My Rehab Journey -Today and Tomorrow.
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Five and 1/2 years on and my journey continues.
In my mind tomorrow is the day that I will reach that place where the perfection that I am looking for is waiting. But like the adage goes – tomorrow never comes and so my rehab journey is perpetual.
And so, it should be!
The primary life lesson that I have gleaned from my stroke experience is that my future existence on Planet Earth is ,in part linked to the accrued benefits of my rehab plan.
If I do not heed the learnings and wisdom imparted by the clinicians who collaborated with me over the past years, then life has this peculiar habit of repeating itself!
So, my life and ongoing rehab is now based on a detailed plan - holistic in nature involving my physical and intellectual activities.
These strategies that cover my exercise programs, my diet and other lifestyle factors-are specific and quantitative in nature so I can measure/change my progress and when/where appropriate adjust accordingly.
The other aspect is designed to ensure that I continue to grow intellectually- too often plans of this nature ignore this aspect and the result is often the physical aspects overshadow everything.
Not this Faded Aging Child of the 60s!!!
There is so much more classical music to be listened too; so many novels to be read.
I am now startling to dabble in essay and poetry writing- long discarded pastimes, plus doing research on the Holocaust for a future project I have in mind.
Incidentally, I notice that on the Foundation’s website there is a section on ‘goals’ which is worthy of a read by all stroke survivors-
Here is the link to the Foundations Website-
https://strokefoundation.org.au/
Without goals or objectives, rehab can be a series of unrelated activities lacking synergy and wasteful in nature.
A message to Stroke Survivors- Do not let life repeat itself- keep up doing your Rehab, integrate the exercises into your daily life. Learn to enjoy the pleasure of walking. Read, listen to music whatever your taste is.
A message to Stroke Clinicians- Talk with your Stroke Survivor, talk about the benefits of their life after in-patient care. Encourage them to stay on their journey,
It worked for me!!
Finally, and thank you for getting this far, I am reminded of a quote from Max Ehrmann’s poem” Desiderata,” which reads
"And whether it is clear to you, no doubt the universe is unfolding as it should.
Therefore, be at peace with God, whatever you conceive Him to be. And whatever your labours and aspirations, in the noisy confusion of life, keep peace in your soul.
With all its sham, drudgery, and broken dreams, it is still a beautiful world. Be cheerful. Strive to be happy"
Got to go- I am off for my morning walk!!
Brian A Beh,
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,