Monday, March 28, 2011

Back on the horse

Thanks to my minor hockey team for a great season! I was at the head coach position for the first time since my stroke...I had taken a back seat these past few years as assistant and manager of teams. I don't skate yet due to vestibular damage in my brain affecting my balance, but I still coached...from the bench.
Years ago I crashed my motorcycle leaving the highway, broke my thumb, crushed my calf and road burn to my forearm but I lived and bought another motorcycle and rode again...I have always needed to prove to myself that I could do things again and these are two examples of my determination...I will ride yet again and hope to skate yet again.

My visit to the eye specialist revealed that I do have a problem with my right eye especially when looking to the right. Surgery and glasses were ruled out and they were happy that double vision only happens when I look to the right. Double vision was once present with I looked straight ahead and this would be the only reason to intervene...to correct straight ahead vision. In the meantime they say that my vision will likely be like this for the rest of my time, possibly slightly improved with usage of the right eye looking right. The constraint induced therapy was noted and dismissed as something that might help. I need to re wire my brain for vision with both eyes looking to the right.

The other notation was damage to my vestibular area of my brain. This area deals with balance and my balance is not good. They will recommend a vestibular therapist or specialist.

All things considered, vestibular damage, right eye vision and numbness in the right upper part of my body is minimal residual damage compared to most other survivors...I am thankful for what I have and to be able to go back on the horse.

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