I am gaining some valuable insight, into the world of the stroke survivor,…through my father’s eyes. I am not suggesting I know how he feels exactly, while I can only imagine what it must be like to see your world change and the ways and means in which we encounter or accomplish, once, simple tasks. It is my father’s and family’s right to not share all that is going on, but I think I know my father well enough that he would do anything to help someone else, including sharing some of his story .

My Father’s story is one of struggle, survival and victory. My father is also very highly regarded amongst our family and his huge circle of friends. All who know him recognize he is a hard worker,…one who can rarely sit still,…always busy at something. He is now “busy” at getting better, and stronger, intent on performing activities of daily living, (ADL’s) in new or modified ways. As with some who experience a stroke, his visual field is compromised,…my estimation at least 25%,…or half of one side (his left side) of his body. So, reflect on that analogy as I continue to write under the title, “through my father’s eyes”.

Short term memory impairment may also challenge him with remembering from one moment to the next. Imagine this scenario, for one who is intent on cooking their own dinner,…and the likelhood they would on occassion, forget that the stove is even on,…or a frying pan that is heating up. It again is not my intent to illuminate my father’s challenges as much as I am using his true to life story to address the issues for those with cognitive and/or sensory impairment. What I hope, is to help people appreciate is that no two people  who will experince the outcomes of a stroke the same way. There are as many presentations as there are individuals, differing in their personalities and the attitudes in which they will face their individuals cahllenges with.

So let me share this with you. I will be helping and guiding many of my nursing students to contribute to on-line community development and life enrichment,…one topic being stroke prevention and recovery. This particular website will be called “Different Strokes for differing folks”. This is intended to help enlighten all to the many presentations and possiblities of stroke. There is no “one size fits all” rehabilitation or recovery program, as there is not one conclusive set of symptoms or differing abilities that will remain after a stroke. For some it is vision, memory or cognitve function that is impacted, for many it will be speech,…such as expressive aphasia, (the abilty to communicate or say exactly what one would intend or want to say). It could be a continued risk that exists, (if they have Atrial Fribrillation) something that increases morbidity, that being swallow impairment and the accompanying risk of aspiration and subsequent pneumonia.
There has been many follow-up CT scan results that have been shared with the family. There is not one, but several areas of the brain that has been implicated/impacted. One of the areas is the Cerebelum, near the back of the skull,…and among many other things it is highly connected to balance. Needless to say, for Dad, a priority for his rehabiliation will be balance training, to help enhance his competence at walking safely. There is also the fear of falling that will be an impediment, along with the damaged area of the brain.

So, please return to the site,…and you will find the new web address,…and be able to see the contribution of the students on this very important topic,…stroke prevention and recovery.

Thanks,…BE well,

Dave