Stroke Survivor's Blog

Helen McIntosh

Stroke Survivor's Blog

Helen McIntosh

Posted by Helen on March 9, 2016

Living with the residual effects of stroke

Living with the residual effects of stroke is part of my life. The stroke changed my life and I live daily with the residual effects of it.
It is hard to believe that it is over 28 years since I had the CVA (Cerebral Vascular Accident), which caused the stroke in 1987. The good thing is I am still here and still face the many challenges of living daily with the residual affects of stroke. Some are difficult, frustrating and stressfull but mostly a solution can be found and although not always funny at the time often gives a good laugh later.
My latest venture is (more…)

Posted by Helen on March 8, 2016

Do I use a wheelchair or not?

The question ‘Do I use a wheelchair or not?’ was not answered easily. This was not only because of the expectations I put on myself but because the therapist initially wanted me to walk without any aids. The goal  was  to walk again and without aids. I did achieve this?

(more…)

Posted by Helen on February 27, 2016

Fear and anxiety about going out alone

My stomach was churning, I was fearful and anxious . The cause fear and anxiety was because I was going into the city by myself. Although I was to be met at my destination it was a very emotional experience for me. It was the first time of doing anything by myself since my discharge from rehabilitation. It was very scary.  I often felt as though I had reverted back to childhood by such experiences. I tended to be very focused on the ‘what ifs’ of life. (more…)

Posted by Helen on February 22, 2016

I am a stroke survivor not a stroke victim

I am a stroke survivor not a stroke victim. People who have suffered stroke are often referred to as  ‘stroke victim‘. I don’t like labels but if one is to be used I see myself as a stoke survivor not a stroke victim. But better still  a person who happened to have a stroke like many other people. I really didn’t like being labeled especially as one day I was introduced to a person in the following way.

(more…)

Posted by Helen on March 9, 2016

Living with the residual effects of stroke

Living with the residual effects of stroke is part of my life. The stroke changed my life and I live daily with the residual effects of it.
It is hard to believe that it is over 28 years since I had the CVA (Cerebral Vascular Accident), which caused the stroke in 1987. The good thing is I am still here and still face the many challenges of living daily with the residual affects of stroke. Some are difficult, frustrating and stressfull but mostly a solution can be found and although not always funny at the time often gives a good laugh later.
My latest venture is (more…)

Posted by Helen on March 8, 2016

Do I use a wheelchair or not?

The question ‘Do I use a wheelchair or not?’ was not answered easily. This was not only because of the expectations I put on myself but because the therapist initially wanted me to walk without any aids. The goal  was  to walk again and without aids. I did achieve this?

(more…)

Posted by Helen on February 27, 2016

Fear and anxiety about going out alone

My stomach was churning, I was fearful and anxious . The cause fear and anxiety was because I was going into the city by myself. Although I was to be met at my destination it was a very emotional experience for me. It was the first time of doing anything by myself since my discharge from rehabilitation. It was very scary.  I often felt as though I had reverted back to childhood by such experiences. I tended to be very focused on the ‘what ifs’ of life. (more…)

Posted by Helen on February 22, 2016

I am a stroke survivor not a stroke victim

I am a stroke survivor not a stroke victim. People who have suffered stroke are often referred to as  ‘stroke victim‘. I don’t like labels but if one is to be used I see myself as a stoke survivor not a stroke victim. But better still  a person who happened to have a stroke like many other people. I really didn’t like being labeled especially as one day I was introduced to a person in the following way.

(more…)

Posted by Helen on March 9, 2016

Living with the residual effects of stroke

Living with the residual effects of stroke is part of my life. The stroke changed my life and I live daily with the residual effects of it.
It is hard to believe that it is over 28 years since I had the CVA (Cerebral Vascular Accident), which caused the stroke in 1987. The good thing is I am still here and still face the many challenges of living daily with the residual affects of stroke. Some are difficult, frustrating and stressfull but mostly a solution can be found and although not always funny at the time often gives a good laugh later.
My latest venture is (more…)

Posted by Helen on March 8, 2016

Do I use a wheelchair or not?

The question ‘Do I use a wheelchair or not?’ was not answered easily. This was not only because of the expectations I put on myself but because the therapist initially wanted me to walk without any aids. The goal  was  to walk again and without aids. I did achieve this?

(more…)

Posted by Helen on February 27, 2016

Fear and anxiety about going out alone

My stomach was churning, I was fearful and anxious . The cause fear and anxiety was because I was going into the city by myself. Although I was to be met at my destination it was a very emotional experience for me. It was the first time of doing anything by myself since my discharge from rehabilitation. It was very scary.  I often felt as though I had reverted back to childhood by such experiences. I tended to be very focused on the ‘what ifs’ of life. (more…)

Posted by Helen on February 22, 2016

I am a stroke survivor not a stroke victim

I am a stroke survivor not a stroke victim. People who have suffered stroke are often referred to as  ‘stroke victim‘. I don’t like labels but if one is to be used I see myself as a stoke survivor not a stroke victim. But better still  a person who happened to have a stroke like many other people. I really didn’t like being labeled especially as one day I was introduced to a person in the following way.

(more…)