tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15813870353616098322024-02-18T20:47:45.498-07:00Dunham Family and My Stroke Story!I am a stroke survivor. My blog is about my recovery, family, and possibilities. Unknownnoreply@blogger.comBlogger347125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1581387035361609832.post-17033734867189410462023-12-08T16:35:00.001-07:002023-12-08T16:40:56.198-07:00College of Western Idaho should offer a Bachelor of Applied Science Degrees (BAS) in Business Administration<p><span style="white-space-collapse: preserve;">Last month I was invited to attend Gov. Brad Little’s announcement of his “Idaho LAUNCH” program which aims to prepare Idaho’s students for Idaho’s workforce needs. Idaho LAUNCH provides grants for education and training programs. Legislators and a host of businesses participated in Gov. Little’s announcement. </span><br><br><span style="white-space-collapse: preserve;">As a former member and chair of the College of Western Idaho Board of Trustees, I was pleased to lend my support for this needed program.</span><br><br><span style="white-space-collapse: preserve;">At the same time, I am fully supporting CWI’s goal to deliver a Bachelor of Applied Science Degrees (BAS) in Business Administration for under $20,000. I am pleased to see some many businesses join the effort.</span><br><br><span style="white-space-collapse: preserve;">The Idaho LAUNCH and CWI’s BAS in Business Administration is a “win-win” for everyone especially students who need that targeted education to succeed.</span><br><br><span style="white-space-collapse: preserve;">The Idaho LAUNCH program received legislative approval and students are applying. </span><br><br><span style="white-space-collapse: preserve;">However, CWI’s proposal needs the State Board of Education approval. </span><br><br><span style="white-space-collapse: preserve;">THE STATE BOARD OF EDUCATION WILL DECIDE ON THIS BAS DEGREE ON DECEMBER 13 AT 10:00 AM. ALONG WITH LEGISLATORS AND BUSINESS LEADERS, I ENCOURAGE THE BOARD TO APPROVE THE PROPOSAL. </span><br><br><span style="white-space-collapse: preserve;">Though this BAS is new for CWI, it is not a new concept. When I was the Chair of CWI the board considered a similar program. In addition, 24 states have already gone into the realm of offering low-cost, bachelor’s degrees focused on adult learners and CTE graduates.</span><br><br><span style="white-space-collapse: preserve;">There some who worry that this CWI initiative will divert resources from other program especially workforce development and training which Treasure Valley businesses rely on. I have also been told that this innovative program will lead CWI to be a university. </span><br><br><span style="white-space-collapse: preserve;">That is a false narrative. As a founding CWI trustee who served 13 years, I would never jeopardize the quality of CWI’s programs. Though I have been involved in CWI since the first day, I am also a proud BSU alumni who was the Chair of the BSU Alumni Association in 2001 and the Vice President of Institutional Advancement at BSU in 2005. </span><br><br><span style="white-space-collapse: preserve;">In reality, this degree is about addition to the system, not subtraction. The CWI BAS degree is designed to complement, not compete with Idaho universities. It targets students who are currently underserved rather than drawing away from existing university populations.</span><br><br><span style="white-space-collapse: preserve;">This is NOT a distraction for CWI. This is CWI’s lane - offering BAS degrees aligns with CWI’s strengths. Leveraging CWI’s success in Associate of Applied Science degrees and the expertise in career and technical education, CWI is well-prepared to deliver high-quality BAS programs.</span><br><br><span style="white-space-collapse: preserve;">In addition, the CWI faculty and administration is eager to offer the BAS. The new BAS won’t take away from programs and CWI already have faculty who can teach the courses. They have masters and many have PHD’s.</span><br><br><span style="white-space-collapse: preserve;">Some have asked me about oversight of the new BAS. CWI is accredited by the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities (NWCCU). NWCCU currently accredits 16 community colleges offering both associate and baccalaureate degrees. </span><br><span style="white-space-collapse: preserve;">Additionally, CWI’s current Business majors hold a voluntary ACBSP (The Accreditation Council for Business Schools and Programs) accreditation. Currently, 100% of CWI’s undergraduate business credit hours are taught by faculty with master’s or doctoral degrees, positioning us well to offer the BAS degree.</span><br><br><span style="white-space-collapse: preserve;">And finally, some folks have questioned the need for the program.</span><br><br><span style="white-space-collapse: preserve;">From August 2022 to July 2023, 18,262 jobs were posted within a 100-mile radius of CWI that required a business-related baccalaureate degree and only 31% of adults over 25 in Idaho have bachelor’s degrees. Employment in the area of management is projected to grow over 19% in the next decade – salaries increase on average $20,000 with a baccalaureate degree. </span><br><br><span style="white-space-collapse: preserve;">The Idaho LAUNCH and the CWI BAS degree will help thousands of students and business succeed. Those programs will benefit Idaho’s economy, students and businesses for decades.</span><br></p><div class="x1n2onr6" id=":r9p:" style="background-color: white; color: #1c1e21; font-family: "Segoe UI Historic", "Segoe UI", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; position: relative;"><div class="x1n2onr6" style="font-family: inherit; position: relative;"><div class="xmjcpbm x1n2onr6" style="background-color: var(--comment-background); font-family: inherit; position: relative;"><div class="x78zum5 x14ju556 x6ikm8r x10wlt62 x1n2onr6" style="display: flex; font-family: inherit; line-height: 0; overflow: hidden; position: relative;"><a class="x1i10hfl xjbqb8w x6umtig x1b1mbwd xaqea5y xav7gou x9f619 x1ypdohk xt0psk2 xe8uvvx xdj266r x11i5rnm xat24cr x1mh8g0r xexx8yu x4uap5 x18d9i69 xkhd6sd x16tdsg8 x1hl2dhg xggy1nq x1a2a7pz x1heor9g xt0b8zv x5yr21d xh8yej3" href="https://www.ktvb.com/article/news/local/college-western-idaho-planning-offer-bachelors-degree-option/277-91214e20-950e-418f-b473-c7584f59ae45?fbclid=IwAR3Psc6MfRTZU2gnEiZLdyhib7qfbV5BVcCrd0gRu2nrGsxBSfzJB0xGb3w" rel="nofollow noreferrer" role="link" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; background-color: transparent; border-color: initial; border-style: initial; border-width: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; cursor: pointer; display: inline; font-family: inherit; height: 308.037px; list-style: none; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-align: inherit; text-decoration-line: none; touch-action: manipulation; width: 590.13px;" tabindex="0" target="_blank"><div class="x6s0dn4 x1jx94hy x78zum5 xdt5ytf x6ikm8r x10wlt62 x1n2onr6 xh8yej3" style="align-items: center; background-color: var(--card-background); display: flex; flex-direction: column; font-family: inherit; overflow: hidden; position: relative; width: 590.13px;"><div style="font-family: inherit; max-width: 100%; min-width: 500px; width: calc((100vh + -325px) * 1.91571);"><div class="xqtp20y x6ikm8r x10wlt62 x1n2onr6" style="font-family: inherit; height: 0px; overflow: hidden; padding-top: 308.037px; position: relative;"><div class="x10l6tqk x13vifvy" style="font-family: inherit; height: 308.037px; left: 0px; position: absolute; top: 0px; width: 590.13px;"><img alt="CWI planning to offer bachelor's degree option" class="x1ey2m1c xds687c x5yr21d x10l6tqk x17qophe x13vifvy xh8yej3 xl1xv1r" height="261" referrerpolicy="origin-when-cross-origin" src="https://external.fboi1-1.fna.fbcdn.net/emg1/v/t13/8883544035260225452?url=https%3A%2F%2Fmedia.ktvb.com%2Fassets%2FKTVB%2Fimages%2F51186dfa-3e54-4e2e-aaa1-08e796b6ff91%2F51186dfa-3e54-4e2e-aaa1-08e796b6ff91_1140x641.jpg&fb_obo=1&utld=ktvb.com&stp=c0.5000x0.5000f_dst-jpg_flffffff_p500x261_q75&ccb=13-1&oh=06_AbEFnuMNEzxEP97d_RMC5jFSbbdaDIF4wP8pbYbmICrpvw&oe=657584B0&_nc_sid=852c2c" style="border: 0px; height: auto; inset: 0px; object-fit: cover; position: absolute; width: auto; max-height: 80%; max-width: 80%;" width="500"></div></div></div></div></a></div></div></div></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1581387035361609832.post-9984643381941666452023-03-14T11:15:00.004-06:002023-03-14T11:17:15.121-06:00Phil Batt was a REAL Republican <p><span style="background-color: white; color: #050505; font-size: 15px; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"></span></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHU7iGW89QervhyUDfWXOF2gz1v5YxEjbDo8T41R8iCGImDefLZo9jB7J-8P0IFt0ml5x_7p93Ldv07dOt0j_B1cevEuF3KwwpIm97yW21h55C5MF0uM_B14IsB8iW__QxLaxwR01AXfCK4BZnqXrz9I6B1i2KNbH2XfJVjvOfuI-fNuleRlnHyphL/s450/Batt1.webp" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="253" data-original-width="450" height="179" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHU7iGW89QervhyUDfWXOF2gz1v5YxEjbDo8T41R8iCGImDefLZo9jB7J-8P0IFt0ml5x_7p93Ldv07dOt0j_B1cevEuF3KwwpIm97yW21h55C5MF0uM_B14IsB8iW__QxLaxwR01AXfCK4BZnqXrz9I6B1i2KNbH2XfJVjvOfuI-fNuleRlnHyphL/w320-h179/Batt1.webp" width="320" /></a></span></div><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br />Last week, former Idaho governor Phil Batt died on his 96th birthday. He was a hero and mentor to me. </span><p></p><div class="x11i5rnm xat24cr x1mh8g0r x1vvkbs xtlvy1s x126k92a" style="background-color: white; color: #050505; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div dir="auto"><span style="font-family: inherit;">I met Governor Batt when he ran unsuccessfully for governor in 1982. Future US Senator and Governor Dirk Kempthorne was Batt’s campaign manager. During that campaign, Dirk called me to ask if I would run the “Get Out the Vote for Batt” at Boise State University. I met Dirk through my older brothers.</span></div></div><div class="x11i5rnm xat24cr x1mh8g0r x1vvkbs xtlvy1s x126k92a" style="background-color: white; color: #050505; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div dir="auto"><span style="font-family: inherit;">During that election season, I met so many top Republicans manning phone banks, stuffing envelopes, knocking on doors, etc. I learned a lot about Idaho politics and government. The highlight was when Batt would come to the office to chat. </span></div></div><div class="x11i5rnm xat24cr x1mh8g0r x1vvkbs xtlvy1s x126k92a" style="background-color: white; color: #050505; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div dir="auto"><span style="font-family: inherit;">When Batt lost that election by 4,208 votes, I was crushed. It still stings. Both Batt and Kempthorne actually consoled ME! They gave me a lesson about humility, grace and defeat. </span></div></div><div class="x11i5rnm xat24cr x1mh8g0r x1vvkbs xtlvy1s x126k92a" style="background-color: white; color: #050505; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div dir="auto"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Two years later, both Batt and Kempthorne wrote letters of recommendations when I applied to be the Assistant Lobbyist for the Idaho Association of REALTORS®. About a year later, I was promoted and became the CEO of the Realtor’s at 24 years of age. Everyone was shocked that a got the job especially me. I held that job for almost 20 years.</span></div></div><div class="x11i5rnm xat24cr x1mh8g0r x1vvkbs xtlvy1s x126k92a" style="background-color: white; color: #050505; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div dir="auto"><span style="font-family: inherit;">At the same time, Batt kept busy. He returned to the Idaho State Senate and then chairing the Idaho Transportation Board.