Guess what Anne I started practicing with my step on Monday how to go down a step and today I put it on highest level and managed to go down without falling so I went to doorstep and tried and managed to get down the step by putting my stick about a couple of inches away from the step then stepping down with my bad leg then putting my stick abit further away and stepping down with my good leg.
Money well spent.
Hi John,
It sounds like you’re getting on well. That stepper really was worth purchasing. In the short time you’ve had the step you are now able to step out the front door. Just imagine how you’ll be in a few more weeks when you’ve practiced loads more.
In regards to your orthotic I would suggest putting your foot flat on the floor.
And absolutely use your other hand to fold your finger around the tin when you grab it. This will help your brain realise that the finger needs to bend to grab hold of the tin.
All these little improvements lead to much larger improvements and slowly but surely you start to rebuild you life again.
Thanks for advice Anne I did move my finger on to can thought it was the best idea .
A friend of mine from Scotland text me yesterday and said she had a heart attack in the morning and was in hospital.
Not heard from her since and I’m worried.
She’s 55
Sorry to hear about your friend. Hope she goes on ok.
If you’re worried maybe try calling the hospital to see if they can tell you how she or at least pass a message to her. Or perhaps call her home & see if someone answers. Or maybe a friend/relative if you have their details. If it is like our hospital you can’t get a great signal in the hospital so she might not be able to message. Or she could ve having lots of tests / or recovering from an operation & just not had the opportunity to message again.
Hopefully you’ll hear from her soon.
Take care.
Ann
Hi Anne don’t know which hospital and I only have her on WhatsApp.
Just heard from my friend.
They are keeping her in for a few days as she’s got a few things wrong with her but she’s hopefully going to be home for Christmas
Glad you’ve heard from her. It’s good they’re sorting her whilst she’s there. Hope she is home soon.
Hi Anne couple of questions for you.
My bad leg is a little longer than good leg is that normal? Also when I stand up and put my foot on the floor I feel myself going back abit till my heal is also flat is that normal at my level of recovery?
I’m not sure it’s normal after a stroke to have one leg longer than the other although maybe it’s to do with the position that the leg is being held in. Have you perhaps always had a slight difference in your leg length or maybe the orthotic is playing a part in that.
I think you probably just need to practice putting your foot flat on the floor and that might solve the going back on your heel a bit it is probably the stage of Recovery you’re at and it’ll probably right itself over time.
I still do that after 5 years of recovery. When I do any exercise that requires a wide stance, I have to place my stroke foot an inch or so forward of my left foot to stabalise myself. Otherwise my heal lifts and I’ll wobble. The last thing I need to do is drop a weight I’m holding over my head 
I’m always having to be aware of pushing the heal down on the floor. So there’s still something that hasn’t reconnected in my brain to leg signalling 
Lorraine
Thanks Lorraine. When I’m stood in kitchen I notice my heel isn’t down so I push it down.
I still have foot drop and am trying lean against wall to stretch the back of my foot.
Hope you have a good Christmas.
John
It’s a nuisance though because it throws your balance off a little, so you are constantly having to be aware of it and correcting it. It keeps you on your toes. The mental juggling and multi tasking your brain has to do to remember and keep track of them all can be fatiguing in itself 
There can be times I sit down and still feel fatigued even when I think I’ve not done much all day.
Anyway, hope you have a good Christmas too 
Lorraine
I’ve noticed that when I yawn my arm goes solid and raises up a bit is that normal?
I have heard of other people say that this happens. Take it as a good thing as I think it means your brain is trying to rewire itself all be it in an unusual way but eventually it should right itself.
Thanks for letting me know Anne
Hi Lorraine I have been told that I won’t hear till about March time.
Anyway I hope you and family have a good Christmas.
Take care. John
Thank you John, hope you have a good Christmas too 
Lorraine 
You know what Lorraine the physio I had after rehab told me that the foot splint would stop my foot turning.
He stopped coming at the end of April and he never gave me any exercises for it.
I was referred to community physio who told me to do it myself.
So from may I have
Happy Christmas John, hope you have a good day. Here’s to 2026 being a year where you make lots of progress.
Best wishes
Ann