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Monday, May 10, 2010

Another Stupid Idea

In the media (April 21, 2010), journalists wrote about a CBC study that people who were playing computer games to train their brains was hogwash. Researchers in a six-week of 8600 participants aged 18 to 60 found that "THEIR" games didn't make the participants and concluded that all games didn't work! Hmmmm....

And Nature published the study!

The CEO of Posit Science wasn't impressed with the study and the conclusion. “There is a fatal flaw in the BBC study; it assumes that since their methods did not work, all methods would not work....Posit Science has built products that have been rigorously tested by researchers at many leading research institutions including the Mayo Clinic, Johns Hopkins, and the University of Southern California. Those studies have shown real-world improvements including improved memory and attention, greater functional independence and better quality of life.” PositScience Brain Fitness News

I purchased the Brain Fitness Program from PositScience and found that my speech was improved and I feel that my processing was improved as well. I know that my account (testimonial) is not evidence that it works for all people.

Now, I subscribe for brain games from Lumos Labs Lumosity Brain Games. Subscriptions are inexpensive and can be a good gift for family and friends. Lumosity has games for brain:
- information processing
- logical reasoning
- spatial orientation
- response inhibition
- arithmetic

To me, Lumosity is part of my post-stroke recovery: brain fitness health, exercise and healthy food.

My information processing is slow, but not as slow as it was.
My speech is improving steadily (so my friends say).
My working memory is a disappointment to me, but improving...I'm hopeful.
My writing is improving....don't you think?
My reading is slow and takes time to understand the article, but improving.
Numbers are challenge too, but I don't feel that I'm lost in the forest, but damn them! They are sneaky!

Check the free brain games on PositScience and Lumosity websites...you might find they challenge your brain. AND, that can be satisfying!

Time goes quickly

Wow! This 2 weeks since that I wrote a blog. And, there is so much that I want to write about!

I'll start the International Aphasia Rehabilitation Conference in Montreal from June 27 to 29 (14th International Aphasia Rehabilitation Conference). I wish I could go, but alas one of my colleagues is retiring and I don't want miss her celebration. I didn't know there was an International Aphasia Rehabilation Conference and it is in Canada this year in a city that I want to visit!!!! But, not this year.

Canada doesn't have a National Aphasia Association that I can see. It's time to form one! So, I wanted to do something about it...go the Facebook and search Canadian Aphasia Association (Canadian Aphasia Association) if you would like to see Canadian Aphasia Association.

Maybe we could form one ourselves and form a foundation that would help people with aphasia to re-educate themselves.