Hi Dottie,
Here are some comments from the community that you may find helpful:
Tarz Alison
Hi Dottie! Have you/do you see a Physiotherapist or OT? There are many different walking frames out there - some designed for people with hemiplegia (one sided paralysis) like yourself! May be worth investigating if you haven’t already. Well done on teaching yourself how to use your left hand to get stuff done! That is a huge feat in itself and should be celebrated. Maybe a medical checkup would be worthwhile, to also investigate the pain in your hand? You are so allowed to vent - what a huge life change you’ve been and continue to go through, with so much frustration. It’s good to get it out sometimes. Best of luck with your journey.
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Meliame Tauali'i - Fifita
Don't give up Dottie, I was having those thoughts today, I was wishing I could move around freely without the limp but looked back at how far I have come, and I am grateful to be alive and I know I am a lot better than some others are. You sound like a real fighter and it's good to see you haven't given up and still want to keep on moving forward. Wishing you all the best and you are definitely a true survivor.
Bob Smith
My apologies, Dotti. Anyway, I got him into the pool once a week, two or three times a week would have been better but within two months I had him walking around the side of the pool bringing his right leg forward in a normal fashion. When he was out of the pool his walking was much more normal. So, that's my recommendation, if you give it a go, I hope it gives you the chance to walk again. Cheers, Bob.
Robert Delaney
Hi Dottie
My name is Robert I am 55 yrs old. Two years ago, I had a major car accident, and a stroke people say I shouldn’t be here today. Same as you my right side was affected; I was in a coma for two weeks and in hospital for 6 months. I couldn’t walk I was right-handed, lost my car & boat license, couldn’t play my sports no alcohol. Basically, I thought my life was over for a while, now I can walk reasonably good, my right arm & hand is moving a lot more.
I feel a lot more positive now, the doctor’s nurses and carers are fantastic and do a wonderful job.
Don’t give up Dottie there are people out there that care and love you, keep winning.
Adrian Tornquist
I feel for you all I had my stroke 5 mths ago, and every day is a struggle , I have had my driver license removed, replaced with gov half price taxi, I guess it’s trivial but I just want to hop in the car and go and by a litre of milk, I can’t walk that far, I live by myself and my speech goes at times, and memory comes and goes , the other day I was walking from the train stop close to my home, and I forgot where I was and were I lived, a neighbour got me home, I felt so humiliated and alone, but it passes , and every day I say to myself I will do better , and even if I can walk just a little bit more or do something in the garden I feel great in myself and keep trying
Pip Hicks
Yes, Dotti I have felt like that, and I am sure there are a lot more people out there who would like to admit it as well. I don’t really have any advice because I hate it as well. I think we all do. But we all just soldier on - push forward, hoping that we can get much better, more than what we are today.
I keep trying to do more and I do, do more. I push myself every day.
I’m 60, and I have put up with this for eight years too now. Maybe it’s an eight-year reality hit….lol
We are here Dottie for you, and with you. I have no advice as I said before, but I am here to listen, just as you have just listened to me.! Xx hugs to you.
Jasmine Anne
Talk to a neurophysiologist, get the GP to run tests, go see a physio. But remember the grand kids can race you in a wheelchair with one pushing. They can sit on your lap while you read em a book. Always aloud to vent,
Bob Smith
Hi Dotti, I had a bleed in 2007 at age 60. Totally paralyzed on my right side and could not talk. I spent 15 weeks in rehab, hobbled out of the hospital, then started doing my own rehab and still do it today. I'm still disabled, and it sucks and it gets harder every year. Now I don't know what rehab you have had but I found just about everybody, including medical professionals, put us in the too-hard basket if you are over 65. So, I'm not going to give you advice but rather recommend something that's helped me and other Stroke recoverers immensely, especially with regards to walking. I hope you're not afraid of water because what I'm recommending is getting into a hydrotherapy pool with the help of a physiotherapist. The water is warm, supports your weight, it's not load bearing when you do exercises, they normally have rails around the sides of the pool to assist you walking, you can wear a float support and best of all you will meet similar people in the pool. It can be very social but most of all I believe it is the best chance for you to be able to walk again. I don't want to give you false hope, but I am saying this from experience. Some years ago, I was introduced to a fellow stroke survivor in my hometown, he was about 78 and when he walked, he used to "throw" his right leg to bring it forward and used a cane. I talked him into coming into the pool.
Diana Clarke
Hi Dotti, yes, I had a stroke 17 years ago, left side spasticity leg, arm etc. I find I am losing my ability to do things especially walking and simple tasks (I am 73) I just assumed this will happen over time and yes, I hate, hate, hate it but we must continue on as best we can. Forget today and try your best tomorrow again, keep up exercising, good luck.
Eleanor Horton
Hi Dottie look on the disabled websites and see if you can get a reasonable priced or free power wheelchair for when you are tired and moving becomes a challenge. This is what we use and have found it is safer on bad days or tired times than trying to walk. Physio and hydro always helps with maintaining mobility. Nearly 23 years post stroke and still working at it but also accepting that we do have not so great times as do many aging people. If you do find it too hard please call the stroke foundation and talk to them as they are very supportive and sometimes it helps to talk to an outsider. Big hugs.
