@Trace57 - thanks for sharing your thoughts and you haven’t rambled 
Your point about the physio is very sad. Physio is one of the most important things post Stroke rehab but it simply does not seem to be available and even when it is, it lacks quality, at least in our experience. It seems like some sort of tuck box exercise and limited to six sessions.
Your point about family and friends support is also well thought through - it does seem they run and I couldn’t quite get my head around it, but you’ve nailed it by saying it might be too much of a burden and too much for them to witness the sufferign and not being able to help.
Thanks for sharing your thoughts.
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PIP is Personal Independent Payment, a government welfare initiative for people with mental and/or physical disabilities.
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Well done @AbbyS
You have been misfortunate to get a double whammy, but with your positive approach, you should make good progress.
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Hi @RustyJames - I echo what @Mrs5K says in her response.
Only you know if you are fit enough to return to work - you don’t want to rush it and end up worse.
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Excellent @RustyJames and @Mrs5K .
Well done
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As @Rups noted it’s a payment to people with disability. What he hasn’t included in his very brief explanation is 1) It’s non means tested!!! Payment is a right if you qualify from the point of view of having a disability that removed your abilities to some normal activities such as preparing a food, personal hygiene and dressing unassisted
2) the form is quite a challenge often rejected and then you have to appeal which is an absolute right as is right to a tribunal at third attempt
3) the government is trying to phase it out as an expensive demand on resources ( It’s changed its name in Scotland to Disability Living Allowance)
There is a post on it and many other benefits
Caio
Simon
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The journey with my mother’s stroke (caused by aplastic anemia) is more than painful to talk about, but I’ve made improvements lately.
As with anything in life, you have to live something to know it.
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That’s why you can appreciate the gift of life. And live it to the full, Bravo Matthew
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Yes, life can be taken suddenly without any warning. But, just illnesses alone…we don’t appreciate our health until we lose it.
There’s a difference between knowing something intellectually and knowing something “deep in your bones.”
Take good care.
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Yes, it does not even register in our brains unless we attach an emotion to it
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Glad to back with you all.
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Hi Rups
Your analogy on medical assessments and the opinion of other people is so accurate. It depends very much on the specific viewpoint, both the individual’s and perceived by another. I always recall interviewing a man many years ago and having to ask the question: Do you have any disabilities? He answered “No”, although it was quite evident that he was missing one complete arm. His answer caused me to hesitate, a bit of a dilemma. Did I point out that he evidently had only one arm or ignore it? I was hesitant, not wanting to offend but wanting to give him a fair advantage (under Disabilities Act), so feeling unable to ignore what I would assume to be his obvious disability. During my pause, he interjected, shaking his affected shoulder forward. “What, this?”, he said. “I just don’t think of it as a disability”.
I do wonder how your PIP assessor would address this, with no medical training, their sole intention being to comply with government quotas and disqualify as many as possible from benefits. You are quite right, every government department works on quotas and the disabled and disadvantaged are currently in their sights. Your post is very thought provoking.
Casey
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Rup. Thank you for your explanation. I had no comprehension of the effect of stroke until I joined this friendly club a couple of days ago. I couldn’t understand why I didn’t feel like me but after visiting the GP yesterday she endorsed everything I have learnt from the posts on here. Simon gave me good advice in that I have to lower my expectations of what I do and have a rest when I feel I need it. What was worrying me was that suddenly I couldn’t do things I had been doing up until a couple of weeks ago so thought I was going backwards but apparently this is because lots of things happened in a short space of time.i am 82 and after leading a busy life with hobbies and interests etc must accept that I am not 30-40 as I feel in my head.
Thanks again.
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Blimey! How do you to 30 in your head
I’m still 18
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Thank you for your advice about lowering my expectations. In addition to my love of quilting I was heavily into handicrafts and made wedding stationery and celebratory cards. I have our garage which has been converted for me to use solely for handicrafts For a couple of days I have been attempting to make Christmas cards. I have started with simple cards which are nowhere near the standard I was doing a few months ago but at least I have achieved something. I will keep making them and give them to my favourite charity shop to sell. When I started making mistakes decided it was time to have a rest. Giving my husband and my sister the replies I have had has helped them to also understand how complex a stoke can be.
I am /was till a year or so ago, a longbow archer and was secretary of a local club for thirteen years. My husband and I are thinking of starting archery again but following your advice am going to be a non shooting member to start so as not to put myself under pressure.
Since joining this forum a few days ago I feel so much better mentally. Thanks again
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Well done on making those cards. That’s so good & in time i’m sure you’ll get back to your previous standard. The charity shop will be so grateful for your cards I’m sure.
Stopping when mistakes started crerping in is a good thing. It’s likely that fatigue played a part & rest was needed.
Good luck with your archery exploits too. They might have some adapted equipment you can use until your are able to get back to it properly.
Loada of positives there. I’m so pleased for you.
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So lovely to hear you are feeling more upbeat @Rachel-Anne. Your Christmas card crafting sounds lovely even if you have decided to have a little pause with it. Always something you can come back to when you feel ready.
I hope your time at the archery club is good fun. 
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