I found an eye doctor who specialized
with stroke and vision. I sought a doctor because I am a voracious reader, and because
of my stroke, I have great difficulty reading.
Reading was my hobby, and, for
work, reading is key.
So, I have started a new round of therapy. I started last week, and I anticipate that it will take 6 months, two times a week.
Dr. Scott Lewis describes his
practice in this way: “What is vision therapy? You can think of
vision therapy as physical therapy for the eyes and the brain. The neurological
aspect is very important because the eyes are direct physical extensions of the
brain. We see with our brains and minds, not just our eyes. There are plenty of
web pages which give accurate definitions
of vision therapy.
Here is some
related information about reading and stroke:
People who have suffered a stroke can
sometimes see the reading impaired. Calling this kind of alteration Acquired
Dyslexia. This disorder can occur in conjunction with language disorders or in
isolation. Different types of acquired reading disorders that are intimately
related to the size of the lesion and the brain areas that it affects.
The left cerebral hemisphere (HI)
is responsible, in most people’s language functions, but the right hemisphere
(RH) also supports certain reading skills. This is why people with damage to
the HI can recover some reading skills through the damaged hemisphere in
collaboration with the HD.
The alteration of reading not only
prevents the individual to enjoy recreational activities such as reading the
newspaper, a book or watch a movie with subtitles, also interferes in other
areas of their daily tasks like paying bills, follow written instructions or
using the computer. Associated then a feeling of effort and frustration to any
of these activities.
Some ideas to optimize the
reading after a stroke: In some cases, silent reading is much easier than
reading aloud, because it is affecting your ability to produce speech sounds.
That’s why reading aloud words require an unnecessarily difficult process,
because in any case the person can understand the contents of the text reading
silently.
Reading aloud is awful for me.
When I was elected to be on the Board of Trustees of the College of Western
Idaho, I could not read aloud my oath of office. I completely understand everything,
but reading aloud is so complicated for me. Everyone understands, and they always
compensate for my “reading disability.” But, it really irritates me that people
have to accommodate me.
I had four diagnostics tests with
the doctor. Like a doctor would – and should
– he said “there are no guarantees. But it cannot hurt.”
Really? “But it cannot hurt.”
Really?
It CAN hurt if it does not work.
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