</span></div></div><div class="x11i5rnm xat24cr x1mh8g0r x1vvkbs xtlvy1s x126k92a" style="background-color: white; color: #050505; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div dir="auto"><span style="font-family: inherit;">In 1990, the Idaho Legislature passed House Bill 625, which a 1990 article in the New York Times called “the most restrictive abortion law of any state.” Democrat governor Cecil Andrus vetoed the bill. </span></div></div><div class="x11i5rnm xat24cr x1mh8g0r x1vvkbs xtlvy1s x126k92a" style="background-color: white; color: #050505; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div dir="auto"><span style="font-family: inherit;">That next election, Democrats, Republicans and independents punished the GOP. After that well-deserved GOP shellacking, Batt was elected to be the chair the Idaho Republican Party. </span></div></div><div class="x11i5rnm xat24cr x1mh8g0r x1vvkbs xtlvy1s x126k92a" style="background-color: white; color: #050505; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div dir="auto"><span style="font-family: inherit;">That job was daunting yet Batt resurrected the Idaho GOP.</span></div></div><div class="x11i5rnm xat24cr x1mh8g0r x1vvkbs xtlvy1s x126k92a" style="background-color: white; color: #050505; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div dir="auto"><span style="font-family: inherit;">As an aside, on the abortion issue, that same thing happened to the national GOP in 2022. There's a popular saying that people who ignore history are doomed to repeat it. As a pro-choice Republican who believes is limited government in the board room and the bedroom, I am now called a “RINO.”</span></div></div><div class="x11i5rnm xat24cr x1mh8g0r x1vvkbs xtlvy1s x126k92a" style="background-color: white; color: #050505; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div dir="auto"><span style="font-family: inherit;">In his career, he created the Idaho Human Rights Commission. That achievement that became more notable when white supremacist groups made northern Idaho a hotbed of hate group activity in the 1980s and 90s. </span></div></div><div class="x11i5rnm xat24cr x1mh8g0r x1vvkbs xtlvy1s x126k92a" style="background-color: white; color: #050505; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div dir="auto"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Ultimately, Batt was elected to be the 29th Governor of Idaho from 1995 to 1999.</span></div></div><div class="x11i5rnm xat24cr x1mh8g0r x1vvkbs xtlvy1s x126k92a" style="background-color: white; color: #050505; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div dir="auto"><span style="font-family: inherit;">When I toured the state with the Realtors® promoting fair housing, I got lots of racist threats. At one point, the State Police cautioned me to be careful. At one meeting with Governor Batt, he told me “Those people are cowards. You are doing the right thing.” </span></div></div><div class="x11i5rnm xat24cr x1mh8g0r x1vvkbs xtlvy1s x126k92a" style="background-color: white; color: #050505; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div dir="auto"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Batt also supported laws guaranteeing a minimum wage for farmworkers. He negotiated a pact limiting nuclear waste storage in Idaho. In 1997, Batt appointed me to an “Affordable Housing Task Force.” </span></div></div><div class="x11i5rnm xat24cr x1mh8g0r x1vvkbs xtlvy1s x126k92a" style="background-color: white; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word;"><div dir="auto"><span><span style="color: #050505; font-family: inherit;"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">In 2014, Governor Batt took on the fight for gay rights. He </span></span><span style="color: #050505;"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">wrote, "I</span></span><span style="color: #050505; font-family: inherit;"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"> would like to have somebody explain to me who is going to be harmed by adding the words to our civil rights statutes prohibiting discrimination in housing and job opportunities for homosexuals. Or, I forgot, that might hurt the feelings of the gay bashers.”</span></span></span></div></div><div class="x11i5rnm xat24cr x1mh8g0r x1vvkbs xtlvy1s x126k92a" style="background-color: white; color: #050505; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div dir="auto"><span style="font-family: inherit;">He never shied away from tough jobs. I always tell people that I am a “Phil Batt Republican.”</span></div></div><div class="x11i5rnm xat24cr x1mh8g0r x1vvkbs xtlvy1s x126k92a" style="background-color: white; color: #050505; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div dir="auto"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Speaking of “people who ignore history are doomed to repeat it” it is sad that those demagogues are now running the “official GOP.” People like seditious GOP Chair Dorothy Moon, the Kootenai Republican Central Committee headed by carpet bagger Brent Regan, the insidious Bonneville County Republican Central Committee and the corrupt Idaho Freedom Foundation are abhorrent. </span></div></div><div class="x11i5rnm xat24cr x1mh8g0r x1vvkbs xtlvy1s x126k92a" style="background-color: white; color: #050505; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div dir="auto"><span style="font-family: inherit;">In this new GOP, Phil Batt could not with a race for dog catcher. </span></div></div><div class="x11i5rnm xat24cr x1mh8g0r x1vvkbs xtlvy1s x126k92a" style="background-color: white; color: #050505; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div dir="auto"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Thankfully current Governor Brad Little, Lt. Governor Scott Bedke, Secretary of State Phil McGrane and a host of real Republicans are trying to save the party just like Phil Batt in the 90’s.</span></div></div><div class="x11i5rnm xat24cr x1mh8g0r x1vvkbs xtlvy1s x126k92a" style="background-color: white; color: #050505; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div dir="auto"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Finally, I loved his early Wednesday golf outings when I was lucky enough to learn from the master about policy, history, and his dubious golf scoring. The last time I saw Governor Batt, I was in a title company for some reason. Phil walked in dressed head to toe in white with a baseball cap. It seemed that no one knew who he was. Just an unassuming dapper elderly man.</span></div></div><div class="x11i5rnm xat24cr x1mh8g0r x1vvkbs xtlvy1s x126k92a" style="background-color: white; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word;"><div dir="auto"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; color: #050505; text-align: center; white-space: pre-wrap;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHoJOt90AC3-I76ZbEk7e_nNliFYYQWFKSzBOLLGQVteCyY0osAVZ9ODeEvA0sjhBriFiStbvgHE6gVRhn9KmnQb03PzTslN2nvqOhV9qhvZoU73lkaOjEpu3X_F25EQf6NpXnbmvvV4Nnooz5y5VpueK3tn1JoR3Uft0OQodjCVPDAC7oyjie4iwB/s1706/Batt.webp" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1706" data-original-width="1200" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHoJOt90AC3-I76ZbEk7e_nNliFYYQWFKSzBOLLGQVteCyY0osAVZ9ODeEvA0sjhBriFiStbvgHE6gVRhn9KmnQb03PzTslN2nvqOhV9qhvZoU73lkaOjEpu3X_F25EQf6NpXnbmvvV4Nnooz5y5VpueK3tn1JoR3Uft0OQodjCVPDAC7oyjie4iwB/w141-h200/Batt.webp" width="141" /></a></div><span><span style="color: #050505; font-family: inherit;"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">We </span></span><span style="color: #050505;"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">chatted </span></span><span style="color: #050505; font-family: inherit;"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">for a bit. He said he was headed to play golf on a golf course where the course presented him with a “life-time membership.” Several years later, Phil received an invoice for his annual due’s payment. He laughed and said, “I guess when they gave me the ‘life-time membership’ the course assumed I would not live this long.” He asked me about my strokes and my health. I told him that I cannot golf because of my strokes, and he chuckled saying, “You were never really good anyway.” We joked about old political stories. Then he said, “I need to go. I have a tee-time.” </span></span></span></div></div><div class="x11i5rnm xat24cr x1mh8g0r x1vvkbs xtlvy1s x126k92a" style="background-color: white; color: #050505; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div dir="auto"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Governor Brad Little said it the best: “Governor Phil Batt was the epitome of a public servant, having served as Governor, Lt. Governor, and Senator. His legacy is distinguished by his unrelenting human rights leadership, determined fiscal conservatism, and enduring love of Idaho.” </span></div></div><div class="x11i5rnm xat24cr x1mh8g0r x1vvkbs xtlvy1s x126k92a" style="background-color: white; color: #050505; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div dir="auto"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Thank you, Governor Batt, for everything.</span></div></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1581387035361609832.post-8765864462816229292023-01-04T15:08:00.000-07:002023-01-04T15:08:31.612-07:00<p>Today is January 4, 2023. I have not updated my blog for months. I am trying to restart my blogging efforts. 2022 was the worst year since 2012 when I had my strokes and my parents died. 2022 was filled with illness, death and loss of friendships.</p><p>At least a year ago, I discovered that my blog was too visible. It was too personal and some people were reading my blog for political reasons. I simply had to stop for a while. </p><p>This year I am committed to blog at least once a month. I will see how it goes.</p><p><br /></p>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1581387035361609832.post-61559207429461923372021-11-03T22:21:00.001-06:002021-11-03T22:21:33.444-06:00I have COVID-19<div>I tested “positive” for COVID-19 on October 25th. Today is my last day of quarantine. My family tested negative.</div><div><br></div><div>I was fully vaccinated plus I got the Pfizer booster. Because of the vaccine and the booster, I dodged a bullet.</div><div><br></div><div>We were incredibly careful during the pandemic. Yet I was infected somewhere. I notified anybody who could’ve contacted me when I was contagious.</div><div><br></div><div>Given my medical history, my Covid-19 infection could have been so much worse. Having cerebrovascular disease, such as having a stroke, can make you more likely to get severely ill from COVID-19. </div><div><br></div><div>Luckily I did not have to go to the hospital. Hospitals throughout Idaho are allowed to ration medical care as the state expands its “crisis standards of care” criteria in the face of overwhelming coronavirus cases and hospitalizations. Nearly all of these patients are not vaccinated.</div><div><br></div><div>I am so grateful to my wife Heather. As always, Heather is the uber caregiver.</div><div><br></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1581387035361609832.post-47498019102277799132021-08-11T03:32:00.000-06:002021-08-11T03:32:12.784-06:00Limitations?<div style="text-align: left;"><img src="https://drive.google.com/uc?export=view&id=1xHhcvBWaX74BJ3FsGLeqQIrCzwgIz8TJ" alt="https://drive.google.com/uc?export=view&id=1xHhcvBWaX74BJ3FsGLeqQIrCzwgIz8TJ" style="max-height: 80%; max-width: 80%; height: auto; width: auto;"><br></div>In the book “Illusions: The Adventures of a Reluctant Messiah” author Richard Bach wrote “Argue for your limitations, and sure enough they’re yours.” <div><br></div><div>Yesterday during a Zoom meeting, I turned down the opportunity to chair a worthwhile statewide organization. It was a huge and humbling honor to be asked.</div><div><br></div><div>Unfortunately, because of ongoing health issues related to my stroke and aphasia, I turned down the opportunity to serve. It’s the right decision. Yet I am simply sad about “what could’ve been.” </div><div><br></div><div>Are my limitations real or just a perception? I talk a good game.</div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1581387035361609832.post-13762982329947266242021-08-05T15:10:00.000-06:002021-08-05T15:10:18.866-06:00Why don’t you blog anymore?
