Monday, January 9, 2012

One Stroky’s Journey: Joy of Movement #1


Pat Black

This afternoon was my first beach walk of the new year and only about the fourth since my stroke April 22, 2011. This walk marked another first. The first beach walk with a non-family member, a generous and brave volunteer, Pat Black from our church.

Pat picked me up, drove to the beach and held on to my gait belt for about 45 minutes of vigorous walking on the paved beach walkway that graces our town’s beach. She had also spent time earlier in one of my rehab sessions where Ashley, my physical therapist at the neuro rehab center, introduced her to ways to keep herself and me safe on our walk together.

“She’s a natural,” was Ashley’s evaluation.

Just being outside was an invigorating change of pace for me. And the brisk beach breeze, moderate temperature, interesting conversation spiced with laughter, all added up to just what the doctor ordered. Until now, beach walks have been rare with husband Walter working nearly 40 hours a week plus his hours keeping up with cooking, cleaning, my at-home therapy and the other extra care and feeding tasks associated with being the caregiver of a stroke survivor.

I am hoping that weather will allow regular walks. Today, even in the first few minutes, I could feel the tight, hurty, stroky places in muscles and joints loosening up and feeling better. And the outing provided a major attitude adjustment, too.

Thank you, Pat!

And thank you, Walter!

12 comments:

  1. A beach walk sounds wonderful! So glad you had the opportunity to go, thanks to your friend, Pat.

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  2. I have been away as well, due to illness, and am just now back and catching up. Congratulations on your amazing progress, I think you will come out of this stronger than before!! You are brave, tenacious, a fighter! And now you can walk much longer than me!!! I am so proud of you! And thanking you for the Wendy's baked potato tip, I will try the,m. I am on two blood pressure drugs, have been on drugs since a teenager.

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  3. This is wonderful! I'm so happy to hear you have such a great new companion to help you on your journey. This is such a blessing.

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  4. That is so cool! I'm glad Pat is able to give a bit of relief for you and Walter. There are so many way for volunteers to be useful, and no one on the volunteer end of it will ever completely understand the freedom it grants in your home! (I'm the volunteer coordinator in our local hospice, and I've seen it over and over) Next time you see her, give her a hug from your cyber-friend!

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  5. So glad you got to do that! I love the beach! I love to sit and watch the ocean...it always reminds me of God's power.

    And the walking is so good for us too. I am glad that Pat was able to go on that walk with you. Such good therapy for the mind and body!

    Love, Linda

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  6. this is great news that you are walking more and being out and about and someone to walk with you. a wonderful place to walk.

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  7. Aren't you fortunate to have such a good friend. Linda, you are doing remarkably well and should be proud of yourself. Keep up the good work.

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  8. What a great friend!

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  9. What a thoughtful friend. It sounds like wondeful therapy both physically and mentally.
    Keep it going.

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  10. I am so happy to read of your progress and your new walking companion.
    I'm sure that that walk charged your batteries and gave you new things to see and talk about.
    It seems the Lord gave you just what you needed to keep on keeping on.
    Have a wonderful weekend.

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  11. Your smile says it all. Well done and every blessing

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