EnableMe | enableme - stroke recovery and support

Having had my stroke in the 1993 when I was 22 years old, I have a long memory of that time and how because of the way I presented physically, verbally, and in every way. I know what it's like to be completely ignored and very socially misunderstood. I deliberately didn't tell people my history once I had reached a certain distance between my stroke and future life, because of the comments I would receive about the way I looked, the questions, comparisons - it was too much to take in. My own awareness and someone else's interpretation.

I've continued on my way with a "I want to improve in that area" way of living. Keeping my thoughts to myself about my difficulties so much of the time.

I still experience comments on my appearance - I hate it! It all stems back to someone else's opinion rather than the acknowledgment of continual work, day after day, year after year. There is no annual leave from my stroke recovery.

I'm just trying to move around with pride.

Nina

It is very hard for people to understand, people say you are all right but recovery is like a duck sitting on a pond but below the water level the duck is paddling frantically to stay afloat and going in right direction.

One of the big issues I encountered was at a venue where after 2 hours I was not given food, but plenty of alcohol was available, I started to slur and limp and was asking for food I was sexually molested by a bouncer and I am a male it was a big shock to me. It shocked me especially when I told the bouncer that i am a stroke survivor this encouraged him to try and take advantage of me, he got a big shock when I tripped him over.

Very sorry that your presentation after stroke led to extra trauma at what sounds like a public event , that's a terrible thing to have happened to you.