<p class="p1"><span class="s1"><font color="#000000" face="sans-serif" size="3"><span style="text-align: left; caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.3); -webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><img src="https://drive.google.com/uc?export=view&id=104Py46rIJ9q31ilFVFqaCSFYnNJ-bQq5" alt="https://drive.google.com/uc?export=view&id=104Py46rIJ9q31ilFVFqaCSFYnNJ-bQq5" style="max-height: 80%; max-width: 80%; height: auto; width: auto;"><br></span><span style="caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.3); -webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Last week, a close friend of mine ask me why I haven’t blogged for a long time. </span></font></span></p>
<p class="p2"><span class="s1"></span><font color="#000000" face="sans-serif" size="3"><span style="caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.3); -webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></font></p>
<p class="p1"><span class="s1"><font color="#000000" face="sans-serif" size="3"><span style="caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.3); -webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">I was startled for several reasons.</span></font></span></p>
<p class="p2"><span class="s1"><font color="#000000" face="sans-serif" size="3"><span style="caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.3); -webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"> </span></font></span></p>
<p class="p1"><span class="s1"><font color="#000000" face="sans-serif" size="3"><span style="caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.3); -webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">First of all, I didn’t think that anyone would notice. I started my blog a long time ago to keep track of memories of my son. The focus of my blog turned 180 degrees when my strokes happened.</span></font></span></p>
<p class="p2"><span class="s1"></span><font color="#000000" face="sans-serif" size="3"><span style="caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.3); -webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></font></p>
<p class="p1"><span class="s1"><font color="#000000" face="sans-serif" size="3"><span style="caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.3); -webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">I struggle to retain some semblance of “me”” My blog was a way to express myself. As I struggled to write missing words, prepositions, and thoughts, my blog was homework because my therapists mandated that I start to blog again.</span></font></span></p>
<p class="p2"><span class="s1"><font color="#000000" face="sans-serif" size="3"><span style="caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.3); -webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"> </span></font></span></p>
<p class="p1"><span class="s1"><font color="#000000" face="sans-serif" size="3"><span style="caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.3); -webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">It helped me to express my innermost demons and fears. I was embarrassed later when a reporter did a feature about me using my blog as a source.</span></font></span></p>
<p class="p2"><span class="s1"></span><font color="#000000" face="sans-serif" size="3"><span style="caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.3); -webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></font></p>
<p class="p1"><span class="s1"><font color="#000000" face="sans-serif" size="3"><span style="caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.3); -webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">As I emerged from my brain fog which took several years, I realized that I needed to be more careful choosing my words. People were reading my blog. </span></font></span></p>
<p class="p2"><span class="s1"></span><font color="#000000" face="sans-serif" size="3"><span style="caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.3); -webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></font></p>
<p class="p1"><span class="s1"><font color="#000000" face="sans-serif" size="3"><span style="caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.3); -webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Later, using my blog, I announced my reelection campaign for a seat on the board of the College of Western Idaho. It was a useful tool for me to get the word out.</span></font></span></p>
<p class="p2"><span class="s1"></span><font color="#000000" face="sans-serif" size="3"><span style="caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.3); -webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></font></p>
<p class="p1"><span class="s1"><font color="#000000" face="sans-serif" size="3"><span style="caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.3); -webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">At the same time, I realized that I needed to choose my words wisely because I was representing the college. I’m on several other boards and I have a responsibility to them as well.</span></font></span></p>
<p class="p2"><span class="s1"></span><font color="#000000" face="sans-serif" size="3"><span style="caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.3); -webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></font></p>
<p class="p1"><span class="s1"><font color="#000000" face="sans-serif" size="3"><span style="caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.3); -webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">During the Trump era and the aftermath, I made some social media posts that had personal consequences for me. It seemed that rare political social media posts were deemed “condescending and arrogant.”</span></font></span></p>
<p class="p2"><span class="s1"></span><font color="#000000" face="sans-serif" size="3"><span style="caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.3); -webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></font></p>
<p class="p1"><span class="s1"><font color="#000000" face="sans-serif" size="3"><span style="caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.3); -webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">I decided to limit my social media presence especially my blog. </span></font></span></p>
<p class="p2"><span class="s1"></span><font color="#000000" face="sans-serif" size="3"><span style="caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.3); -webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></font></p>
<p class="p1"><span class="s1"><font color="#000000" face="sans-serif" size="3"><span style="caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.3); -webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">It was a very conscious decision. Ironically, because of my aphasia spoken words are difficult for me. Because of my communication issues, I was silenced other than my blog. But I felt I was silenced again.</span></font></span></p>
<p class="p2"><span class="s1"></span><font color="#000000" face="sans-serif" size="3"><span style="caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.3); -webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></font></p>
<p class="p1"><span class="s1"><font color="#000000" face="sans-serif" size="3"><span style="caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.3); -webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">I certainly have things to blog about. My health issues. Headaches for years. More MRIs and x-rays. My son’s health. </span></font></span></p>
<p class="p2"><span class="s1"></span><font color="#000000" face="sans-serif" size="3"><span style="caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.3); -webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></font></p>
<p class="p1"><span class="s1"><font color="#000000" face="sans-serif" size="3"><span style="caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.3); -webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Frankly, the people who criticized my thoughts don’t deserve to read my blog. </span></font></span></p>
<p class="p2"><span class="s1"></span><font color="#000000" face="sans-serif" size="3"><span style="caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.3); -webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></font></p>
<p class="p1"><span class="s1"><font color="#000000" face="sans-serif" size="3"><span style="caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.3); -webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">So there you have it.</span></font></span></p>
<p class="p2"><span class="s1"></span><font color="#000000" face="sans-serif" size="3"><span style="caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.3); -webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></font></p>
<p class="p1"><span class="s1"><font color="#000000" face="sans-serif" size="3"><span style="caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.3); -webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">I’ve been seeing a counselor recently to help with my headaches. As counselors often do, we have delved into “why do you care about what those people think?”</span></font></span></p>
<p class="p2"><span class="s1"></span><font color="#000000" face="sans-serif" size="3"><span style="caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.3); -webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></font></p>
<p class="p1"><span class="s1"><font color="#000000" face="sans-serif" size="3"><span style="caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.3); -webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">This is the first blog post I’ve done for months. I certainly have things to say. I just need the courage to say it.</span></font></span></p>
<p class="p2"><span class="s1"></span><br></p>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1581387035361609832.post-29797797832463137842021-03-09T03:47:00.001-07:002021-03-09T03:47:10.744-07:00Cat on a hot tin roof<div style="text-align: left;"><img src="https://drive.google.com/uc?export=view&id=1B6JnAQKMT-htOT3rQbQ449q0yDQ_KNym" alt="https://drive.google.com/uc?export=view&id=1B6JnAQKMT-htOT3rQbQ449q0yDQ_KNym" style="max-height: 80%; max-width: 80%; height: auto; width: auto;"><br></div><div style="text-align: left;">
<p class="p1"><span class="s1"><font color="#000000" face="sans-serif" size="3"><span style="caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.3); -webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">One of my favorite plays is “A Cat On a Hot Tin Roof.” </span></font></span></p>
<p class="p2"><span class="s1"></span><font color="#000000" face="sans-serif" size="3"><span style="caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.3); -webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></font></p>
<p class="p1"><span class="s1"><font color="#000000" face="sans-serif" size="3"><span style="caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.3); -webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">I’ve always enjoyed Tennessee Williams writings. Often there is an anti-hero who speaks bitter truth. In the tortured souls of his characters, he often exposes the dark side of life.</span></font></span></p>
<p class="p2"><span class="s1"></span><font color="#000000" face="sans-serif" size="3"><span style="caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.3); -webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></font></p>
<p class="p1"><span class="s1"><font color="#000000" face="sans-serif" size="3"><span style="caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.3); -webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">In 1958, Elizabeth Taylor and Paul Newman filmed the screen adaption of the play. It’s a great movie even though in the 50s era they had to sanitize the realities Williams words.</span></font></span></p>
<p class="p2"><span class="s1"></span><font color="#000000" face="sans-serif" size="3"><span style="caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.3); -webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></font></p>
<p class="p1"><span class="s1"><font color="#000000" face="sans-serif" size="3"><span style="caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.3); -webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">I have often blogs about my headaches. My last post was in anticipation of my third Botox treatment. </span></font></span></p>
<p class="p2"><span class="s1"></span><font color="#000000" face="sans-serif" size="3"><span style="caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.3); -webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></font></p>
<p class="p1"><span class="s1"><font color="#000000" face="sans-serif" size="3"><span style="caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.3); -webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">As I write this blog post, I’m sitting in the dark in the middle of the night with a headache. </span></font></span></p>
<p class="p2"><span class="s1"></span><font color="#000000" face="sans-serif" size="3"><span style="caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.3); -webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></font></p>
<p class="p1"><span class="s1"><font color="#000000" face="sans-serif" size="3"><span style="caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.3); -webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">If I should take the Norco or just tough it out.</span></font></span></p>
<p class="p2"><span class="s1"></span><font color="#000000" face="sans-serif" size="3"><span style="caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.3); -webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></font></p>
<p class="p1"><span class="s1"><font color="#000000" face="sans-serif" size="3"><span style="caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.3); -webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Newman’s character “Brick” had a confrontation with his father about secrets and “mendacity.”</span></font></span></p>
<p class="p2"><span class="s1"></span><font color="#000000" face="sans-serif" size="3"><span style="caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.3); -webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></font></p>
<p class="p1"><span class="s1"><font color="#000000" face="sans-serif" size="3"><span style="caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.3); -webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Brick stressed alcohol is the only way to deal with the stress of living.</span></font></span></p>
<p class="p2"><span class="s1"></span><font color="#000000" face="sans-serif" size="3"><span style="caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.3); -webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></font></p>
<p class="p1"><span class="s1"><font color="#000000" face="sans-serif" size="3"><span style="caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.3); -webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">As I contemplate this pain, this line in the play/movie resonates to me</span></font></span></p>
<p class="p2"><span class="s1"></span><font color="#000000" face="sans-serif" size="3"><span style="caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.3); -webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></font></p>
<p class="p1"><span class="s1"><font color="#000000" face="sans-serif" size="3"><span style="caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.3); -webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">“Like a switch clicking off in my head. Turns the hot light off and the cool. All of a sudden, there's peace.”</span></font></span></p>
<p class="p2"><span class="s1"></span><font color="#000000" face="sans-serif" size="3"><span style="caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.3); -webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></font></p>
