Check this out… life’s throwing you curveballs like it’s a full-time job. You’re out here just doing your thing, when bam! You get hit with a stroke – like, really universe? A stroke? It’s this wild ride that leaves you with scars you can’t see on the surface. But guess what? I found this way to make sense of it all that’s kinda unique – I started pouring my thoughts onto paper instead of blabbering them out. By the way, depending on who you are, my speaking will not come out right… even more. (LOL)
The Stroke and Me – A Struggle to Talk
Let’s talk about strokes for a hot second. These sneaky things mess with your brain’s mojo by playing with your blood flow. Suddenly, words start doing a disappearing act – like, c’mon brain, where you at? Aphasia, a language disorder that affects a person’s ability to communicate, creeps in, and you’re left struggling to make sense of what’s coming out of your mouth. It’s a communication carnival gone wrong, and it’s no fun. OMG, TRUST ME!
Meet My Lifeline: Writing
But hold up, I’m not about to let a stroke be the boss of me. Hecky to the naw! Enter: my “guilty unknown pleasure” writing. Turns out, while my mouth’s playing hooky, my hands are all like, “We got this!” When the connection between my brain and vocal cords took a hit, my writing skills just sat there, cool as a cucumber. So, I traded my voice for a pen, and let me tell you – it’s been a game-changer. What was once a method to clear my mind through journal writing has transformed into my secondary passion with crafting being my first love.
From Slow Start to Epic Win
Now, let’s keep it real. This writing thing wasn’t a walk in the park. Starting out, I felt like a toddler trying to build a sandcastle without any sand. My motor skills were acting like the giraffe in the Detroit Zoo commercial from the ’80s where he asked “ My lines, my lines I can’t remember my lines!“? (LOL) Crafting even a single sentence was like learning the Tamia hustle, which I STILL cannot do without tripping over my feet! But hey, I’m not one to back down from a challenge. IYKYK!
With time, grit, and an “I’m-not-giving-up” attitude, I started seeing progress. Every word on that paper was a small victory – like a high-five from my brain saying, “You got this!” It wasn’t just about getting words out; it became my way of saying, “I’m still here, and I’ve got stories to tell!” And Lord knows I do!
It’s More Than Just Words
Writing after a stroke isn’t just about getting my thoughts out there; it’s like a rollercoaster that takes me through my own thoughts and feelings. There’s no judgment, no rush – just me and my words having a heart-to-heart. It’s like my little sanctuary where I can lay it all out without worrying about someone interrupting.
Show Some Love
Now, don’t even get me started on the world out there. We’re living in a microwave society, where everything’s gotta be instant. RIGHT NOW! But my writing? That’s a slow-cooked masterpiece. (By the way, if you have any good slow cooker meals. email them to me. Please and thank you.) So, here’s the memo: when you’re talking to someone who’s on this writing journey post-stroke, ditch the quick judgments. OK? Geez! I don’t claim to be a perfect writer, that’s why I love chunking information into bullet points and it’s less stress for me. Writing takes time, effort, and a whole lot of heart.
Breaking Boundaries, Changing Mindsets
In a world that loves to stick labels on everything, I’m breaking the damn mold. My words aren’t just on paper; they’re breaking barriers, showing that there’s more than one way to communicate. I’m redefining what it means to have a voice – and guess what, it’s powerful.
Wrap It Up, Already
Surviving a stroke isn’t for the faint of heart. Ooh wee! It’s like getting a ticket to an unpredictable ride. But you know what’s even wilder? Finding my way through writing. It’s my therapy, my rebellion, my comeback story. So, if you meet someone who’s scribbling instead of shouting, give ’em a nod. They’re on a journey that’s slow, tough, and beautiful. And trust me, you won’t want to miss a single word of it.
I know many of you are wondering what caused me to have a stroke. Hmm, that’ll be another post. Stay tuned.
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See ya on the next post!
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