The answer to the previous articles headline is yes, it is in fact not fiction, plasticity is real. Then why does it not apply to every one? This is what I call the long dark hallway. Plasticity takes determination and the aility to stay positive over a period of time. Depression can affect up to 60% of us and sometimes we are in denial about that fact. It is time to make this avaiable for everyone, we need help and we do it for free. We would require stroke coaches to do it for free also. There is no better feeling in the world, than watching a person walk who thought that they would never walk again, it's a beautiful thing and it will help you too. Call 516 804 8495 or Email us at hope_4_stroke@hotmail.com. We would require you to have a computer and only ask volunteers to work via email, phone is of the individuals discretion. Material and guidelinens will be forwarded to volunteers.

The major problem of stroke recovery is that for most of us we are ill prepared to face the length of the road we need to run down to get better. The Doctors and other medical professionals do their magic and often because insurance has run out or a medical professional thinks you have attained all that you can. The process for many of us, is that we admit defeat, lick our wounds, and try to muttle through life the best we can. But what if there was a way to improve yourself, would you be willing. Would you go to whatever lengths you would have to? I know you would. The other side of stroke recovery is a beautiful thing. I'd rather die trying than try dying. Every stroke survivor, no matter how little the effects of stroke or how massive your stroke was, we all face that same dark hallway. I have to tell you there is a bright light at the end of that hallway and it is your recovery. The reason I use a light house as a banner for our web sites. It's what I used to think of when I layed in bed paralyzed, unable to talk and unable to eat. I would always wish there was some one there with a flashlight to show me the way. I promised myself, if I ever got better, I would for the rest of my life, carry that flashlight for others. Because you can make it down that hall way. That's what the light house was to sailors of yore, it kept them off the rocks and sand bars. That's why we use the light house as our logo. That's what the mission of this organization is, to help and lead the stroke survivor to shore, to help the care giver and to keep an eye on technologies around the world.

Most of us feel we are in a difficult situation, and rightfully so, but we do not have to stay there. Every one in life faces difficulties to some extent, there are always challenges we meet. To try to put stroke recovery in perspective, take a look at the marathon runner, they did not just decide one day to run 26.2 miles. They had to work up to that point over a long period of time, adding little pieces of distance as time went on. Day after day the marathoner practices with one goal in mind, to be able to finish 26.2miles Like stroke, this is not something that every body can do the same on. That's why there are people finishing the race at different times. Different people have different abilities to stay focused, determined and then there is that thing age and each individuals physical makeup. So do not compare your recovery to someone else's, your recovery will happen on your efforts.

There is a lady every year that runs the NYC marathon with a walker. Consistently, she is the last one to cross the finish line each year. This show of courage takes her a full day and sometimes more, while others finish this race in about 3 hrs. What mental fortitude must this woman have, that she can just keep going, staying positive and finishing the race. I guarantee you this woman did not just go out and do the race she had to practice and practice to be able to do that. Her mind and the mind of all marathoners, is one of thinking positive not negative thoughts. Their minds never entertained a negative thought or one of it's just my bad luck and I'll never be  able to do that. With determination, they set out on a positive journey, saying  things like I can do this, I'm going to get better at this. In our thoughts as stroke survivors we need to prepare for our own mental journey. We have to tell ourselves that we can get better, that was pretty good today, I'm happy to be working on this. If you can keep your mind positive on a daily basis your mind will start telling your muscles, something good is happening. Also, when you work hard and persevere, there is a release of endorphins into your blood system( it's what runners call, runners high). This has a magical effect on your central nervous system and mind and body work together and great strides can be made. But remember this is perseverance over time, do not give up. These positive endorphines will also help with depression if you have it. A #1 block to getting better.is depression, for anything in life! We all need to reach down, in the pit of our stomach, that on a daily basis grab that little peace of courage and  will endeavor and try and stay positive!

There are other examples of mind and body relationship, there is a girl, that had half of her brain taken out. This left the girl in somewhat of a mere shadow of her former self. This girl entered college and graduated and got her diploma, it can be done. What about the English channel swimmers, those that climb mount everest, what is it that motivates the person to do this. Most of the time they are left to motivate themselves, how do they keep going. What about Lance Armstrong, faced with cancer, (that could depress anyone) yet, year after year he finished the tour de France and finished first. It is so simple, yet so hard for many of us, all we have to do is stay positive. Great, how do we do that?  If you try to look at staying positive over a long period of time with a goal, you'll lose. Make it your responsibility every day to focus on what you need to do that day to recover and stay positive. Yesterday is history, today is the day you will do your best and tommorrow is a mystery. So work hard in the day that you are given stay positive on a daily basis and the future will take care of itself.

Now, depression does not go away after a good nights sleep, like training your muscles, does not happen overnight. But I guarantee you, if you can just practice on a daily basis, it will work for you too. Now the doubting Thomas is probably saying to themselves, yeah sure. That is already a mistake, you're defeated before you start. Feel the miracle, miracles do happen and that miracle is you. Go for it!

Say things to yourself like "I can do this today, just for today and in time I will be better, I will walk oneday, talk and do all those things that I am working on now".

These are excerpts from Peter V Cornelis' book. If anyone would like to get on the list for the next printing of it, please send me an Email with your name address and phone# and when it's ready we will put you on the list for the book. Hope_4_stroke@hotmail.com