Left of Tomorrow by Wendy J. Lyons

Author:Wendy J. Lyons [Lyons, Wendy J.]
Language: eng
Format: epub, mobi
Tags: Biography, Self Help
ISBN: 9781877006418
Publisher: Port Campbell Press

Part 7

New faces

Gillian invited me to attend the weekly meetings of the Croydon Stroke Support Group, so that I could meet other survivors and share in the camaraderie and companionship that was generated there. I was more excited than apprehensive to meet the members of this group. On arriving at the hall, I found about twenty five to thirty people seated around some tables having morning tea. There was a spot beside Gillian, and I joined her there, unaware of the format of the meeting and what would happen.

Gillian, as president, introduced two new members to the group; Alistair, in his early forties and myself. She asked Alistair to tell us his story and we all listened enthralled as he explained about his stroke, recovery, acceptance and his joys in his life now, particularly his membership of the Victoria Welsh Male Choir. His sense of humour as he related a few incidents that had happened to him and his cheery outlook on life had us all chuckling along with him.

Then it was my turn to speak. I was not nervous as they seemed such a friendly and supportive group with such a positive outlook on life. I briefly explained what had befallen me eleven weeks earlier and how I was still experiencing a loss of sensory perception on my right side. After our morning tea, people dispersed from the tables and many came to make themselves known to me. The first people to do so were those that shared a common thread with me. A left brain bleed involving the right side of the body and interference to the function of sensory perception.

Each week when I attended the stroke meeting, I had the opportunity to become acquainted with more of the members and could delight in them and their personalities. Kevin, with his wicked sense of humour, kept me laughing. One has to be on the ball when he is in earshot as his witty remarks explode from him like shotgun pellets. He might not be able to win the hundred metre dash, but he is always the first to make a joke, or comment on a situation before the rest of us have had time to even begin to think of a reply.

Karen, just a few years older than our eldest daughter, has an infectious laugh. Her sparkling eyes light up and twinkle brightly at just the mention of a night out on the town, or a Karaoke machine at the local club. At times I feel old enough to be her mother, but at other times young enough to be a co-conspirator in some crazy venture.

Good companions

The Stroke Support Group has become my second family. The love and support that is generated by every member is incredible. Here is a place, an environment, where we are all accepted for who we are and not judged by what we cannot do. There is always patience shown for those struggling to find the right word to express themselves. A helping hand is always there if it is needed, but not enforced.

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