<p class="p1"><span class="s1"><font color="#000000" face="sans-serif" size="3"><span style="caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.3); -webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Tough....</span></font></span></p></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1581387035361609832.post-553336493592450062021-03-04T03:13:00.001-07:002021-03-04T03:13:14.152-07:00Dark Places
<p class="p1"><span class="s1"><font color="#000000" face="sans-serif" size="3"><span style="text-align: left; caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.3); -webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">For several months my sleep pattern has been disrupted. I often wake up between 2:00 to 4:00 in morning. It is because of the constant headaches. Plus our dog Lucy expects me to sit in the dark living room and she expects a treat. </span></font></span></p>
<p class="p2"><span class="s1"></span><font color="#000000" face="sans-serif" size="3"><span style="caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.3); -webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></font></p>
<p class="p1"><span class="s1"><font color="#000000" face="sans-serif" size="3"><span style="caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.3); -webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">It’s like a dystopian Pavlov’s dog situation.</span></font></span></p>
<p class="p2"><span class="s1"></span><font color="#000000" face="sans-serif" size="3"><span style="caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.3); -webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></font></p>
<p class="p1"><span class="s1"><font color="#000000" face="sans-serif" size="3"><span style="caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.3); -webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Frankly, she gets a rawhide and I take a Norco to relieve the pain. She eats her treat and my pill kicks in to relieve my pain. She then sits by the window in search of the elusive cats. And I think about the peaceful dark space in my head.</span></font></span></p>
<p class="p2"><span class="s1"></span><font color="#000000" face="sans-serif" size="3"><span style="caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.3); -webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></font></p>
<p class="p1"><span class="s1"><font color="#000000" face="sans-serif" size="3"><span style="caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.3); -webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Of course, people are worried about my sleep pattern. And I am conscious of this situation as well. On the other hand, I do enjoy this time.</span></font></span></p>
<p class="p2"><span class="s1"></span><font color="#000000" face="sans-serif" size="3"><span style="caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.3); -webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></font></p>
<p class="p1"><span class="s1"><font color="#000000" face="sans-serif" size="3"><span style="caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.3); -webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Often I have bogged about my stroke recovery. There are no visible issues. I do not limp. My communication is much better then several years ago when my aphasia was so obvious. </span></font></span></p>
<p class="p2"><span class="s1"></span><font color="#000000" face="sans-serif" size="3"><span style="caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.3); -webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></font></p>
<p class="p1"><span class="s1"><font color="#000000" face="sans-serif" size="3"><span style="caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.3); -webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Nevertheless, after nine years of strokes and aphasia, I am on the brink of my 60th birthday. I have noticed my struggle with the aphasia is more real now. Because my recovery seems remarkable, everybody (including me) expects me to carry on conversations in the old Mark Dunham way. </span></font></span></p>
<p class="p2"><span class="s1"></span><font color="#000000" face="sans-serif" size="3"><span style="caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.3); -webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></font></p>
<p class="p1"><span class="s1"><font color="#000000" face="sans-serif" size="3"><span style="caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.3); -webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Irreverent. Intellectual. Rational. Erudite. </span></font></span></p>
<p class="p2"><span class="s1"></span><font color="#000000" face="sans-serif" size="3"><span style="caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.3); -webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></font></p>
<p class="p1"><span class="s1"><font color="#000000" face="sans-serif" size="3"><span style="caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.3); -webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Yet it is getting more difficult to deal with the façade. I fear that the cognitive issues are more apparent. Word finding is getting more difficult. The “tip of the tongue” moments are more obvious. I struggle to retrieve information in my broken brain.</span></font></span></p>
<p class="p2"><span class="s1"></span><font color="#000000" face="sans-serif" size="3"><span style="caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.3); -webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></font></p>
<p class="p1"><span class="s1"><font color="#000000" face="sans-serif" size="3"><span style="caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.3); -webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">However, in the middle of the night, I am relieved not to be judged about strokes, aphasia, and behavior that seems odd to other people but not to me.</span></font></span></p>
<p class="p2"><span class="s1"></span><font color="#000000" face="sans-serif" size="3"><span style="caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.3); -webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></font></p>
<p class="p1"><span class="s1"><font color="#000000" face="sans-serif" size="3"><span style="caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.3); -webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">The silence of those mornings with my dog provides great solace to me. I can be myself. I don’t have to worry about misstatements or misunderstandings because of my words. </span></font></span></p>
<p class="p2"><span class="s1"></span><font color="#000000" face="sans-serif" size="3"><span style="caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.3); -webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></font></p>
<p class="p1"><span class="s1"><font color="#000000" face="sans-serif" size="3"><span style="caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.3); -webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">I don’t know if this will be sustainable. I talk to my doctor last week during my annual check up, he not concerned about my sleep pattern. I basically get the same amount of sleep but it’s a different time frame. I was like a graveyard shift.</span></font></span></p>
<p class="p2"><span class="s1"></span><font color="#000000" face="sans-serif" size="3"><span style="caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.3); -webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></font></p>
<p class="p1"><span class="s1"><font color="#000000" face="sans-serif" size="3"><span style="caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.3); -webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Of course, I miss family time. And the doctors have a real concern about the headaches. </span></font></span></p>
<p class="p2"><span class="s1"></span><font color="#000000" face="sans-serif" size="3"><span style="caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.3); -webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></font></p>
<p class="p1"><span class="s1"><font color="#000000" face="sans-serif" size="3"><span style="caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.3); -webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Later this morning, I will undergo my third round Botox treatments for headaches. I was hopeful in September that Botox relieve headaches. Today I am less hopeful.</span></font></span></p>
<p class="p2"><span class="s1"></span><font color="#000000" face="sans-serif" size="3"><span style="caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.3); -webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></font></p>
<p class="p1"><span class="s1"><font color="#000000" face="sans-serif" size="3"><span style="caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.3); -webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Despite Botox and headaches, I am enjoying my time in the dark where I can be “me.” </span></font></span></p>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1581387035361609832.post-21841451162208161382021-02-09T03:38:00.001-07:002021-02-09T03:38:23.420-07:00Descending into silence
<p class="p1"><span class="s1"><font color="#000000" face="sans-serif" size="3"><span style="text-align: left; caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.3); -webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><img src="https://drive.google.com/uc?export=view&id=1Ep_IB6UykhmxYJdtDfF6R2Vcd0NeEgAG" alt="https://drive.google.com/uc?export=view&id=1Ep_IB6UykhmxYJdtDfF6R2Vcd0NeEgAG" style="max-height: 80%; max-width: 80%; height: auto; width: auto;"><br></span><span style="caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.3); -webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Because of my strokes nine years ago, I have a condition called “Aphasia.” Does Aphasia affect a person’s intelligence? </span><span style="caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.3); -webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span><span style="caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.3); -webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">NOPE. </span><span style="caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.3); -webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span><span style="caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.3); -webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">A person with aphasia may have difficulty retrieving words and names, but the person’s intelligence is basically intact. Aphasia is not like Alzheimer’s disease; for people with aphasia it is the ability to access ideas and thoughts through language – not the ideas and thoughts themselves- that is disrupted.</span><span style="caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.3); -webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); display: inline !important;"><br></span></span><span style="caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.3); -webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); display: inline !important;">Nevertheless, my words - or the lack of them - seems to have gotten worse. The repercussions have damaged my self-confidence. </span></span><span style="caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.3); -webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); display: inline !important;"><br></span></span><span style="caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.3); -webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); display: inline !important;">As a result, I am withdrawing from social media for the time being. This includes my blog.</span></span><span style="caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.3); -webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); display: inline !important;"><br></span></span><span style="caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.3); -webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); display: inline !important;">My blog was a place I felt safe to express my thoughts. But for now I am doing a self imposed silence. I don’t feel safe anymore.</span></span><span style="caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.3); -webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); display: inline !important;"><br></span></span><span style="caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.3); -webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); display: inline !important;">I will lurk in the shadows but not post or comment.</span><br></span></font></span></p>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1581387035361609832.post-69866645697116642182020-11-20T06:54:00.001-07:002020-11-20T06:54:04.549-07:00Aphasia and Gas<div style="text-align: left;"><img src="https://drive.google.com/uc?export=view&id=14uFjUbdFSVR9NPek-g1Ke39795jjOEVW" alt="https://drive.google.com/uc?export=view&id=14uFjUbdFSVR9NPek-g1Ke39795jjOEVW" style="max-height: 80%; max-width: 80%; height: auto; width: auto;"> Today I went to the convenient store to get some gas for my car.<br></div><div style="text-align: left;"> </div><div style="text-align: left;">I told the clerk that I needed “$10 bucks on number 5.” The clerk seemed perplexed and I said, “Is something wrong?” </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br></div><div style="text-align: left;">At that store there are six spots for gas. I was at the store at 4:30 AM at the parking lot was empty other than my vehicle.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br></div><div style="text-align: left;">She said, “You want $10 bucks on number five but you are parked beneath number four.” </div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; -webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%; display: inline !important;"><br></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; -webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%; display: inline !important;"><img src="https://drive.google.com/uc?export=view&id=19inu-djZtuQjtKVNisd6gXp9bKgVu2RI" alt="https://drive.google.com/uc?export=view&id=19inu-djZtuQjtKVNisd6gXp9bKgVu2RI" style="font-size: 12pt; max-height: 80%; max-width: 80%; height: auto; width: auto;">I sighed and explained not because of my Aphasia sometimes numbers are difficult for me to distinguish.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; -webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%; display: inline !important;"><br></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%;">But I’m a good tipper restaurants!</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"></div><div style="text-align: left;"></div><div style="text-align: left;"></div><div style="text-align: left;"></div><div style="text-align: left;"></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1581387035361609832.post-36963553719220545762020-11-07T08:57:00.000-07:002020-11-07T08:57:21.424-07:00Garage and Aphasia<p><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"></span></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiidmRw-O3WIVIwbmKbibjNMP5KluW9d2J_XkVlO44V9mTDf5iAYrx1FlOwbZaEyiPBOlYxJ-PUiXAeLoFxPT4_dw2mtwtyZ8t4e0EfthV8Cy8AMyj9BXjiMwOYmdH-WLQ5vh982SdMuBM/s2048/Garage+Code.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiidmRw-O3WIVIwbmKbibjNMP5KluW9d2J_XkVlO44V9mTDf5iAYrx1FlOwbZaEyiPBOlYxJ-PUiXAeLoFxPT4_dw2mtwtyZ8t4e0EfthV8Cy8AMyj9BXjiMwOYmdH-WLQ5vh982SdMuBM/w150-h200/Garage+Code.jpg" width="150" /></a></span></div><span style="font-family: inherit;">Recently I was having
trouble opening my garage door. We have had the same code for years to open the
garage door. After several frustrating tries garage door opened.</span><p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Instantly I was
worried that my brain fog manifested to the point where I could not remember
numbers. </span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Aphasia is different
