Hi again Simone,
This must be so difficult for you and I know it isn't uncommon to feel this way after a stroke. I think posting this as a question in the question or forum section should see some other valuable comments from others who have walked in your shoes. Here are some suggestions from my perspective as a health professional and a human being :-)
1. Education is huge part of increasing other peoples awareness of stroke and how it affects you.
+ Taking opportunities when you can (and have the energy) to clearly communicate and explain specifically how your stroke affects you. Being honest about your challenges.
+ Passing on stroke resources such as our My Stroke Journey resource and other fact sheets can be useful.
+ Encouraging family and friends to spend some time on enableme or going along to a stroke support group or your rehab might also be helpful.
+ Encouraging your health professionals to help explain the challenges and impact of your stroke to family and friends where appropriate.
+ We also offer free community talks on stroke prevention which covers a little on the impact of stroke as well if you wanted to look into this.
2. You could try working on acceptance. Acceptance of your current challenges and where you are at in the present moment, acknowledging how others judgement makes you feel. Sometimes just acknowledging how you are feeling can be so helpful. Know there is always hope to keep making improvements with ongoing rehab due to the concept of neuroplasticity. Also working on acceptance of the lack of understanding and judgement coming from others. It may take time for your family and friends (and the general public) to learn more and accept the real challenges you face. Unfortunately we can't change them but we can change how it affects us. Try not to let their judgement and lack of understanding impact on your recovery and happiness. Mindfulness would be a wonderful tool to help with this.
+ Journaling or writing on your blog here about your feelings and experiences can be a good way to vent and if you're open friends and family reading it, it might help them increase their understanding.
+ Talking therapy or working with a psychologist or counsellor can be helpful to work out strategies on how to deal with other people's response to your stroke.
+ You might find this discussion on the forum about acceptance helpful.
3. Get support from a community of like minded people. You are not alone. Having your experience and challenges validated by others who have or are going through the same thing is so valuable.
+ Keep checking in on enableme and post this wonderful comment in the forum to start a wider discussion. I'm sure others will have some additional tips for you.
+ Follow our Facebook page.
+ Check out a local stroke support group.
I hope this helps and if you need to chat at any stage about your frustrations, particularly other's judgments and lack of understanding please give us a call on StrokeLine on 1800 787 653.
Best wishes,
Simone (Occupational Therapist for StrokeLine)
