Hi, My name is Bob from Chattanooga, Tennessee. I had a massive hemorrhagic stroke in March 2025. Spent three weeks unconscious (or can’t remember) then two months at the Shepherd Center, an incredible therapeutic hospital in Atlanta, then four months doing outpatient (speech, ot, pt). I have deficits in my right arm and leg, but I’m left-handed. I have some apraxia. Been doing my best to return to my old life. Taught myself to drive. Planted a tomato garden. Cooking without any special tools. But as you all know, no one knows about the day to day ups and down, so I’m excoited to join this community.
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Hello Bob @TennBob from Chattanooga, Tennessee. Nice to meet you 
You have come a long way since your stroke and I am sure you have lots of tips you can share with us. I feel certain your presence will make this and indeed any community richer
I am looking forward to your contributions to this wonderfully diverse and extremely generous group of people who have been brought together by nothing more than chance.
Whether going back to your old life is your goal, or whether you wish to make the most of your new life, either way, I wish you all the best.
Namaste|
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Welcome. It sounds like you have come a long way, although I think there are always long term effects. We are a mixed community and there are several of your countrymen here.
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Thank you for the welcome!
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My wife retired yesterday and we’re planning to come to England next year, if you’ll have us, things being what they are!
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You will be very welcome and I think you will find us a friendly bunch. If you have any mobility problems then assistance is available at airports. Please don’t feel awkward about asking for help.
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@TennBob hi & welcome to the community. What a journey you have been on but you are doing great especially as you’re driving, cooking & gardening. I am sure it has been very challenging for you.
Well done on your achievements so far I am sure there will be more to come.
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Thanks for the welcome @Mrs5K ! I hope i have something to offer.
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You definitely have something to offer, @TennBob: firsthand experience of stroke and recovery, and a willingness to talk about it. That’s what this community is all about. Welcome!
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Hi @TennBob
Welcome to the community, it’s great to have you here. Sorry to hear about your stroke, it sounds like you’ve been doing incredibly well.
I hope you’ll find this community helpful for your continued recovery. If you need anything whilst you’re using the Online Community, please don’t hesitate to tag me using the @ symbol and my username.
Anna
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@TennBob , my attitude is “come one, come all”. Just curious, how are things in Tennessee?
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Without getting political, @johnnyboy81, things not so great in Tennessee. A lot of people have lost representation through gerrymandering. Thanks for asking.
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I am sure you will have plenty to offer. Every contribution is valuable as all our experiences offer assistance to others & help build a better understanding of what we can expect after a stroke.
@TennBob , fair point. I don’t like to be political either. Pretty hard these days though.
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Hiya Tennbob nice to meet you. I had my stroke just before you and funnily enough I was on my way to Memphis/Nashville/New Orleans for a tour of music venues just when I was struck!! Fortunately the insurance paid up in full but obvs I was disappointed…I was also going on a detour to the Everglades to see the alligators ( we don’t have em in Scotland!!) I once went all the way to Australia to see the koalas, throughly enjoyed that, one of my fave places, along with Japan…so you are v welcome to come to Scotland…take your time with your stroke journey, dont put pressure on yourself to reach goals and be disappointed at not getting there soon enough…that would be my wee bit of advice for now xx
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(actually I’m very political, a “No Kings” type, but not on here.) 
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Feel a bit silly TennBob giving advice as I see you have written a book…brilliant…went to order it …so it will take from June to Nov to get here so might go for the Amazon unlimited option…I have never written a book…loads of professional reports for Courts and my wee cottage is literally stuffed with those old fashioned paper and cardboard thingymebubs x
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@susie1 I’m sad you didnt get to New Orleans. No place like it. I went there last month for a day of Jazzfest, because, as you say, I wanted to see if I could do it. Mixed results, but over all I’m glad I went. Sometimes I feel like I have enough people around me telling me what I can’t do that I needto push it. Not always wise, I know. Hoping to “cross the pond” next year. We’ll see.
That’s the ticket!! " I want to see if I can do it"…I went on a long train trip to the south coast of England (I live alone,no family) just to see if I could do it…and stayed in a hotel…I thought what’s the worse that can happen eh? It went quite well…altho the London Underground was a bit overwhelming just cos of the crowds…and the speed they go at…(neuro overload) i have turned into a stick (which I don’t particularly need) wielding auld wimmin ha ha ha…i digress! (As usual)
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