for different people. For me, handwriting, numbers, and reading are
difficult. </span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span><span style="font-size: 12pt;">After my strokes, I
was supposed to walk for exercise. However, my wife would let me walk until I
could understand the numbers for our address.</span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Even now
punching in a garage code and looking at the numbers for our street address is
difficult. When I am exhausted or stressed it’s even worse. </span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">The good news is the
issue with the garage door code was a dead battery.</span><span style="color: #455154; font-family: HelveticaNeue, serif;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></p>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1581387035361609832.post-69399542638757530102020-10-23T08:35:00.002-06:002020-10-23T08:41:20.894-06:00COVID-19 and Strokes<p><span face=""Lucida Sans Unicode", sans-serif" style="color: #333333; font-size: 9pt;"><b><i>The COVID-19 pandemic shouldn’t reduce access to stroke
rehabilitation</i></b></span></p><p style="margin-top: 0in;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3hhDpTaqzX5Aefdxtz096M_gek6R3Ka9Iqlxcb6KNme1TGUCMU1CW-5X1nbrceD87pTc6InyLeGsZsP-AdH5W8iUMyn7Muj5-Pw5buWvQDHZJ4dMpfyQHxaSmXNS_C1pgBR-knoK1Y9Q/s277/seuizre.JPG" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="207" data-original-width="277" height="149" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3hhDpTaqzX5Aefdxtz096M_gek6R3Ka9Iqlxcb6KNme1TGUCMU1CW-5X1nbrceD87pTc6InyLeGsZsP-AdH5W8iUMyn7Muj5-Pw5buWvQDHZJ4dMpfyQHxaSmXNS_C1pgBR-knoK1Y9Q/w200-h149/seuizre.JPG" width="200" /></a></div><span face=""Lucida Sans Unicode",sans-serif" style="color: #333333; font-size: 9pt;">
Thursday, October 29th is World Stroke Day and for the nearly 800,000 lives changed
by stroke in the U.S. each year, rehabilitation offers a way to achieve the
best possible recovery from a stroke. As a stroke survivor I know firsthand the
importance of rehabilitation. When I was recovering from two strokes in January
2012, it was a long road and I couldn’t have done it without support from my
family and my therapists. <br />
<br />
Even as the COVID-19 pandemic changes the way healthcare is delivered, it is
important for stroke survivors to take advantage of the first three months
after a stroke. After a stroke, a person may need therapy to learn to walk or
talk again, re-learn skills needed to be independent, recover communications
and cognition skills, and address other consequences of stroke. For six months,
I endured intense speech, occupational and physical therapy about six times a
week. Unfortunately, during the COVID-19 pandemic, some recent stroke patients
may be going without rehab during this important ‘golden’ time and other
survivors may also be forgoing helpful therapy.<br />
<br />
An individualized rehabilitation program is critical. The pandemic has required
rehabilitation professionals to get creative to deliver essential therapies to
stroke survivors. Now sessions may be held via video calls or there may be
enhanced collaboration with organizations providing in-home support and an
increased emphasis on personal protective equipment (PPE) for staff and
patients at in-person visits.<br />
<br />
The American Stroke Association provides recovery tips and resources for stroke
survivors and their caregivers:<br />
<br />
• Ask the doctor for an assessment of physical and cognitive challenges you
face after stroke and a specific plan to address each challenge.<br />
<br />
• Work with your doctor to get a plan to manage risk factors to prevent another
stroke. This may include being physically active, not smoking and managing your
blood pressure. <br />
<br />
• Early rehabilitation matters. As soon as your medical team gives the “all
clear,” start your personalized rehabilitation program right away. Don’t delay.<br />
<br />
• Talk with your health care provider about any financial constraints, such as
ability to pay for medications, so a plan can be developed to identify
alternative community resources. <br />
<br />
• Communicate and follow up regularly with a team of health care providers as
some challenges – such as remembering medications or depression - may not be
immediately clear.<br />
<br />
• Support from friends and family is especially important during stroke
rehabilitation. If a stroke survivor is in a rehabilitation facility that has
visitor restrictions due to COVID-19, stay connected via video calls,
handwritten letters and window visits as possible. Family caregivers may also
regularly call with questions and for updates from the staff at the
rehabilitation facility.<br />
<br />
This World Stroke Day, I encourage anyone who has had a stroke to continue to
seek care and not to give up. The love and support I received by both my family
and my therapists gave me hope.<br />
<br />
Sincerely,<br />
<br />
Mark Dunham<br />
Member, American Heart Association/American Stroke Association Idaho Division
Board of Directors<o:p></o:p></span><p></p>
<p style="margin-top: 0in;"><span face=""Lucida Sans Unicode",sans-serif" style="color: #333333; font-size: 9pt;">Vice Chair of the College of Western Idaho<o:p></o:p></span></p>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1581387035361609832.post-18539424550548062772020-10-07T09:00:00.000-06:002020-10-07T09:00:10.119-06:00A shadow of a man who used to be Mark Dunham<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdrpSh-Zohu7foeDLinyBzFzX3QpYMz4XzYiE-Fqx37X0atL0WcrMEsC_P4ZoK5M6TYN0X79Bq7R-BfJ29nfz_4tJpv0gynul_4VR7e7SGaaRBCWXy1yYtEvZgUth5h3GwKdBMTnwPyyw/s994/2019+reality.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="994" data-original-width="800" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdrpSh-Zohu7foeDLinyBzFzX3QpYMz4XzYiE-Fqx37X0atL0WcrMEsC_P4ZoK5M6TYN0X79Bq7R-BfJ29nfz_4tJpv0gynul_4VR7e7SGaaRBCWXy1yYtEvZgUth5h3GwKdBMTnwPyyw/s320/2019+reality.png" /></a></div> Recently, I was contacted by a woman
seeking political office. She asked me to endorse her for a national office for
a trade association. I asked her why my endorsement would make a difference
especially because I haven’t been around that industry for 15 years. <p></p>
<p style="margin-bottom: 2.25pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;"><span style="mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">She responded writing, “You are still
known and well loved by so many CEO's across the country! This will be so
impactful!”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p style="margin: 0in;"><span style="mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p style="margin: 0in;"><span style="mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">When I announced
that I was not running for another term to be on the Board of the College of
Western Idaho, at the same time I did announce my endorsement for woman to
replace me. By the deadline to file for that seat, my endorsed candidate
was unopposed. She thanked me and said my public support made the difference.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p style="margin: 0in;"><span style="mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p style="margin: 0in;"><span style="mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Around 20 years ago,
an incumbent Idaho Governor asked me to chair his lobbying committee. In
other words, he wanted to use my “name” and reach out to all of the lobbyists
in the state to help his reelection campaign.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p style="margin: 0in;"><span style="mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p style="margin: 0in;"><span style="mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">When I asked him,
“why Mark Dunham,” he’s said, “In the world of cutthroat politics, you’re the
most respected lobbyist in the state because you’re effective but, more than
that, people respect you on both sides of the aisle.”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p style="margin: 0in;"><span style="mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p style="margin: 0in;"><span style="mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">But that was 20
years ago. The call seeking my endorsement was a surprise to me. I really think
I am “old news.” After my strokes, I left my public life other than the College
of Western Idaho. Soon, that will be gone as well.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p style="margin: 0in;"><span style="mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p style="margin: 0in;"><span style="mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">I will be a footnote
in Idaho history. There won’t be a Wikipedia devoted to me.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p style="margin: 0in;"><span style="mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p style="margin: 0in;"><span style="mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Writing this blog
is uncomfortable because the examples that site makes me feel like a braggart.
But I’m writing this as a background about the repercussions of my strokes and aphasia.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p style="margin: 0in;"><span style="mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p style="margin: 0in;"><span style="mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Once when I was
giving my annual performance review, the president of my association said this to
me: “Mark. You are so even-keel. I don’t even know what you’re thinking about
your review right now.” I responded saying, “Good.”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p style="margin: 0in;"><span style="mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p style="margin: 0in;"><span style="mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">I try to be
“even-keel.” The definition of even-keel is “when a person's emotions are under
control, balanced and steady.”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p style="margin: 0in;"><span style="mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p style="margin: 0in;"><span style="mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">My whole life has
been trying to be even-keel. It was probably a self-defense mechanism because
of my childhood. You grow up quickly when you’re eight years old and sometimes
you have to be the adult in the room.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p style="margin: 0in;"><span style="mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p style="margin: 0in;"><span style="mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">After my strokes,
I did lose a lot of me. I lost my occupation. I lost my ability to enjoy many
things such as reading and writing with ease. I lost my ability to speak well.
In my mind I lost my ability to be a good parent and husband.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p style="margin: 0in;"><span style="mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p style="margin: 0in;"><span style="mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">After my strokes,
one of the only things that gave me solace was my sense of being a good guy
with a great reputation and being even-keel. I tried throughout my career and
my personal life to be ethical and honest. I’ve always been careful to use
my words wisely. Words spoken or written can have long lasting damage. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p style="margin: 0in;"><span style="mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p style="margin: 0in;"><span style="mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Even after more
than 8 years since my strokes, I still have difficulty communicating in so many
ways. I second guess myself every day. I understand that strokes, brain damage,
aphasia, etc. are often <span style="background: white; color: black; mso-color-alt: windowtext;">characterized as the inability to think ahead or understand
consequences.</span><span style="background: white;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p style="margin: 0in;"><span style="background: white; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p style="margin: 0in;"><span style="background: white; color: black; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-color-alt: windowtext; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Here is an excerpt of an article
that really hits home to me: </span><span style="background: white; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; vertical-align: baseline;"><br /></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><i>After a stroke, existing personality traits
can become exaggerated. Alternatively, people can behave in ways that are out
of character for them. Personality changes after a stroke can include:<o:p></o:p></i></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p><i> </i></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 3.75pt; margin-left: 48.0pt; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list 60.0pt 66.0pt; text-indent: -.25in; vertical-align: baseline;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><i><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Not feeling like
doing anything.<o:p></o:p></span></i></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 3.75pt; margin-left: 48.0pt; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list 60.0pt 66.0pt; text-indent: -.25in; vertical-align: baseline;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><i><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Being irritable
or aggressive.<o:p></o:p></span></i></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 3.75pt; margin-left: 48.0pt; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list 60.0pt 66.0pt; text-indent: -.25in; vertical-align: baseline;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><i><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Being
disinhibited – saying or doing things that seem inappropriate to others.<o:p></o:p></span></i></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 3.75pt; margin-left: 48.0pt; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list 60.0pt 66.0pt; text-indent: -.25in; vertical-align: baseline;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><i><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Being impulsive –
acting without thinking, and doing things that are not safe or are <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></i></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><i>Sometimes changes in behavior are aimed only
at the people closest to the stroke survivor. This is quite normal. Most of us
only show the more difficult parts of ourselves to the people we are closest to
because we know they will probably forgive us. However, if the behavior is
extreme it can isolate us from the people around us. Sometimes, stroke
survivors do not realize that their behavior or personality is different. This
can make it difficult to address these changes.</i><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p style="margin: 0in;"><span style="mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p style="margin: 0in;"><span style="mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Honestly, I am frightened
every day about my cognitive issues. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p style="margin: 0in;"><span style="mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p style="margin: 0in;"><span style="mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">The advent of
social media has made it worse. The toxic nature of social media
especially in the political realm has led me to second guess myself a lot. I
learned a lesson several years ago when I posted something political on
Facebook. A close friend of mine wrote to me stating that “you get an elitist
