E-Consults Can Expedite Specialist Advice

If you need to see a specialist, your doctor may be able to save you some time or travel by requesting an e-consult. E-consults are currently available for certain conditions within cardiology, endocrinology, infectious disease, psychiatry, rheumatology and neurology. Ask your doctor if an e-consult may be an option in your case.

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Grandpa's Crooked Smile – A Story That Teaches About Stroke

What if someone you love had a stroke? Would you know what to do?

Grandpa’s Crooked Smile: A Story of Stroke Survival is a heartwarming story that helps kids and families understand what happens during a stroke — and how love, support, and learning can make a big difference.

In this story, you'll meet a little boy whose grandpa has a stoke. As he tells the story, you'll learn:

What a stroke is
How it can affect how someone talks, moves, or thinks
How life might change after a stroke
And how love and friendship can stay strong, even when things are different

Even though Grandpa's smile is now a little crooked, he's still the boy's best friend — and that’s what matters most.

A Book for Families and Communities

This special book was created by MyMichigan Health as part of a stroke awareness program called “Smile, Reach, Speech.” It was written by Barbara Reeves and illustrated by Peter Sinclair, a nationally-known cartoonist from Midland.

Thanks to support from the Charles J. Strosacker Foundation, this story is helping families all across the community learn the signs of stroke in a way that’s easy to understand and full of heart.

Why This Book Matters

Strokes can happen to anyone — even someone you love. By reading this story together, you and your family can:

Learn the early warning signs of stroke
Understand what recovery might look like
Feel more prepared if a stroke ever happens in your family

Interactive E-Book

Children and parents can flip through the e-book and read together at their own pace.

Read the Book Online

Video: Read-aloud Version

Designed for children who are not yet reading on their own, this video read-aloud version is narrated by local radio personality Jerry O'Donnell.

Copyright Permissions

© 2007-2011, MyMichigan Health. Some Rights Reserved. Non-commercial users are welcome to use or distribute the online or print version of this book for educational purposes only. The book must be distributed in its entirety and attributed to MyMichigan Health. No derivative works are allowed. The print edition of the book is available to Michigan schools and libraries free of charge.

Library Catalog Information

Title: Grandpa’s Crooked Smile: A Story of Stroke Survival
Author: Barbara Reeves
Illustrator: Peter Sinclair
Developed by MyMichigan Health
Funded by a grant from the Charles J. Strosacker Foundation.
Publisher: Aardvark Global Publishing, © 2007, MyMichigan Health.
Recommended Ages: 4 to 6
Educational Themes: Stroke symptoms and warning signs, after affects of a stroke, responding to an emergency, dialing 911, family and relationships
Literary Categories: Children’s fiction; health--stroke
Summary:
"My Grandpa is my best friend. After Grandpa had a stroke, mom taught me the Smile-Reach-Speech Test. It's an easy way to know if someone may be having a stroke and that you should call 911 right away. I'm glad that's what we did because now Grandpa and I are back to doing fun stuff together."

Anyone can have a stroke. Grandpa's Crooked Smile includes games and activities to help your whole family learn the Smile-Reach-Speech Test, which can save lives and prevent disability. Knowing what to do in an emergency is just as important as learning to whistle or catch a ball. It's easy to learn. Just ask Grandpa.