At the gym, I invented an exercise. Lying face down on a gym bench, I practice moving my arms in wide circles, like freestyle swimming.
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At my first rehab facility, they had a hot pool, and I was eager to try it. Until one therapist told me about all the incontinent patients who used the pool. Skip.
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In the hospital they asked me what month it was. The correct answer was July. I said, "Jodie Foster."
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Several people have written in with stories of dismal therapists saying "If your walk hasn't improved by X time, you will probably wear your ankle brace forever." I got the same sort of comment.
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After many years, my stroke foot goes heel-toe, heel-toe when I walk. Ta-da.
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In the hospital, I had to use a cane to get around. I couldn't stand it. If you have only one working hand, a cane uses up your ability to hold things.
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Right after my stroke it was very hard to read. Letters swam around and disappeared.
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After a stroke, some muscles may become unable to relax. This is called tone or spasticity (spastic-ity). I call it %@2S/T!
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Early after my stroke, I sometimes had trouble modulating my voice. My friends took me out to dinner and I talked at the top of my lungs for most of the meal.
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That's aphasia for you: sometimes your words come to you 3 minutes later.
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Many stroke victims purchase two identical pairs of shoes in different sizes. This is so they will fit their good foot into a normal shoe, and their cloddy ankle brace foot into a shoe 2 sizes bigger.
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