self worth

Hi Stephen,

What you describe is something so many of us experience.  

How you feel, is how you feel.

I am sorry you have experienced  your stroke and as you look around this site may you find comfort in our company.

Wishing you  well.

Sue

Hi Stephen,

Many of us on enableme know how you feel, and it can be challenging to feel positive about your situation. I find when I compare myself to others, and think how lucky I am, there is always that little voice saying "I don't feel lucky." Give it time, we all have good days and not so good days. Like Sue said: how you feel, is how you feel. This is a wonderful community to be a part of, and there are many people here ready to support you in your journey.

All the best,

Kat

Hi Stephen, 

You are in good company - this is a nice place to share your concerns. Like Sue and Kat wrote, it takes time to reset your brain, so everything will look and feel strange, what the future will be, and how do fit in this new brain and life. But, you will get better. 

People said to me so many times, "You are a lucky one." 

Hi Stephen,
'Lucky' is such a subjective word. Yes I am lucky to be alive, walking, talking, loved and, in the main, enjoying life. But I am isolated due to my inability to drive, people I ahve thought were friends have drifted away, I can no longer work and each day has to be palnned so that I'm not knocked out by fatigue. I then consider myself 'unlucky' (not really the word I would use but I can;t think of the right descriptor at the moment). I have come to the realisation that I'm okay when I myself, or soemone close to me, comments that I am lucky as I know they are aware of my struggles but hwen a stranger or acquaintance syas it I want to punch them on the nose (so far I've been able to refrain from doing so) and there was one person who I really took umbrage with so my comment to them was "Really. Would you like to live a day in my shoes?" 
Listen to your own voice, know we all ahve good times, not so good times and bad times, reach out like you have and if the not so good time and bad times are outweighing the good time ask for professional help either with your GP, a psychologist or call strokeline. It's a major event you've gone thorugh and adjustment to life post stroke cna take time. 
Take care
Toni

Hi Stephen,

Thank you for sharing with the EnableMe community, being honest and sharing your story takes courage. 

As Toni mentioned, psychologists are available for support. It can be helpful to talk to a psychologist about what you are experiencing, the loss of confidence, how you have been feeling and your self-worth. It is likely your GP will be able to refer to you to a psychologist. Follow this link for a ‘Find a Psychologist’ directory available online.

There is also support available for returning to work after stroke. If you are already participating in a community rehabilitation program, I recommend speaking to the occupational therapist about the difficulties you are experiencing. If you are not currently linked in with a community rehabilitation service, talk to your general practitioner (GP) about the difficulties you are experiencing in the workplace and whether referral to allied health services* is needed. These services can be subsidised through a Mental Health Care Plan or a Chronic Disease Management Plan.

Click here for further information about getting help on the ‘return to work after stroke’ fact sheet.

Please contact us on StrokeLine 1800 787 653 if you have any further questions you would like to discuss.

Best wishes,

Kirsty (StrokeLine)

*Allied health services include; physiotherapy, speech therapy, occupational therapy, exercise physiology, psychology, social work

Hi Stephen,

So the thing about other people who are aware at the subtle shifts in life which are the unseen affects of a stroke.

We want to help , to give comfort, to give hope when we hear of a fellow stroke survivor having a difficult time of it.

Talking to someone at Strokeline may be a good start. 

You mentioned self indulgence, your brain has just had an attack , be kind to yourself,  the effort taken by your brain to now heal is huge !

I am the chair person of a local Stroke Support Group and there are a couple of fellows who come along who are possibly mid 60's.

They are a valuable and cherished members of our group.

Take care

Sue