THE NEURO NEWSLETTER – Dec 2001

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"Thank you for having resources like this on the web for me to go to for

help. I really appreciate all the hard work the you have gone to. Some days

are better for him then others but we keep on working on it.

Hugs and God Bless!"

- Anonymous reader

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Articles on stroke and stroke recovery. Near the bottom of the page are some great articles on the Fundamentals of stroke, Reducing your risk of stroke, Life after stroke.

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Stroke and brain injury survivors often find it difficult to use conventional computer keyboards and mice, due to limb-apraxia or other physical difficulties. Sometimes a large, easy-to-read keyboard helps. Also, we've found that track-balls are much easier for people to use than a mouse because you move the trackball with a single finger. A mouse requires moving the entire hand or arm. You can buy a trackball at any computer store (OfficeDepot.com , OfficeMax.com , CompuUSA.com etc.) for about $25 to $50.

Listed below are some keyboards and trackballs specially designed for the less-abled.

LARGE-KEY KEYBOARD $165.00 $135 online

Review

http://www.aarp.org/comptech/reviews/hardware/reviewhdwe022.html

Product info

http://www.bigkeys.com/html_plus/abc_wht.htm

Order online and save 20%

http://www.bigkeys.com/html_cart/BigKeysCart.htm

LARGE TRACKBALL $49.50

http://www.bigkeys.com/html_otherprod/kidsball.html

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The TouchScreen Method

Some people, new to computers, have difficulty using the mouse with the screen because (being new to the computer) they constantly have to look up at the screen then back down at the keyboard. This method gradually introduces them to how the mouse works by allowing them to just point to what they want on the screen looking down at the mouse and then back up at the screen over and over again.

To get them started, try this:

1. Pretend the screen is a "touch screen" and that when they touch it, the computer will respond as if they had clicked the mouse.

2. Stand behind or to the side of the patient, with your hand on the mouse.

3. When they touch the screen, YOU move the mouse to "click" on what they "touched". In this way, they only need to look at the screen.

4. Once they are comfortable with that, gradually have them start using the mouse or keyboard.

Coming soon.. tip on how to use the mouse… THE RIGHT WAY!

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FREE SERVICES FOR SLPS!!!!!

http://www.Speech-LanguagePathologist.org , also known as http://www.SpeechTherapist.net is dedicated to providing information and free services to Speech-Language Pathologists including email, job classifieds, products, courses, message board, guestbook, chatroom, and resource links.

Come see us today!

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ASHA's Professional Services Database (ProServ) helps consumers find quality services from programs that employ ASHA-certified audiologists or speech-language pathologists. Consumers can call ASHA toll-free at 800-638-8255, or use ASHA's expanded consumer Web site

and do your own search to find out.

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This month, it's Inspiration, not Humor.

This was a great offer I found out about and I wanted to let you know as soon as possible. The only spot we had room for was here in the "Inspiration" section.

Stroke Connection Magazine is an award-winning, bimonthly,

publication about stroke for stroke survivors, caregivers and family

members. Provides inspiration, information, resources, and

tools to assist stroke families during their "life after stroke" recovery

process.

Get your free one-year introductory subscription by calling

1-888-478-7653 (1-888-4STROKE) and ask for the Stroke Family Warmline.

Tell 'em you heard about it on the NeuroNews newsletter !