I think it is important to realise a couple or more of things this thread makes plain.
Waiting for the authorities, clinicians, experts to provide help with everyday living is a waste of valuable time, both theirs and ours.
Between us, we are over a million, there is sufficient ability, resources, know how, hands on experience to begin a useful self help initiative.
Using resources like this forum and free online facilities like blogs, chat groups, video platforms, the online experience as a whole, we should be able to pull something together for ourselves.
We need to provide support and backup for those just arriving on the scene. We know all about that.
Also people like myself who have been around for a year or too but are still clueless could do with some guidance, help to deal with the struggles.
We need to create and organise demonstrations with instructions for dealing with everyday life when the effects of stroke require us to tackle things from a different direction.
I have tried to tackle my difficulties alone but have found that others can give me valuable pointers that make the journey more efficient and effective.
My main point is that we can help one another, we actually gain by helping one another.
Those with organising skills can help pull this together.
There is hope for us all but we need to realise we are not alone, we have one another.
This is an ongoing thing, no pauses, no plateaus, no time to just wait.
Waiting for it to happen could make for a very long haul.
That was the plateau now it is time to move on.
What do you think? and how?
(It is 5.00 am I’m sat here in the buff in front of my laptop. This is where & when I think like this. Enough, I’m not getting dressed it’s too early - I’m going back to bed. My apologies for leaving you with that image.)
If you struggle washing your feet/toes my mum (who has arthritis) has a sponge on a stick which she uses to wash her feet in the shower which I think she got from the hospital. Might be worth getting an OT referral .
Hi Norma just catching up on all of the chats I’ve missed. You’ve started a great talking point and especially good to hear from the men on here, we all have to get dressed and undressed every day
I don’t think you have offended or embarrassed anyone. I have thoroughly enjoyed reading everyone’s contributions, I have found some of the posts very funny. At the same time I’ve picked up some good tips.
My hemorrhagic stroke paralysed my left side 8 years ago and I need to wear my AFO to get from the bedroom and into the shower. My hubby helps me do the bits I can’t do.
When I was first discharged from hospital I saw a lovely Occupational Therapist who helped me through some of the difficulties.
Like many of the ladies on here I tend to stick to trousers and jeggings, I find dresses and skirts a bit difficult to wear and tend to get tangled up especially when going to the toilet .
Your post has made me realise just how valuable this community is. So a big thank you Norma for raising the subject and thank you to everyone for contributing.
I’m not worrying about my feet in the shower, I can bend down to do that, whereas drying them is a faff but I have to do that otherwise aqua-wings growth is rather unsightly.
Thanks for the videos Lorraine. I’ll certainly take some of them on board. When looking at them you can see the logic, but in the heat of almost hanging myself with my bra, you don’t think in logic! One thing will be M&S (other shops are available) tomorrow to seek out a towelling robe.
Another point, thank you, is the after toilet routine. That is a positive to explore.
I’m pleased I raised this, I really didn’t want to relinquish my own independence, but who better to ask than the ‘experts.’. thanks best wishes Norma
I’m sorry I never saw the toileting one at the time I had my hip replaced because that was so awkward for wiping
And don’t ever feel intrusive, none of this kind of topic should be embarrassing. This is just the type of forum for these sort of topics. Its all part’n’parcel of life after a stroke.
Our thinking process is on the glitch after stroke, so we don’t always have the ability to think such things ourselves. But we can rely each other here to share these life hacks, tips and tricks when we do have them, no matter how embarrassing. Because we are all, more or less, in the same boat. We have or had the self same issues. And we are supporting each other by sharing
And like I said, you can always find these on youtube. If you find a particularly good one, share it here. Not every is able to to access these for any number of reasons.
Thanks matt that is the same way i put my socks on, theproblem is, i have become so proficient at it over the last couple of years i think my brain has learnt that using 2 hands is not a skill i use/ need anymore and i can no longeraccess those basic movements ( as per upper limb learned non-use )?? Or just regular aging??
I have just tied my shoelaces though, only our community will understand the great feeling of being able to do something so simple that we have always taken for granted. I think i must have tried all thd adaptive laces on the market by now but nothing beats a regular bow tied by your own👐
I wonder if we could compile a list of aids and strategies that have been useful to people on the site? And then people who need some hints could find them all in one place. It would be helpful to suggest where to buy the items, too, either online or in well known retailers, (for those who can access or have family to help.)
