Waiting for a moment of brilliance is a habit of mine that needs breaking. So I have decided to start now by posting an entry out of the every day page of my life. A work associate of mine called me today and had some business to talk about, but he first wanted to share with me that one of his close personal friends had just had a stroke, and said that he thought of me, and wondered if I had any words to share. He explained to me that his friend could not speak, and was unable to walk, and that this event had just happened, and his friend had been admitted to the hospital. He recollected my story of relearning to walk, and apparently had shared that story with others. I was so happy that my own struggle was far along enough now to be an inspiration for others positive thought. Wow! He is going to go see his friend this weekend.

I first told him that I was very sorry for his friends incident, and then I told him that he, his friend, and his friends loved ones could learn a great deal about his situation from the wisdom of others who know, by checking out this site. I am new at this writing and sharing aspect of my life, which I hope to exercise and improve here. I have wanted to post a blog ever since it was recommended to me by JennieBean, and was honored by her suggestion to do so. As I kept waiting for that "moment", it just did not happen, as such waiting goes... But when I wrote my associate this letter, I realized, it seemed "me" enough for sharing with you here. And I also realized that the support I have received from the many wise ones here has been only positive. And I realized that I can possibly lead others, by simply walking forward. So I have cut and pasted my letter to my associate below for your perusal, if you are so inclined as to read it. Comments are welcome, so please let me know what you think, and how else you think I might approach a similar situation in the future. I may also need advice for the volunteer work I am considering as I retrace my own steps to recovery.

Here goes:

Hi Gary,

I was sorry to hear the news of your friends stroke, but thanks for sharing with me. I definitely know what it's like, and just how scared your buddy must be right now. I know it's worrisome for you as well, as you are a compassionate man and I am sure you do not want to see your friend in pain, or potentially losing any of his abilities. You already know that the best thing that you can do for him is just to be there; that's biggest difference you can make in this instance.

The key thing I can share with you that you may not already know is that all strokes are different, and each persons recovery varies as well. But one thing the process does not vary on is that a lot of skills will come back over the course of the first two months, and will continue to come back at a good rate especially in the first six months as the brain swelling subsides. That's phase one, and it can have it's ups and downs.

I am just now at eight months, and while I am totally functional, there are things about me that will never be the same. I hope that those around your friend are aware of that facet of stroke survivors, and realize that a new reality is being forged directly in front of your eyes. One of the things I saw in some of the well meaning loved ones that came to visit me and my cohorts, was that some people only seemed to want us to return to our former self, with unchanged skills and abilities. That is not likely to happen, at least not in the way that most expect.

The website I talked about is here: http://www.strokeboard.net/ There are good people there that are caring and sharing of their struggles along this unchosen path. I am hopeful that your friends recovery is positive and successful! If I can help in any way, please let me know.

With positive thoughts and prayers,

Walt