Thursday, June 6, 2019

Huh, Now Ain’t That Good News by Nicole

 
Early most morning, a little bird comes to my window and sings to me a beautiful song.

Huh, Now Ain’t That Good News.
Each day I hold on to life very tightly and give thanks to grace for another day.

Huh, Now Ain’t That Good News.
I think back when I was on the floor for two days, before getting medical attention for my stroke. Now some days I walk around my home without pain in my body and sing a song, “This is the Day That the Lord has Made, I will Rejoice and be glad in it.” 
Huh, Now Ain’t That Good News.
A day do not past when my eyes will not stumble across the exact location on the side of my bed where I laid, in and out of consciousness, and I play back how I prayed that I would be lifted up off the floor.  During the two days, after several attempts, my spirit told me, “this is the day you will get up off the floor”; and so I did.
Huh, Now Ain’t That Good News.
In my younger years, I was looked at as the “wild one”. My youngest son even referred to me as a ‘hippie’. Don’t know why. 
My mother would tell me, “Girl, you are going to die with your boots on”.  As a little girl, of course I didn’t understand what that meant. After years of wisdom, I finally got it. I was born with a fiery spirit and instead of going out like a bull in a china shop, I must take that fiery spirit and do good things with it.
Huh, Now Ain’t That Good News.
During my most recent break from the Stroke Comeback sessions, It was my plan to read ‘Stacey Abrams’ book, Minority Leader, How to Lead from the Outside and Make Real Change. 
Well as I began to read, I realized it was the new normal me reading her book, not the old normal me. Since my stroke, my eyes become weary after just a little reading. I become frustrated and put the book down. 
So I decided to pace myself. I would do a little reading, put the book down when my eyes became weary; later go back and enjoy the reading a little more; excited because I could not wait to turn the next page of Stacey’s book.
Huh, Now Ain’t That Good News.
When I become so exhausted, my words double up, and I began to speak what I refer to as “gibberish”, I tell my family, I got to go. I am going into diminishing returns. I rest by taking a nap, regroup and go along with the day or night.
And Huh, Now Ain’t That Good News.

When my spirit becomes so sad because the “old normal me” is pretty much gone, at least it feels like it, and the “new normal me” rises up each morning with a, “good morning Nicole, not let’s see what we can accomplish today”. I give in and say, well it’s possible the “new normal me” is here to stay, I must ride her wings for the day until she tells me it time take a break, and rest now.
 
And Huh,    Now     Ain’t    That    Good     News.

To Be Continued-----
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This was fun! However, when I began to write some of my Stroke Comeback presentations, in the beginning, sadness comes over me. Because I am a verbal person, I am reliving what I am writing. Then I find contentment because everything I am thinking, I am able to put it in writing. It’s like taking the shackles off of my writing. In a way, it’s like giving therapy to myself.
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Wednesday, January 16, 2019

Driving by Tanya

How do you feel normal after a stroke. You don’t feel normal after a stroke. But, I feel normal When driving. After my stroke i Was not driving. Because my doctor told me not to.

Three months after my stroke I was ready to drive. My Occupational therapist said there is a driver’s program. I am lucky. Stroke survivors may take years to drive again or may never drive again.

I had a problem with right and left before my stroke. After my stroke i could not distinguish between right and left. I remember my RIGHT hand that is a tool. I got my license corrected. This means that I cannot use GPS.

I am driving and I feel normal.

Wednesday, January 17, 2018

Uber by Christie

I am grateful for my new cab service called Uber. It gives me the freedom and independence I have definitely needed after being stuck with only two options, Metro Access and Taxi Access which have their drawbacks.  Metro Access has a 30 minute window for when they should show up.  Sometimes, it takes me 2 hours to get somewhere which is annoying as all gettup.  Taxi Access only has 8 coupons in a year and the fare is $33 because of the price I only use it if I am in a bind.  Now, I can Uber to get coffee or go to the grocery store and Uber home and the fare is cheaper than you think.  Also, you can UberPool with other passengers and the fare is cheaper as well. 
 
Thank you Uber for providing the service you offer.  I definitely love it!!!

Thursday, December 14, 2017

Thanksgiving by Randy


This year was very nice for my wife and I. We only had 6 people for dinner this year but it was quite special.  Lots of food and wonderful drinks. The turkey was made in an electric fryer. It was a 13 pounder and was cooked in one hour. It was beautiful and very tasty.


