Living with stroke?
Please choose the story that best describes you or your family member:
Jack's Story
(symptoms on left side of the body)
Jack has been home from hospital for six months after the stroke that affected his left arm and left leg. He still has some left arm weakness and left leg weakness but he is getting stronger. He wants to know about arm therapies and leg therapies that are effective at this stage. He walks independently and uses a cane only when walking outdoors. He wants to know about effective therapies to improve his walking speed.
The unilateral spatial neglect that Jack had early on after the stroke has resolved. But, he finds that his cognition is not like before the stroke and he would like to know about cognitive therapies to improve his memory and his attention. This is especially important to Jack because he wants to resume driving. He is waiting for his driving assessment appointment and is anxious to know more about what happens when you go for the driving assessment.
He also wants to play golf and resume other leisure activities but is not sure he will be able to keep up with his friends. Also, he is concerned that he is not getting as much aerobic exercise since his stroke because he has stopped his usual activities these past months. He is also wants to know more about how to prevent another stroke (secondary stroke prevention).
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Isabelle's Story
(symptoms on right side of the body)
Isabelle has been home from hospital for six months after a stroke that affected her right side. She has been treated for right arm weakness and right leg weakness (hemiparesis) and for a right facial droop. Isabelle is communicating much better but still has difficulty speaking in full sentences (aphasia). She understands when her friends and family speak to her.
Isabelle is walking with a quad cane and her balance is improving. She no longer needs help when walking indoors but she would like to get better at walking outdoors. Isabelle uses her right arm and hand for activities such as washing and dressing but still finds the hand is clumsy and she tires easily when using it. She has some assistive devices at home but she would like to see what else is available to make life easier.
She has days when she is depressed, especially because she gave up many of her leisure and sports activities after the stroke. People have been encouraging her to start an aerobic exercise class and to use mirror therapy and constraint induced therapy for her arm. It is also time to resume her leisure activities or to find new ones that will provide pleasure.
(Please click here to learn more...)