Inspiring Survivor Recovery Story
Are you a stroke survivor or know someone who is? Need some answers?
My journey back from “No Hope” to back at work 6 months later is the subject of my book “I had a Stroke – didn’t like it so I got rid of it”
Each chapter deals with a challenge and my solution to it. You’ll experience the moment of my stroke, how I saved my body and my mind getting back all I had lost. That lost was the use of my entire left side, the ability to speak and read just to name a few.
The book is available right now at Trafford Press.
Stroke Recovery
I just produced 5 videos where I answer 5 questions about stroke recovery on my new website, www.thrivingsurvivor.com
Click to Play
You’re looking for information about Stroke Recovery. There is so much out there how do you sort through it all and find what you’re really looking for. How can I help my loved one, therapy client and yourself the stroke survivor? What’s the Secret of Recovery?
Start with the most basic and least looked at, Atmosphere. What mood are you setting for yourself or the stroke survivor? Positive or negative atmosphere is something you can control. Feeling sorry for them has a negative connotation. Give them negatives and they’re have negative outcomes. Leave the grief at home.
Stroke victims have now become Stroke Survivors. By changing one word you change the atmosphere and influence the outcome. We can all do this so go ahead and change the way you look at the situation.
One of my closes friends, Chris was at my side in the emergence ward. Having had two strokes within hours of each other the outlook was grime. He was told I wouldn’t live overnight.
Chris is without a doubt the greatest salesperson I’ve ever known. He pitched me on the subject of not dying. In no uncertain terms was he willing to let me go. Telling me I couldn’t do that to him, my wife, my kids or any of my friends who love me. He was loud and aggressive. He knew by our relationship that I would take what he was saying to heart if it made sense to me. It did.
The staff kicked him out of emergency. They felt he was a bad and loud influence.
A little while latter they went looking for him. When found they said, “Whatever you said to him seems to be working. We’re seeing positive things happening so get back in there and do it again.” He did.
Now I don’t recommend this for everyone. Chris did it on purpose based on the nature of our relationship. Everyone has within them the right thing to do in a situation so do your gut feeling in a positive way.
He created an atmosphere that I responded to in a positive way. Yes I was in a deep hole of depression, it’s natural to feel that way but he gave me something to shoot for. I was shooting for recovery now so I wouldn’t disappoint him, my wife, kids and friends, my loved ones.
Atmosphere is the first thing you can do to create a positive recovery outcome.
Here’s a medical study which supports my Secret of Recovery.
Jim's Stroke
The damage inflicted by a stroke can appear
insurmountable, a fact best understood by those
familiar with its debilitating effects, such as is the
case of Hamilton, Ontario resident Jim Pettitt,
who fell victim to one in February 2001, at the
age of 46.
It was a case of history repeating itself, for Jim's Among the many mysteries yet to be Having witnessed the sad transformation of his No one would have thought less of Jim if he had Progress was slow at first, but it was measurable and Attributing this amazing recovery to the power of Deceptively simple, it consists of a series of tasks and He is transforming lives, in the same way he once
father suffered a stroke at the same age, rendering
him incapacitated for the remainder of his life.
Such a fate seemed destined to befall Jim, afflicted
as he was with impaired speech and paralysis.
resolved about the brain, is why it so willingly
submits to the limitations arising from a stroke.
All too quickly, the mind accepts the loss it has
incurred, drastically altering the individual, leaving
them but a shadow of their former selves.
father, Jim vowed, while lying prostrate in a
hospital bed, he would not be diminished by his
stroke, thus setting into motion a remarkable
recovery that has inspired countless others since.
allowed himself an extended period of time to
absorb the impact of what had happened, for he
could barely speak, his left hand and arm dangled
uselessly, and walking was almost impossible.
Yet just weeks after being hospitalized Jim was
up on his feet, communicating, and vigorously
exercising his damaged limbs. Why did he demand
so much of himself in the immediate aftermath of
his stroke? Because he knew every moment counted,
that his mind was adjusting to its reduced state,
and the effects of the stroke could easily become
permanent. Jim could feel he was slipping away,
and had to act fast to stop the slid. Recovery was
up to him.
consistent, creating hope and providing confidence.
As Jim puts it, "I suddenly began to see light at the end
of the tunnel." Those first baby steps soon evolved
into giant leaps, resulting in an astounding recovery
no one expected. Less than six months after his stroke,
Jim was working again, playing golf, even motorcycling.
positive thinking is too simple, for its more profound
than that. Jim understands, in ways few others do, the
minds resourcefulness, and how to tap into areas that
often lay dormant.
challenges that engage unused parts of the brain.
The tireless pursuit of these goals, however modest
they may be, is key to success. This is the message Jim
conveys at speaking engagements, and its one heartily
embraced by those in need of help, who feel
inadequately served by the health system. Most
exciting of all is the progress Jim has made with
individuals who long ago resigned themselves to a
lifetime of disability.
transformed his own. The fear commonly associated
with strokes vanishes in Jim's presence, for he leaves
no doubt the worst of its effects can be mastered.
This is my latest brain scan, the damage is on the left side of the picture which is the right side of my brain. It's the big dark spot coming off the side of my skull.
I'm Jim Pettitt and on February 10th, 2001 I had 2 strokes. Paralyzed down my entire left side, couldn't speak, read or remember loved ones names. By midnight the doctor told my best friend, I wouldn't live to see morning. Apparently, not a good day to be me! September of that same year I returned to work, full time. What happened in between is the "Miracle" people tell me I had. If it was a "Miracle" then it's one I had to work very, very hard at. I placed myself in charge of my own stroke rehabilitation. Combining therapy programs provided by the hospital with my own.
People need inspiration. Stroke survivors and their caregivers, families, friends and professionals all need to know that there is more than just hope. I've been on both sides of the fence. My father had a stroke at the age of 47, which made me a caregiver. At the age of 46 I too became a survivor and refused to vote myself off that island.
Today you can't tell I've had a stroke. I've shaved 30 strokes (no pun intended) off my golf game. People will say, " Look at you. You couldn't have had a big stroke." Then I tell my story. After that they say, "You're a miracle." That's what I want to share as an Inspirational Stroke Speaker, the tips and tricks of going from there to here. When I wake up every morning I think, I have another day. Another day to make a positive difference in my life and in those around me!"
Your group, association or conference could use an upbeat, funny and informative stroke speaker.
For my latest thoughts on my recovery and for those who've asked me questions,
go to www.strokespeaker.blogspot.com
