Stroke OT

Stroke OT StrokeOT.org was developed to address healthcare disparities, including limited access to care and limited funding for care.

StrokeOT is nonprofit organization aimed at helping chronic stroke and acquired brain injury survivors learn to live healthy lifestyles and access stroke and brain injury recovery resources! The mission of StrokeOT.org is to serve community-based stroke and brain injury survivors by offering free, student-led occupational therapy groups on a secure Zoom platform to residents of Connecticut. My phi

losophy:
"I have worked with the stroke population for the past 26 years and find it to be the most fulfilling part of my job as an occupational therapist. Health insurance plans continue to reduce the number of therapy visits for my clients and high insurance deductibles and copays cause many clients to feel financial pressure. This website stemmed from a desire to assist people who are experiencing these health insurance disparities and to offer a long-term guide for the self-management of your stroke. Setting small daily and weekly goals is the key to improving your physical health and quality of life. My specialty areas in stroke rehabilitation include Neuro-developmental Treatment, the Lifestyle Redesign® model, Constraint-Induced Movement Therapy, and Saebo orthotics. I have been a clinical instructor for university students for the past 5 years. I am fortunate to have the assistance of occupational therapy students, Siobhan Kemple and Micaela Galley in building StrokeOT.org. Thank you Siobhan and Micaela for your dedication and contributions to our profession!" --Carolyn Brown, OTD, OTR/L

Join us on August 1st for the Summit Adaptive Sports Kayak Event at Collinsville Canoe & Kayak!📍41 Bridge St., Collinsvi...
07/14/2026

Join us on August 1st for the Summit Adaptive Sports Kayak Event at Collinsville Canoe & Kayak!

📍41 Bridge St., Collinsville, CT 06019
📅 August 1st, 2026
🕑 5:30 PM - 7:00 PM

Please note 📝:
‼️RSVP is required and can be found on the website:
https://www.summitadaptive.org/event-details/kayak-sup-event-for-strokeot-group-august-1st-saturday-evening

‼️ An Athlete Registration Form and signed waivers are
needed before the event and will be sent to you at the email
you provide when you RSVP .

⭐️ Trained coaches and guides provided for all athletes that
attend.
⭐️ Tandem and single kayaks, paddleboards, adapted
equipment and life jackets all provided.

What to Bring:
✅ Sunscreen/Bug Spray
✅ Waterbottle
✅ Watershoes/shoes that
can get wet!

This program was made possible by Vivistim by Microtransponder, thank you to Vivistim!

StrokeOT is working in collaboration for this event; this does not constitute an endorsement of any product by StrokeOT.

07/09/2026

Check out this stroke survivor’s navigation skills! He’s working on physical and cognitive dual tasking skills as they apply to many functional tasks. His goal is to navigate obstacles and tight spaces while carrying a cup without spilling, using an anti-spill device. He is also carrying on a conversation to add a cognitive challenge. These kinds of intense and enriching activities are very important for neuroplasticity! Only try this if it is within your skillset and you have someone nearby to help with balance if needed — ask your therapist about trying some balance challenges! And keep challenging yourself!

Sign up for StrokeOT’s Neuro Day Program at the Wheeler Regional Family YMCA! This program is geared towards individuals...
07/07/2026

Sign up for StrokeOT’s Neuro Day Program at the Wheeler Regional Family YMCA! This program is geared towards individuals with moderate to severe deficits of the arm. Register for the 4, 2-hour intensive sessions for $40 by visiting the link below or on our website www.strokeot.org/events/.

Sign up here: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSeZT0YrkPlJiNS68lIj64SMEboxFXP3ruQx4uUio0XnocGr_A/viewform

📍149 Farmington Ave, Plainville, CT 06062
🕑 10:00 AM - 12:00 PM
📅 8/1/26, 9/5/26, 11/7/26, 12/5/26

StrokeOT is hosting an educational event for stroke survivors in the area. Attend our Screening Day at the Wheeler Regio...
07/07/2026

StrokeOT is hosting an educational event for stroke survivors in the area. Attend our Screening Day at the Wheeler Regional Family YMCA to find out if you are a candidate for Myomo’s MyoPro device! Thank you to Myomo for providing this opportunity!

📍149 Farmington Ave, Plainville, CT 06062
📅 August 1st, 2026
🕑 10:00 AM - 1:00 PM

Sign up here:
https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSf_m9OqXY4W7q97kmv1RwpGNsXJJkRu4vpFQrhEvpUVfWwYbw/viewform

StrokeOT is hosting this educational event; this does not constitute an endorsement of any product by StrokeOT.

