Teresa is turning the chair of her foundation over to her sons, in rotation

[karynnj]

The succession plan was finally disclosed Monday when Mrs. Heinz, 77, announced that she will step down in October as chair of the foundation with assets of $1.6 billion. Her three sons will fill the chairman’s seat in a series of four-year rotations beginning with Andre Heinz.

Andre Heinz, who is 46 and the middle son of Mrs. Heinz and her first husband, the late Sen. H. John Heinz III, will serve until 2020 when his younger brother, Christopher Heinz, 43, steps up as chair.
<snip
(followed by the oldest son John)>

“This is an enormously proud and fulfilling moment for me,” Mrs. Heinz said in a statement. “For some while, I have considered how our family’s deep and extensive philanthropic legacy will continue to grow and to strengthen over time, and I am delighted that the groundwork is laid for the next generation to engage in the leadership of the foundation.”
<snip>
“She’s actually doing pretty well,” said Mr. Oliphant, who added that Mrs. Heinz participated in a “pretty intense” two-day board meeting at the Downtown-based endowments last week and while in town attended a reception held in her honor at the H. John Heinz III College at Carnegie Mellon University. “She did a terrific job,” he said. “She spoke off the cuff and was strong throughout the meetings.”

http://www.post-gazette.com/local/city/2016/05/23/Teresa-Heinz-to-step-down-as-chair-of-Heinz-Endowments/stories/201605230133


I hope that Mr Oliphant is being honest on Teresa's health. The article says she will stay involved. Strange to think that this couple who have served humanity as much as they have might both have time for themselves starting next January.

[MADem]

1. She went into one of the best stroke rehab facilities

in the world.

I have a relative who went through that same protocol, who went from a slurring, unable-to-articulate properly, paralyzed-on-one-side helpless individual, to walking around with a slight limp and a jaunty cane. Oh, and SINGING. In a voice clear as a bell.

Took a long while, but it can be done. Hard work. Repetition--of the right sort. Lots and lots of PT.

[Frustratedlady]

2. Same here with a relative who laid for 14 hours before being found after a massive stroke.

Her right side was useless, but after much therapy, she is able to get around with help of a cane and her speech is very clear, although she requires rest every 15 minutes or so to continue.

I trust Theresa is ahead of my relative. Strong woman.

[karynnj]

3. Wonderful to hear that your relative was able to gain back so much.

It is amazing that a rehab facility can accomplish what must seem like miracles to those needing help and their families.

[MADem]

4. It was a long road. He went from wheelchair to walker IN the facility.

He went home on a walker, still with very deliberate and limited movement, but able to eat without choking and in control of his bowels; since I am retired and he tolerates me well, I moved in with him (for about a year--the rest of my family was none too pleased, but it was nice to be missed) and made his life miserable (nyuck, nyuck).

He had a programme of outpatient care/appointments, and in that time I learned a lot about physical therapy and was able to augment his care with additional sessions and more aspirational efforts. The first thing he did was write--all day, morning, noon and night--that was a tough bit, getting that ability back, but when it came back, it came back fully. I got him on two quad canes in short order, and very soon he was down to one. He wasn't a fitness freak pre-stroke, and he didn't become one afterwards, either, so it was a bit like pulling teeth. I'd bribe him with favorite meals, films, trips out and about, and "learning to drive again" lessons in exchange for work outs. After a bit it all clicked.

One thing I would recommend for people who have had massive strokes that affect speech in a profound way (we were lucky we did not have this issue--he always had speech, it was just a bit jumbled and slurry at first, with a bit of hunting for words at times until he "rewired&quot is a program you can put on a tablet called "ProLoQuo2Go"-- it substitutes icons for words and can help someone who finds themselves mute but can process visual information a way to communicate.

[karynnj]

5. Your relative is so lucky to be related to you.

What you did for him is awesome.

[MADem]

6. We're like that--we're all a buncha musketeers.

All for one, one for all--a rather eclectic and close-knit bunch. If the tables were turned, someone would step up for me, too~!

We're allowed to crab at one another, but when the chips are down we close ranks.

[MBS]

10. oh, good for you.

That's what all families should be like.

[karynnj]

12. Exactly what a family should be. Nt

[No Vested Interest]

7. PLease PM me with the name of the best stroke rehab facility referenced above.

Middle-aged daughter had stroke March 4 which has left her with aphasia, as well as useless right arm and hand. Unable to walk at present, but should get at least a portion of that back with rehab.

I find the aphasia more disturbing and frustrating for her. She understands what is spoken to her and responds as best she can, in one-or two-word answers - yes, no, okay, I don't know- but can't reply to open-ended questions, etc.
She is also taking treatment for a kidney disease, so meds have to be finely balanced.

Thanks in advance for your response.

[MADem]

8. No secret--it's SPAULDING REHAB. They're astounding.

It is a hop, skip and a jump from her townhome on Beacon Hill -- it's also within rock throwing distance of MASS GENERAL.