tone with you pontificate about politics.” <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p style="margin: 0in;"><span style="mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p style="margin: 0in;"><span style="mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">That was several
years ago, and I have rarely posted anything political on social media as a
result. Of course, sometimes I stray from my self-imposed rule. I have paid a hefty price as a result.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p style="margin: 0in;"><span style="mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p style="margin: 0in;"><span style="mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Recently, a
person who I love and value wrote to me noting that “you are quite opinionated
and sometimes not very tolerant of other views.” That person told me that he
will minimize contact with me as a result. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p style="margin: 0in;"><span style="mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p style="margin: 0in;"><span style="mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">It was a sobering
comment. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p style="margin: 0in;"><span style="mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p style="margin: 0in;"><span style="mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">On the one hand,
I was amused that those two people criticized me for my political views
especially because one is left wing and the other is right wing. Both of them are so strident and vocal about their opinions. They see the world as black and white. I see the world as shades of grey. It seems I
cannot win.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p style="margin: 0in;"><span style="mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p style="margin: 0in;"><span style="mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">However, the
sobering part is the worry about my cognitive issues. Should I continue to retreat
into myself? Writing a simple recommendation letter as I wrote at the outset
gives me so much anxiety now. I used to pride myself on my grammar prowess but
now I worry I will embarrass myself.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p style="margin: 0in;"><span style="mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><br /></span></p><p style="margin: 0in;"><span style="mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">More than that, I
have so much apprehension to do anything which might be misconstrued. Though I
am leaving the board of the College of Western Idaho, I will continue to be
involved plus I am still on several other boards. I am not sure if I should
continue. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p style="margin: 0in;"><span style="mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p style="margin: 0in;"><span style="mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">At this point, my
slow descent of isolation will continue unabated. I will write the letter as
requested. I will think twice or three times when I communicate in anyway
because of concerns of my cognition. My wife has told me for years that “You
sometimes cannot accept that you had your strokes. You cannot do all that you
use to do.”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p style="margin: 0in;"><span style="mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p style="margin: 0in;"><span style="mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">A shadow of a man
who used to be Mark Dunham.<o:p></o:p></span></p>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1581387035361609832.post-90860806969664960522020-09-05T06:47:00.001-06:002020-09-05T06:47:24.004-06:00DUNHAM ANNOUNCES RETIREMENT FROM BOARD OF TRUSTEES AT THE COLLEGE OF WESTERN IDAHO<div style="text-align: left;"><img src="https://drive.google.com/uc?export=view&id=1YLdqF7cYG3eJSZaWuM4vEcmfpEPJWjT1" alt="https://drive.google.com/uc?export=view&id=1YLdqF7cYG3eJSZaWuM4vEcmfpEPJWjT1" style="max-height: 80%; max-width: 80%; height: auto; width: auto;"><br></div><div>Endorses Senator Cherie Buckner-Webb as his replacement</div><div><br></div><div>(Boise/Nampa) Mark Dunham, one of the original board members for the College of Western Idaho, announced today that he will not seek another term. </div><div><br></div><div>In July of 2007, the State Board of Education appointed Dunham to be on the Board of the College of Western Idaho when voters in Ada and Canyon Counties approved the formation of a new community college. Dunham successfully ran three times for the board.</div><div><br></div><div>“The highlight of my professional career has been serving on the CWI board. I love our students and their successes. For 13 years, I have put my whole heart and soul into the College of Western Idaho. However, I look forward to supporting a trustee who will continue to serve the Treasure Valley and the diverse community we all serve. I have been involved in Idaho’s higher education world for 25 years. A new trustee will bring a different perspective to the issues. Change is a good thing,” said Dunham. </div><div> </div><div>Dunham went on to note, “CWI has always embraced inclusiveness yet I worry that many people feel left behind. A new trustee has a huge opportunity and responsibility to make a difference in students’ lives.”</div><div> </div><div>Dunham says he will endorse retiring Idaho State Senator Cherie-Buckner-Webb who will run for the Zone 5 of the CWI Board of Trustee.</div><div> </div><div>“I’m am so happy to lend my support to Senator Buckner-Webb. Her commitment to education and fostering opportunities for others reflects my values. We are both committed to the vision statement of CWI which is to “expand learning and life opportunities, (to) encourage individual advancement, contribute to Idaho’s economic growth, strengthen community prosperity and develop leaders.” </div><div> </div><div>In the past 13 years, CWI has experienced rapid enrollment growth. Dunham said, “When the original trustees started, we had nothing other than two buildings, 100 acres, and a dream. We did not even have a telephone. We had no staff. It was a daunting task. As I leave the board of trustees, I’m grateful for the dedicated leadership of the trustees (past and present), faculty, and the administration. In particular, I appreciate President Bert Glandon’s steadfast leadership and vision.”</div><div> </div><div>Dunham continued, “Our first enrollment in 2009 was less than 1,300. At the time, a local newspaper essentially said we were a failure. In May of 2019, CWI celebrated our 10th graduating class. We have more than 33,000 students. Some failure!”</div><div> </div><div>In January of 2012, Dunham suffered two strokes within a weeks’ time, the second of which left him unable to communicate. He endured weeks in the hospital and years of therapy. Despite his strokes, Dunham never missed a meeting.</div><div> </div><div>“My strokes were devastating in so many ways,” he continued. “Continuing serving on the CWI board was a pivotal role in my healing process. Struggling to talk at board meetings and exercising my brain through dealing with the myriad of complex issues was emotionally, mentally, and physically exhausting for me. Yet, that trauma made me a more empathetic trustee. I think about the students and their challenges. How can we help our students succeed? That is the bottom line for me.”</div><div> </div><div>Though Dunham is leaving the CWI board, he will continue his advocacy for CWI and the mission. “Not running again is a hard decision for me. However, I want to focus on my health and my family.”</div><div> </div><div>In addition to Zone 5, there are two (2) other zones that up for election in 2020; Zone 3 and Zone 1. Interested persons must live within the particular zone from which they run. They stand for election by the entire district (Ada and Canyon Counties) and represent the entire community college district. Terms are 4-years in length. Petitions for candidacy must be filed no later than September 1, 2020.</div><div> </div><div>For more information on serving on the Board of Trustees, zone maps and other information, please visit: www.cwi.edu/info/election-information</div><div> </div><div>For more information on CWI, the Board of Trustees and programs for students, please visit: www.cwi.edu</div><div> </div><div>#####</div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1581387035361609832.post-68460103910263831142020-07-20T03:25:00.001-06:002020-07-20T03:25:09.476-06:00Dissection Duo<div style="text-align: left;"><img src="https://drive.google.com/uc?export=view&id=1EfOtlZSZzg1DMKCSNPOuf1QgumnprAnZ" alt="https://drive.google.com/uc?export=view&id=1EfOtlZSZzg1DMKCSNPOuf1QgumnprAnZ" style="max-height: 80%; max-width: 80%; height: auto; width: auto;"><br></div><div>My wife and I are the dissection duo.</div><div><br></div><div>8 1/2 years ago I had a carotid dissection (strokes) which left me with aphasia, apraxia and other assorted invisible challenges</div><div><br></div><div>A week ago my wife had coronary dissection (heart attack). She has a spontaneous coronary artery dissection — sometimes referred to as SCAD — is an uncommon emergency condition that occurs when a tear forms in a blood vessel in the heart.</div><div><br></div><div>SCAD can slow or block blood flow to the heart, causing a heart attack, abnormalities in heart rhythm or sudden death. She almost died.</div><div><br></div><div>Both of us were in good health, never smoked ever, ate right, etc.</div><div><br></div><div>Now my wife is experiencing a common “when will it happen again.” Every twinge of pain sounds both of us in a panic.</div><div><br></div><div>When my strokes happened our son was six years old. Today he is 15 years old. He had to grow too soon with my medical problems. Now he’s right back to square one knowing that his mother almost died.</div><div><br></div><div>Of course I’m worried about my wife’s health and my health but I’m even more concerned about my son’s in mental health given to his parents.</div><div><br></div><div>I fear he’ll just be withdrawn and not talk about the situation and his fears. That is not healthy for him.</div><div><br></div><div>I rarely post anything. So worried for my son and my wife. </div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1581387035361609832.post-75898857278339662252020-05-21T11:00:00.001-06:002020-05-21T11:00:39.766-06:00Death and illness during a pandemic<p class="MsoNormal"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgo_LxAS4DHFBe9DftoebLolQD2kw6U37RZLGp-wZ6mXemg44lGrzyk4rjapnpXV54OQGpvtdI4LArIWfLDn6o9v01z0y4rPJf-ef64YFtxG8OdYdfdGvp1ChVwXABxWA5NJoEXYgtfilY/" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgo_LxAS4DHFBe9DftoebLolQD2kw6U37RZLGp-wZ6mXemg44lGrzyk4rjapnpXV54OQGpvtdI4LArIWfLDn6o9v01z0y4rPJf-ef64YFtxG8OdYdfdGvp1ChVwXABxWA5NJoEXYgtfilY/s320/Pandemic.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>I have not blogged recently. It has been difficult to keep
my thoughts together. There are many reasons, I think. The Covid situation is
an underlying cause. My anxiety about this makes me too lethargic and sad.<p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">In this midst of Covid, a friend’s 17-year-old son drowned.
Watching my son deal with his first death of a friend has been disconcerting and
heartbreaking. Grieving is a personal thing and the anguish is even worse when
having a funeral is not an option. <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">During this horrible month, we have also been dealing with
my mother-in-law’s deteriorating health. Trying to adhere to social distancing is
tough enough yet struggling to find the best care has been overwhelming. Care facilities
are not safe in these days even if those places took new patients. The medical
systems are overwhelmed. We are overwhelmed as well.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">The next issue are my damnable headaches. My doctor thinks
they are tension headaches, and I agree. With this surreal worldwide condition and
the emotional toll of death and sickness, my headaches are daily. Nothing really
helps. <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Woe is me. It could be worse of course. I keep telling myself
that. However, even typing this short blog post is causing a throbbing headache.
<o:p></o:p></p><br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1581387035361609832.post-72166831897914816002020-04-11T09:10:00.004-06:002020-04-13T13:10:50.810-06:00Pandemic and my son....<br />
<span style="clear: left; color: #333333; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmfxdrUj6kkU7hW6FK9vohJgx3oGM49DE-fii3TYwu1TQM-DnmMfk27reNXZkH4Ll9lhilMgB0wxCyviEsyWBQloVlUvoEb2sNbzAIyBH4tsE82v6KMOIqZ_qQGNeFeOwjAImpsxF4Ing/s1600/Ethan+and+Mom+March+2020.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img alt="Ethan and mom" border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1483" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmfxdrUj6kkU7hW6FK9vohJgx3oGM49DE-fii3TYwu1TQM-DnmMfk27reNXZkH4Ll9lhilMgB0wxCyviEsyWBQloVlUvoEb2sNbzAIyBH4tsE82v6KMOIqZ_qQGNeFeOwjAImpsxF4Ing/s200/Ethan+and+Mom+March+2020.jpg" title="" width="185" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4FrK4cUwap5kFPhtBL4JaWo-Zd5gyrsU2mABvknuWCaA8AAR_LiKTN_VBeSIFgH27YA5ejmLfT1mUC9p3mslgPVYaH1GO4kG9SJ13JKfxygeiEfDHZDkiqapPN4wYYkqqFFhX0quqT_Y/s1600/Ethan+and+Mom+March+2020.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><br /></a>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background: white; color: #333333;">Yesterday, I was having a conversation with a
friend. I mentioned that this dreamlike pandemic has made me even more
protective of my 15 year old son. With this great unknown I tell my son and my
wife how much I love them. Probably too much. </span><span style="color: #333333;"><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; orphans: 2; word-spacing: 0px;"> </span><br style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; orphans: 2; word-spacing: 0px;" />
<br style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; orphans: 2; word-spacing: 0px;" />
<span style="background: white;"><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; float: none; orphans: 2; word-spacing: 0px;">I started my blog in 2008 as a sort of diary of my
son. Since that time, I have posted 331 stories. The focus of my blog changed
after my strokes. My first blog post after my stroke was short and exhausting
to write. At that point, one of my many therapists made me do some blog posts.
It was my homework just like repeating the alphabet and practicing counting. </span></span><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; orphans: 2; word-spacing: 0px;"> </span><br style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; orphans: 2; word-spacing: 0px;" />
<br />
<span style="background: white;"><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; float: none; orphans: 2; word-spacing: 0px;">As my recovery progressed, the blog posts were
often dark and angry reflecting my mindset at the time. I would lash out about
my angry fears, depression, and the loss of me. It was not until a reporter,
Dan Popkey of the Idaho Statesman, told me that my blog was part of his
research when the newspaper published a story about me. I realized that my
angry rants were actually being read! </span></span><br style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; orphans: 2; word-spacing: 0px;" />
<br style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; orphans: 2; word-spacing: 0px;" />
<span style="background: white;"><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; float: none; orphans: 2; word-spacing: 0px;">Through all of those years and posts, the initial
purpose of my blog faded away. The focus of the blog was about <b><u>ME</u></b> not my son.
