October 25, 2020
Today's epic realization: I am already better.
In fact, some days I would dare say I am better than better. (I'm talking about my recovery of course, but isn't it amazing how much that blends into the rest of our lives as stroke survivors?)
But it's true when I think about it! I have days when I am so functional that even I can't tell that I have had one stroke, let alone two of them. My hand works and I have all of the fine motor control. My leg co-operates and I can walk normally. There are days when I feel literally STRONG and can lift more than quite a few of the able-bodied people at the gym. There are days when my muscles actually relax and I can yoga and stretch with the best of them.
The trouble is that I have difficulty maintaining that functionality. I can only keep it going for a few minutes, tops, before all of my limitation come rolling back in. This is literally the most frustrating experience of my life.
But I know that I am supposed to be learning something from this. Somehow, in the grand scheme of things, this is all being used. I have believed that for years and years now, and I see evidence of it every day. So maybe it isn't that bad....
To me though, this means something... the fact that I remember how to be able-bodied means something. I think (and I hope!) that it means that one day I am going to get better again.
Or maybe I already am better......?
Posted by AVM Foundation.
August 3, 2020
Did you know that, as of this year (2020), it has been 22 years since my first stroke? Geez, it's been nearly 20 years since my
second stroke! And as hard as that is for me to believe, there is a lot that I have learned in that time and a lot that I have taken away.
For example, one of the first things that taught me after my first stroke was regarding stairs -
always step up with your good foot, and step down with the bad". This stabilizes your balance and helps you accomplish the steps with...
Continue reading...
Posted by AVM Foundation.
April 8, 2019
You know how my last post a few months ago was all about personal growth and change? OH BOY has there ever been a lot of that since then!! Alex and I moved in together at the beginning of February... literally only a few days before I broke my right leg!! Yup - broken my tibia and fibula and fractured my tibia. I need to learn to watch where I am putting my big clumsy feet LOL....
So since then, we had to move again (all in a matter of about two months). But now we are close to downtown Hamilt...
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Posted by AVM Foundation.
December 7, 2018
You know how personal growth is a continuous thing (or it should be at least)? I like it much more when it's evenly spread out over the course of months or years... but in the last two or three months (since beginning my co-op for school), I have been hit with a whammy of growth, development and maturing.
It's a lot to handle, or at least I feel that it is. Learning about decision making, making wiser decisions, budgeting, managing my time better, managing my
life better...
Sigh.
My 34th birth...
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Posted by AVM Foundation.
May 30, 2018
I have finally done it... I have come up with an explanation for why I act the way that I do (a tad overly optimistic, shall we say?). And it all ties back to my theory about daisies.
Daisies are the highest life form... were you aware of this? Think about it: a daisy is a very simple flower with a big yellow centre, a few white petals and a couple of very basic leaves. A daisy's ENTIRE purpose in life is to make people smile.
That is a noble purpose!! I have a crazy amount of respect for daisi...
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Posted by AVM Foundation.
May 3, 2018
According to Canada.ca,
about 741,800 Canadian adults aged 20+ live with the effects of a stroke. One-quarter of Canadians living with stroke are
under the age of 65. However, previous estimates of stroke prevalence may have massively underestimated
the true number of individuals experiencing the effects of stroke in Canada! (pause)
I am here today to talk to you
about the reality of limited mobility and decreased function that many stroke
survivors face, and the promise of hope for better r...
Continue reading...
Posted by AVM Foundation.
January 3, 2018
Well, another year has come and gone... these past 12 months have been full of adventures, learning lessons, trials, victories and love. I feel that I made more progress on my recovery than I have in a very long time, and possibly a full recovery is within sight (hopefully).
I just wanted to thank everyone for all of their marvelous support this year... I truly would not be able to do this without you! We are making a difference and changing the world together.
Cheers to another great year!
Continue reading...
Posted by AVM Foundation.
December 3, 2017
Well, the last fundraising event of 2017 was last weekend... and overall, we did really well this year! I met a ton of really super people, raised a bunch of awareness and sold a
lot of angels.
I think that I am starting to learn or inherit my mom's most amazing ability to set up table displays really nicely... not quite as good as mom's yet, but getting close!
(I think that I looked pretty snazzy too...)
Still selling the angel figurines... we have sold thousands of these by now!... Continue reading...
Posted by AVM Foundation.
November 6, 2017
Well, one event down for this year's holiday season. I have a couple more events to do, but I was
super happy for this one, because my table was situated right beside my groovy little sister (Christina, of Miss Messy Jewelry) and my awesome mom (Darlene, who was there doing AVON). That
always equals a good time!
Chrissie was promoting her handmade (and super cute!) jewelry, but the best thing was that she brought little bubble soap things to give out! And so Chrissie and I were having the bubb... Continue reading...
Posted by AVM Foundation.
November 4, 2017
The Special AVM Research & Awareness Fund will be fundraising at the Christmas Bazaar at Viva Retirement Residence in Mississauga (the Christmas Bazaar at Solel Congregation of Mississauga, 2399 Folkway Drive, Mississauga, ON) on Sunday November 5th between 11am and 4pm! Come on out and browse the show, shop for Christmas gifts/decorations/more, and check out our fundraising table... we will be there with our Kneeded Angels, as well as a variety of warm and fuzzy (and homemade!) hat and scarf... Continue reading...
Posted by AVM Foundation.
