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Stroke
Survivor of the Month
- July/August 2005 Every stroke survivor wishes to regain function and independence. Many people do so easily if the stroke was somewhat minor. However, when the stroke is severe enough to cause sustained damage it can seem as though there’s no hope of ever regaining what was lost. Progress can be slow and painful but the big pay off comes with determination and consistency. When Stroke of Hope first evaluated Maria Rivera she was depressed, incapable of using her left arm or transferring, standing and walking unassisted. Her faith in a higher power was weak and her resolve to getting better was shaky at best. She was experiencing an extremely low ebb. Soon after beginning Recovery Training, she was featured as Survivor of the Month for May/June because we saw a change in attitude. As time progressed she became more and more determined and saw significant progress as a result of committed time and effort not only during her training sessions but EVERY DAY on a regularly scheduled basis. As Maria has disciplined herself (along with her sister’s constant support) she has succeeded in obtaining nutritional goals, improvement in attitude and psychological focus and, as a by-product, has achieved a new level of faith. She is now transferring from bed to chair on her own (without the mechanical lift), using her left arm and hand for basic needs and standing with minimal assistance. Once standing, she is able to use the walker unassisted and is beginning a step program. She’s come a wonderfully long way via determination and consistent effort. Does Maria ever sink back into doubt and depression? Yes. She still has her moments. But they are fewer and last for less time than ever before because she hangs on to the knowledge that her will and steadfast approach to recovery is making her stronger and stronger every day, not by quantum leaps but by baby steps that are moving her ever forward. 
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