Download instructions:

PC/MAC Users - click File, then download the presentation as a Powerpoint (.pptx) or Save as Google Slides to edit your own copy.

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iPhone - a bubble will pop up to download the file, from there you can find the powerpoint in Files on your iPhone

From there you can send the Powerpoint to your Apple devices or email it to yourself to edit it on your PC/MAC for later.

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Download Google Slides onto your phone for an easier way to access the presentation.

Android - the download bubble will appear on top, and from there you can open it.

Mobile Users - tap the presentation, you will see the slide number bubble, tap the three vertical dots, tap More, tap Download as PPTX.

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Introduction of Book and Book Club

• This was a collaborative effort created by the CSU East Bay Aphasia Treatment clinicians and supervisors from Fall 2020. It has been adapted with additional material/speaker notes contributed by the Aphasia Institute, Toronto, and other groups during the 2021 pilot.
• There are no chapter materials for the formal Introduction of the book. Instead, we cover the content in this PPT.
• Please use whatever slides or ideas that meet the needs and interests of your book club members; change these up as you want. We’ve included multiple icebreakers, pick the one(s) that fits your needs and time available.
• We start with an introduction of the clinicians since they were meeting their members for the first time; adapt as desired--these are just samples.
• We offer a chance for the members to introduce themselves; there are many ways to approach this activity. You may also want to try the Identity Word Cloud exercise provided as a Community Resource via the Stroke Onward website.
• This PPT helps to provide visuals for some of the main ideas but try to stop screen sharing during the exchange so that the members can see the gallery, promoting a greater sense of a discussion group.
• Just a reminder– if you need additional images, the Aphasia Institute’s ParticiPics are a wonderful resource available at: https://www.participics.ca/about

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Identity Theft:

Rediscovering Ourselves After Stroke

Introductions

Clinician: Add name here

My dog

Jacksonville, Florida

Married 4 years (almost)

Love to read!

Coast Guard family

Add Photo

Clinician: Add name here

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This is me! I love to bake.

This is my family! Mom, Dad, little sister

My favorite book is

The Princess Bride.

Add photo

Add Photo

Online Group Ground Rules

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• Raise Hand
• No Background Noise (TV, music, talking)
• Arrive on Time

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• Attendance - Commitment

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Online Group Ground Rules

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5. Take Turns and Listen

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6. Confidentiality

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7. RESPECTFUL Exchange

8. Patience and Humor Appreciated

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Online Group Ground Rules

9. Both Thoughts and Feelings Welcome--

Opportunity to Share or Pass

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10. This is Your Group: Talk to Each Other

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Introductions:

Getting to Know You

Getting to Know You…

Discussion:

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• What motivated you to join this group?

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• Have you ever read non-fiction or self-help books before?

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• If life was like a TV remote, would you want to rewind your life, pause it or fast forward to see your future?

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Identity Theft:

Rediscovering Ourselves After Stroke

Let’s Get Started

Book Club Logistics

• Find the Method that Works for YOU!
• Read the Book

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• Listen to the Book

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• Read and Listen to the Book Together

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• Use the Weekly Summaries or Highlights

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• Share what combo works best for YOU?

Chapter Summary Format:

Chapter 1 Summary: A Slow Fall Off A Cliff

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On Labor Day weekend of 2010, Debra and her husband Steve headed to Lake Tahoe with two of their kids and their dog. They looked forward to a relaxing weekend before she started teaching fall classes at Stanford. But something felt wrong with her leg, and she had a bit of a headache. When they took a favorite hike, it was too hard to walk so they had to turn back. They returned to the cabin so she could rest. By the next morning, her headache was worse….

Chapter Highlights Format:

Chapter 1 Highlights: A Slow Fall Off a Cliff

• On Labor Day weekend, 2010, Debra and her husband, Steve, headed to Lake Tahoe for a relaxing weekend. Debra would soon teach fall classes at Stanford again. They went with their young adult son, Danny, teen daughter, Sarah, and dog, Kaya. Their middle son, Adam, was not with them. He was in Boston to start college.

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• Debra’s right leg was feeling weird. When they got to Tahoe, Debra thought a good walk would help. She was surprised that her leg felt weak. She could not step normally. They had to go back to the cabin. Debra had a mild headache too.

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Introduction:

My Name Is Debra Myerson

2009

STANFORD PROFESSOR

My name is…..

Easy strong, confident

Teacher & Researcher

2011

One year post stroke

My name is…..

Weak voice, unsure; Name still can give her trouble if tired.

2018

8 years post stroke

My name is…..

Lots of practice;

Grateful for recovery; Still challenged by limp & aphasia; laughter & tears

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3eo5wbCc9vY&feature=emb_logo

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Strokes as Identity Theft

Debra Meyerson shares:

• Impact of stroke is more than physical or language challenges
• Stroke can also steal sense of who you are---IDENTITY
• Accepting loss of old life: “one of the hardest parts of my recovery and rebuilding process”
• Eight years trying to figure out:

“Who am I now?”

Stanford Professor and Researcher

• Expert: Personal identity and impact on professional lives
• Published book: Rocking the Boat: How Tempered Radicals Effect Change without Making Trouble
• Loved her research and job--her colleagues, professional activities
• After stroke, was confused and frustrated by:
• Loss of job
• Limitations in activities
• Changes in relationships--professional, social, family

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Little Support for Working on Identity Compared to Physical or Aphasia Recovery

• Took about three years to realize the importance of working on identity
• Takes a lot of work to learn how to balance:

Recovery

Acceptance

Rebuilding identity important:

“maximize life given challenges”

Impact of Stroke: Challenges to Identity

Identity crisis

Evolving over time

Hope wavers

Finding silver linings

Balance Life: therapy & acceptance

Author began to meet stroke community...

Found few had support via counselling

Wrote book to help stroke survivors understand the process of rebuilding identity

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Every stroke is different Everyone is different = Every recovery is different

Interviewed stroke survivors and carepartners, shared stories in the book.

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Some survivors thriving. Some survivors struggling.

Many factors influence how people cope, recover, and adjust:

Factors that shape identity

nature and

extent of stroke

background

gender

income level

race

Many factors influence how people cope, recover, and adjust:

Not fair, but it is reality.

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Factors that shape identity

ethnicity culture

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profession

outlook

age

And many more!

Identity

Who are YOU in 3-5 words

Use these categories to help describe YOU:

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Doesn’t have it all figured out yet

Still trying to accept her own identity

Old identity as teacher

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New identity as stroke survivor

Can still have a full and meaningful life.

Debra Meyerson and husband Steve Zuckerman

Some things about having a stroke are still hard

But some things are better!

Shares long process for writing book

Three years on first draft

Then decided to rewrite book with son’s help

Book is divided into three different parts

Part One: Journey through stroke and recovery for author and other stroke survivors

Part Two: Themes critical to rebuilding identity

Part Three: Summary of the lessons the stroke survivors have learned

After the Group… you may need to talk...

• Reminder: Resources are available for emotional support

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• This group may bring up emotion, thoughts, processes, goals you may want to discuss one-on-one

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• If you need to talk: 999-999-9999 ext. 999 for NAME

Hope this will be a

meaningful conversation