself will prevent you from doing other things” There is nothing revolutionary here, no ―ah ha‖ moment. It‘s obvious really and yet for some reason everyone we know in recovery doesn‘t do it. I guess they are so use to operating at 100mph without pacing themselves that as soon as they have a ―feel good day‖ they just return to the way they were before and burn themselves out!

This is not good for anyone as it usually happens at the most important time of the day ! We have learned (the hard way) is a set of practices which can be most impactful if adhered to and will enable you to function at a higher percentage for a longer period throughout the day.

However those people that nearer the start of their recovery will find some challenges but things will get easier !

It‘s not easy but try and do these things: 

Try and plan one thing a day rather than cram everything into one week



Give yourself plenty of time.

Double the amount of time a task will take !



Don‘t over commit and under deliver. You will only end up disappointing people



Don‘t make promises you can‘t keep. Agree a date your happy with and then stick to it



Communicate to people that things are not as easy as before and take longer. Don‘t be pressured into something that your not 100% comfortable with

Health is Your Wealth Magazine

Page

49

“Book Review: TBI — Our Never Ending Journey” When you are first diagnosed with a neurological condition you can go through many emotions. One of which is a sudden thirst for knowledge. There are many books to choose from; all coming from their own unique angle and aimed at different audiences (medical, academics, research, self help etc).

This book (TBI—Our Never Ending Journey) is quite unusual in that it has no introduction, ending or even a logical structure. It‘s more of a diary of events which happened alongside a timeline.

Because this book does not really follow a story line it can be picked up and read at any page. The sense of humor is quite comical in a tongue in cheek sort of way but never vulgar or rude.

“You are trying to imagine what is going to happen next!”

It takes the reader through lots of short situations that happened over a twelve month period and you can really feel the frustration boiling up inside the author and share your empathy yet see the funny side too.

We read the whole book in one sit-

ting so it‘s quite short however the reason we it all in one go was that we just couldn‘t put it down!

It was one those pieces of literature that pulls on every heart string and you are trying to imagine what is going to happen next!

This one is worth a read. We give 4 out 5 stars and are now waiting to see if there is another edition.

Buy on Amazon www.amazon.co.uk available in paperback and e-book / Kindle

Health is Your Wealth Magazine

Page

50

Classified Adverts Aluminum self propelled lightweight wheelchair.

Twelve months old and in fantastic condition. Everything is in working order.

Collect from Derby Dales (25 minutes from J23a on the M1). New the chair was 90, For sale for 45. Call 07957 838996

Pride Jazzy Electric Wheelchair.

New batteries in 2012 and charged every week. Very good condition (Blue with a grey leather seat) and adjustable height and tilt. Comes with charger and is ready to go.

Only 250. Call 01335 346976

Health is Your Wealth Magazine

Page

51

Print Subscriptions To subscribe to

Health is Your Wealth

Patient Waiting Room Reading!

Magazine

Click Here!

Copy and paste the web address below or type the www address into you web browser.

£19.99

www.healthisyourwealth.co.uk and click on Subscriptions

One Year! £3.33 per issue

E-Magazine is FREE £29.99 Two Years! £2.99 per issue

Health is Your Wealth Magazine

Page

52

This publication is increasing awareness for these organizations:

Health is Your Wealth Magazine

Page

53