Create Your Stroke Recovery Report Card.
Gather around Stroke Survivors, Clinicians et al.
My stroke was both an epiphany and a serious wake up call.
To live a potentially stroke free life following my stroke in 2016 I was forced to identify risk inducing behavioral and lifestyle habits that needed my immediate attention.
It [my stroke]it made me realise in the harshest of manners that if I did not change my lifestyle I would not be around on Terra Firma for as long as the Grand Architect \{Buddha\} has pre-ordained.
Five years on, I recently undertook a process of self-review and was able to produce my After Stroke Report Card-
Why A Stroke Report Card.
Simple- my whole business life has been about ongoing assessment, reviews- \{be it monthly, half yearly or annual\}.
During most of my career \{in later years\} I had accountability for massive projects \{both in terms of costs/effect on the corporation’s bottom line and finally peoples’ lives, and careers.
My success was always judged by others.
The effect of a successful review was the potential for ongoing employment-the consulting community in this country is a village. The impact of a negative result or review was a dented, soiled reputation which could impact on my future career opportunities.
So, I was a disciple of ongoing personal assessment- Hence on an annual basis I produced my Report Card.
Five Years on here is my Stroke Report Card.
Things I discarded
- Smoking- Before the Stroke I smoked 40 cigarettes day. HAVE NOT SMOKED SINCE THE NIGHT OF MY STROKE. Easiest thing I ever did!
- Reduced my SUGAR and SALT intake- now instead of 4 sugars in my coffee only ONE.
- All SUGAR BASED DRINKS- for me only WATER-nature’s elixir!
- ALCOHOL-Been on the wagon for 15 years. That is another story!
Things/activities I have adopted
- STROKE FRIENDLY DIET- no processed foods, fish chicken. Salad’s salads salads
- WALKING- NOW 35,000 steps a day -7 days a week.
- FAMILY, TRUE FRIENDS, no more ‘plastic’ people.
- USE MY TIME/SKILLS TO HELP OTHER STROKE SURVIVORS.
- MORE “ME” TIME- LISTEN TO MUSIC, WRITE AND READ
- LISTEN TO MORE BEETHOVEN, WAGNER, RUSSIAN ORTHRODOX CHORAL MUSIC AND OPERA.
- WRITE MORE POETRY
- ACCEPT THE GRAND ARCHITECT’S \{BUDDHA\}, S PLAN FOR ME.
Looking at these results I gave myself a B+, “got to keep going” was my comments to myself!!
Why am I telling you, my story?
Well, if you are a Stroke Survivor why not in a quiet reflective moment fill out your own Stroke Report Card- it will show you how far you have come – it might surprise you!
If you are a clinician, why not sit with a Survivor and help them complete a Report Card- it will give them an idea of how far they have come or the road ahead in their Rehab Journey.
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.