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Reading and strokes

 
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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