May is National Stroke Awareness Month

STROKE: From Patient to Person Again

After a stroke, how do we put the pieces of our lives back together again?

We use our INTELLECT

• Immediate therapy
• Nurture ourselvesTeam approach
• Emotional stability
• Learn our health issues
• Love
• Elect to set goals
• Change
• Time

How do we move forward?

• One small step at a time
• Keep a record of your daily progress
• Celebrate your achievements

How do we recover all aspects of life?

• Physical - therapy (ongoing!)
• Recreational - community activities
• Organization - daily schedule (journal)
• Financial - ability to meet financial obligations
• Emotional - ability to deal with life change
• Spiritual - faith life journey
• Social - family dynamics and relationships

There is no simple answer!

• Learn all you can about your particular stroke!
• Anger can be a wonderful motivator if used correctly!
• Be your own best advocate!

Real Life

• Medical "plateaus" are meant to be broken
• Everyday we are breaking new ground in Stroke Recovery
• Keep working towards your goals and dreams

Believe in Yourself!

THE POWER OF HEALING

• Courage in the face of adversity
• Healing Power of Humor
• Understanding
• Meeting the challenge of adaptation

Be a chum to others too! Other stroke survivors/heroes will look to you for support.

Conclusion (but true recovery always continues)

• Learn the warning signs of STROKE!
• Stroke is part of your medical condition BUT does not define you as a person. You are a true HERO
• While facing challenges - healing means the ability to enjoy life

You're Not Getting Older...

You're getting more interesting to the Medical Profession

Be sure to check MyHeartCentral's home for Stroke Awareness Month!