Mom Had a Stroke


Book Description

Katie, a six-year-old girl, loved her life. She had everything she needed: a house in the country with pets, a devoted family, and a fun-loving mom who would do anything for her. Katie had no worries. But, unexpectedly near the end of her kindergarten school year, her mother suffered a life-altering stroke. Katies mom transitioned from a happy-go-lucky mom to one who lost her ability to walk and talk. For the first time in her life, Katie was really scared and worried what was going to happen to her mother. Although Katie lost her old mom, she gained a new mom who turned out to be very different. Life was altered from what it once was, but it wasnt so bad because through it all, Katie was lucky to have her mom. A book for children, Mom Had a Stroke explores how one little girl felt as she learned to accept and adjust to a new mom with physical challenges, and how, over time, they began to experience happiness as a family again.




My Silly Mom Had a Stroke


Book Description

A sensitive 5-year-old boy witnesses his mom surviving a near-death experience. He relies on the continual loving, supportive environment that has been provided by this single parent. He and his mom had already been familiar sharing many adventures and struggles together. Their close relationship transforms into a deep symbiotic connection because he was born mature and curious while his mom was born optimistic and creative. Read and discover how their common childlike spirits and compassion guide them through their uncertain future. Whether you are a parent, a grandparent, a teacher, or an adult honoring your own childlike spirit, you will find a heartfelt, whimsical story with humor.




What Happened?


Book Description

This short book was created for a special 3 year old girl after her Mom suffered a massive stroke in early November 2012. It explains, in simple words, what the brain does, what happened, and what will happen from here on out without depriving children of their right to know the truth (in an age appropriate way). It is a positive but realistic little story where the emphasis is put on the child's experience, taking the child's developmental needs into consideration first and foremost. The following questions are addressed directly or indirectly, as appropriate: What happened? What is a brain, and what does it do? Will it happen to me or others? (It was an accident, accidents happen). What happens next? What will I see when I visit Mommy? What about me? Will things be the same? Will things change? Does Mommy still love me? I'm a helper, what can I do? Wrenchworks specializes in the writing of social stories and social tools for children of all ages and with all sorts of needs. These books are designed to serve as a launch point for a three-pronged approach to interacting with kids and tackling the complex issues of childhood: "Talk WITH Me, Play WITH Me, Read WITH Me." Proceeds from the sale of this book will go towards making it available, at no cost, to families struggling through similar events. For those who wish to buy a copy of the book and have it donated directly, you can have books shipped directly to Wrenchworks' Studio at: 8101 Duluth Street, Golden Valley MN, 55427. We will then have them sent directly to families in need who have requested a copy, and to associations, hospitals and rehabilitation centers.




Stroke Through a Mother's Eyes: The First Year


Book Description

Shortly before the stroke of midnight announcing the next day, 9/11/13, the phone rang. The caller was frantically crying that his wife fell, something bad had happened, and she was just being carried to an ambulance. How bad could a fall out of bed be for a healthy, 32-year-old wife, mother, runner, and attorney who had recently given birth to her third child? Within a few hours, a word emerged that has affected not only her life, but all who are in her life - STROKE! A large, potentially fatal STROKE. In the U.S., strokes occur about once every forty seconds, and with stroke ranking #5 among all causes of death, someone dies about every four minutes from a stroke. It is the leading cause of serious long-term disability in the U.S. Even still, how could this happen to someone so young, healthy, and vibrant? The author, Felicia Zera Kalapos, recorded her daughter's story in a journal beginning on the harrowing night of the stroke with the struggles to keep her alive, continuing through the first year of her life following the stroke. She has masterfully turned her journal into Stroke Through A Mother's Eyes The First Year, a compelling book. Through the author's eyes, the reader sees the effects the stroke has had on so many people, especially upon the author herself. This stroke survivor's road to recovery from the paralysis, apraxia, and aphasia she suffered, while attending to the needs of her young family, is only one aspect of her inspiring real-life story. Come on this amazing journey and follow this courageous woman and her family through her typical and atypical days working to recover what had been taken so suddenly from her by the STROKE.




Life After My Mother’s Stroke


Book Description

Tashi Hansen du Toit was 15 years old when her mother, Karen, suffered a severe haemorrhagic stroke which left her with multiple physical and cognitive impairments. This beautifully written and poignant account tells Tashi’s story from the first moments after her mother’s stroke, following her and her family through the experience of her mother’s hospitalisation and rehabilitation. Tashi offers a rare glimpse into the impact of her mother’s stroke on her family and on her life as a teenager as she juggles the stresses and demands of family, school, and friends alongside coping with her mother’s brain injury. As she describes how she is learning to cope with her unresolved grief three years on, she provides hope, perspective, and insight on how to work towards growth and acceptance despite the catastrophe of a parent’s stroke. Presenting the rarely heard adolescent perspective on parental brain injury, Tashi’s moving story also features Karen’s account as she comes to terms with her experience. This authentic book offers great support to others, particularly teenagers, who may be going through a similar experience. It is also valuable reading for those working in brain injury services and the education system, and for any professional or student involved in neurorehabilitation or supporting families of parents with brain injury.




