After the stroke has occurred, you are often left with questions and concerns.
Questions that my patients have asked in the past include:
“Will I get my leg strength back again?”
“Will I have to always use this wheelchair or walker?”
“Will I always have to depend on others?”
“Will I walk normally again?”
The number of questions goes on and on. Both the patient and caregivers/family are left with thousands of questions. And most of the time, we do not have an answer to these questions. It all really depends on your body and your recovery.
Usually after the stroke (depending on the severity), you are then discharged to a rehabilitation facility. Then home health. Then Outpatient Therapy.
However, what if it is 5-6 months down the road?
Have the therapy services discharged you because you have “plateaued?”
You and your family are then again left with questions, worries, and concerns.
I am here to tell you that everyone has a different timeline and the six month cutoff should NOT slow you down.
There is more and more research out there demonstrating that with well-targeted exercise programs, you can still demonstrate improvements in endurance,
balance, and strength. Additionally, even if you have weakness, tone, limited range of motion/strength of one side of your body, why stop trying? Even if you have slight weakness or tone in one of your legs or arms, why does this have to stop you completely?
I can’t even imagine how it feels that your strength and quality of life was taken away from you, BUT can you work with what you have? Even if you might not have 100% of the function of both arms, you can still TRY to use what you have to lift weights. To jump. To step over objects. To get comfortable with that weak side.
There are more and more adaptive sports and training programs out there. There are people out there like you. And not only people, but athletes.
That can be you....
Don’t let yourself continue to get weaker or stop moving. If you stop moving entirely, you are setting yourself up for continued problems in the future. Continue to TRY.
I believe in you. Now you just have to believe in yourself.
Thanks for stopping by and please reach out if you have questions!
Kelly
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