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Old 06-13-2014, 12:26 PM #1
lyndianne lyndianne is offline
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Default Tips for reading

I'm 6 years out from chalking up 3 concussions in a year. Two were within 6 weeks of each other. I've gotten better simply because I have stopped working and limit my activities.

I miss a lot from my "other life" but one of the things I miss the most is reading. I used to read 300 page books in a weekend.

At first reading was out of the question, but if I keep my brain settled I think I can do a little more now. I've been evaluated by a developmental ophthalmologist but vision therapy is out of my economic reach these days. I'm wondering if you

all have some tricks of the trade, so to speak, that you use for reading; such as large fonts etc. I know one size does not fit all but I would be grateful for any tips that helps your reading ability.
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Old 06-13-2014, 01:27 PM #2
Mark in Idaho Mark in Idaho is offline
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Have you tried using a piece of paper below the line you are reading. This can help the eyes follow the text and remove the extra clutter below the line being read. I can not read overly descriptive writings. Fiction is a no go for me.
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Old 06-13-2014, 06:51 PM #3
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I share your pain. I grieve for novels.

I bought a kobo (e-reader) and have read two novels on that. Large font. Great unlit screen. Perhaps it woukd work for you? Most libraries have ebooks now for free borrowing. Although I can't count the number of ebooks I have borrowed and been unable to read before they disappear from the ereader.

Bonus....you don't have to remember to return them!!! They return themselves
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What happened: Legs pulled forward by a parent's hockey stick while resting at the side of the rink at a family skate....sent me straight back. I hit the back of my head (with helmet) on the ice, bounced a few times, unconscious for a few minutes. September 11, 2011. Off work since then…I work part-time at home when I can. It has been hell but slowly feeling better (when I am alone☺).

Current symptoms: Vision problems (but 20/20 in each eye alone!) – convergence insufficiency – horizontal and vertical (heterophoria), problems with tracking and saccades, peripheral vision problems, eyes see different colour tints; tinnitus 24/7 both ears; hyperacusis (noise filter gone!), labyrinthian (inner ear) concussion, vestibular dysfunction (dizzy, bedspins, need to look down when walking); partial loss of sense of smell; electric shocks through head when doing too much; headaches; emotional lability; memory blanks; difficulty concentrating. I still can’t go into busy, noisy places. Fatigue. Executive functioning was affected – multi-tasking, planning, motivation. Slight aphasia. Shooting pain up neck and limited mobility at neck. Otherwise lucky!

Current treatments: Vestibular therapy, Vision therapy, amantadine (100 mg a day), acupuncture and physiotherapy for neck, slow return to exercise, magnesium, resveratrol, omega 3 fish oils, vitamins D, B and multi. Optimism and perserverance.
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Old 06-13-2014, 11:57 PM #4
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Hi Everyone,

There is also a transparent ruler called an easy reader you can use. The come in many colors and you can put the straight edge over the print and read (the color helps forgot how) or you can put the ruler under the line you are reading.

We used them with students. Some didn't like it at all. Others had to have a certain color because it was the most comforting.

I have always been a voracious reader also. Not now and my heart pines for good literature and music. Looking at an entire printed page is very hard. Following a story line the same. Fiction is rough. I need to see one line at a time with EVERYTHING else covered.

I use my iPhone 5s mostly for the forum and everything else as it's the easiest for my brain. Short paragraphs of 2-4 sentences with lines between paragraphs.

Audio is rough. It overwhelmed my brain and I fall asleep. I tried one over and over but I only kept getting the very beginning but forgetting it.

Please keep posting if you have any suggestions everyone!!!

Jace
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*TBI with mild to severe damage November 2012 from car crash. Stroke with hemorage & 4 clots in veins in brain Feb/Mar 2015.

*Vestibular damage, PCS, hypercusis, severe visual processing and tracking issues, short term memory loss, headaches/migraines, occipital neuralgia, cognitive issues, neurological issues, brain fog, brain fatigue when over stimulated, twitching, vertigo, neck issues, nerve issues, PTSD, personality change, Since stroke left side weakness, rage, worsening of vestibular problems, recall, speech, memory.

*Can't drive or work. Have done occupational therapy, cognitive therapy, physical therapy. Learning work arounds, and strategies to be competent in daily life. Change your attitude/perspective changes your life. As TBI survivors this is a vital part of our healing and living.

*Working on getting to know and accept the new me.
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Old 06-14-2014, 09:09 AM #5
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I personally have trouble reading. Still 6 months later and I have issues. The only thing I find that worked is using a kindle paperwhite and enlarging the text. Even then though I cant read for to long.
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Old 06-15-2014, 01:28 PM #6
lyndianne lyndianne is offline
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Thanks for all the suggestions. Using your ideas and a few of my own here's what I have come up with that's working for me; at least on a good day when my brain

is not overwhelmed! I downloaded kindle to my computer and used a friend's library card to download a book (thank you Mokey!) On kindle I can change the

font size and the number of words in a sentence. I also could change the background to sepia. My computer has f.lux downloaded on it which changes the

computer screen light to work with the natural cycle of light outside. Good for all of us with screwed up circadian rhythms. I also picked a book with only 3 main

characters. It's too hard to understand when too much is going on, kinda like in real life ;-) I think the idea of using the easy reader will be helpful when I need to

read with a book. Anyway I'm excited! Thanks again for your answers. Nobody really "gets" what this is about and it is so wonderful to have the support of this group.
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Old 06-15-2014, 11:49 PM #7
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I couldn't read anything at all for 5-6 months, doesn't sound long but I love reading.

The ruler advice is great, that's what I have to do as my eyes still can't keep on the right line, eyes are constantly bouncing all over the place.
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