Hand In Hand

Strokefocus and its podcast, Hand in Hand is today's topic. In this episode, Cam interviews Nancy, Alison and Daniel to understand how Strokefocus started. Strokefocus started as Wohaula. In 2012, Daniel suffered a brainstem stroke before turning 41. Two fellow survivors made a tremendous difference to his recovery. One was Alison Shapiro. In 2002, Alison survived 2 brainstem strokes. Through her own remarkable recovery, she discovered that survivors could significantly improve the recovery outcome by effectively engaging themselves. She developed a program to help survivors. Daniel found Alison through the Internet. Alison coached Daniel in the most critical stage of his recovery. They never met in person. Yet the support significantly changed the course of Daniel's recovery outcome. Inspired by their own experience, in 2014, Daniel, his wife Hong, Alison and some friends started Wohaula, which meant I have survived in Mandarin. It is also known now as Strokefocus. In building Wohaula, Daniel found Nanc

Kelly Campbell leads the Unlimited Possibilities Support Group for Stroke and Brain Injury Survivors and Caregivers. She is also the board of director at the Brain Injury Association of Georgia. In the interview, Kelly discusses with Cam and Nancy how she and her partner Laura have grown the group by treating it like a business. Low engagement is a challenge prevalent to many brain injury support groups. How does Kelly and Laura deal with the problem and improve engagement with her own people? Listen to the episode.

Many have been told that there is no rehabilitation for eyes. Dr. Roz Coleman tells the Hand in Hand Show that this is not true. Dr. Roz is an optometrist who specializes in vision therapy for stroke survivors. Kenny and Dr. Roz discuss ways the eyes and vision can be impacted by stroke. Dr. Roz discusses how the brain can heal itself so finding ways to assist the brain in this healing is definitely do-able in many situations. Dr. Roz can assist online, or in person. She describes her online sessions.

Cam and Nancy talk about the things that a Caregiver needs to know to be an effective Caregiver. Nancy’s first recommendation is to know exactly what makes their survivor happy to provide quality of life. Awareness of one’s own personal skills is an important tool in the caregiver’s pocket for being a better caregiver. Nancy describes the value of respite and several other tools. Nancy’s belief in staying positive at all times is what allows her to maintain her caregiving role for now, 26 years.

The Hand in Hand show is a show designed and run by stroke survivors and caregivers. It is part of Strokefocus, formerly known as Wohaula. In this episode, co-host Kenny Carbullido talks about his own story. Kenny used to be a policeman and a comedian. At the age of 38, he suffered a stroke. He was in a wheelchair for over a year. In spite of enormous adversity, Kenny did not lose his optimism. He recovered 95% (his own estimate) and is now back to stage as a comedian. Listen to Kenny’s story.

The Hand in Hand show is a show designed and run by stroke survivors and caregivers. It is part of Strokefocus, formerly known as Wohaula. The Hand in Hand show features honest and real discussion by survivors and caregivers on stroke. It also welcomes new and local institutions serving the stroke and brain injury community to come onto the show. Host Cam Compton tells you her story as a stroke survivor and her remarkable recovery. Cam discovered a new self in the process. Listen to her story.