Dear Bloody Brain, It’s me again. I guess you’re on my mind a lot. In response to your letter, I don’t always think of you badly. In fact, whenever I think of the losses you incurred, I can’t help but remember the gains. My new passion for teaching, though really not that new anymore. And … Read more
A few weeks ago someone asked me how long ago were my surgeries. I had to think. “Is it seven years? Or eight? Perhaps nine? Wait. They were done in 2007, it’s now 2015. So it’s been eight years.” I nodded. “Yes, eight. Actually, more than eight years, close to eight and a half years.” … Read more
To me, the term victim seems so passive and survivor more active, more involved. When I asked my neuropsychologist about the issue, he divided those who have undergone a life threatening ordeal into two groups. There are those who take an active role in their recovery versus those who remain passive, waiting for help to … Read more
I started slowly, but as I gained confidence, I sped up, moving to the left, or was it to the right? Dancing the grapevine, crossing my right foot behind my left, then my left behind my right, again and again, across the gym, fully focused on my feet, barely aware of my surrounding. Keith’s grasp … Read more
Sara tightened the strap that held my shoulders back. “How does that feel?” I let my arms hang down, relaxed. “You can go a little tighter.” The first time Sara strapped my shoulders back, I hated it, and asked to be released within the first minute. But after seeing the benefits, I tolerated it. I … Read more
I suggested he turn to writing. “Writing really helped me through the rough patches. Still does.” “But I don’t think I can do dialogues like I used to.” Before the stroke, Paul used to write movie scripts. I mentioned my memoir. He countered with, “But scripts have to have a resolution. You can’t leave the … Read more