It is the Little Things in your Rehab that coun

…

As we stroke survivors travel along the Rehab Highway we tend to focus on the BIG achievements- the showstoppers that are noticeable, VISIBLE, and are greeted with acclamation - and rightly so!

These milestones are attained through significant effort by you, often assisted by the skill of an accompanying stroke clinician \{be it a physio, an OT or speech therapist] and you can justifiably reflect and say “job well done”- because it has been just that-especially if you are recovering from the effects and impact of a stroke.

Major Milestones that I attained that made me quietly reflect were -

• Walking unassisted over all types of terrain
• Dress myself, tying shoelaces, doing up buttons, zipping zippers
• Being able to shave, use a toothbrush.
• Walk up and down stairs at the local railway station without holding on.
• But in all those activities there were a multitude of seemingly insignificant activities that I undertook = all of which combined had a major impact on my life and lifestyle – as below.

In addition to my walking these are activities that I have integrated into my daily routine=

• Using a knife, soup spoon.
• Hanging washing on the line/taking washing down.
• Fill/empty the dishwasher.
• Forcing myself to use my right hand on the computer- directing the mouse, typing, formatting etc.

The theme today is that by integrating these mundane tasks into your daily routine they will have a powerful effect on your Rehab journey.

But I have quite a way to go and over the next few months/years the following activities will receive my ongoing attention-

• Use secateurs to harvest the fruits of my burgeoning vege garden
• Holding the garden hose, use the spade to dig the garden
• Use my high-pressure water cleaner-my Father’s Day present!
• Improve my writing
• Finally do the Cryptic Crossword in the SMH – I miss that treat!!
• Swing a golf club.

FYI- I was right hand dominant and it was heavily impacted by my stroke in 2016, hence my emphasis on my arm/hand.

As outlined, these are miniscule activities but are the” icing on the Rehab cake, ‘and are MAJOR activities in my rehab and my return to a normal life \{whatever that is\}.

If you are a Stroke Clinician, have your survivor focus \{if they can\} on the LITTLE ACTIVITIES, they are just as powerful as the MAJOR ACTIVITIES.

If you are a Stroke Survivor, think about the LITTLE THINGS that have gone missing following your stroke and try to re-introduce them to your daily life.

Works for me!!

Brian A Beh,

Stroke Survivor,

Lifelong Member of the Hopalong Cassidy Fan Club

Poet, Philosopher and Child of the Cosmos

Winner “Improving Life After Stroke ‘Category

Stroke Foundation of Australia 2021 National Awards