A Piece of Her Mind


Book Description

On April 10, 2003 Stacy Gupton, a 21-year-old University of Wyoming art education major, suffered a massive stroke. Life as she and her family knew it came to a screeching halt. A Piece of Her Mind chronicles the powerfully personal story of Stacy’s stroke and recovery. Her mother Mona guides us through a recount of their journey from diagnosis to critical care, through rehabilitation, and finally a poignant return home. Forever changed by the event, Stacy and Mona forged ahead, defied the naysayers, and created a new life for Stacy, as an artist defined by her abilities. A special collection of Stacy’s paintings and journal entries are featured along with accounts of the impact of her valiant fight for life on other women in her family. The decision to share this story came from the encouragement of friends and family who insisted other people could benefit from this tale of survival and hope.




My Grandpa Had a Stroke


Book Description

After Ryan's grandfather has a stroke, their close relationship has to change. With the help of his parents, rehabilitation professionals, and Grandpa himself, Ryan learns what a stroke is and the stroke's effect on his grandfather, now and in the future. He also experiences a full range of emotions, including fear, avoidance, disappointment, anger, confusion, and denial. Eventually, he accepts his disabled grandfather coming to live with the family with a positive and helpful attitude.




Life After My Mother's Stroke


Book Description

Tashi was 15 years old when her mother Karen suffered a severe hemorrhagic stroke. This beautifully written poignant account tells Tashi's story from the first moments after her mother's stroke, following her and her family through the experience of her mother's hospitalization and rehabilitation.




For My Mother's Life


Book Description

For my mother's life Stroke what to do? On August 16, 2013, my mother had a severe stroke, which prostrated her in such a way that the medical professionals gave me and my sisters the worst forecasts. They told us that she most likely would not survive the stroke. And they added that if she survived this cerebral infarction, it was most likely that she would remain in a vegetative state. Perhaps they warned us because the situation was very serious, perhaps it was because they were afraid of giving us false hope. But my mother is a fighter and not only did she survive her stroke, she recovered and was able to make her life again. It was not an overnight miracle, although there were recoveries that, with time, effort and dedication, made a miraculous recovery. What happened to my mother is the dreaded ischemic stroke. It was a transient ischemic accident, but it left its aftermath. In any case, with the struggle of all of us, of her five daughters, and of the love of her family and friends, she was able to recover. This book will give details of how it happened, what events preceded the stroke, and what perhaps we could have considered more. We sisters are going to talk about the challenges that meant for us to see helpless the strong woman my mother was, who always represented an example for all of us. Whether we call it a transient ischemic accident or a stroke, the reality is that what is put to the test is not only the health and recovery capacity of the affected person, but the ability of the whole family to face a situation that occurs unexpectedly. Do not lose hope facing the ischemic stroke, it has not won it yet. But you must put your hope ahead of all negative ideas and visualize the goal. Although it is far away, one has to consider that our path will take us towards our goal, and if there is a very big obstacle, it is still necessary to advance little but continue in that direction before taking another path that takes us to a place that we do not really want to reach. When a stroke happens, the quality of life of the affected person and their environment undergoes several changes. The stroke appears from one moment to another and can leave serious physical and psychological consequences, depending on how quickly it is treated. Family members and even friends experience moments of uncertainty and great concern. To help the affected loved one, you must face new situations and invest a lot of time, patience, perseverance and a great amount of dedication. And of course, Love. With love as fuel the engine of our hearts can run at full speed and for much longer. Join us in the details of this story, in which an injury to the brain caused by the interruption of the blood supply is counteracted with a lot, a lot, a supply of affection. Love is the essential medicine in situations like this and serves as a palliative when other methods do not seem to work. It can affect anyone, and there are many famous people who have survived a stroke, such as Sharon Stone, Kirk Douglas, Montserrat Caballé, Jean Paul Belmondo, Joaquín Sabina and others. So let's not lose hope.




Grandpa's Crooked Smile


Book Description

"My Grandpa is my best friend. After Grandpa had a stroke, mom taught me the Smile-Reach-Speech Test. It's an easy way to know if someone may be having a stroke and that you should call 911 right away. I'm glad that's what we did because now Grandpa and I are back to doing fun stuff together." Anyone can have a stroke. With the Smile-Reach-Speech Test, parents and children will learn to recognize the signs of a stroke and call 911 right away. Knowing what to do in an emergency is just as important as learning to whistle or catch a ball. It's easy to learn. Just ask Grandpa. Grandpa's Crooked Smile includes games and activities to help your whole family learn the Smile-Reach-Speech Test.