I'm sure we have all heard the term "use it or lose it" with regards to our abilities relating to aging.
When I survived the stroke I lost many abilities.
Over time I realize that I have had to reuse to regain things. Believe me it's been ugly and humbling.
Once I was a very athletic, proficient agile person and post stroke, therapists would throw light soft balls at me to catch and the balls would bounce off my chest and fall to the floor as my arms waived at it them after they had already hit me and the floor.
After time, practice and improvement in vision and coordination I have made progress. While coaching hockey, people do not realize my past and innocently toss me a roll of hockey tape or empty water bottle or puck and I catch them! Awesome! ( therapeutic and they don't realize it)
It took me a year and a half to be able to ride a bicycle again, I started riding on my kids bicycles (much smaller, toddler bicycles). In the beginning I could ride straight up the street but I would have to get off in order to do a U turn and go back to where I came from. I felt too unstable.
Time, practice and improvement with physical things have enabled me to ride again, I am still very cautious especially looking to my right, I do not ride with abandon like I once might have but I did ride over 800 kms last year. To date I don't do anything with abandon, maybe one day I will be back to this stage.
Continuing to challenge ourselves and getting to our limits has been something I see has been helpful.
Therapists have been great in this regard unfortunately this aspect has not been a consistent part of my recovery. Like healthy people doing exercise it is much easier to have a trainer to motivate us and challenge us. Therapists and trainers cost money, money that is rare in this stage of life.
My kids and brothers and even other people in my life have been therapists to me whether they know it or not.
Therapists once stood beside me and gave me a gentle shove and would say, "I don't do that to be mean, just to test your balance" my brothers found out and seem to be happy to have a reason to shove their older brother.
My kids got me biking, walking, coaching hockey and doing other things that they think is normal but I feel the therapeutic value of being involved with them.
I am completely aware of my state directly after the stroke and in light of that, so very grateful for my life and abilities.
