31

In OT school, we spend one third of our education on psychology, more than any of the other rehabilitation disciplines.  OTs actually started out in many psych hospitals, and it is a rich part of our history. I think it helps us in the day to day of our work, because we use a holistic approach. Yes, we want you to be able to put your shirt on and use your affected hand, but if that isn’t meaningful to you, then it isn’t a focus today. Recently, I have been reading about mindfulness and

March

2019

29

On the night of the thirtieth day of August, two thousand and fifteen I was in the church, my vision began to be blurred. My face and arm on the right side began to tingle, I put my hand on my face that I really thought would be ants walking on my face.  I went home, ate something but I had no appetite and went to bed but could not sleep. The next day I did not get up very well, I lay, my views were very blurred, I was dizzy, I could not stand for a long time. I asked my mother to go to the

March

2019

26

It seems like more and more, I run into other stroke survivors with a story to share. A simple conversation and a few questions, and most people are willing to share their story. It is quite something to be able to add understanding from one who has been there as well. The part I most enjoy is the connection. Seeing other people smile and feel as though they even learned something through the many conversations my Stromie girlfriends and I have had the privilege of being a part of. There is a

March

2019

26

My husband walked past me putting on makeup last week and commented on the fact that my right arm was waving around crazily. I honestly didn’t notice. I am right-handed and lost fine motor skill ability on that side when I had a stroke three years ago. I have learned to do many things with my left hand, including putting on mascara! At first it was awkward and yes - I did poke myself in the eyes many times. Thankfully, my right eyeball is pretty numb, so it didn’t hurt that badly. Always find

March

2019

24

I’m going to write about something that I’ve not yet heard about from other stroke survivors in the hopes that someone else will say, “Oh hey, yeah – that happens to me too!” thereby making me feel like I’m not the only one. Before my stroke, I often joked that my husband was somehow blind to messes. Stuff he would walk right past – like a full laundry basket needing to get hauled down to the laundry room or the empty soda can he left on the counter – I would see as though it was engulfed in a

March

2019