"as I get more involved, I know that I am recovering"

This week I've again helped S. to learn how to chair a meeting.  The format that we follow allows for an introduction, a sharing part, an exercise session, and a free-for-all part for games and conversation.
It's not hard but it requires keeping track of the time.
So I brought my kitchen wall-clock.
It requires that you invest in a pen. A small binder would help too, especially something you can strap over your shoulder. I am still the only one who carries something similar to meetings.
Next week I am going to hide it.  See if the family-overprotected members will start participating, rather than sitting to see what they can get out of the meeting by doing nothing.
Last week we had one of the bus drivers actually wait until our game of concentration was over before yanking our wheel-chair participants into the bus.  Three letters to Durham transit and a visit from their manager accomplished nothing.  Getting some of our very passive riders to complain, --ya complain to the driver-- actually worked.  Of course some of our riders are so passive that they didn't even notice the change.  Can't really tell if they were like this before their stroke; but it doesn't matter, really. Respect is owed to them, even if some of our seniors still act as if they should not make waves; thinking that, after all, they are the "unfortunate ones". They have a very faint idea that they have rights and obligations even as disabled people.
The bright side is that as I get more involved, I know that I am recovering.

Driver's exam

Have not been able to return all calls.
I am preparing psychologically for passing my driver's exam . The car is having a check-up with my island-man mechanic. And just today my 17 year-old protegee says she needs a car for her new baby. It's good to help--difficult to know when it really helps.

"Support groups are not for everyone"

The most challenging aspect is how to reconcile the different needs of participants. There are those who come to the group out of force of habit, have no real understanding of what a peer support group is, or have no desire to follow our objectives. "Support groups are not for everyone" say writers on the subject. I cannot but agree. Good thing we have a quiet minority who understands we are not a debating society. I thank them for their spirit of altruism, rather than narrow self interest. They are why I stay.

"My Stroke of Insight"

I've been involved with this group for about two years, starting 11 months after I had my cerebral haemorrhage in January 2008. The whole right side of my body was affected, including my ability to write.
As with all strokes there are differences among sufferers. I found comfort in how Jill Bolte-Taylor described her experience in "My Stroke of Insight". I designed a 12 step program based on her book and have tried all the steps 2 times. Response varied.

Mission and Goals of SRGWhitby

Mission and Goals of the

Stroke Recovery Group Whitby

Durham Region, Ontario, Canada

Mission

This group is for people who have been affected directly or indirectly by a stroke. The mission of the Stroke Recovery Group is to:

1. support the process of stroke recovery 

2. promote community integration 

3. increase knowledge, availability and community awareness of stroke recovery support in our community

Goals

Stroke recovery can occur along different avenues for different people. Recovery involves physical, emotional, intellectual, and spiritual changes. The goals of the Stroke Recovery Group are:

1. To provide information and emotional support to stroke survivors and their caregivers.

2. To provide a friendly environment for socializing and peer support.

3. To acquaint the public about the existence of stroke recovery support.

4. To increase and expand support for stroke survivors and caregivers in our community.

(revised May 7, 2010)