As I approach my ninth Rebirth-day on August 26, I figure it's time for an update to my story. Especially since I haven't got around to finishing that memoir I mentioned in an earlier installment! That is proving to be my eternal work-in-progress.
I still live in the condo I bought in 1999. My son continues to share my home and helps me with the chores that are too tedious or cumbersome to manage.
I still work for the same federal agency as before my stroke. Now I am basically just trying to hang in there until retirement eligibility without getting RIF-fed, sacked or downsized.
My love of travel remains undiminished. In May 1999, I bought a used 1998 Dodge Stratus that I named Diva Las Vegas. She and I had many amazing adventures on the road. We logged nearly 80,000 miles of journeys together.
When Diva's odometer turned 107,000 miles in June 2004, I traded her in for a 2003 Hyunai Elantra. The Elantra was named MsAdventure. I haven't yet had her 15 months and already she has racked up 32,000+ miles and driven through seven states.
Several new medical dramas have hospitalized me on several occasions between 2001 and the present. Among them have been microcytic anemia, squamous cell carcinoma, kidney stones and other unpleasantness. The survival techniques I learned in recovering from my stroke got me through each new episode with the same grace, courage, dignity, humor and perseverance as before.
While I continue to do battle with the writing and editing of memoir drafts, I have found other avenues for sharing my stroke-survivor's story.
--In 1999, I collaborated with other online stroke survivors to create a series of Stroke Awareness Quilts. My squares were used in the traveling quilt, which has been displayed at events and venues all over the country to raise stroke awareness.
--In 2001, I joined Toastmasters International to get more comfortable with public speaking. In three years I have achieved the Advanced Toastmaster - Bronze and Competent Leader awards. My ambition is to earn my Distinguished Toastmaster (the organization's highest honor) by age 50.
--In January 2004, I registered for Train to End Stroke, a marathon-training and fund-raising program to benefit the American Stroke Association. I trained for four months and raised over $4,000.00. During that time, I also gave local newspaper and television interviews on behalf of Train to End Stroke and Stroke Awareness Month. My efforts earned me the nickname "The Strokesmodel."
On June 6, 2004, the Train to End Stroke team participated in the Suzuki Rock & Roll Marathon in San Diego, California. A photo of me approaching the finish line can be seen here--> <http://www.secondsoletotalsports.com/miscfiles/04sandiego/P6060024.JPG>
Since returning from San Diego, I have been on the lecture circuit, speaking to various groups about my experiences as a stroke survivor and a marathon participant. I also now have the perfect ending for my memoir, so I will definitely be working on that more in the coming months.
Save a space on your bookshelf!
In August 1999, I became a first-time homeowner by purchasing a ranch-style condo with basement. My (now adult) son helps me with some day-to-day chores and heavy lifting. My mom helps me with housework and with keeping financial matters sorted out, especially bills and taxes.--After I took on a mortgage, my budget couldn't finance a lot of my former social activities so I got into volunteer ushering. I've parlayed my positive experiences there into two paying parttime moonlighting gigs at local concert/sporting venues. Still, I continue with the volunteer work because I love it and the many friends I have made there.
My eventual ambition is to include all of these experiences in a published memoir. The purpose is to demonstrate to the world that a rich, vibrant and abundant life is still possible after a brain injury.
May each of you find your path to that abundance. Cheers.
I was originally diagnosed with right-side hemiplegia, severe aphasia, dysphagia, and double-vision. The first five days post-CVA are a blank. I woke up on 9-1-95, my son's 14th birthday, with tubes in my arm, tubes in my mouth, tubes up my nose, and more tubes up the other end! St. Ann's Hospital saw to my care in ICU (1st week) and CCU (2nd week).
When my BP stabilized and I had gained enough strength, I was transferred to OSU Medical Center-Dodd Hall for 3 weeks of inpatient rehab. Once discharged at the end of 9/95, I continued therapies (speech, occupational, physical) at St. Ann's outpatient clinic. Still have some physical and cognitive deficits; use an orthotic and straight cane for ambulation.
By 4/96, I returned to work and re-passed my driving exam. After the day-job, I do a lot of volunteer gigs with band parent groups and arts organizations. Recently have become more active in stroke and brain-injury support and activism. My goal is to increase the inclusion of the differently-abled in the mainstream community, leading by example
Email Deborah
