Stroke OT

StrokeOT is a virtual guide for chronic stroke and acquired brain injury survivors to live a healthy

StrokeOT.org was developed to address healthcare disparities, including limited access to care and limited funding for care. 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 philosophy:
"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

12/28/2025

After a stroke, completing cooking tasks can be a challenge, especially in regard to safety. We do always encourage trying to use your affected hand in daily activities, however try using your affected hand only in the parts that don’t involved hot temperatures, at least to start. This is especially important if you have impaired sensation and/or a hard time knowing where your affected arm and hand are in space. Protect your hands with appropriate equipment (like oven mitts). Here are some tips from StrokeOT for moving pots and pans during cooking, after a stroke!

🧑‍🍳Slide instead of lift if it’s difficult to lift with your affected side. Or use a smaller container to transport water/items.
🧑‍🍳Use a double boiler instead of a regular pot to transfer water easier, allowing you to use one hand.
🧑‍🍳Use tongs to remove cooked food from a hot pot or pan to avoid having to lift the hot, metal pan.

Happy (and safe) cooking!

10/18/2025

🙌Want to improve your fine motor skills after a stroke? Try using your affected hand to help with managing medications! In this video, we review ways to upgrade or downgrade this task to be the “just right challenge” for you!

✋🏾If you don’t have much movement in your hand, you can still try this task. Using Dycem (the nonslip blue material under the pill bottle) can help your affected hand stabilize the bottle, even if your grasp is weak. Try just placing the bottle in your hand or keeping your hand on the Dycem during the task to get your affected side involved.

💪🏽If you’re ready for more of a challenge, we’ve got that covered too! Check out these complex hand skills and ways to practice them with daily tasks.

👉🏻Managing medications is a great way to get a lot of reps in during a daily activity! Keep practicing! 🫶

10/09/2025

Saturday was a beautiful morning for our annual StrokeOT Walk & Roll on the Southington Linear Trail! We loved celebrating active stroke survivors and the amazing community that supports them.

A heartfelt thank you to everyone who purchased tickets or donated — your generosity helps StrokeOT continue offering free online and low-cost in-person classes for the stroke community.

Huge shoutout to our sponsors:

🌟Vivistim®
🌟Thestimdoc
🌟CT Spasticity and Rehabilitation
🌟Hanger Clinic
🌟 Saebo, Inc.
🌟Restore Mobile Therapy
🌟On The Mend Medical Supplies and Equipment

We’re also so grateful to Spokes Fighting Strokes for sharing the joy of recumbent triking and to the dedicated students from the Center for Communication Disorders at SCSU for volunteering!

Finally, thank you to all the organizations who came out in support — your presence made this event truly special.

And a special thanks to:
🌟Dr. Matthew Raymond
🌟Spokes Fighting Strokes and Michael D W**d
🌟Stacey McIvor (Restore Mobile Therapy)
🌟Tony Fazio (Hanger)

10/01/2025

Just a few more days until our Walk and Roll Event! For more info and to sign up, visit the link below!

https://givebutter.com/25WalkRoll

09/28/2025

Join us on October 4th for StrokeOT's Second Annual Walk and Roll Event! We will be at Mastrionni Place, Southington Linear Trail in Southington, CT from 10am to 12pm for the adaptive walk and roll event with a social gathering at Kinsmen Brewing following the event. Participants can walk or roll along the trail or try out one of the adaptive bikes from Spokes Fighting Strokes!

Help StrokeOT continue to provide a wide variety of stroke resources to our amazing community of stroke survivors!

Please donate or purchase tickets to attend our Second Annual Walk and Roll event!

Sign up at the link below!
https://givebutter.com/25WalkRoll

Message us with any challenges - we hope to see you there!

09/26/2025

Just one more week until StrokeOT’s Second Annual Walk and Roll event! Learn more about the event and sign up today at the link below.

https://givebutter.com/25WalkRoll

Join us for our 2nd Annual Walk and Roll Event!

Get ready to make a difference and have a great time doing it at the StrokeOT 2025 Walk and Roll! This fundraising event brings together our community to raise funds that go directly to supporting our weekly classes for stroke survivors.

Our guest, Spokes Fighting Strokes, will be providing recumbent bike rides, ensuring everyone can participate and enjoy the event to the fullest.

Hosted at the beautiful Southington Linear Trail, participants will enjoy a scenic route perfect for walking or cycling. Whether you're a seasoned walker, a wheelchair user, or trying out an adapted bike for the first time, everyone is welcome to join in the fun.

Why Participate?

Support a Vital Cause: Help provide crucial resources and support for stroke survivors and their families.
Community Spirit: Connect with friends, family, and neighbors as we come together to make a positive impact.
Family-Friendly Fun: With activities, entertainment, and refreshments available, there's something for everyone to enjoy.

Date: Saturday, October 4th, 2025
Time: 10:00am - 12:00pm
Location: Mastrianni Pl., Southington, CT (with gathering to follow at Kinsmen Brewing)

Sign up here: https://givebutter.com/25WalkRoll

08/27/2025

Help StrokeOT continue to provide a wide variety of stroke resources to our amazing community of stroke survivors!

Please donate or purchase tickets to attend our Second Annual Walk and Roll event at the Southington Linear Trail followed by a celebratory gathering at Kinsmen Brewing Company!

Sign up at the link below!

https://givebutter.com/25WalkRoll

Message us with any challenges - we hope to see you there!

Join us for our 2nd Annual Walk and Roll Event!Get ready to make a difference and have a great time doing it at the Stro...

08/26/2025

08/14/2025

Do you have a hard time folding laundry after a stroke? Are you wanting to help around the house more or wanting to be more independent with household tasks? We have some laundry tips for you!

What you'll need:
✅Large piece of cardboard
✅Scissors
✅Surface to fold on
✅Clean laundry!

After you make your DIY laundry-folding board, you are good to go! You can also purchase laundry-folding boards online if you prefer.

Happy folding!

07/14/2025

Check out more of our tips for using your affected hand during kitchen tasks! In this video, we share some tips for mixing food items in a bowl and incorporating the affected hand.

You can try…

✅ Stabilizing
✅ Mixing with both hands
✅ Adding shelf liner under the bowl
✅ Building up the handle so it’s easier to hold

Try it out, and get your affected hand moving!

06/25/2025

Looking for ways to use your affected arm and hand around your home? Try out these tasks using our tips!

🚰Turning on the faucet to fill a water cup

💡Turn on a light switch (a good one if you have trouble with moving your hand - you just need to reach the light with your arm!)

❄️Open your the refrigerator

⚡️For each of these tasks, you can use your unaffected hand to help as much or as little as you want to. The main goal is to use your affected side in your daily routine to prevent learned nonuse!

🚫Learned nonuse happens when you stop using or moving your affected side during daily tasks. If we’re being honest, moving your affected arm and hand after a stroke is very challenging and can make tasks take longer. BUT building opportunities into your day with some of the tasks in this video can help prevent or reverse learned nonuse one small step at a time. Try to keep moving and don’t forget about your affected side!

06/16/2025

After a stroke, many people struggle with having a tight arm and hand (high tone) or an upper limb that tightens up when they start to move (spasticity). This video gives some helpful tips for stretching and managing high tone and spasticity for stroke survivors!
Remember:
✅Never stretch to the point of sharp pain - listen to your body
✅Check with your therapist and/or doctor to ensure you do not have any movement restrictions
✅Consistency is 🔑 - stretch frequently and throughout the day

Address

Berlin, CT

Website

https://www.strokeot.org/

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