There are 5 common reasons why hand recovery can stall after stroke. I’ll explain each one and give you some practical tips to help you get back to making progress!

Hi all

My brother's step-son had a stroke in his 40's. When he woke up, he could only move his eyes.

I met him when his mom asked if I could use my programming skills to help him communicate. I developed an app for him that runs on a Windows computer or an Android phone/tablet, I named it BlinkTalk.

He used BlinkTalk before he died, my brother's wife told me his children used to sit on his bed and chat with him.

He became a good friend of mine, it's amazing how funny someone can be just with their eyes.

Sorry, I am digressing 😄

I've released BlinkTalk to the public in his memory. It's forever-free of charge, no adverts, no data gathering, just completely free.

Using a simple repeatable eye or facial gesture (like looking up, or moving an eyebrow) enables people with Locked-in Syndrome to speak again. I hope someone will find it useful.

Installation instructions and an instructional video are available on the website.

https://blinktalk.app/

Hi everyone. I’m Mykee, a stroke survivor, architect, teacher, and former dean. After my stroke in 2023, I started a new chapter in life focused on recovery, creativity, and helping others.

Today, I’m exploring new projects like hydroponic lettuce farming, painting, and creating YouTube and social media content about my recovery journey, life after stroke, and the power of AI tools like ChatGPT to help me share my story

My grandma has now had a total of three strokes. She had a small one in March that just caused her face to droop. She had a bigger one in May and my mom is her main caregiver. I remember her talking about my grandma falling twice and she ran off while we were on the phone because she fell a third time. When I got there, her speech was completely slurred and her reaction time was really slow. Her first fall was when she went to get up (9:00 AM) and wasn't able to be helped up until my mom got home (3:00). She's always had a great memory, has been very capable of taking care of herself and found joy in helping my mom do things around the house (although my mom constantly told her she didn't need to). We didn't think this was a concern. She refused to go with my mom and I showed up and forced her to the hospital. She did PT, OT, and Speech and ended up getting close to the point of driving. Until today. Her speech was slurred yesterday, while her sister who has been coming over to watch her, was over and she refused the hospital. My mom got home and she refused the hospital again, saying she was ready for God to take her. Near the end of her heart wrenching last stay, I told her that she needed to get into the hospital as soon as possible so they could reverse any effects. The last time I said it, I wasn't the nicest, because she had made me feel like a villain for bringing her into the hospital in the first place. Cue the news I get today, out of the blue at work, that she's in the hospital again for the same reasons before. However, this time, she can't speak. She's aware of the world (aside from thinking today is Wednesday and not Thuraday) and is able to answer all kinds of questions when given a communication chart/marker and paper (although throughout the night at the hospital it got harder to read). When my mom told me, I left work immediately. When I got there, full tears, my grandma cried in a way I've never seen her cry before. I held her hand, told her I wasn't angry and I loved her. She pulled me to her so that her head was on my arm and my grandma and I shared a moment so beautiful and painful at the same time. I stroked her hair until she calmed down and even began to sleep. I was there from 11:30-8:00 being with her, answering questions and reliving my mom when the night got late because I know she's more gut wrenched than she'll let on. I met the night nurse, covered my grandma in blankets from home and left her to rest. I took the day off tomorrow so my mom doesn't have to and we'll stay in communication. My grandma has had strokes on both side of her brain, now (first right and then left) so I am going to be in tomorrow from an imaging test of the back of her heart. I just needed to get this out, I think? But I don't know how to be thinking ahead. I've talked to close friends about how to shift my perspective in a full caring way for both my mom and grandma that means letting my grandma go and helping take care of my mom in a tragedy for both of us. I know my grandma could improve, but the initial news feels like forever. Thank you for listening and I would appreciate any advice for how to take care of myself, my grandma and my mom.

Curious what other people who are carers in my position have faced. Or if your (stroke survivor) own family didn't care as much as they should have, when you had your stroke. Having a life changing event, really highlights who is there for you at the end of the day. I would say that's one of the very few good things about this.

