Yesterday I bumped into one of the nurses I was working with at the time of my SAH. I had heard on the grapevine that someone's daughter had had one not long after me, and it turned out to be this lady's 19-year old. We talked and as the conversation went on, I could see she was really astounded at how well I am doing. She said "I wish my daughter could meet you", so I decided there and then that I would try and help her. After all, when I was in hospital my first thought was that I would try and set up a support group when I was able.
So this morning I went along to meet C - a very sweet girl who is struggling to come to terms with what happened to her. Her stroke was on the left side of her brain and she has been left with slight speech difficulties. She was also worse off than me in that her right side was paralysed after the event and although she can walk and run fine, her hand is still giving her trouble. Would you believe it - she was sent to the same London hospital that I was and her neurosurgeon was the same lady who did my operation. It's a small world.
I was happy that I was able to bring along some papers that I had received from Different Strokes, an association set up by and for younger stroke victims, and I think that my training as a life coach might have come in a little bit handy. As she's a bit younger than Claire, maybe they'll be able to hang out a bit too, as neither of them are the type who like to go out drinking and clubbing.... It felt really good to be able to do something for someone else.
Right, must dash as I have an appointment with Occupational Health at the hospital.
Attagirl!!!! As the French say, "Je te reconnais bien là"... ;-)
Posted by: Caro | 11/18/2010 at 06:15 PM
I wish i'd had someone to speak to after my SAH! just to know that things do get easier! it must feel great to help someone else x
Posted by: charlotte | 11/28/2010 at 08:15 PM