Reader's Digest

120 | July• 2018

I SURVIVED A STROKE

advised. When I tried I managed a

fewmetresbeforeIveeredrightand

smashed into the wall. “Persever-

ance”shecalledouttome.

Irepeatedthelurchingmotion

once again smashing into the wall

then continued down the hall

swerving to my right almost collid-

ingwithanelderlywoman.hento

mysurpriseIboltedforwardina

straightlinetowardsthegym.“I’m

assuming you’re going to the gym”

Patsaidfrombehindme.

“Yesisthatyou?”Iasked.“hank

you. hey expect too much of me.”

“heywantyoutodoasmuchas

youpossiblycanyourself.”

Asweenteredthegymawoman

approached us. “Hi I’m Deena one

of your physiotherapists.”

IfanciedherthesecondInoticed

the light in her brown eyes. Over

thenexthoursheintroducedmeto

the equipment. First we worked on

gettingmeintoastandingposition

thenshetoldmewhatIcouldsafely

use–mostlythestationarybikeand

the weights and pulleys.

“Two things” Deena said. “Always

remember to apply the brakes when

you leave your chair. Otherwise

youcouldenduponyourbottom.

And repetition. Repetition is what

retrains the brain. And builds up

muscle memory.”

“Will I recover?” I murmured.

“All in good time.” She paused.

“Recoveryisveryslowaftera stroke.

You need to be patient.”

withmyoldself.Theyworkedlike
ametaphortohelpestablishmy
newclaimon‘being’.Apartofmy
brainwasdamagedbutotherparts
seemed to be working overtime to
compensateforwhatIhadlost.
And thankfully Pat would not
letmefeelsorryformyself.Nor
were the staf tolerant of any signs

ofquitting.AsItravelledthrough
the halls in my wheelchair in the
weekstocomewhatIheardwas
achorusofvoicesraisedinasong
of healing. Rarely did I hear anger
or annoyance escape anyone’s lips
butmyown.
ThatfirstdayIhadanappoint-
ment in the g ym. “Do you know the
way?”anurseaskedme.Ithenre-
alised they expected me to wheel
myself to the gym.Good luckI
thought.Icouldn’tgoinastraight
line. My right arm hung lifeless in
my lap and when I pulled with my
left hand I did doughnuts.
“Dragyourleftfootalongthe
ground as you push” a nurse

I LIFTED MY

PARALYSED ARM AND

SWUNG IT IN A CIRCLE.

I HAD MOVEMENT

FORTHE FIRST TIME

SINCE MY STROKE