Monday, May 7, 2007
Words of Inspiration
The Brain – is wider than the Sky-
For – put them side by side –
The one the other will contain
With ease – and You – beside
The Brain is deeper than the sea –
For – hold them – Blue to Blue –
The one the other will absorb –
As Sponges – Buckets – do
The Brain is just the weight of God –
For Heft them – Pound for Pound –
And they will differ – if they do –
As Syllable from Sound
Emily Dickinson, c. 1862
"It is not the strongest of the species that survives, nor the most intelligent, but the one most responsive to change." Charles Darwin
"That which hasn't killed me has only made me stronger." Friedrich Nietzche
"Perhaps all the dragons in our lives are princesses, who are only waiting to see us act, just once, with beauty and courage." Rainer Maria Rilke
"Act as if what you do makes a difference. It does." William James
"Let me assert my firm belief that the only thing we have to fear is fear itself." Franklin D. Roosevelt
"Difficult times have helped me to understand better than before, how infinitely rich and beautiful life is in every way, and that so many things that one goes worrying about are of no importance whatsoever..." Isak Dinesen
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A Letter from Your Brain
http://brain.hastypastry.net/forums/showthread.php?t=13055
Books
- The Dana Guide to Brain Health, A Practical Family Reference from Medical Experts, edited by Floyd E. Bloom, Md, et al
- A User’s Guide to the Brain by John Ratey, Ph.D., co-author of Driven to Distraction
- The Owner’s Manual for the Brain by Pierce Howard, Ph.D.
- The Self-Healing Personality by Howard Friedman, Ph.D.
- Keep Your Brain Alive by Lawrence Katz, Ph.D. and Manning Rubin
- Brain Longevity by Dharma Singh Khalsa, M.D.
- The Relaxation Response by Herbert Benson, M.D.
- Wider Than the Sky by Gerald Edelman
- Change Your Brain, Change Your Life by Daniel Amen
- Spontaneous Healing by Andrew Weil
- The Brain Chemistry Plan by Michael Lesser, M.D.
- The Web That Has No Weaver by Ted Kaptchuk, OMD
- Are You Smarter Than You Think by Claire Gordon
- The Brain by Richard Restak, M.D.
- Brain Repair by Donald Stein, Simón Brailowsky and Bruno Will
Resource Information
- The Dana Foundation http://www.dana.org/
Dana.org serves as a gateway to brain information you can rely on. Visit the BrainWeb section to find general information about the brain and current brain research, as well as links to validated sites related to more than 25 brain disorders. Brainy Kids Online offers children, teens, parents and teachers links to games, labs, excellent education resources and lesson plans. Brain Resources for Seniors provides older adults and their caretakers with links to sites related to brain health, education and general information. Our Arts Education pages support the training of in-school arts specialists.
***For a free subscription to the monthly Brain in the News mailer, send an email to danainfo@dana.org.
- The Teaching Company http://www.teach12.com/
The Teaching Company brings engaging professors into your home or car through courses on DVD, audio CD, and other formats. Since 1990, great teachers from the Ivy League, Stanford, Georgetown, and other leading colleges and universities have crafted over 200 courses for lifelong learners like you. It's the adventure of learning without the homework or exams.
- American Association on Health and Disability
The mission of the American Association on Health and Disability (AAHD) is to contribute to national, state and local efforts to prevent additional health complications in people with disabilities. Through research and advocacy they are working to identify effective intervention strategies to reduce the incidence of secondary conditions. They are also working to alleviate the health disparities between people with disabilities and the general population. AAHD was founded in response to the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). Their web site has many helpful links to state-specific disability information as well as access to a wide variety of information for people with disabilities. A free e-newsletter is available.
http://www.aahd.us/ email: contact@aahd.us
- National Organization on Disability
The National Organization on Disability is a good resource for disabled people looking for employment. Their motto is "It's ability, not disability, that counts." In addition to news and advocacy, they have many resources for people with disabilities who are reentering the job market. They also have information on assistive technology and access to housing, healthcare, transportation and education. There's also helpful information on Social Security's Ticket to Work program.
http://www.nod.org/ email: ability@nod.org
- Families USA
Finding a Health Insurance Advocate - Families USA can answer consumers' questions about Medicaid, Medicare and private insurance. A free program locator on its web site, organized by state, directs consumers to other agencies and organizations that can help.