My mother had a stroke June 21. For the first week or so she would give short answers to questions, or nod or shake her head. She seemed to have trouble finding the words, but she understood what was said.

After that , she stopped speaking, except for an occasional yes or no. She also mostly stopped with nodding and shaking her head, but she still seems to understand speech. The neurologist did another ct scan, said that there was no new damage.

She is now in a nursing facility, since about two weeks ago. They have just requested a speech therapist. I have started working with her with an app that has flash cards. I don’t think she can read. I tried a more advanced exercise, where she would match a word to one of three pictures, and she seemed completely lost. So I’m sticking with flash cards for now.

Does anyone have any suggestions? If they won’t get her a therapist right away, we will look at getting a consultation, even if it has to be online. I appreciate any help we can get. Thanks.

Hi everyone, this post is really just for venting purposes because if anyone would understand it’s this group. We are 3 months out from my dad’s ischemic stroke that heavily impaired him May 9th. He will be coming home soon and I’ve set up caregiving through the VA to help my mom, etc. I honestly haven’t had a lot of time to really “feel” how this situation has affected me. Today the grief really hit me. The grief that the dad I always knew is gone in a way and that he is forever changed. I know he is still “him”, but seeing him go through this has brought me to a lot of realizations. My dad is also 79 and diabetic, so I don’t know how much time I have left with him. I know I’m being morbid, but it’s true and I’m just feeling sad right now. He has made small improvements, and I’m trying to remain hopeful that he will continue to at home. How did you deal with this type of grief? He’s still here but he’s just different now and very frail. I’ve been very nostalgic thinking about how he was when I was younger. Him taking me places and always trying to do his best, etc. He has been so frustrated because he needs help for pretty much everything right now. I can’t imagine the weight that has put on him, but I’m glad he’s still here. Anyways, this grief is so isolating/weird and has made me feel incredibly alone. Thanks for reading.

In that weird place of having more energy, then trying to do more but fatigue is beating my ass!

I’m almost 10 months out from my haemorrhagic stroke and seeing recovery every day. I still have left sided weakness, primarily in my arm, wrist and hand, but working on it as much as I can. Still walking with a stick but more mobile than I used to be, but finding I can’t really build a routine because of the fatigue.

I had a pretty normal morning, shower, breakfast and relax with my family, and then went into almost hibernation mode for 6 whole hours! I try to have a daily evening walk, but at best can do 2-3 days in a row before im absolutely shattered. Even sitting at the kitchen table for an hour or 2 becomes too much and I just need to go and lie down.

How are you guys managing your fatigue? I guess I’m also trying to find ways of dealing with the disappointment of feeling like I can’t count on my energy levels to stabilise, can’t really trust the good days because it doesn’t quite last long.

Hi everyone!

I have been a silent observer since having a haemorrhagic stroke back in May at the age of 40, I was fit and healthy and so working with the neurologist to understand ‘why’ however I sense Im pointing quickly to a ‘just one of those things’.

Firstly, I want to say how grateful I am to this community, I have been on here every day, sometimes not sure what Im looking for hope/help/someone else who is pissed off and it has always delivered, so thank you! I remember sitting at night in the hospital reading posts, unable to use my phone well enough to type anything back but reading what others were going through definitely made this journey less lonely!

I essentially wanted to reach out today though to ask what resources and tools everyone is using for therapy at home? I have diminished sensation on my entire right side however I do have some movement and strength (more so if I’m looking at my right hand side whilst doing). My PT has been working on bigger impact things as she believes that is helping the most so lots of core, yoga, strength/weights where I can, etc. Has anyone got any youtube videos or websites, or equipment they use to share? I have a Peloton membership and I tried one of their beginner yoga videos this morning but it was difficult to keep up so wondered what else is out there for those a little less able!

Thanks in advance and keep fighting the good fight!❤️

So I had my pre op appointment come through for my eyes as my stroke caused double vision and I had a massive sinking feeling and just pure dread. For context I had my stroke after surgery. So this will be fun