Independence is the goal

INDEPENDENCE

When you suffer a Stroke, ABI, TBI, or you are living with MS or ALS, other then the obvious impediments, the biggest thing that we miss is our INDEPENDENCE.

Many of these impediments, you really don't think about, until you are forced to. 

In May 2016, 5 1/2 years ago, I suffered two Strokes and went from a coma, to not being able to sit up straight, to a wheelchair, to now walking up to 5 kilometers a day.  

I used many tools to get to that level, from using a Wedge Daily, an AFO, to a Walkaide and SaeboStep, and Practice, Practice, Practice.  Now to really improve / maintain my balance and ROM, I have included the Ex n Flex, into my daily routine.  That was my main focus, I wanted to walk again.  I worked hard on my balance and I continue to work on technique, balance, weight shifting, Range Of Motion or ROM, and Stamina.  I suspect that this is my new normal.

What I found was that there are also many simple inexpensive tools to help me accomplish this, without it becoming to boring.  Did you know that recovery or the things you have to do to IMPROVE, MAINTAIN and not REGRESS, changes several times a year, usually with the seasons.

With a Brain Injury such as Stroke, one thing is for sure, if you don't use it, you will lose it, so keep moving or challenging yourself.  Following my Strokes, I could not draw the face of a clock correctly and putting together a 24 piece children's puzzle would take me between 2-3 hours, a task that should be completed in 5 minutes or less.  I did not even know how to turn on my computer. So I would practice simple puzzles, everyday, along with Word Search Puzzles, then Nintendo Wii Sports, then Nintendo DS, and now Nintendo Wii Fit and Balance Board.  I would use all of these simple tools everyday as part of my home rehab program and now, 5 years later, I own and operate JGH Rehab.

I also have a Recumbent Bike, and use my SaeboFlex during the Winter and Spring seasons, and use Electrical Muscle Stimulation everyday on my Shoulder, forearm and hand.  These devices help control my Spasticity, which has almost eliminated my need for Botox, helped me maintain my ROM, and is helping to heal my Shoulder Subluxation. 

My first Stroke was rather minor, it was the second Stroke which resulted in a Brain Bleed that really done me in. So I have deficits, that will never totally heal, and I'm good with that. 

I pray, Lord, let not what I cannot have, my peace of mind destroy. 

Sometimes, we must take time to grieve what we have lost, or our old self, and embrace our new self or new normal.  That is how you really move forward, and learn to enjoy life again, and stop looking in the rearview mirror.  You need to concentrate on what is happening right in front of you.  In other words, DO WHAT YOU CAN, WITH WHAT YOU HAVE, WHERE YOU ARE.

I have found tools that have helped me regain some more Independence, and stock them in our online store at JGH Rehab  like a Knork for cutting up my food, and a Rocker knife, for cutting through the tough steaks, a Paring Board that allows me to help prepare dinner,  a plastic spread board with spikes that lets me butter my own toast, instead of chasing it across the table, a one handed nail clipper, a zipper / button puller, a One Touch Can Opener, wireless cell phone charger, and I am learning to have lots of patience.  Here are the products that I spoke about.  Get them here, JGH Rehab.  There are many more products available, even most of the products mentioned above, that I use. Pictured below are just a few.  Feel free to shop and use coupon code JGHREHABBLACKFRIDAY at checkout and receive15% off your entire order.  Sale will be in effect until December 20th, 2021. 

We are Health Canada Certified with a valid MDEL, as a Importer and Distributor, of Medical Devices to Canada, and stock what we sell.  If you need something that you do not see, contact us at 416-420-4052 or jghrehab2018@gmail.com, and we will do our best to find it for you.

 Here are a few of our suppliers

Tecogics Scientific Ltd