We found ourselves in an existential muddle, turned inside out and upside down. We reached for conclusions, our battered brains hoping to reassemble the scattered pieces of the past. Some seed of hope rose up and took over, perhaps many less lucky than us didn’t see the light again, didn’t see the stars, the green leaves, didn’t smell the familiar odour of food or sipped on a loving beverage. I met a man a few months ago who lost his wife to stroke. I had no idea. She was in her fifties. I was but 44 when I had mine. No one should want to live forever, but we pretend we do, even those who await paradise cling to this life, it is in this life that every stroke survivor confronts their own conscious, not just the brain, not just mortality, but the spark that lights up every morning, be it groggy or with the lark. If you have a will to live, to communicate, to breathe air and look your fellow humans in the eye and say, aye, I live. Then my friends you keep your brethren and offspring going because they have faith in you, not gods or beliefs, but faith in your mortality as they see their own.
To all and anyone,
and especially @Rups
I’m pleased to say I took my metal detector for a very short walk on the beach the other day. I have to tell you this, I will write about this.
For almost three years post stroke my mobility was severely impaired and I spent 95% of my time indoors at home.
I coped with this by visiting this forum frequently to chat, exchange experiences and report on my progress and activity. I also put together some online sessions using a free version of Zoom. All of this was good for my feeling of self worth and mental health in general.
Stroke Association staff were very supportive back then and encouraged me in many ways, including inviting me to create some Blog posts which are still on display on the Stroke Association site at this time.
I still conduct regular online video sessions, post a Blog elsewhere on Medium and appear on this forum. I think it is important to share the positive aspects of life after stroke but also important to acknowledge that there is a dark side and everything is not always sweetness and light.
It is great to meet with others in any way possible and the reward is inspiration, encouragement and fellow feeling. I would encourage those affected by stroke to take similar steps as we find our way through this very different world.
I’ll post a cheeky link to my Blog (opens in new window), where this is more of my writing.
keep on keepin’ on
@Rups great words. I think that says a lot about how I feel about things. I never really thought about the I might not have survived bit at the time. I have that thought more often now strangely but not that often in reality. I was one of the I’m going to live forever brigade. Alas no longer.
Everyday with my groggy head I awake and get on with my day. I am very grateful i am able to do so.
Have a glorious Sunday.
Ann