They got my relative up on his pins in short order on a treadmill, suspended in a HARNESS of all things. They tied him to machines and forced him to move. He had to bike with his feet, and bike with his hands, for example. When he finally was able to move those legs, they hauled his ass up and down the halls on the walker with brute force (a couple of people on either side, holding him up by a belt, someone walking behind with a wheelchair in case he couldn't deal). It's an aggressive course of therapy, and the sooner, the better. He HATED it, it's genuine "HARD WORK" (I can't write that phrase without thinking of Wee Cowboy Bush-LOL).

If you are doing it on an outpatient basis it might take a different track for you--also, the kidney issues may impact her exercise tolerance but the doctors can assess and tell you (my relation was inpatient in rehab, post hospitalization, for a solid month, then to a step down nursing/rehab facility, and then to home--had I not been there, he would have been stuck in the step-down facility for much longer, and he was miserable, which was part of why I stepped up!).

Once I got him to his home, I started in making his life miserable, errrr, I mean, continuing his therapy, and we also went twice a week to an outpatient facility for sessions of a couple of hours. When he got to the point where he could walk a few hundred feet, I'd drive to the seaside, get him out of the car, make him wait on a bench, drive the car a distance away, run back to him, and we'd walk/stump (swearing, sweating--he was on the walker at first) back to the car (I'd get the bitter looks for that!). Then we'd go have a nice meal-LOL!


The speech is a separate track. You might want to try the PROLOQUO2Go with her if her speech therapist is open to it. I know some speech/language therapists discourage it because they want the patient to try hard at recovering speech, but hell, if she can communicate better while she's also working at recovering her other abilities, she will be less stressed. It's nice to be able to point to something on the pad and have it say what you want.

I don't think there's anything worse in the world than being muted, especially in our tribe, as we're very loquacious, even on grumpy days!

There's a load of stuff on the web about assistive language devices, do some googling and have a look, and see if you think it might do the trick for you. It is a common tool for kids with autism, but it has application for stroke patients with aphasia as well. See:

http://annesigmon.com/blog/i-pad-apps-help-stroke-patients/

to get started. Also, don't discount music therapy--sometimes people can sing before they can speak.

Also, tape a pencil to her hand and get her to start writing the alphabet on a big old pad of paper, if she can move that hand at all. It will look like garbage at first, but repeat - repeat - repeat. Repetition is the key in all stroke therapies, and oh, it will get boring, it will get frustrating, so be prepared to find things to laugh about.

Let the PTs and Language therapists know that you want to observe and get involved so you can help continue her therapy. There's a lot of stuff on YouTube (the internet is great, isn't it, for stuff like this?) that might be helpful to you too.

It's a bit of a slog, but keep in mind that you will see progress, and try to document it in some fashion. A picture of your loved on sat in a wheel chair is something to look back on when they're getting round on a walker, or a pair of arm crutches or quad canes. And then, when they're stepping out with just a cane, you can look back and see how much has been achieved.

Tell your daughter to not give up...like I said, it's a long slog, but the brain is a very plastic thing--it can "rewire" and it does do just that. She just has to persevere, and there will be days when she doesn't want to do it. That's why it's helpful to have little occasions of joy to surprise her with--a trip to the films, or to the park, the zoo, a museum, whatever--you've got to find things to laugh about.

Good luck to you--let me know if I can help at all. All I've got is my own experience to lean on, but maybe others who have walked this path can chime in, as well.

[No Vested Interest]

13. Thanks so very much for your very thorough reply.

So much to take in, and not always sure where to start. Also, this senior doesn't have the stamina of years past, but this problem certainly gives me a mission for my remaining days.

Singing - she sings along with "Happy Birthday" and "Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star", but I want to increase her/our repertoire.

Her right hand - not much there, though she can move the arm some, perhaps by strength in her shoulder, which is not affected. I'm willing to have her try to use the hand by writing somewhat; even if results are minimal, each little bit could make life a tad bit easier for her.

I'll come back to your response here again, as she (and I) are ready to advance.
Merci.

[MADem]

14. Movement is KEY!

It's not the success, it's the attempts! Repeating a movement will increase the strength and re-wire the muscle memory. And any little movement forward is progress. A little something, EVERY day. Use it or lose it!

Have you read the story of Patricia Neal? She had a massive stroke, and her husband at the time, Roald Dahl, spirited her away to Ireland where he hired people round the clock to exercise her...and he brought her back to the point where she was acting again. Some say his methods bordered on cruelty, but his techniques (minus, perhaps, quite so much aggression) formed the basis for stroke rehab today.

Good luck, don't give up. Aim for the stars, you might not reach them, but any progress is good progress. You want to maximize the quality of life for your loved one--and if you have any other family members who can help, get them involved as well.

[MBS]

11. It's also in such a scenic spot.

That main thing, of course, is the fantastic medical care. But the view has got to help recovery, I would think.

[Skittles]

9. I hope she is alright

Ms. Heinz seems like a decent person

[politicasista]

15. Hope Momma T is ok

Hope their families are doing well.