07/02/2026

We’re back with part 3, the final part of our neurological screening demonstration! In this video, the neurologist assesses the stroke survivor’s lower limbs (from hips to feet) looking at motor and sensory function, reflexes (think: the doctor hitting your knee with the tiny hammer and your leg moves), and mental health and fatigue. Deficits in these areas can be treatable and a referral to the proper rehab specialist (think: OT, PT, Speech Therapy) is VERY important for stroke recovery.

Stroke can affect the motor and sensory function in the face, upper limbs, and lower limbs, as shown throughout this series. However, the hidden deficits are just as important to assess and treat. This includes both mental health challenges and fatigue.

Stroke can change the way the brain works, making some mental health conditions more likely on top of the grief, loss, and change in the ability to care for yourself and engage in meaningful tasks. Post stroke fatigue is also a major challenge for many stroke survivors where it takes more energy and brain power to complete daily activities, resulting in increased fatigue. Again, there are ways to treat these conditions and help with symptoms - be sure to ask your doctor about them at your next neurology appointment!

StrokeOT thanks Safa Hakim Elnazer, MD from Yale Neurology for her contribution to StrokeOT’s “Ask the Doctor” series. This is the final part of our 3-part series, demonstrating a neurological screen so you know what to expect at follow up neurology appointments!

06/27/2026

We’re back with part 2 of our neurological screening demonstration! In this video, the neurologist assesses the stroke survivor’s cranial nerves, specifically looking at vision, hearing, motor and sensory function of the face (needed for speaking, swallowing, etc.). She continues with further assessment of the upper limbs (arms and hands) looking at motor and sensory function. Deficits in these areas can be treatable and a referral to the proper rehab specialist (think: OT, PT, Speech Therapy) is CRUCIAL for maximizing recovery! ❤️‍🩹💪

StrokeOT thanks Safa Hakim Elnazer, MD from Yale Neurology for her contribution to StrokeOT’s “Ask the Doctor” series. This is part 2 of our 3-part series, demonstrating a neurological screen so you know what to expect at follow up neurology appointments!

06/25/2026

StrokeOT thanks Safa Hakim Elnazer, MD from Yale Neurology for her contribution to StrokeOT’s “Ask the Doctor” series. This is part 1 of our 3-part series, demonstrating a neurological screen so you know what to expect at follow up neurology appointments! The neurologist assesses the person’s mental status, looking at cognition and speech.

She asks the patient orientation questions to ensure the patient is oriented to herself, time, place, situation, etc. She also assesses speech for signs of aphasia or dysarthria, which are conditions that result in difficulty speaking for cognitive or physiological impairments, respectively.

Thank you Dr. Safa Hakim Elnazer and Dr. Rachel Forman!

06/18/2026

We’re BACK with more repetitive functional tasks! In this video, the stroke survivor is using her affected arm and hand to sort silverware. This is a great way to get A LOT of repetitions in with a functional task, which is ‼️very important‼️for neuroplasticity and recovery of movement!!

She is using homemade oval eight splints to help prevent her finger and thumb from curling so she can keep her hand open enough to repeatedly grasp and release. You can search “oval eight splints” and get some premade ones OR custom ones on sites like Etsy (will have to measure your fingers). She is also using the thumb abduction strap we mentioned in our last video to help her keep her thumb in an open position to grasp and release. Talk to your therapist about these options so you can use them safely! Always check your skin for irritation, remove splints with pain, and be sure to ask a professional to make sure you are using devices correctly.

Next time you need to put your dishes away, try putting even just a few utensils away with your affected side - you might be surprised at how much you can do! 🍴🥣💪

06/16/2026

Check out this DIY thumb abduction splint that helps these stroke survivors keep their thumbs away from their fingers for pinching and releasing! The neoprene strap (available online, search “neoprene strap”) is helping the thumb remain out and the hand remain open so they can grasp items, but doesn’t apply too much resistance as to inhibit the grasp. The strap also assists in moving the thumb away from the fingers to release the items. AND the input from the strap helps the person avoid squeezing too hard - modulating or gauging force and pressure can be challenging after a stroke! Survivors often have difficulty with release or feel like they often “crush” items, tools like this can help!

Next steps…applying makeup or self feeding! 💄🍊✨

Our stroke community had a wonderful time last Saturday at this year’s accessible nature walk at the Barnes Nature Cente...
06/09/2026

Our stroke community had a wonderful time last Saturday at this year’s accessible nature walk at the Barnes Nature Center in Bristol, CT! We learned about birds of prey, spent time outdoors, enjoyed the accessible walking path, listened for to live music, had raffles, snacks, and lots of socializing! Thank you to all who came and enjoyed the event and thank you to the Barnes Nature Center for hosting! 🌲🍂🪾

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