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Invisible Brain Scars

Yesterday, I attended the Idaho Aphasia, Apraxia, and Dysarthria Support Group at Saint Luke's in Meridian, Idaho.

After the meeting, to a fellow stroke survivors and I had lunch at the cafeteria. It was very crowded and we asked a older man to share his table with us.

We explained that we are stroke survivors. He asked about each one of us.

He looked at me and said, "You look completely fine."

His tone of voice said it all. "Really. Get on with your life. You're just fine."

The stroke survivors laughed. I said, "Yeah. I'm not paralyzed like I was. But I have many deficits like aphasia. I have 'invisible brains scars' that will never heal."

And tell you have a brain attack, you simply don't understand the implications. 
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Comments

Rebecca Dutton said…
Invisible deficits like bone-crushing fatigue and poor balance that distracts us is hard to explain to able-bodied people.
March 19, 2016 at 6:45 AM
Elizabeth, John, Jack, and Luke said…
I ,"look completely fine" too. ;) For that I am thankful.
March 27, 2016 at 5:39 PM
Elizabeth, John, Jack, and Luke said…
I ,"look completely fine" too. ;) For that I am thankful.
March 27, 2016 at 5:39 PM
Marta said…
lok fine too, until I have to walk. Marta
May 4, 2016 at 10:31 AM
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