My Stroke 1990
20 May, 2004
Author: Clive B Ringshall
As I woke out of bed I got,
Straight to the floor I fell,
Seems I was not informed of my pending stroke,
Silly boy a nurse then called,
I sat with tears in my eyes on this hard cold floor,
Put back in bed and wrapped up as if I were ill,
Tried to talk but the words seemed trapped in my throat,
To hold the nurse I tried to do,
The command to my left arm was not getting through,
It was only an hour ago that I’d lost so much,
Was informed by a Dr. that asleep I’ve been,
Woke after missing three weeks in a coma he said,
Now I’m awake tests lets begin,
Two days passed by,
Now you’ll have to try,
To eat you must do; there lots for you to do,
You’re stroke has affected your speech and you’re left side too,
I cried and cried as I used the bathroom this time,
I could not do the things we all do by age two,
Help was needed to wipe and to clean,
Then back to bed with the aid of two,
Never again will you assist me in there,
I’ll do this myself you’ll see if I don’t
Clive you’ll call and help is what we do,
You’ll get better in 7 months you’ll see,
The night was long though it would never end,
I cried again talking to myself and him,
I was mad how he could let this happen,
If epilepsy was not enough to punish,
Now a stroke to exchange for the seizure,
Was this fair is this right,
To be like others in a “normal” way,
Morning came and alone I went,
Walked to the restroom well crawled lets say,
I pulled myself up and sat down,
Catching my breath before tidying up,
I did it myself; I knew I could,
The nurse came later to assist me,
I’ve done that and I did it myself,
You’re help in that area I said not no more,
Months did pass but not 6 or 7,
But from March till the end of June then I was alone,
I could walk and yes talk.
Despite being told how very sick I was,
I beat them all a year of to recover not me I went to College,
Now I’m here and strong in all I do,
Blame a God no not that would I do,
Yes I did that many times as I grew,
But determination I learnt and this is my gift.
------- Author's Notes -------
This story is true, and therapy to write, |
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Comments on this poem/writing:
| barb (66.46.241.93) -- Thursday, May 20 2004, 02:44 pm yep that's the one thing that gave me determination getting my privacy back . so when I could go without transfer help it was a great feeling. Now I live in an apt. and can pee when I want. Ha ha. good explaining of how things are thank-you very much |
| Clive (63.184.1.183, 2) -- Thursday, May 20 2004, 03:40 pm Yes privacy we take for granted until its gone, A great motivation for myself. carry on laughing / smiling |
| Terrie* (65.150.170.19) -- Thursday, May 20 2004, 04:16 pm tears escape my soul, this is very touching, i have seen this many times in my line of work..many folks are not as determined as you..i'm so proud of you .you accomplished alot in the beginning by just putting your heart into it.never gave up...i am sorry that you had to go thru such a traumatic experience...many of us take little things for granted...many hugs to you sweetie.always there to care.. ..Terrie* |
| Clive (63.184.1.109, 2) -- Thursday, May 20 2004, 05:01 pm I have always been a fighter, had to growing up "different" Although this experiance I like anyone could have done without, I leart a lot about me that I can suceed, I obtained a better understanding of others through this, this I can put into pratice in my work, I have worked in the Social Services field for 24 years now and I am able to empathize on a different level. When I get told / shouted you do not understand AH yes I do. Thank you for reading Terrie take care of you your friend in life Clive |
| Meridian (64.12.116.200) -- Thursday, May 20 2004, 06:39 pm Good afternoon Clive! What a powerful testimony to share on dreamer'sreality.com! You and Barb are blessed to be able to talk again...... And Clive, being able to walk again was really a blessing! You and Barb have similarities, in determination because you both outsmarted the nurses by helping your ownselves, even though it was extremely difficult to move around..... You fought that long hard battle, and you are a survivor, a fighter, and a soldier in my eyes! To get out of the hospital bed and be your own therapist brings tears to my eyes! I commend and applaud you, and say congratulations for making it through! P.S. I would like to thank you for being a wonderful friend, making extraordinary comments like that, that makes my heart leap out of my chest, knowing that someone appreciates my work! Thanks a lot Clive! Have fun, and don't forget to live each day with expectation! Smiles, Meri |
| barb (66.46.241.93) -- Thursday, May 20 2004, 09:54 pm Meridan I think clive would agree with me. We we're determine not to have to depend on someone to feed us or help us go to the bathroom . what we did,we did out of neccesity to be independent again.Thanks for the uplifting words. |
| Terrie* (65.150.175.105) -- Friday, May 21 2004, 03:56 pm i am very proud of you for your accomplishments, in my job i am the sounding board of illnesses, it is my job to not allow any one to go thru depression otherwise their healing process is wasted..and as much as i have faith in our rehab system..i have more faith on the ABILITY not DISABILITY of a person, i believe that through their inner strength their body does repair from the inside. right now i'm corresponding w/a friend whom Doctors say may or may not be able to walk again.i know he will..because he is like you determined to do it .his job is his passion ever seen a man in blue give up not hardly...you are one to be admired for your courage act..i think thats another reason why i went into the medical field seeing individuals as yourself determined to take DIS out of DISABLE.. your determination proved that you were ABLE..great job your an inspiration, hugs to you...Terrie* |
| amy -louise (10.5.100.190) -- Thursday, June 4 2009, 10:19 am i love that poem dad, it brought a tear to my eye ,to think that was only 3 yyears before i was born love you up to the sky n back your darling daughter amy-louise xx |
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