"Depression Trumps Recovery" — Professional explanations of how depression acts like an anchor in stroke rehabilitation, weighing down a survivor's progress.

“What’s New with Your Blood Pressure?” — New hypertension guidelines from the NHLBI prompted us to revisit stroke's No. 1 modifiable risk factor. We outline the causes, ways to lower it and why doctors often prescribe more than one medication.

"From the Porch to the Driveway" — Stroke survivor Frank Mountford of Pittsburgh, Penn., learned how small, achievable goals can produce big, gratifying results. A sidebar outlines goal-setting techniques.

“Aphasia vs. Apraxia” — Janet Patterson, a speech-language pathologist and member of the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association, compares differences, similarities between, and typical therapies for, aphasia and apraxia of speech.

Departments:

• Letters to the Editor features correspondence from readers.
• Readers Room features personal stories, letters, poems and artwork from stroke survivors and family caregivers.
• Everyday Survival features helpful tips for activities of daily living and resources.

• "Life is at the Curb" — Standup comic John Kawie refused to give up his passion for comedy after his stroke. He created the one-man comedy show "Brain Freeze" about his experience with stroke and performs it at New York City's famous Fringe Festival.