He walked out of the elevator with his wife by his side. Gripping his walker, he willed his weak left leg to move forward. Each step took time. His wife looked as if she had all the time in the world…. Wearing a ball cap, backwards, he looked straight ahead as he walked. There were no emotions visible on his face, just determination…
Probably in his mid-fifties, he thin and muscular, as if he
was very active—physically—before his stroke.
His hands grip the walker as he moves, his knuckles white from the
effort. At last, he reaches his
destination: a weight machine that will firm and strengthen his triceps.
Slowly, thoughtfully, he moves as close to the seat of the
machine as his walker will let him.
Finally satisfied that he can make it, he grabs the machine and plops
his rear end in the seat with a thud.
Hovering nearby, but not “babying” him, his wife moves the walker out of
the way.
She pulls the handgrips up toward him so he can grab
them. He moves quickly to place his
right hand on the grip, firmly holding the machine. His wife picks up his left hand and places it
on the grip, smoothing his fingers around the rubber grip.
He tries to life the weights, but it is too heavy. His wife reaches down and moves the pin,
decreasing the resistance on the machine.
Again, he tries to lift the handlebars and he is successful. His right arm bicep and triceps are flexed
and doing most of the work. His left
hand stays in place on the left grip.
His wife walks over to the nearby chairs and sits down,
waiting for him to finish with the machine.
This is repeated many more times as he works on other machines in the
gym. I have seen him at the gym many
times, and he uses the machines that strengthen his core and his upper
body.
As I watched him, I was awestruck. I have cared for so many stroke patients in
my life, but few with this level of determination. Few
who have continued to work out after finishing physical therapy. Few who had a wife who would help. Few with a caregiver who could assist without
taking his dignity away….
There are many other “tales” at the gym. Tales of overcoming debilitating physical
conditions. Tales of triumph after
tragedy. Tales of determination, and
will, and hope.
Tales that make me smile…..
Cali
The courage - I see it with my friend who had a stroke at age 52..10 years ago. Her determination despite the fact that she still has very little use and no feeling on her left side, amaze me.
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