Confidence to Care
Trapped in a body, thinking too many thoughts. I woke up feeling that I was stuck down a well. There is very little room to move. My arm glued to my body and my legs stuck in mud. People have come to help me. I can see them at the top of the well. They look worried, at least they do when I can see them. They keep coming and going. Flashing lights, doctors ? Lights in my eyes. Headache. Hospital ? What ? Why ? My mind keeps racing. How did I get here ? When will I wake up ? I keep shouting for help but they just look puzzled.
Days go by with me waking up to another Groundhog Day. I start praying that everything will go back to normal, except this is my new normal. My girlfriend is often here, looking worried, patting me on the head, talking about changes to life. I begin to understand that I have had a stroke. That I may never be able to communicate beyond a few words and I will always limp. I have a pad of paper and a pen but I keep writing the same thing over and over again. Over time my relatives take over my life, my business and all my assets.
Apparently I am incapable of running my life. It’s tricky when you can’t tell people what you want. I say “ yes” a lot even when I mean no. When I mean “no” I cry or swear. My friends don’t visit much because I can’t talk to them. My face carries very little expression but at least you can’t see how I feel inside.
Strokes are cruel, so cruel. The story above is from a friend of mine. 15 years later he lives alone with Carers to help him. His girlfriend left him, his mother died and many of his friends drifted way. He manages but he is still trapped in a body that feels superglued in places and he can’t speak more than 20 words.
To recover from a stroke you NEED the people around you to recognise the symptoms. Fast treatment is essential to prevent long term damage. So what are the symptoms ?
Face. Part of it may have slipped, can they smile? Arms. May not work together. One may not lift. Speech: Is it slurred ? Do they seem confused ?Time: is of the essence – act quickly – phone 999.
I know other people who have had strokes. One is in a care facility long term in a chair. Another is back to normal life with a slight limp and a little brain fog but she manages.
Be the person who calls 999 when it is needed. Don’t be the live in carer afraid to leave them in their own. Don’t be the one who walks away because it’s too hard to see them like that. Be the one who takes action and stops the damage getting worse. Be the one who acts FAST !.