In addition, my wife took on the traditional care giver role: Long suffering
and underappreciated.</span></span><br style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; orphans: 2; word-spacing: 0px;" />
</span></span></span><br />
<div>
<span style="clear: left; color: #333333; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: #333333;">
<span style="background: white;"><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; float: none; orphans: 2; word-spacing: 0px;">The reality of this pandemic has certainly made me
think about my priorities. “Sheltering in place” made me yearn to hug my son
all of the time. My wife is also the caregiver for her mother, and she has had
deal with the stress of worrying about Mark and Ethan plus her elderly mother
who is overwrought </span></span><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; orphans: 2; word-spacing: 0px;"> </span><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; orphans: 2; word-spacing: 0px;"> </span><span style="background: white;"><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; float: none; orphans: 2; word-spacing: 0px;">about
the pandemic. </span></span><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; orphans: 2; word-spacing: 0px;"> </span><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; orphans: 2; word-spacing: 0px;"><br /></span></span></span></span></div>
<span style="clear: left; color: #333333; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: #333333;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjskTbijcMnbQBWTE0hM79E3SL18LEaFpT4FdYrz7mkYF_Ko4D_cRiTc05k1c5c2w1EzcRR6s7PTnA9POOEhu972c_pfAFPS8hWJum36hZy4nGFRvtc2eYryudQ2LnoYEuWrGcxPeHNEX8/s1600/ethan+cart.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; clear: left; color: #0066cc; float: left; font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; orphans: 2; text-align: left; text-decoration: underline; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"><img alt="cart" border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjskTbijcMnbQBWTE0hM79E3SL18LEaFpT4FdYrz7mkYF_Ko4D_cRiTc05k1c5c2w1EzcRR6s7PTnA9POOEhu972c_pfAFPS8hWJum36hZy4nGFRvtc2eYryudQ2LnoYEuWrGcxPeHNEX8/s200/ethan+cart.jpeg" title="" width="150" /></a><br />
<span style="background: white;"><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; float: none; orphans: 2; word-spacing: 0px;">Honestly, I have enjoyed “hunkering down” with my
son and my wife. I have joked on Facebook that I walked my son to school after
spring break my waking him up so he could walk the 35 feet from his bed to his
desk. I feel so safe because he is always in the next room.</span></span><br style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; orphans: 2; word-spacing: 0px;" />
<br style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; orphans: 2; word-spacing: 0px;" />
<span style="background: white;"><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; float: none; orphans: 2; word-spacing: 0px;">My son is lucky. As a 9</span></span><sup style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; orphans: 2; word-spacing: 0px;">th</sup><span style="background: white;"><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; float: none; orphans: 2; word-spacing: 0px;"> grader, his private high school started to deliver
a full schedule on line through Zoom. Of course there are there are glitches,
but better than the alternative.</span></span><br style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; orphans: 2; word-spacing: 0px;" />
<br />
<span style="background: white;"><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; float: none; orphans: 2; word-spacing: 0px;">In this situation, I am even more protective of my
son. </span></span><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; orphans: 2; word-spacing: 0px;"> </span><span style="background: white;"><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; float: none; orphans: 2; word-spacing: 0px;">Despite
school work, 15 year old emotions, and the boredom of mandatory isolation, I
will miss this situation in some ways. My son is home. He is safe. He is
laughing in the other room playing video games with his buddies.</span></span><br style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; orphans: 2; word-spacing: 0px;" />
</span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgp6R1Bun8hj6VYfKsmbC2Tq1ei0gEsQ2N4ItePUnwL1K1_a8cf9-bi8nrTG7_AbQCIiXecdDZAHHb75oMwYWoOI2UYkAziYX0sDmX2LYOYzaPDk5hpY_H3mBkqWBMS76dqcvRayMxxjJg/s1600/ethan+cart.jpeg"><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; float: none; orphans: 2; word-spacing: 0px;"><span style="color: #336699; text-decoration: none;"><br />
</span></span></a><span style="background: white; color: #333333;"><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; float: none; orphans: 2; word-spacing: 0px;">Yesterday, my son bought a small trailer for his
lawn mowing business. We helped him put it together. We laughed and joked. I
enjoyed watching him read the instructions and putting it together. Despite the
quarantine and the "doom and gloom" nature of this pandemic, I will
always remember that night when the world just took a breath. It is the little
things in life that are the most important.</span></span><span style="color: #333333;"><br style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; orphans: 2; word-spacing: 0px;" />
<br style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; orphans: 2; word-spacing: 0px;" />
<span style="background: white;"><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; float: none; orphans: 2; word-spacing: 0px;">Like every parent, I wonder about his future. What
will he become? Will he be safe “out there?” He is a good son and I love him. I
cannot protect him from the unknown yet I am protecting him right now during
this unreal situation.</span></span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"></span><br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4FrK4cUwap5kFPhtBL4JaWo-Zd5gyrsU2mABvknuWCaA8AAR_LiKTN_VBeSIFgH27YA5ejmLfT1mUC9p3mslgPVYaH1GO4kG9SJ13JKfxygeiEfDHZDkiqapPN4wYYkqqFFhX0quqT_Y/s1600/Ethan+and+Mom+March+2020.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;">
</a></span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<b></b><i></i><u></u><sub></sub><sup></sup><strike></strike>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1581387035361609832.post-91601790704767887632020-04-09T14:21:00.000-06:002020-04-09T14:32:48.201-06:00Stroke survivors are champions of social distancing<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7nuE3D2YgQk22sTnEHFD5WrXhaokrsjpoKetU1YuMfXcu8vM8qG3wTdNgiZDSOkwE4CkUZCIVxlqqKJnj10IEbNf6WcUcWtNEouBPmB0gBQ_SF3BCOO9oZl-nuKAfSnMOYgJm7wPqZeM/s1600/mark+april+20202.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; clear: right; color: #0066cc; float: right; font-family: inherit; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em; orphans: 2; text-align: center; text-decoration: underline; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1600" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7nuE3D2YgQk22sTnEHFD5WrXhaokrsjpoKetU1YuMfXcu8vM8qG3wTdNgiZDSOkwE4CkUZCIVxlqqKJnj10IEbNf6WcUcWtNEouBPmB0gBQ_SF3BCOO9oZl-nuKAfSnMOYgJm7wPqZeM/s200/mark+april+20202.jpg" width="200" /></a><span style="font-family: inherit;">In the midst of this bizarre pandemic, in my little world,
this situation is “just inconvenient.” I prepared for social isolation 8 years
ago when I had my strokes in January of 2012. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Stroke </span>survivors <span style="font-family: inherit;">are champions of social distancing before it was a "thing!"</span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: inherit;">That month I lost my ability to communicate, my job, my security,
and what I thought was my identity. Despite my strength, the strokes did not
prepare me for the catastrophic social isolation that ensued.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;">For the first year of my recovery, the isolation was overwhelming
in several ways. Because of my aphasia, I could not communicate. The loss of literal
of my voice was horrifying. I could not talk at all. Even now, 8 years later,
my “speaking” is hesitant and slower. Later in the day, I miss words and get
confused. Everything is very deliberate.</span><br />
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYXWXIAyOcI4OetlarOIZPlqikrWO38HuW2Xllwq2sKPrZUyKFXqha0eIJUtgWi_COFxSl1uNMbF4zv6ERaSfBXGfFH8D7rihUHhn795mev681LoQAZBvwu1NA_fAE1g32yULRcnpHxpw/s1600/aphasia+and+typing.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; clear: left; color: #0066cc; float: left; font-family: inherit; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; orphans: 2; text-align: center; text-decoration: underline; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"><img border="0" data-original-height="316" data-original-width="474" height="208" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYXWXIAyOcI4OetlarOIZPlqikrWO38HuW2Xllwq2sKPrZUyKFXqha0eIJUtgWi_COFxSl1uNMbF4zv6ERaSfBXGfFH8D7rihUHhn795mev681LoQAZBvwu1NA_fAE1g32yULRcnpHxpw/s320/aphasia+and+typing.jpg" width="320" /></a><span style="font-family: inherit;">Aphasia is not just the loss of “talking.” For me, it is the
loss of reading, handwriting, and some aspects of math. </span><br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYXWXIAyOcI4OetlarOIZPlqikrWO38HuW2Xllwq2sKPrZUyKFXqha0eIJUtgWi_COFxSl1uNMbF4zv6ERaSfBXGfFH8D7rihUHhn795mev681LoQAZBvwu1NA_fAE1g32yULRcnpHxpw/s1600/aphasia+and+typing.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; clear: left; color: #0066cc; float: left; font-family: inherit; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; orphans: 2; text-align: center; text-decoration: underline; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"></a><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Today as I type this blog post, I am “speaking” the words as
I type. My ability to express myself in this simple way is lifeline for me.</span><br />
<b></b><i></i><u></u><sub></sub><sup></sup><strike></strike><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;">However, my biggest adjustment was the social isolation of personal
and professional friendships. I was always a “people person.” I loved to laugh.
I relished making speeches, presentations, and testifying at the legislature
which was my job for over 30 years. </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;">The old adage “you do not know who your </span><span style="font-family: inherit;">friends are until…”
hit my like a ton of bricks. I was a pretty high profile and admittedly
powerful lobbyist “before.” When you do
not have an influential political action committee behind you, “friends” drop
you. </span><br />
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaE5ffv-Z0RZS8DZXm3BIl4XRfN8Q4k-4BLxzpyYwc0mXV3Vfv5WvE4p31loE1AUcPjxgb85YHS7bGSzSmrBRJxm0sJ8MHykequ_qx-dSTxPPpGA6r9Ws63GMWjftzPHQ4uuyloLP4N3c/s1600/alone-angst-b-best-friends-Favim.com-1143039.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; color: #0066cc; float: right; font-family: inherit; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em; text-align: center; text-decoration: underline; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"><img border="0" data-original-height="405" data-original-width="610" height="211" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaE5ffv-Z0RZS8DZXm3BIl4XRfN8Q4k-4BLxzpyYwc0mXV3Vfv5WvE4p31loE1AUcPjxgb85YHS7bGSzSmrBRJxm0sJ8MHykequ_qx-dSTxPPpGA6r9Ws63GMWjftzPHQ4uuyloLP4N3c/s320/alone-angst-b-best-friends-Favim.com-1143039.jpg" width="320" /></a><span style="font-family: inherit;">The social isolation continues when people realize that I am
not “completely recovered.” I am lucky in some respects because I do not show
any outward signs of my strokes. There is no paralysis though my right are gets
weak when I tired. However, I will always have my “invisible brain scars” because
20% of my brain is dead. As a result, many friends were so sad about losing the
“happy fun Mark,” they subtlety drifted away. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Nevertheless, my social isolation was 80% my fault. I did
not reach out because I did not want sympathy. I did not want people to
question my “disability because you like fine.” Those are my choices. I like to
be alone now. I also enjoy the opportunity to be with my family more than I
would have. Before my strokes, I was missing my son’s childhood. </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Before this pandemic, I was not completely isolated. I am
still on the Board of the College of Western Idaho. Governor Butch Otter
appointed me to be on the Board of the Idaho Housing and Finance Association. I
am two related housing boards as well. I have rejoined the Idaho chapter of the
American Heart and Stroke Association. I am on a board for St. Luke’s hospital.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAq63Xy7-carpaBYTH1pyTqpyjfs3zXNW0s3HdXSntxGMeMLdLgbCYLhnFzUzKGOdtDVsVaLDA82lPOaSzCFesyCTfw9cvzh-K1o3-2X8xEShwyFFa464FIRpqE8lr-rm6glAe3KZQ748/s1600/flooding-becoming-overwhelmed-after-brain-injury.large.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="466" data-original-width="781" height="187" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAq63Xy7-carpaBYTH1pyTqpyjfs3zXNW0s3HdXSntxGMeMLdLgbCYLhnFzUzKGOdtDVsVaLDA82lPOaSzCFesyCTfw9cvzh-K1o3-2X8xEShwyFFa464FIRpqE8lr-rm6glAe3KZQ748/s320/flooding-becoming-overwhelmed-after-brain-injury.large.jpg" width="320" /></a><span style="font-family: inherit;">My proudest achievement is the Idaho Aphasia, Apraxia, and Dysarthria. I cofounded
this support group. I chaired the weekly meetings before the pandemic. I also
started the group’s Facebook and Twitter presence. </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Survivors of Aphasia, Apraxia, and Dysarthria are the
champions of social distancing. We have been practicing for years! Too many people, loud noises, distractions,
and stimulations are difficult with these conditions. Solitary walks and activities
are the norms. </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;">When the pandemic is over, other people will go back to the
old habits. I hope that people will reflect on this situation. People need to contemplate
what is really important in life. Social distancing was a shocker for people
who took their jobs, kids, parents, friends, neighbors, grocery cashiers,
barbers, wait staffs, etc. for granted. </span><br />
<span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"></span><br /></span>
<span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">I do not take those little things for granted. I
used to take social situations for granted. I do not anymore. When social distancing
is over, I hope people will remember the lessons learned when the whole world
simply had to stop. </span></span><b></b><i></i><u></u><sub></sub><sup></sup><strike></strike>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1581387035361609832.post-17801111822020485972020-03-29T16:07:00.002-06:002020-04-09T14:34:20.740-06:00Pandemic and Isolation<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAEpeRdO0gh1lGqeUfoi5f-l7YNmXuFecvtlmVgMnb5TqJJxIX6tSX9NPSed5M4qk-J3SQDHjLAAVjAw1H_2C8clAi7FmxiYTgSP5L2syZBuFpRgB6mGJHiDboUtiYfmz8ZKqJKonkvBA/s1600/4+horsemen.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; clear: right; color: #0066cc; float: right; font-family: inherit; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em; orphans: 2; text-align: center; text-decoration: underline; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="1200" height="160" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAEpeRdO0gh1lGqeUfoi5f-l7YNmXuFecvtlmVgMnb5TqJJxIX6tSX9NPSed5M4qk-J3SQDHjLAAVjAw1H_2C8clAi7FmxiYTgSP5L2syZBuFpRgB6mGJHiDboUtiYfmz8ZKqJKonkvBA/s320/4+horsemen.jpg" width="320" /></a><span style="font-family: inherit;">My wife mentioned to me that we need to document this surreal
pandemic. It is tough to even describe the “everyday tasks” we now take for
granted. In Idaho where I live, the governor has issued a “stay at home” order.