- Congressional Representatives
Congressional representatives often designate staff to help find medical resources for their constituents, so don't hesitate to call upon your elected oficials for help. You can find out how to contact your representative by logging on to http://www.house.gov/
- National Stroke Association
http://www.stroke.org/ Sign up for a FREE subscription of Stroke Smart magazine
- American Stroke Association
http://www.strokeassociation.org/ Sign up for a FREE subscription of Stroke Connection magazine
- American Heart Association
Provides information regarding stroke, how it effects the lives of stroke survivors and their families and how to find a support group. http://www.americanheart.org/
- The Partnership for Prescription Assistance - patient assistance programs offered by pharmaceutical companies 1-888-477-2669
- National Aphasia Association http://www.aphasia.org/ 1-800-922-4622
- National Rehabilitation Information Center (NARIC) http://www.naric.com/ 1-800-346-2742
- National Easter Seal Society http://www.easter-seals.org/ 1-800-221-6827
Easter Seals offers high quality programs for children, vocational training and employment, and medical rehabilitation services to children and adults with disabilities.
- Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality, AHRQ Publications Clearinghouse
AHRQ's free booklet, entitled "Recovering After a Stroke", is designed to help stroke survivors and their families get the most out of post-stroke rehabilitation. It provides information about the possible side effects of stroke as well as types of rehabilitation programs and how to get the most out of the program you choose. http://www.ahrq.gov/ 1-800-358-9295
- American with Disabilities Act (ADA) http://www.usdoj.gov/crt/ada/adahom1.htm
- Animal Therapy Resources
Canine Companions for Independence http://www.caninecompanions.org/
Delta Society http://www.deltasociety.org/
Therapy Dogs International Inc. http://www.tdi-dog.org/
The North American Riding for the Handicapped Association http://www.narha.org/
- Caregiver Resources
National Family Caregivers Association http://www.nfcacares.org/
Faith in Action http://www.fiavolunteers.org/
National Adult Day Services Association http://www.nadsa.org/
Family Friends http://www.family-friends.org/
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In the North Texas area, there are three major agencies that offer information and referral opportunities for patients and families that could benefit from therapy services. Each of these agencies also offer additional resources to help determine the best specific benefits for specific needs.
- The Arc of Dallas
The Arc of Dallas is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization that has worked to improve the quality of life for people with mental retardation and other developmental disabilities since 1951. Programs and services, which are offered in Collin, Dallas and Rockwall counties, include advocacy, information and referral, parent and professional education, public education and fun activities and classes. - Dallas MetroCare
DALLAS METROCARE MHMR SERVICES (formerly Dallas County Mental Health Mental Retardation Center) is a community mental health mental retardation center serving the residents of Dallas County. Governed by a nine member Board of Trustees, appointed by the Dallas County Commissioners Court, the Center provides a comprehensive array of services and supports to Dallas County residents dealing with the challenges of mental illness and mental retardation. Established in 1968 as Dallas County MHMR, DALLAS METROCARE MHMR SERVICES currently provides services to more than 18,000 individuals annually. - United Cerebral Palsy of Metropolitan Dallas
Since it was established in 1953, United Cerebral Palsy of Metropolitan Dallas, Inc. has been dedicated to giving care to persons with cerebral palsy and other disabilities. Nationwide more than 65 percent of individuals served by UCP have disabilities other than cerebral palsy, including disabilities such as spina bifida, Down Syndrome, muscular dystrophy, autism, epilepsy, Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder, speech disabilities, birth defect syndromes, oral motor dysfunction, amputation of limbs, neurological disorders, chromosomal abnormalities and other traumatic injuries. UCP Dallas serves the following counties: Anderson, Dallas, Cherokee, Collin, Ellis, Gregg, Harrison, Henderson, Hunt, Kaufman, Marion, Navarro, Rains, Rockwall, Rusk, Smith, Upshur, Van Zandt and Wood.
- Financial Education for Survivors
Moving Forward after Stroke: A Financial Education for Survivors, created by the American Stroke Association and the National Endowment for Financial Education. This 68-page book explains many things a stroke family must deal with to regain control of their financial life. In easy-to-understand language, the book covers such issues as applying for disability benefits, planning your estate, cutting expenses and saving money, paying for stroke treatment - and more.
For your free copy, please call 1-888-478-7653.
Dallas County Prescription Cards
For those who don’t have prescription coverage or enough prescription coverage.
The link to the Dallas County Discounted Prescription card which is free (no monthly fee). Just show it when you use it. All you have to do is pick it up from one the locations listed.
http://www.dallascounty.org/department/hhservices/discount_prescriptions/naco_sites.html