Linda,
My stroke was pretty significant (middle cerebral artery) on the right, and
resulted in paralysis of the left arm and leg, and weakness of my trunk and
neck and facial muscles. The trunk, and facial muscles pretty much
recovered, but I've still got problems with my neck, due in part to needing
to hold up a size 8 1/4 head. It happened during a brain surgery for
hydrocephalus (water on the brain) which is what caused my CP. My dad is a
(now retired) general surgeon, and so he understood that it was something
that happens sometimes regardless of the best intentions of a doctor.
I carried a lot of animosity toward the neurosurgeon until about a year and
a half ago, when I had an MRI to see if there was another cause for my
increased spasticity. My neurologist wanted to rule out MS, which he was
able to do when he saw the artifact of the stroke, and no sign of
demyelination indicating MS. Up to that point, we hadn't been able to see
what caused the stroke, because the technology (or the medical need for an
MRI) wasn't there. My neurologist's partner is a neurologist and also an
attorney, and has testified on both sides of malpractice cases in the past.
Since I was in high school when I had my stroke, and had dressed myself
since the age of 4 or so, I'm not too hot on the idea of accepting help
there, but if I fall anymore, I can't get up by myself, so it's inevitable
that I'll have to accept help at some point in the not too distant future.
If you want more info, email me off-list!
On Thu, Jul 31, 2008 at 12:00 PM, Linda Walker <[log in to unmask]> wrote:
> Kendall,
> What caused the stroke? This is very interesting exactly what I joined to
> fine out. We still help Case dress because it is so difficult for him and
> why should he spend so much time at it. OTOH it does stretch when he has to
> manipulate his socks and what not. I have been afraid to bring this up with
> his parents but I am wondering if his heart needs to be checked as I am
> concerned about how strong it is.
> The therapists want him back in DAFO's which he has not worn since his
> operation. The person who does Anat Baniel thinks the DAFO's are not good
> because they stop his sensory perception on his feet.
>
>
>
> At 05:38 AM 7/31/2008, you wrote:
>
>> Kat,
>>
>> I haven't used a "chair cycle" of the type you describe, but I do have a
>> recumbent stationary bike that works pretty well. As happened with Mary
>> Katherine (do you mind if I call you MK?), I also had a stroke at 16 on
>> top
>> of my CP, which changed my capabilities, but as we age, Janet and I are
>> seeing physical changes that our parents and aunts and uncles didn't see
>> until their 60's. I'm really interested in working with NIDRR to
>> establish
>> a RERC on aging and disability issues. WIND (The UCEDD I work for) has a
>> really strong tie with Wyoming's Geriatric Education Center and UW's
>> School
>> of Engineering, so we might be the ideal place to get one started.
>> Re-assessing our capabilities as we age is very important. About a year
>> and
>> a half ago, Janet decided that there were tasks that she (we) needed AB
>> help
>> with, and so got qualified for help with dressing and light housekeeping.
>> It's been a Godsend for both of us. My ego is almost to the point that
>> I'll
>> be willing to accept help with dressing myself, as I'm having mornings
>> when
>> I'm afraid I'm going to wind up on the floor as I put on shoes and socks.
>>
>> On Thu, Jul 31, 2008 at 3:00 AM, Kathy <[log in to unmask]> wrote:
>>
>> > I'm 55 and my capabilities are still changing, too. It's not just CP
>> but
>> > also aging and a willingness to keep assessing what you can do and
>> pushing
>> > yourself just a bit more. Most of my friends are giong through the same
>> > thing and they're all AB.
>> >
>> > In fact, I've started taking advantage of fitness programs at work to
>> start
>> > chair yoga and upper-body strength exercising. I also plan to buy a
>> chair
>> > cycle so I can exercise my legs - has anyone used one of these? You can
>> put
>> > them on a table and also cycle with your hands.
>> >
>> > Kat
>> >
>> >
>> > Mary Powers wrote:
>> >
>> >> Hello,
>> >>
>> >> I can walk but - I tend to have 1 of 2 reactions. either denial that I
>> >> have impairments or a pitying 'so that's your problem' attitude.
>> >>
>> >> that said, some people have responded positively when I tell them that
>> >> there is something neurologically wrong.
>> >>
>> >> I have CP but I also had issues with a stroke when I was 16, and poor
>> >> vision, an odd type headache that did not go away, and poor
>> coordination,
>> >> based on that. I am currently recovering from that based on better
>> visual
>> >> and motor therapy, which is based on sensory integration.
>> >>
>> >> however that said, I was diagnosed with ataxia before I had the stroke
>> and
>> >> I'm in the odd position of not knowing what my capabilities are,
>> really. I'm
>> >> almost 40 and stil figuring that out.
>> >>
>> >> take care,
>> >>
>> >> Mary Katherine
>> >>
>> >>
>> >> **************************************
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>> >>
>> >> -----------------------
>> >>
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>> >>
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>> >>
>> >>
>> >>
>> > -----------------------
>> >
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>> >
>>
>>
>>
>> --
>>
>>
>> Kendall
>>
>> An unreasonable man (but my wife says that's redundant!)
>>
>> The reasonable man adapts himself to the world; the unreasonable one
>> persists in trying to adapt the world to himself. Therefore, all progress
>> depends on the unreasonable man.
>>
>> -George Bernard Shaw 1856-1950
>>
>> -----------------------
>>
>> To change your mail settings or leave the C-PALSY list, go here:
>>
>> http://listserv.icors.org/SCRIPTS/WA-ICORS.EXE?SUBED1=c-palsy
>>
>
> -----------------------
>
> To change your mail settings or leave the C-PALSY list, go here:
>
> http://listserv.icors.org/SCRIPTS/WA-ICORS.EXE?SUBED1=c-palsy
>
--
Kendall
An unreasonable man (but my wife says that's redundant!)
The reasonable man adapts himself to the world; the unreasonable one
persists in trying to adapt the world to himself. Therefore, all progress
depends on the unreasonable man.
-George Bernard Shaw 1856-1950
-----------------------
To change your mail settings or leave the C-PALSY list, go here:
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