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Summary
It’s a special 25th episode of The NeuroNerds celebrating our host, Joe’s 2-year Stroke-iversary! It’s a celebration because since suffering a major hemorrhagic stroke on August 4, 2016, Joe has gained a new lease on life and made it his mission to live his Best Life. With his partner, girlfriend and caregiver Felice guest co-hosting this episode, they both go down memory lane and reflect on Joe’s stroke recovery journey offering tips, advice and lessons they’ve learned along the way.

Topics Discussed in this Episode

• It’s Joe’s stroke-iversary episode with special guest co-host Felice LaZae.

• Joe and Felice reflect on Joe’s stroke recovery journey for the past two years.

• Joe’s timeline and milestones during recovery.

• Discuss the importance of patience during recovery

• The importance of talking to your doctor about handicap placards if you’re suffering physical deficits from brain injury

• Finding the positive aspects of going through a brain injury experience. Joe got a new lease on life for instance.

• The important role of Joe’s occupational therapist, Kaley Meister, in his continuing recovery.

• Joe is working on managing his schedule with his occupational therapist

• Discussed the importance of routine during recovery and how meditation helps Joe create routine.

• The importance and role of Joe’s service dog in his continued recovery. Discusses the difference between a service animal and emotional support animal

• Find your tribe/community to support you through your recovery

• How video games serve as occupational therapy for Joe.

• Joe talks about his struggle with post stroke fatigue

• Joe had to learn how to accept help. He was always the strong one and he had to learn how to lean on others for support.

• Keep up with your healthcare during recovery. If you aren’t feeling well, see a doctor!

• How to know when it’s time to go to the ER when you have a history of stroke or brain injury.

• Joe talks about how a CT scan with contrast makes you feel like you pissed yourself.

• Caregivers and supporters of brain injury survivors can sympathize, but don’t say that you’ve gone through the same thing. That’s frustrated for survivors.

• Take preventative measures to avoid a stroke by seeing your doctor regularly.

Links to Topics Mentioned

• Kaley Meister’s latest blog article on Kaley’s Korner – https://www.joesorocks.com/kaleys-korner/

• Links about psychiatric service animal – https://www.ada.gov/regs2010/service_animal_qa.html, https://www.amazon.com/Training-Your-Own-Service-Dog-ebook/dp/B015SJ32AM, https://www.amazon.com/Training-Your-Own-Service-Book-ebook/dp/B015RV08J4

• Fellow stroke survivor Rianne on Instagram and Twitch – https://www.instagram.com/go.with_the.grow, https://m.twitch.tv/riri_games/profile

• Fallout 4 – https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fallout_4

• Uncharted – https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Uncharted_4:_A_Thief%27s_End

• Grand Theft Auto V – https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Grand_Theft_Auto_V

• CT Scan with and without contrast – https://healdove.com/health-care-industry/CT-Scan-of-Abdoman-and-Pelvis-with-Contrast

• Fellow stroke survivors, The Stromies – https://www.instagram.com/three_stromies

• Fellow stroke survivor, Kyle of Stroke of Genius – https://www.instagram.com/thereelkylestyle, https://www.instagram.com/shareyourstrokeofgenius

Credits

• Co-hosted by Joe Borges and Lauren Manzano

  • Find Joe at http://joesorocks.com and @joesorocks on Twitter/Instagram and submit your stroke/brain injury recovery story at https://www.joesorocks.com/submit-your-story
  • Find Lauren at @laurenlmanzano on Instagram, @tankbbg on Twitter

• Produced by Joe Borges and Felice LaZae

• Edited by Felice LaZae, http://felicelazae.com, @felicelazae on Twitter/Instagram

• Theme song produced by Sleep Deez, @sleepvision on Instagram, @sleepdeez on Twitter