What To Do?

Have you ever wondered what it would be like to be married to one person, and engaged to another at the same time? Along with the aging process, and accumulated health problems, there is the possibility of suffering a stroke, an interruption of the blood supply to the brain. I had the unique opportunity of being a co-founder, and then served as administrator of a facility that provided recreational therapy to stroke survivors. Often left to fend for themselves with family members at work, it was a place where they could feel comfortable with others in the same situation, and help them in their efforts to regain independence, through various speech, and learning programs.

 The question was often asked, "Is there life after stroke?" In the thirteen years as administrator I witnessed this every day, that there is, and can be life after stroke. One of my favorite stories to come out of my experiences is the story of Rita and Mike. Rita was left to live with her mom after her husband divorced her after the stroke. She also lost her ability to speak. She enjoyed coming to the facility daily, and her favorite activity was playing rummytile. Shortly after her arrival, and after much coaxing from his wife, a fellow by the name of Mike began attending. It was difficult for Mike to make the adjustment from being his own boss, to attending a rehabilitation facility. He soon learned to adjust to the fact that he needed rehabilitation. While playing rummytile Rita and Mike formed an attachment, being able to communicate in spite of her speech loss. Having lost the use of his right arm prohibited Mike from returning to his work, a truck driver. Little by little they became better acquainted, eventually becoming romantically involved.


 To complicate matters, they were not of the same social standing, which was an irritation to Rita's highly sophisticated mom. Then to everyone's surprise, Mike presented Rita with a diamond ring. About six months later, Mike suffered a more debilitating stroke. As he lay in his hospital bed, his question to me was, "What am I going to do, I am married to one, and engaged to another?" Unfortunately, his condition worsened which caused him to have to return home to his wife. Rita continued her days playing rummytile with other stroke survivors. So, yes, there is life after stroke. And where there is life, there is hope.