Hi all, I’m stealing an idea from Gaina, (hope its ok). I have always written short stories and occasionally poetry. I’m not a professional by any means, but I have had a couple of things printed in magazines, unpaid of course. I wonder if anyone else also ‘writes’ and is happy to share on the site. I’ll start us off, but if this is breaking any site rules please do let me know? This one was printed in the ‘Yours’ magazine year book 2017. I should have remembered this when I had my laptop meltdown last week!
Ode to the might pen.
When I went to school, I wrote with pen and ink.
I became ink monitor during my first year!
So proud I was and a bit strict I think:
nibs replaced, one to each pen, the rule was very clear.
Ink mixed each day, mostly black, sometimes blue
always hard to produce the correct hue.
Then the fountain pen, inky blots everywhere!
We were taught to write in that eyetalic fashion.
It looked very nice giving our words real flair;
handwriting became a prize winning passion
Growing up meant a typewriter, used with great success,
Carbon finger, an inky blue mess.
A new word processor. Oh what a treat!
Tap in a word-don’t bother about spelling.
Autocorrect made your prose look so neat,
did it for you without any telling.
The revolution came, the ultimate p.c.
Oh internet, how much do I love thee.
Programmes and apps all there; easy to research
the laptop so handy to use anywhere.
Charge battery, switch on and a comfy perch.
All around us inspiration and flair.
Relying on technology we do get smug,
occasionally should we pull the plug?
Aagh the laptops not working, won’t switch on.
I don’t know why and which button to press.
The chap thinks that the hard drive has gone.
How much work have I lost? I can only guess.
Submission dates so very near; here I go then.
Back where I started…with paper and pen.
I wrote and self published a novel I started in 2018 before my stroke and completed after my stroke in 2021 I published it in 2024 I’m writing another now I enjoy it because it’s a break from all things stroke related
Well done you, Christine2. See what I did there? it rhymes. I’m envious because I’ve never plucked up the courage to go ahead with getting published. I agree that writing gives you a break from all things in the real world. I love getting lost in my writing even though when I read it back its rubbish! Good on ya. Norma
I think it is great that you are sharing your efforts in this online community space.
Stroke and its after effects gives us plenty to think about, advice is good, sympathy is good, companionship is good. Also a diversion is very welcome.
Thank you, its good to be appreciated. I love writing, even though I’ve never had a book published. I find it a great ‘get-away’ when I can invent my own world and characters. Though they don’t always behave themselves! I’m not on any social media sites so I can’t share on there. I know a lot of people do, I might try it one day. Best wishes, Norma
I really would recommend instagram, it’s a softer less obtrusive form of social media where you can use text only posts. Your friends and family will thank you. I was a secondary school teacher and young mother and felt I had to be a part of the more modern way of communicating, if you can’t beat them join them as they say..
I use a free subscription on Medium. I get next to no viewers, its quite a nice area to lay out pictures and text. Sometimes I put up a link here to encourage folk to take a look.
The Stroke Association has put up a few of my pieces in Blog on their site. Sadly my stuff didn’t fit so it came to an end after a few months.
I think it would be great if we had a periodical online magazine, with news, games, general interest, opinion, ideas, suggestions, agony aunt/uncle, creative writing, pictures and so on. I am sure it is feasible and would have readers, subscribers, or whatever you want to call them.
I have decided I like the word ‘tribe’.
How does it feel to be a part of the Stroke Tribe?
It is international and has over a million UK members.
You don’t have to apply and you won’t ever get asked to leave.
I know many people come here for answers but this is also a platform that can provide stimulus, inspiration and a community. We put together ourselves. It is a shared resource full of potential.
My sneaky link:
Everything I do is on the cheap, I have no funds, so everything is a bit rough around the edges.
Better than nothing at all though in my opinion.
I am not begging. We do okay.
I admire others who find ways to move forwards. We all need a pat on the back.
I’m afraid I hate the word tribe. Coming from East Africa where tribalism started by the British colonials has divided the peoples of my native Kenya. Attributing characteristics based on tribal culture limiting people not allowing them to realise their full potential because if they belong to tribe x then they can only be good at A, BC. The genocide in Rwanda was down to tribalism, created by the Belgian colonisers.
i totally get where you are coming from and will not mention it again.
