If you get a chance DO GO to the National Stroke Association's Hope after Stroke Symposium! I know some people had mentioned going to one already. Grab the chance if one is being held near you and do it early because they are kept small and reservations fill up quickly. There are only 4 being held this year and while some are being added each year, the chance will not come "next month"

There wasn't anything they did not think of. They even had a "quiet room" and we were told if we felt the need that we could leave and go there ay any time - even if someone was speaking - and of course to the rest rooms as well (LOL, during breaks they were really busy- probably due to all the freah fruit that seemed to be available,)

The speakers were all excellent and very knowledgeable. but the speaker I enjoyed the most was the speaker who gave the welcome...........and told his story. Yes, the man is a survivor and I certainly related well (and Fred, if you are reading this, you would feel so proud of this individual)because like me, he suffered a cerebellar stroke. His came when he was out of town in Baltimore and he wasn't feeling well when waiting for his plane to return him to Orlando. He had called his wife and told her he wasn't feeling well and she said you're probably hungry and said to get something to eat. So he got a slice of pizza which he said didn't make him feel better. He got on the plane and when the plane was landing apparently something with the pressure (which I didn't understand) caused his stroke. He then went on to telll of the past year and his recovery which still needs a little more time. See, this man isn't just Jow citizen like you and me, he is a television personality- weather, I believe, from the CBS channel in Orlando. I didn't know him, but many there did and a camerman from the station was there taking pictures. The reaction from the local people who did know him was quite a reception. He was excellent His name is Mark McEwen. What thrilled me the most was the fact that he said what we all want: PEOPLE KNOW ALL ABOUT HEART, ALL ABOUT CANCER, BUT YOU NEVER HEAR ABOUT STROKE AND IT IS THE 3RD KILLER. He wants to be a spokesman and is headed back to the work he loves as soon as he can read the scripts that are necessary and he is getting there. He was asked if he had TPA and he said no. (He had the desire for sure) His physical therapy had gone well going from a wheelchair to walker to nothing) but his speech wasn't quite there yet (His speech went from high pitched back to normal but just needs some additional speed. He said it was the first time he had spoken before a group since his stroke and he became a bit emotional as we all can relate, he did manage to control himself quite well. When his speech was over, the people from NSA hugged him and I would have done the same given a chance.

We WILL get a real spokeperson at last, I'm quite sure.

BTW, there isan interesting debate going on on aol today concerning the ad that Michael J. Fox had done for an senator want -to -be who is using him to push her stance on stem cells and the remarks that Rush Limbaugh had made and the after effects from that - my feeling- it's fine to MJF to push for stem cells but not to involve himself in an election debate to do it. t isays that in his book, he says that there are times when he does NOT take his medications that control tremors somewhat for the effect he is trying to show. So, put together that is effective but to me a questionable thing to do. JMHO