bathing tips

Bathing can be very difficult for stroke survivors. I was thankful to have a transfer chair with a handle and a back rest. I strongly suggest getting this type of chair. Its more of a bench.I think there is one that is better though,it actually slides from outside the tub in. I think I would prefer one like that better. I think Invacare makes it  . As long as it has a back rest and handle I would feel safe. A hand held sprayer is a must as well as a 24" vertical hand rail "delta" makes a hand held sprayer that will attach to a grab bar. This set-up is user friendly for the rest of the family too.A long handle lufa type scrubby works really well. We put a rubber mat in the bottom of the tub so I wouldn't slip,just in case I felt brave for a minute. Always thinking "what if " I suggest a at least a 36" horizontal grab bar on the back wall. If you have a tile floor,put a rubber mat on the outside of the tub as well with towel over it to dry your feet. I would put my walker at the end of the transfer bench to give something to hold on to.Most of all ,plan on how your going to to execute each task no matter how small the task you think it is . Remember Safety First. Using a cafton or terry cloth robe works well for drying off. keep your eyes open when drying your hair .

Depression

Depression is real i feel it allot i just came out of a "bout" some people call it the wolf I think but
  I really don't know what they call it. Other than debilitating  , holds me down i need to get things done . I think that's what helps it come on when I feel anxiety , maybe its the holidays  that's stressful alone by itself even for people that didn't have a stroke . So what are the tricks how do people make it .so tell me how the pro's do it

Depression

I wonder how many people that have had a stroke are bummed out all the time ? I thought maybe it was seasonal affect stuff b ut maybe its the lasting affects of the strokes . i'm just sick of it I have to much to do. I have this overwhelming feeling of lost. I need to start plants, that usually brings me out of the funk. I dream of moving to a warm place that i can see vegetation year round. Do you have any tricks to make living after a stroke easier.

The little things in life

They say its the little things in life that count.I can't figure out what are little things.A
 kind word will  seem small , but will have a life long impact. I know this to be true .  Today i miss my uncle Paul he had a way of talking to me that made me feel at ease and uncle Dick had his way that always made me think .When I strayed off course in life it was there voices i would hear, that brought me back from self destruction. Whats that got to do with stroke well I tell you the sense of lost and the feeling of being vunerverable. Is very scary after suffering a  stroke i feel sad and blue all the time and between remembering my uncles kind words of wisdom help me make it through the bad days tomorrow tomorrow I love you tomorrow...

ThanksGiving

Thanks to the many people that have touched my life . i thank the Lord that I'm still on earth to enjoy this thing they call life. :) i think of my kids and i am so glad to be here i don't want my babies to hurt. life is short and not a dress rehearsal. iI know now that words do hurt and you can't take back what you say. People , for good or bad mix up what is said in the course of an normal conversation so be careful what you say. Thanksgiving is a time reflect on one's good fortune . lord knows  i have had many

fear

I went to nyc with my daughter and had to go down a escalator. i had to stop and wait a second try to time it. I almost fell i had to hold on with 2 hands and still almost fell . That was scary . things we take for granted before our strokes does any one have a similar experience ?

friends

Being a stroke survivor one needs alot of friends. There are so many ups and downs many down days being in a support group gives me a new sense of purpose. I can see how other people are coping with their disabilities . When fellow stroke survivors share their stories about their silly cats and dogs its particualy entertaining to me . I'm a guy soo i don't really like hearing about grand kids or other people in the family ,but the cats and dogs are great reading , maybe its just me