My Stroke of Luck

The “Slow Movement” that has gained some attention and interest recently has captured me. I’ve been “working” at slowing down in many areas of my life during the past couple of years. I started this…well, I started “thinking” about this back when I became interested in the simplicity movement. Obviously, they go hand in hand. Or one would think.

Three years ago I broke my ankle and that physically slowed me down quite a bit for a short while but apparently I needed another, deeper lesson to slow me down further. A stroke did the job.

Yes, October 2009, I suffered a stroke. I was blessed, repeatedly blessed, not only because I have no obvious or life-altering or devastating effects but also because I was at work when it happened. Had I been at home it is doubtful I would have even called 911.

I had experienced, over the previous year, many small (and what I NOW know) TIAs. A TIA is a transient ischemic attack, kind of a warning stroke. I thought they were just these weird dizzy spells.  My age, never having smoked, fairly good cholesterol and great blood pressure made me an unlikely candidate for stroke, yet still, I had one.

This slowed me down.

I was in the hospital for 4 days. I underwent physical therapy and this was when the damage revealed itself. I had a lot of difficulty with my balance though most of that returned within a few months. For awhile afterward, and still now on occasion, I feel “tippy”. My kids loved the phrase and used it frequently. I did not love feeling tippy. It left me feeling very vulnerable, hanging onto chair backs, door jams and running my fingers along walls for security.

Outwardly, I looked fine, and I returned to work after only a week. I felt my job was to convince everyone that I was doing just great. But I wasn’t. My greatest fear was that I wouldn’t be able to read or write. I did have some difficulty concentrating for awhile after the stroke but gradually I regained my stamina. For awhile I only wanted to sleep. My damaged brain just wanted and needed rest but…

So now, three years later, I have some difficulty remembering the simpliest of words and I've become quite dyslexic, especially with numbers. Still, I have been abundantly blessed. I can walk, talk, read and write. Many other stroke survivors are unable to do the basics of self-care.

These individuals who may be bed-ridden, unable to walk or talk, these people are one of the big reasons why I am walking across America...because I can and they can't. It is my intention to visit rehabilitation centers and nursing homes to just sit with and "be" with other stroke survivors. I would like to bring a smile into their day, and with your help, perhaps some financial gift.

I just want to make a difference, even a small one.