Four years after my stroke I am blessed to still be on this side of the grass!

Four years after my stroke I am blessed to still be on this side of the grass!

It’s been a while since I have written on my blog. Two years ago in April my Dad Became ill and was hospitalized. With my Dad in the hospital a 2-hour bus – a train-bus trip away, it took its toll on me even though my sister and I took turns every other day. So if I spent a couple of hours visiting (with travel time) the day was done. The next day would be a light recovery day, all the while trying to get going in our business.

So things that I had enjoyed doing took a back seat -like writing this blog.

My Dad passed away a year ago in April: then came the Executor duties.

One of the things I have managed to learn after my stroke is to Lead a More Measured Life, mostly out of necessity energy levels post-stroke are a constant challenge.

It was explained to me that to have an “A” Battery, a “B” Battery and a “C” Battery.

There are a lot of things that drain the batteries like noise, visual things going on around, making sure I am on track, doing too many thinking tasks at one time. Things like computer work, planning, being on top of my game to talk to prospects & customers are best done in the “A” Battery level.

Let me explain you can start out with your “A” Battery in the morning if you have had a good rest the night before. The big thing to remember the transition between energy Levels is like falling off a cliff.

The “B “Batteries are still a safe place to function but at this point, you need to take a break and just sit. If I am home a nap may be the appropriate plan of action.

If I get to the “C” Battery’s and don’t get home soon it could cost me several days of recovery from total exhaustion!

For a better explanation check out this video: Traumatic Brain Injury: Understanding Fatigue (remember a stroke is an Acquired Brain Injury)  https://youtu.be/pIoKnfIb7iE

It’s Interesting how after the stroke they say that you will see most of your recovery in the first Six months and not to expect any great leaps of recovery after that. Although it has not been as fast 4 years out I am still finding advances all the time.

The last two months I have seen a marked Jump in the energy levels.

It is interesting how we tackle things that would have been a cake walk before having a stroke are quite a bit more challenging after having one.

I took a certification course for a new small business product we are offering in our business. Most of the information I was quite familiar with and most of the previous exams were multiple choice. This time there was written work it proved to be the most challenging thing I have done in a while. Some of the assignments just made my head hurt and cost some recovery time.

Business wise I just completed a month equivalent to the volume I was doing before my stroke. My goal for next month is to match it without overdoing myself.

I was privileged to participate in the Richmond Centre for Disability 2017 Self-Employment & Entrepreneurship Expo. The Richmond Centre for Disability (RCD) was supporting the worldwide Invisible Illness Awareness Day by offering “an exposition of self-employment and entrepreneur resources for people with invisible illness and people living with a disability”

Both my wife Dorothy and I got to showcase our businesses. Being self-employed has allowed us to have flexibility in navigating things. Neither of us could work in a traditional working environment. My wife has an extreme allergy to fragrances so she developed a business she calls “The Tax Granny.” She sorts and categorizes receipts for small businesses. I got to showcase our other business that helps individuals, family’s & small business to access good legal advice at an affordable price. Including things like asking questions, Document review, letters & phone calls on your behalf and a comprehensive Will’s package including, a will, power of attorney for property and

I got to showcase our other business that helps individuals, family’s & small business to access good legal advice at an affordable price. Including things like asking questions, Document review, letters & phone calls on your behalf and a comprehensive Will’s package including, a will, power of attorney for property and health care power of attorney.

I even got my 15 min of fame, I was featured in an article in the Richmond review “The business of being disabled: Learning to work beyond a disability”. Here is the link.
http://www.richmond-news.com/business/the-business-of-being-disabled-learning-to-work-beyond-a-disability-1.15292979

Invisible Disability’s: If you looked at me you would probably say, Sim, you have totally recovered! Every time I hear those words, I say to myself If you only knew. A lot of the people I have met in the “Invisible Disability” community, from first glance you would never guess. So, before you assume everything is fine, take some time to get to know that person. Just remember, people with an “Invisible Disability” are not quick to share without getting to know you. Although I have shared some of my struggles, there are things only my wife and I will notice.

I am hoping to return to write more this year!
Feeling blessed to be able to still be on this side of the grass.
Wishing everyone a fabulous 2017!