As for Medium, it nags, but you can keep your money in your pocket. A subscription pays their bills and gives you a few extras. As I mentioned elsewhere I have to keep expenditure down so I just put up with the nagging.
I’m glad to hear it was an enjoyable read, feedback is helpful isn’t it?
I’d love to have a magazine Bobbi, online or paper. But I have no idea how it would be published, who would edit etc? I believe that many magazines have gone to the wall because of rising costs. I do think though that readership would be good as strokes affect people in many different ways. The way we share and support on here is a prime example of how we need specific information according to the incidence of the stroke. But it would also give people valuable insight into how others have overcome problems. The social side, news, games ideas etc as you say would be feasible for all to share, “providing stimulus, inspiration and a community”. Knowing that there is light at the end of the long tunnel and not feeling alone would be a boost. I wonder if the “Stroke News” magazine could be expanded? Best wishes Norma
Yes @bobbi feedback is paramount. I downloaded the discourse app onto my ipad and find this forum even more useful now. So much easier than having to go online all the time. I like the idea of a magazine but this forum replaces the need for one with responses arriving in 'real-time.
I take your point Mich-mm about the forum being in real time. In the early days of my stroke I wanted answers *right now!’ and this forum was invaluable. I also take on board other folks difficulties re accessing the site coping with brain fog, hand and finger restrictions etc. Perhaps an online magazine, if it existed, might be on another topic tread so that one would not have to go through the more relevant (to them) posts when looking for support and advice. I can use my laptop a lot more these days, but in the early days I could not cope with the tiring concentration. My increasing aphasia is also hard work. You may have seen that I am an amateur ‘writer’. By its nature, writing can be a very lonely occupation. At the moment I am not in contact with anyone else who ‘writes’, but it would be lovely to share ideas and even our work. There is a story in all of us.
I often go on the Funnies thread and have a good laugh. Also sharing with others the amusing (if it can be) side of the difficulties we encounter each day. Thanks to all who contribute. Best wishes, Norma
I agree that this forum is an excellent place to communicate. Those who use it make it what it is.
You might have noticed that in the General area there are a few continuing threads with games and jokes, which are used to interact, they are somewhat anarchic and rules change but they have been going continuously since I first appeared here about three years ago.
Maybe I’ll start a new topic.
FORUM GAMES - The Stroke Zine.
No sooner said than done.
Let’s see how it goes. I guess it will shape itself.
Likewise @norma751.it is invaluable to get responses from everyone. I’ve spent the last four years since the aneurysm feeling very alone. It took me some time to join but I’m so glad I did I think the stroke association need to be more proactive about letting hospitals and care homes know about the forum.
@bobbi I’m a biologist and love to incorporate biology into my writting:
Joy and happiness are like an octopus,elusive,shape shifting and venomous paralysing it’s prey and beginning the digestive process.with eight limbs it holds you firm addicted to the sensation much like the suckers on the octopus’s limbs.the three hearts lead you to elation.The blue-blooded animals have a copper containing compound, hemocyanin which is more efficient at transporting oxygen at low temperatures and low oxygen concentrations than the iron-based hemoglobin that make up our red blood. hemocyanin is bigger than hemoglobin. It binds to 96 oxygen molecules, far more than the pathetic 4 bound by hemoglobin. Like the attraction between haemocyanin and oxygen.we are addicted to joy and happiness seeking it out whenever we can. Not wanting to let go.but let go we must only to seek it out again longing to be bound to it like oxygen to haemocynin.If only we could hang on irreversibly.enjoying the elation and the wonder hormone oxytocin.My love and awe of this molecule brought my daughter,Alana to get a tattoo of the molecule after my aneurysm (burst blood vessel in the brain).
I don’t think the Stroke Association realise what an asset this area of the website can be to those affected by stroke.
It has its quiet little corner where folk come and go, when in fact it could be a central hub for so many, well more than a million in this country, who knows worldwide.
It would be great if this could be recognised, if we could be recognised. Those affected come from all walks of life. Some if not most of us are disabled but I for one am not ready to be restrained and spoon fed.
Despite experiencing disability I see possibility, perhaps a change in direction, and reason for optimism.
I enjoy it because it’s a break from all things stroke related 
