Speaker: A Very Simple Stroke
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If there is any way I can help re questions about my stroke experience ,I have just put my email up so feel free, although David's experience is a bit like snap to me (yet so much better than I could write) 'cept I got a consolation prize of epilepsy. So, for me as mentioned previously on some other thread, I was fascinated with all the learning about berry aneurisms, sub-arachnoid haemorrhage, strokes and epilepsy and other such. My man has also become quite the little book of knowledge so he can fill in my memory gaps. :)
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What a great surprise to find this uplifting story especially after just reading "Still Here" by Ram Dass written before and after his stroke.
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RiverHowe - I love those unexpected - resonances?
I've come across the word 'lacuna' in 3 different publications (which I dont normally read!) over the past fortnight...Stephen J - yep, several of the older generation, Scots side of the family, just died (after a miserable while) from the effects of the initial stroke/s. We are talking 30+ years ago tho'-
Sofie - thank you for doing that. A friend of mine who is a lifelong epileptic, but who had a stroke a year ago, may be in touch.
Russell - thank you for having a site where material like David's ongoing story can be published.
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Russell - thank you for having a site
Yes I agree. This site started as a therapy for me whilst on chemo and from then came the need for a laptop. :)
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Oh, and just quickly while thinking about PAS, can I say it is lovely how it morphs into sessions with real people .It's a jolly good site. David, everyday becomes a celebration of life. You wont sweat the small shit. Cheers.
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A beautifully written, moving account. I sat riveted until the very end. It should be a great encouragement to the recently afflicted Chris Knox.
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David, you're still such an amazing writer - good luck with your recovery and thank you for sharing your story!
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"went to sea
in a beautiful peagreen boat"steven c - that is a bloody good idea.
I can donate really superb photos (that I'll buy off my neighbours Andris Apse & David Alexander) or calligraphed/illustrated poems I'd make- hey! small ones, in the loo, might usefully distract/remind us of our common humanity? -
Of course any donation sounds great to me. Must admit though, when I was there. there was something nostalgic (possibly knowing that Miles had lived there) about that place. One ward housed amputees, and the one I was in...,well lets just say a few stroke and lots of other shit, but it had grass to touch and knickers on the clothes line and you could shower as long as you liked and my dog could wonder through the rehab. She learnt immediately how to open the self opening out patient door and after persuasion was considered therapy. I am positive others benefited and I know people changed around her. I'd say any donation would be great for rooms like the dining room, or halls or toilets or gym, or definitely nurses station. Go for it.:)
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I can only echo what has been said.
With that, I ask a question: what advice would you give to the rest of us, who haven't had strokes?
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+1 Human.
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I can donate really superb photos (that I'll buy off my neighbours Andris Apse & David Alexander) or calligraphed/illustrated poems I'd make-
Oh Andris Apse. <swoon>. I love his stuff. Very beautiful. A bit like your wriiting made three dimensional. Evocative. And yet definitely feet on the ground. Hope all is well with your brain, Islander?
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Thanks David. This might sound tactless but I love the synchronicity of the research at the spinal unit and then the lived experience of wheelchair use. Wouldn't it be wonderful if we had 'universal design' and all our houses were built fully accessible, for any such future events. My partner is a wheelchair user and there are still some parts of my house he can't get to because of too-small doors or steps.
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With that, I ask a question: what advice would you give to the rest of us, who haven't had strokes?
Keep your blood pressure stable of which 120/80 is ideal and Vodka was a common thing with David and myself which could have pushed the blood pressure up.If you ever get the opportunity to get an MRI on the brain, take it ,the pictures are neat and the information invaluable.
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Thanks for your insights too Sophie. Lived experience and personal stories much more engaging than theory.
I remember Miles and Shelley from those 1990s? documentaries. Would be good to watch again and see if attitudes have changed at all.
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I remember Miles and Shelley from those 1990s? documentaries. Would be good to watch again and see if attitudes have changed at all.
Somehow I cant imagine loads of houses being built for the disabled but, and not that I see much of Miles, he does still live in the community and has his own place,(thanks to the system) and of course Shelly went on to have a baby (think that was a doco)
I guess attitudes can change when the determination from the other side is there also. That was what we very quickly noticed at rehab plus, hence the dog entry. It took questioning the status quo to enable alternatives but they did accept it, which I s'pose is a good thing. -
NZ On Screen has a 10 min excerpt from Miles and Shelly Go Flatting.
I still see Shelly around Pt Chev too. She keeps her carers on their toes ...
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She keeps her carers on their toes ...
Heh, Shelley was what made me think of "having determination".I didn't know her well but I'll never forget her. I understand she kept the house and Miles moved to a leafy suburb.:)
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Speaking of universal design, check the video flythrough at the local Lifetime Design site. Some new retirement villages are starting to incorporate their principles and qualify for the associated LifeMark standard. Good stuff.
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I would also like to add my appreciation of you story David. As a physiotherapist working in one of our cities big hospitals it is stories like yours that remind me of the reason I became a physio and why the work I do each day should never be treated as a 'job'.
Its a shame it takes a situation such as the brilliant Mr Knox's to bring such catastrophic health events to the attention of the public but I am also greatful that it provides me with the opportunity to reflect on how my, and other health professionals, can assist in all aspects of recovery.
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BTW, love the idea of getting some nice pictures on the walls at Rehab Plus. Give me the weekend to formulate a plan.
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I have some DHB contacts if they're needed, but probably best just start with the facility managers directly.
It would be great to see a longer-term relationship where artworks were cycled through many such places, maybe with the involvement of some trust to own/broker the art and so forth. Just the kind of thing that the traditional charitable circles would get behind.
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Jackie, Andris is a really top bloke, as well as a genius* photographer.
Great cook, good hunter & fisher, excellent friend to so many people,
and wonderful father & grandfather...he and Lynne have truly enhanced the settlement.He was down at my place - they live on the hill, I live on the flat- to give me a copy of his latest gorgeous book - "Landscape & Light." It's the first one he's had total control over, and the result is exquisite, an hierloom. We celebrated with a modest Laphroaig-
my brain seems to be functioning ok: there's just this 3+ hour gap in my memory, and the experience of not being able to move - must see if I can get a copy of the CT scan: I've seen the inside of my eyeballs, but viewing the inside of your own brain - sweet!
* genius: that old quote about it being '10% inspiration & 90% persperation" applies to Andris's work: I had the privilege of recording & transcribing his words to help him to write his biographical essay ( a bio of a photographer) for his 3-volume "Fiordland" masterwork. That's when I learned that for some shots he would come back for 10 years - more!- to get the exact light & conditions he wanted.
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Russell - if I can help, I'd be happy to-
Sacha - that sounds a good way to go. It would be excellent to get the opinions and input from yourself, and people like Davis & Sofie too.
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I reckon there are short term and longer term approaches that can work together well without much fuss. It's a great idea and I'd be delighted to help if needed. I am confident that Russell will be hatching good plans over the weekend (and he has my contact details).
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