Strokes can be lonely, isolating and scary, and are often misunderstood by the rest of the world. But once you have had one – and I had one 10 years ago – you can’t go back.
So, you have to go forward because that’s all there is. Unless you just want to lay there – and that’s OK too – but I choose forward. Truth be told, sometimes I do just lay there, but then I get up whether I want to or not.
Forward is exhausting…very exhausting. Forward is lonely, and no one understands what I can and cannot do.
But it is forward, and with each little step, I am still grateful I have moved forward at all.
Get a journal.
Get a camera.
Create how it is you feel in something – it helps.
Get a plant that blossoms.
Get a pet – maybe a dog or a cat from a shelter. Unconditional love helps. I would be lost without mine.
Go outside – there’s something about the sun reminding you.
It’s OK to be sad.
It’s OK to be hurt.
It’s OK to be angry.
But don’t let yourself turn into those things.
All my best.
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Thinkstock photo via Grandfailure.
Rebecca Friedman loves writing and words. She lost the memory of her words due to aphasia from a stroke and had to find her words again.
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