Laura also put together a lot of mashed potatoes, brussel sprouts, gravy, ham, cranberry sauce and much more. Of course we also had desserts and ice cream. We had a prayer which gave us much happiness and love.

After dinner, both Jim and Randy were so stuffed we needed a short nap. You have to love that! After a 15 minute nap we were ready for game night. We played a game called things. As always there was football.

Hoping all of you had a very blessed Thanksgiving as there is always hope and something to be thankful for.

http://randykernus.com






We never give up!!!!!

Thursday, December 7, 2017

Perry's Road Trip, Part 2

Perry rented an RV and hit the road with his dog. Click here to see Part 1 of his road trip.

9/18 – Chicago

I am at Chicago's Wrigley Field – small field!! I drive to University of Chicago's football field. Home of first atom chain reaction – that is not on the signs. I went to Al's Italian Beef for lunch and Girls & The Goat Restaurant for dinner. I dined …... !!!




I like the city, campgrounds are far, near state Wisconsin. I am well done camp site. 

Home? I like each home. It is home and neighborhood!!

9/19 – St Louis

I went and police following behind me. A police car is a road circle to drive me (not with lights). A police is exit highway, take see police and a police car. The same police followed me a long time. I stop in St Louis Arkansas, and not fellow is police.

I drive 5 hours!! I look at the West Arch. I do not walk and elevator closed. 




Home? I do not see city or neighborhood? 

9/20 – Memphis 

I am at Sun Studio- awesome!! A artists can record at Sun Studios. I see Beale Street famous, and Blues Club and Cafe, and BBQ pork. I see play stage the Elvis Presley, Kings Blue, and etc. 


I am trip second at the Gibson guitar and Elvis Graceland home. I was repeat, and I am RV drive!! (repeat) I will Memphis TE road trip #2. 


Home – I was home, and neighborhood and home!! I liked the city, is a great city!! 

9/21 – Asheville, NC
I don't stop in Nashville, Tenn. I will go to Nashville TE road trip #2. 

I go to Biltmore Estate, and wow and 250-room, 35 bedrooms, 43 bathrooms, and 65 fireplaces home built approximately 87,000 acres. I take photos too!! 



Home – It was city, and quiet and nice and food is home!!

9/22 – Columbia, SC 

The University of South Carolina is where my daughter goes to school. The daughter and I drive to Price Costco!! The daughter wants food!! (I was not Costco graduate. I eat noodles!!) 

Home – Discrimination!! I am not home! 

9/23 – Charlotte, NC

I went to NASCAR Hall of Fame. The museum and Hall of Fame were great!!

Home – not home. A discrimination city, and not home. 

9/24 – Harrisonville, VA 

I go to JMU to see my other twin daughter. We went with the dog to lunch. Nice campus. Beautiful. 

9/25 – Ashburn, VA
I drive RV, only great and fun!!! I am home!!

Thursday, November 30, 2017

Exercise with Recovery by Randy

Lets talk about it. Not only is this a great idea for survivors but it is also great for everyone.  Are you a sports fan?  If so, we can look at football, baseball, basketball, golf, bowling and ping pong are examples of  opportunities for exercising your body and your brain. We are always working on our BRAINS and BODIES. Exercise your BRAIN and your Body.
 
Limited mobility doesn’t mean you can’t workout. Help the refs to make good calls, that is a brain workout. Its about movement, whether its our brain or our body.  There are so many possibilities, use the wave, what is the wave? It is what you see in the stands at a game or watching it on TV. You stand up and raise your hands in one motion. 
 
There are easy classes that anyone can do. We, as well as anyone can exercise by using a chair, a wall or a door. We do squats, push-ups, biceps and triceps. Our classes are used by survivors that do and do not have any paralysis on their left or right arm or leg. It is amazing to watch how hard they work with their recovery.
 
Even though our recovery is hard, it is doable. Some men and women that are survivors do not realize what they have accomplished with their recovery. It is the caretakers, husbands, wives, brothers, sisters, dads and moms that tell us and show us about our recoveries. This is why exercise is so very helpful and important. Watch what we do:
 
 
 
Stay in touch.
 

 

Friday, November 24, 2017

New Jewelry Clasp by Kim

I found  a clasp on Amazon - Dsmile Pack of 12pcs Gold Color and Silver Color Magnetic Lobster Clasp for Jewelry Necklace Bracelet.
I am happy to find a clasp - magnetic clips and fastened on the neck.