The Stroke Network Websites Review

The Stroke Network, what it means to you!

By Frank Ruby

Well, here we are, another month with our on-line family. I even managed to make it through a month without another fall, “progress.” This article isn’t about me though it’s about the vast resources made available to us on www.strokenetwork.org “The Stroke Network.”

I first found the site because I was reaching out, reaching out for answers. I was still in the denial stage, my way of life and livelihood taken from me. I had questions, and quite possibly, I was looking for a “silver bullet” that would make me all better. Of course as we all know there is no “silver bullet” just hard work, perseverance, and a good attitude. What I found here was reality and a vast array of resources and friends to get me straight with my situation. My first step was to ask questions on the forum, at www.strokesupport.org . Click on community and you are there. Actually there were already questions and answers there that I wanted to look into.

Then I stumbled onto the mailing list available at the same site, for survivors, and at www.strokecaregiver.org, for caregivers, you guessed it, click on “Mailing List.” The mailing list provided me with the friends I needed, with similar experiences to help me cope with my condition. They also helped fill the void left by my pre-stroke friends, as I’m sure some of you might need the same fulfillment. So many people are there to help with questions and links to various resources.

I’ll be the first to admit I didn’t take full advantage of all the information available to me from this wonderful site. Only now by writing this article have I found how much more this site has to offer, I had to pry myself loose to complete this article. I also discovered the “Chat Room.”

The “Chat Room” is available through the last two sites mentioned, just click on “Chat.” This is our own private room to hold discussions. There are scheduled chats to meet and chat with fellow survivors and caregivers. It is another great resource for information and advice on various subjects. Members 24/7 anytime no scheduled chat is going can also use the chat room. Just mail another member and ask them to meet you in the room at a particular time.

So far, I’ve been just concentrating on this site, but I’ve neglected to mention the great thing that brought you here in the first place, the computer! The computer offers us a chance to get much-needed support. Some are homebound, and for some it’s just too hard to get out for a regular support meeting. I’ve also seen (pun intended), the benefits for my eyes, I had a problem with left-neglect. Between reading books and the computer screen, I’m virtually over that issue, “good therapy.”

In this short little article I can only but touch on the resources available to you here, if you want it all at once, just go to the home page www.strokenetwork.org and in the upper right corner of the screen, click on “Table of Contents.” Here you’ll find all the links listed on our various pages. I hope if nothing else, I’ve accomplished my desire, which is to entice you to further investigate the information and resources available to you here, I will!

The Stroke Network, Inc.

P.O. Box 492 Abingdon, Maryland 21009