LIFE AFTER A STROKE

This time last year I had no idea what the future would hold in peoples daydreams they only ever have nice thoughts.

Who would have thought that I would have to learn to walk again that I would have to give up work that I would cry when watching a film, that I would detest the taste of beer. Incapable of even walking the dog, even holding Mo in my arms

That I would have to give up driving and even worse that Mo would be my driver.

That I would now be sleeping alone, that I am incapable of holding a knife and fork

me the guy who last year could have done any maintenance in any building the type of person who had been so useful in a crisis.

That some of my friends and colleagues would have deserted me when the going got tough for me.

Lots of things change, who knows the hand that fate may deal in the next decade, year, month, week, day, hour, or even minute.

We only hope that fate will be good, never daring to think the unthinkable. When it does go wrong it is so difficult to accept why me is the often-heard cry.

I lost the skills I had;

I lost my independent life,

I lost what I thought were friends when they deserted me, and when they were needed

I lost the love and taste of anything alcoholic

I lost the three times a week pie and chips

I lost the ability to tear a sheet from a toilet roll or a postage stamp from a book of stamps.

I lost the macho man image I had

Although I lost so much in some ways I gained more than I lost I can possibly do more with one hand arm or leg than I could have done when I had two.

I have found true friendship from quarters I would not have dreamt of; fickle friends have gone for to them I have nothing to give them anymore, so I am of no use to them.

I gained skills I did not have before Computer skills

I gained e-friends from other parts of the world.

I gained new friends in the new circle I was in

I gained the knowledge although I had been blighted I was not as bad as some.

I gained the art of patience [well nearly]

I gained a sweet tooth

My health has gained for since the day of the stroke I have not smoked my wealth must have increased to.

Had I carried on smoking I would have spent £1756-00p on cigarettes

Had I carried on liking a drink it would have cost me approx £500-00

Had I been driving and putting petrol in my car £700-00

But then again there’s the price of the Horlicks!

So over the next year there is only one way to go.