Thankful to be a stroke survivor
Author:Steve Patterson November 26th, 2009
For nearly two years now I’ve been thankful every day that I am a stroke survivor. That moment when you are certain your life will soon be over is surreal. When I awoke from sedation in ICU almost a month later just the idea of still being alive was more important than the fact I couldn’t move my left side and that I had a tracheotomy to enable me to breath while I was on a ventilator. Early on I was so very thankful the doctors didn’t reinsert the speaking valve after I removed it in my first days awake.
I’ve adjusted to my physical limitations. It helps that each day, week, month my physical limitations are fewer. In a way I am thankful for having had a stroke. That may sound weird but it helped me lose 80 lbs. I have become a more organized, focused person as a result. As a disabled person I will be a better urban planner. Accessibility is not just minimum widths from guidelines for me — it is very real.
I’m thankful for my family, friends and all of you that read this blog. Happy Thanksgiving everyone!
- Steve Patterson
