Mindset

“Believe you can and you’re halfway there.” - Theodore Roosevelt

Your mindset is how you view yourself and the world.

After a stroke, many survivors are not the “same” person they were before.

You may be less social, have less confidence, and find it harder to stay positive. 

Up to 57% of stroke survivors experience personality changes, including apathy, anger, depression, and grief.

How can you keep your mindset focused on your recovery and moving forward? 

Be patient with yourself, celebrate the little wins, practice gratitude every day, and develop a strong support system you can really count on.

Ask for help when you need it. Try to stay as positive as you can. 

I never thought I could have a stroke. I was firmly convinced that it happened to other people, but couldn’t possibly happen to me.

Until I had one eight years ago, and ended up in the ICU.  After the shock of it wore off, I was very determined not to let it define me for the rest of my life. I wasn’t going to wear it like a badge of suffering.

I got busy figuring out how I could move forward and get past it.

I wouldn’t take no for an answer either.

I had two procedures to deal with the AFIB that caused it, and started doing my own rehab at home, strengthening my cognitive skills and taking walks to work on my balance issues.

Was it perfect? No. Did I misjudge my ability to do certain things? Yes. 

My mindset today is still that I can do anything I really want to.