Well,
it has been 9 bittersweet years since I
had my stroke. I've been through quite a bit physically,spiritually,emotionally,
and mentally.I’ll admit it hasn't always been easy but I've been able to
venture through it with the support of family, friends,therapists,kind strangers
but mostly my unshakable faith in Christ’s healing blood.I discovered when I’m in
a situation like mine I had do several things.First,I had to accept
but not settle where I was I then had to
try my best to adjust and move on. Second,I couldn't take everything so
personally that someone said or didn't say
and even do or didn't do.I really didn’t want to spend a lot of time
thinking about how I've lost my independence or saying and thinking,”what if
this never happened?”.But, I needed to
move on and focus on recovery. I've learned quite a bit about over this period
in my life both medically and spiritually.But when you're in the venture period,
desert, or whatever you want to call it. I've learned you have adjust to the situation. I've adjusted by having to do most things one handed and using my other hand
differently. I've learned how to adjust
in nearly everything I do from putting on my t-shirt to brushing my
teeth all through trial and error..Honestly, I would have liked to have learned
a easier way. Now here are a few things you need to know about a stroke
survivor or from my experience or an
adjustment period.
1.
Each
stroke or person is different people
progress at different paces
2.
Don't
assume our limitations. As for myself if
I need help I'm not afraid to ask even if it's someone I don’t know.
3.
You
don't have handle us with kid gloves
most of us are pretty tough and resilient.
4.
Feel
free to ask any questions you may have if you don’t know or haven't looked it up for yourself.
5.
Don't
make any assumptions about what they can or cannot do.
6.
Give
them time to adjust to their situation but be there for them.
Those things are not
set in stone because as I'm sure you know things change.
Now, keep in mind I'm
not a therapist of any kind by a long shot. I’m just a guy that's adjusting
through stuff.
Thanx,
Manny
* On a
side note This week and this morning at
work I was going over that morning I
had my stroke and that summer I was thinking about how far I’ve come and
I’m simply humbled and amazed by the strength , patience , people ,and grace
God has given me.
