STROKE!!!

By James E. Crigger

   I have learned the hard way.  People who have had a stroke are treated differently.  The world treats you differently.  Your family treats you differently also.
   Your family don’t understand that you feel lost and alone.  You feel like a burden to family, and sometimes they make you feel that way.  You’ve lost control.  You hurt.  Everything you used to do alone, someone does for you.  You make them feel sorry for you.  You feel sorry for yourself.  You don’t understand why you had the stroke in the first place.
   Exercise, even though you need it is hard  to do because when you exercise, it hurts.  You try,

but you don’t succeed.

   Maybe you feel sorry for yourself, maybe your family feels sorry for you, Maybe you need someone to feel sorry just to get their attention, or all of the above.  I only know the life will never be the same.  You may get over the stroke but you will never be the same.
   A stroke changes the way you look at life.  You appreciate things more.  You’re glad when you open your eyes in morning, you’re alive!
   Being a Christian is something different.  You’re relationship with God is more real.  If you’re not a Christian it will make you want to change the way you are.  You have survived!
    I certainly would not wish a stroke on anyone, but it’s something that happens.  When it happens you have to live with it whether you like it or not.
   Understanding is the key.  You must understand your family and, they must understand you.  Their life is different too,  They have a life and you know it.  They need to understand that you have a life also.  Your life has changed.  They look at you the way you were.  You're not that man anymore.  You feel like a baby and they treat you like a baby.
   I hope and pray that your stroke was not this way.  I wrote this article in hopes of helping other stroke victims, their families and my family.
May we  all get better and love one another.