I had never even heard the term hemorrhagic stroke until I woke up in intensive care after a blood vessel burst in the right side of my brain. Unable to lift my left arm or move my left foot I found myself in confusion of exactly what was going on. I would spend the next 8 weeks hospitalized on the neurological unit of Winchester Medical Center in Winchester, VA re-learning basic life skills that most of us take for granted. I wasn’t able do the simple everyday things like shower or put on my clothes. I was told I would most likely never walk again. After a few days the gravity of the situation was clear. I had survived a massive brain aneurysm that has an 80% mortality rate. Over the next 8 weeks I would be taught how to use a wheelchair and a walker, dress and undress, and perform basic hygiene functions. I eventually regained the mobility in my left arm, but due to a condition called ‘drop foot’ I wasn’t able to walk on my own.
After many months of physical rehabilitation I was able to move back to my hometown and work at putting my life back together as best I thought I could. Many milestones began to happen for me, each of which gave me hope and courage to keep going. I was able to find my own housing that was handicap accessible, and within a year I was able to move from the wheelchair to walking around the house using a device called “The Walkaide” that I learned about from Hanger Clinic where I was fitted for a leg brace. The device simulates the nerves and muscles in my foot to pick it up so that I’m able to walk using only a cane. As I became more mobile I wanted to do more and more, and my courage seemed to take on a life of its own. I performed in a community theater for people with disabilities; I started a home-based business that has become extremely successful in a short amount of time; I joined several local networking programs for marketing my business; and I’ve reached out to hospitals, rehab centers, and physical rehab colleges so that I can share my story of thriving after a stroke.
Although I have a physical disability from the stroke I live independent and have a very full and busy life. My walking limitations have not kept me from doing most anything I could do before the stroke. Because of my desire to continue making my life better, opportunities continue to come in with my work and speaking to groups about living and thriving after a stroke. I am blessed with so many gifts and it is my goal to share my story wherever I am able to.
Life doesn’t have to stop after a stroke, and my life is living proof.
