I don't know how to

[MADem]

7. Let them know that, though stroke can sometimes bring emotions to

the surface more easily, that you can handle it and grieving is cathartic. Once they realize you are tougher than you might physically appear, they can help you through the process.

Religious adherence to physical therapy can help enormously in stroke recovery. I had a relative who was wheelchair bound following a stroke, with slurred speech and no use of his right hand. After a great deal of therapy (I took a year off and did nothing but dog the poor guy...he improved to get rid of me!), he recovered speech completely, recovered the full use of his right arm,got his handwriting back, and is back to his pastime of singing at bars! He still has a limp and will probably always need a cane but he makes it work for him. I will say one 'benefit' of his stroke is that he's more open and honest and far less anxious...almost devil-may-care. There is life after stroke-- get as much therapy as you can, and demand MORE!

It's hard, hard work....but worth it.