If you need to apply for disability go to http://www.ssa.gov/d&s1.htm
1.)What happens?
You are about to embark on a long journey, a demanding and sometimes unappreciated one. You will be tried, pushed, over burdened, confused as you try to deal with all the things that your loved one needs and may have said to you. Make sure you get help, relatives, friends, professionals and go to a support group in your area. If you need help call (516) 804 8495.
2.)What did it do to me?
Your personal freedom and time will be consumed by the person suffering with stroke, free time may be very constrained. There will be days where, when juggling the requirements of life as a stroke survivor you will feel like you are burdened beyond limits. Bill paying, food shopping, taking care of the kids, medical researcher and the act of being a care giver. Try not to do this alone... get help. Find ways to still get out and enjoy life. If your strokee can do transfers, go to a Park or a Mall together, or visit someone. Because your strokee may be in a wheel chair, doesn't mean you can not enjoy life, get out there and enjoy life.
3.)What did it cause?
It will cause you to be tired, sad, overburdened with few places for help. To take on the whole thing by yourself is a monumental task. Find ways to have the strokee help you doing simple house hold tasks:They may be capable of like folding socks, even if they have only one hand that is working about 50%. Think of other simple tasks, like, putting silverware away in their places in the silverware draw. (no sharp knives and take the draw out and put it on a table). Encourage the strokee when they are trying.
4.)What can I do to make it better?
Get help... friends, family or outside professionals that can free up some of your day. Join support groups for the benefit of other caregivers who have already been down this road and can share their experiences with you and give you tips along the way. Make time for yourself, you are still a human being and not a slave. Reach out, there are groups like www.caregiver.com.to help make sure you get rest...to be completely run down does not help any one.
5.)How long will it take?
It all depends on each individual. We use these analogies. Everybody wants to know how long will it take and how much they can get back. Have you ever watched the NYC or Boston marathon, only 10,000 - 15,000 runners. If you can answer this question, you will be able to get an answer. Tell us the exact time and finish of each runner before the race and who will be the ones that do not finish and the ones that finish. That answer depends completely on the physiology of the runner, age, shape, determination and human spirit. Now try it with 4.8 million stroke survivors in the USA and every year you will add 750,000 to that number. Here is another, I went to High School, why couldn't I get into Harvard? All of these things including stroke depend on two things, physiology and the human spirit. The human spirit, is not as measurable as an organ or bone but does exist and when cultivated and motivated is a powerful awesome tool. Up to 60% of stroke survivors, suffer from depression and that can severely delay any progress. Keep motivating the individual, try not to give in to every demand within reason. Get the person to embrace physical therapy and not to worry about time, only to be responsible for the effort on a daily basis. With stroke, you get there based on many things, the things that definitely work are Physical Therapy and positive reinforcement.
6.)Should I ever give up?
Our motto is don't give up, don't ever give up. The reward of working toward a goal together is well worth whatever progress you make. Additionally, new techniques and medical miracles happen every day. So keep the strokee focused on the day at hand, not tommorrow or yesterday. Encourage them to try their best each day, both physically and mentally.
7.)What will happen with my friends and family?
You will find out, truly who your friends and family really are. The ones that give lip service, will run for the hills and they will soon be forgotten. You truly will see some heroes in family and friends along the way also. Hang on to them.
