Practice makes perfect

there will be some therapist that tell you that whatever movement you don't get back in two years you most likely won't get back, and as depressing as that sounds I use those words to fuel my recovery. Therapist are telling you what they know based on what they have seen but there is no time that can be associated with recovery, because everybody differs. Frank gave me a heads up about what some of the therapist would say as some people had told him in the past. Most people encounter Obstacles in their lives, we just have to be persistant and try again everytime. I may not be the smartest or wisest person but I know Iv'e tried again everytime I've failed. One thing that I have learned from my life so far is that practice makes perfect.

chilly outside

Winter is right around the corner. as a child I loved the winter season but it has grown to be a pain because of what it does to my hand. It never fails every winter season my hand is constantly stuck in a fist position. I have to exercise more often to keep my hand loose enough. Just remember to exercise early and don't get used to having your hand tight because it will set you back quite a bit. If u stick to exercises and your regular therapy routines you will be fine come spring.

Give thanks

this week we will celebrate Thanksgiving so I fiigured I'd blog about what I'm thankful for. Some of this may seem like a repetition but I really am thankful for them. First I am thankful that God gave me a chance to do things right and to see the world from a different perspective. I am also am thankful for my family that has never treated me like I was different. Without my family I would probably be in a wheelchair still but they gave me a reason to get better. I am also thankful for all of the oppurtunities I've had in my life even though I didn't always get what I wanted I always had enough and thats all we need. Lastly, whether or not I've helped anyone with my blog I am thankful for learning how to do it because it has helped me tremendously.

saeboflex

I used a device called a saeboflex to help with my recovery. my hand was stuck in a fist position an I had to wear another prosthetic to stretch my hand so it could be loose enough so I could even be a candidate for the saeboflex. I went to round rock Texas twice a week to attend therapy and work with a certified saebo technician. basically the Saeboflex loosened my hand to a point where I could start an at home therapy without it and I am glad that I experience this device because it really did help in the start of my recovery.I would recommend the saeboflex to anyone having a hard time with hand therapy.

Handicap parking

Since I am 21, I am not the average stroke victim. i can't count how many mean looks I've gotten when I park in a handicap parking space. just because i don't appear to be handicap doesn't mean I am not. I try not to park in handicap parking but sometimes I actually feel handicap so I do. one lady cursed at me because she said I had no right to park in a handicap zone and she wasn't even handicap she said if her dad was with her she would have parked there so usually I just park in handicap parking when I am wearing shorts so people can see my leg brace.

Frank

when I was transferred to the rehab floor at the Scott and white hospital I was in no mood to be around anybody. It was at breakfast time that anold grey haired nurse came in my room  and introduced himself to me. The nurse's name was frank and his first words to me were "I know exactly how you feel buddy  yo'll get better eventually," After I was done telling him nobody understood what I was going through Frank explained to me that he too had a stroke when he was sixteen, and that he was fully recovered. I felt attached to frank because he was such a positive  person and he understood everything I was going through. I think that if I didn't meet frank  I would still feel alone. Frank also informed me that a recovery would not be easy and that I had to keep on trying even if I saw no improvement at all. just know that there are too many people in the world for you to be the only one going through what your going through and if you are then accept help from those that are willing to assist  you even if they don't understand what you are going through because sometimes those are the people that you need the most

off course

There may be times that you forget or just don't get around to doing your exercises but that is fine. I you miss some or just want a break  from your exercises just get back on track a couple of missed exercises won't be the end of the world just don't make it a habit. This Saturday was My older sisters Birthday And I went to visit her in San Antonio and I paid no attention to my exercises, not purposely though, they just did not cross my mind. On Sunday I did do my exercises and I am in the same condition I was in on Friday. Don't let missed exercises stress you just remember to be consistent.

Inspiration

Everybody has some kind of inspiration. basically most people have a reason for what they do whether its supporting a family, proving something to yourself, or it could be religious. If we didn't have inspiration then we wouldn't bother getting out of bed in the morning to go about our daily routines. you should let your inspiration be a reminder to you that you cannot give up on yourself or your family. I am compelled by many things one of my main reasons not to give up is my family of course, also I have to prove to myself that I can overcome obstacles in my life in my condition. this post pertains to anybody because we are all going through tough times at one point and  we shouldn't give up because like the things that inspire us we may be an inspiration as well.

experiment

Iv'e always been very shy but one thing I've learned when it comes to surviving a stroke is to not be afraid to be part of something new. as much as you want to believe that somebody has a cure for paralysis it isn't going to happen. I have used many gadgets in an attempt to speed up my recovery after Scott and white told me I didn't need to go to occupational therapy anymore I felt very discouraged but I came to the realization that an occupational therapists job isn't to get you a 100% recovery its to teach you to be independent of others so that you can conform in society. I did a lot of research about strokes and came across many of the gadgets that I use now and I've even had botox shots in my hand more than once. Everything I've used has helped me in a way but its a start, the only things you need to get better are yourself and determination

time to laugh

although it may be hard to be happy if your paralyzed Don't forget that you can still laugh every once in a while, not only is it healthy for you but it will also let your loved ones know that you are still the same person you were before your stroke. this picture is a reminder to me that strokes aren't that bad. 

your paralyzed not dead

once the pain of a stroke goes away the depression settles in. There is nothing wrong with being depressed if your paralyzed because its natural.You will start to realize you will not be able to do the same things you used and that your life will never be the same, but the main thing you should focus on is that you are paralyzed not helpless. Some People have strokes and never get paralyzed but if you did you still have parts of your body that do work and  you need to put those parts  to work. If you lay around expecting everybody to cater to you then you are only hurting yourself by slowing down your recovery. try to be as independent as possible because most likely you cannot have someone at your side at all times. My parents had to go to work and I stayed at the hospital surrounded by elderly people that were glad to still be alive rather than complain about their situation. you cannot put a time on a recovery because it varies depending on how much effort you put into trying to get better. Independence and a positive attitude is the best way to recovery it may be hard to mantain the two but it is a long road to recovery and you will never reach your destination unless you stay on it. I will always appreciate the people who made me do for myself because they helped me realize that I could do anything I set my mind on