Most people do not know what that really means. </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;">"Liquor and gun stores" are essential yet</span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;">accounting firms are
not? If this is the Apocalypse, maybe one of the four horsemen in Revelations will
be drunk with a gun.</span><br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAEpeRdO0gh1lGqeUfoi5f-l7YNmXuFecvtlmVgMnb5TqJJxIX6tSX9NPSed5M4qk-J3SQDHjLAAVjAw1H_2C8clAi7FmxiYTgSP5L2syZBuFpRgB6mGJHiDboUtiYfmz8ZKqJKonkvBA/s1600/4+horsemen.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><span style="color: #b00000;"></span><br /></a><u></u>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">The unknown is scaring the whole world. The widgets of our
worldwide economy are disrupted. People are starting to realize the term “social
distancing” and “supply chain” issues. The heralded digital economy is great.
However, the bottom line is farmers and the dependent businesses make the whole
world work. </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;">In my small universe, I am dealing with the unknown ramifications
of the pandemic. </span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgV8RvxDifgKjotv-s3Q4trj6K9gkTKPCjYvF96AmqYq4Zq49RjLtAD2prBC0qojtjwCbtg1RbY2l4AGDeG2y78jwGIaF2wqCYVi8dzuZUPfAKnBiGX7zDr_3rTwKDkIKjRuAiNyN_ua8k/s1600/cwi+remote.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a></div>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgV8RvxDifgKjotv-s3Q4trj6K9gkTKPCjYvF96AmqYq4Zq49RjLtAD2prBC0qojtjwCbtg1RbY2l4AGDeG2y78jwGIaF2wqCYVi8dzuZUPfAKnBiGX7zDr_3rTwKDkIKjRuAiNyN_ua8k/s1600/cwi+remote.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; clear: left; color: #0066cc; float: left; font-family: inherit; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; orphans: 2; text-align: center; text-decoration: underline; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgV8RvxDifgKjotv-s3Q4trj6K9gkTKPCjYvF96AmqYq4Zq49RjLtAD2prBC0qojtjwCbtg1RbY2l4AGDeG2y78jwGIaF2wqCYVi8dzuZUPfAKnBiGX7zDr_3rTwKDkIKjRuAiNyN_ua8k/s320/cwi+remote.jpg" width="320" /></a><b></b><i></i><u></u><sub></sub><sup></sup><strike></strike><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;">I am on the Board of the College of Western Idaho. We serve
around 34,000 students in several locations. The college is aggressively
working to deliver education “on-line” through different methods. We have
always used different platforms such as online, in classrooms, and hybrid
(classroom and online.) Today, we are quickly converting our programs for
online. </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;">There are devils in the details. It is easier to deliver a
history class with a wonderful professor remotely than to do diesel technology
or welding. </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;">What about graduations? I am not willing to shake hundreds
of hands. Some students do not have access to internet or a computer. </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;">I am on another board dealing with affordable housing in
Idaho. We have loan programs, rental assistance, rentals, etc. With the economy
crumbling and “stay at home orders” people are not sure they can make their
mortgage or rent payments. I am particularly worried about domestic violence in
these situations. </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;">I helped form a stroke support group several years ago. I
chair the group every Wednesday in a local hospital. It is the Idaho Aphasia,
Apraxia, and Dysarthria. I have a Facebook group as well. I have cancelled the “in
person meetings” until the hospital deems this situation “safe.” </span><br />
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUF9IcjrdKKFCRDCtmNypC1hB00tjwNDC4vKoptkBh66SCB8DKRUVENXYLvtLdK5Lthm1PoWJZ80WrrBvJ8FQLEIROEXTdmo78nf_s8monAlFjmUSfRJLkajhxYMi6FwwYOKcGQsgoE2s/s1600/Ethan+remote.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUF9IcjrdKKFCRDCtmNypC1hB00tjwNDC4vKoptkBh66SCB8DKRUVENXYLvtLdK5Lthm1PoWJZ80WrrBvJ8FQLEIROEXTdmo78nf_s8monAlFjmUSfRJLkajhxYMi6FwwYOKcGQsgoE2s/s320/Ethan+remote.jpg" width="320" /></a><span style="font-family: inherit;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;">I worry about my fellow survivors. Strokes, aphasia, apraxia,
and dysarthria are already isolating. I have decided to make a short video
every week just to “check in.” </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;">On a personal note, my immediate family is “shelter in place”
for the most part. My wife takes care of her mother, our son and me. She strategically
shops, uses masks, and gloves. My son goes back to school tomorrow. However,
his world now is his laptop where he is expected to complete his school work remotely.
The school takes attendance and he interacts with is teachers, counselors, etc.
</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Like every family, we are exploring so new unknowns. </span><br />
<b></b><i></i><u></u><sub></sub><sup></sup><strike></strike><span style="font-family: inherit;"></span>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1581387035361609832.post-1425531134941872382020-03-17T10:22:00.004-06:002020-03-17T10:22:53.974-06:00<span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); color: green;"></span><div style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; color: #1c1e21; display: block; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; margin: 0px 0px 6px; orphans: 2; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikDPNcU8ZQx50GfoeHhrJMoUk8ANBqnoSjYvepbU4cLrp2yYlg0wPS1Eh0Y5yvFzEpg9ygafHjw9ZqcihKdD-5ROUurZrW8jb05WP0tJyG081kDDljdovCAlM5dWZ9aORvDLxKDFNh_Bg/s1600/Facebook.PNG" imageanchor="1" style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; clear: right; color: #0066cc; float: right; font-family: inherit; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em; orphans: 2; text-align: center; text-decoration: underline; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1136" data-original-width="640" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikDPNcU8ZQx50GfoeHhrJMoUk8ANBqnoSjYvepbU4cLrp2yYlg0wPS1Eh0Y5yvFzEpg9ygafHjw9ZqcihKdD-5ROUurZrW8jb05WP0tJyG081kDDljdovCAlM5dWZ9aORvDLxKDFNh_Bg/s320/Facebook.PNG" width="180" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikDPNcU8ZQx50GfoeHhrJMoUk8ANBqnoSjYvepbU4cLrp2yYlg0wPS1Eh0Y5yvFzEpg9ygafHjw9ZqcihKdD-5ROUurZrW8jb05WP0tJyG081kDDljdovCAlM5dWZ9aORvDLxKDFNh_Bg/s1600/Facebook.PNG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br /></a><span style="font-family: inherit;">After my strokes 8 years ago, a group of fellow stroke survivors formed the Idaho Aphasia, Apraxia, and Dysarthria Support Group. We meet weekly in person at St. Luke's in Meridian, Idaho.</span></div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; color: #1c1e21; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; margin: 6px 0px; orphans: 2; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"> We developed a Facebook presence as well (Idaho Aphasia, Apraxia, and Dysarthria Facebook). We have followers all over the world now.</span></div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; color: #1c1e21; display: block; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; margin: 6px 0px; orphans: 2; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"> "Strokes" are physically debilitating of course. However, the social isolation is often the worst part of "recovery." Stroke support groups fill an important<span class="text_exposed_show" style="display: inline;"> need for being "connected" even when a stroke survivor loses the ability to communicate especially "talking." </span></span></div>
<div class="text_exposed_show" style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; color: #1c1e21; display: inline; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 6px;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"> I have suspended our "face-to-face" meetings until this world wide pandemic is over.</span></div>
<div style="margin: 6px 0px;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"> This world wide pandemic makes stroke isolation even worse.</span></div>
<div style="margin: 6px 0px;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"> I really want all of you to know – survivors, care-givers, nurses, therapists, and staffs of the hospitals who support our group – that I appreciate all that you do. I need this group for me sense of well being.</span></div>
<div style="margin: 6px 0px;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"> Stay safe and secure. We are NOT alone.</span></div>
</div>
<b></b><i></i><u></u><sub></sub><sup></sup><strike></strike><span style="font-family: inherit;"></span><br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1581387035361609832.post-63596644045137838002020-02-12T14:12:00.000-07:002020-02-12T14:19:31.960-07:00Strokes and headaches! Oh My!<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsbXAFgOEJquYOEY2NCHpLkAln7aGAhJc5g2g1-a5kPrvsvVarJOT8TkeVNbVwvBKQupwY06g_a-gNwnaA4Q3EL2oRXCBLVPBVbaezHwAlfOwWofzPfXE0M-BOkvd47l8mlZLNX784bfQ/s1600/st+als+2020+ER.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsbXAFgOEJquYOEY2NCHpLkAln7aGAhJc5g2g1-a5kPrvsvVarJOT8TkeVNbVwvBKQupwY06g_a-gNwnaA4Q3EL2oRXCBLVPBVbaezHwAlfOwWofzPfXE0M-BOkvd47l8mlZLNX784bfQ/s320/st+als+2020+ER.jpg" width="320" /></a><span style="font-family: inherit;">Recently, I have had several severe headaches. I have had
headaches ever since my strokes. My neurologist still does not understand why I
have those headaches. It seems that the particular part of my brain that was
damaged should not result in pain. </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Nevertheless, as I tell new stroke survivors, every stroke
and recovery is different. I have
headaches. I just deal with the reality. </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;">About 3 years ago, I was plagued with similar pain. Ultimately,
I got a CT scan. That scan three years ago indicated that nothing has changed.
I dealt with it. </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;">The recent series of headaches have been similar to the ones
3 years ago. After 6 weeks of pain, I finally went to the ER mainly because the
intensity of the headaches was extreme. Two days ago, three Norcos did not
help.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Therefore, I went to my safe place, St. Alphonsus Regional
Trauma Center in Boise, Idaho. I spent
18 days there after my strokes 8 years ago. At the ER, I apologized to the
staff because I feel guilty wasting time and resources because “it is just a
headache.” </span><span style="font-family: inherit;">I was reassured that given my history of carotid dissections
and seizures, precautions are warranted.</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVK2XoB_o9YmxBnxfSXNEzmUyhyphenhyphenfR-daZD7GW5zq_T4Tr8OSMHsOQS6AGbtgVFlR-UzYPX5KuGKrCUunFztH3TysI1qLExkBBxtBBgKzrFxJQ3VJ3R-df7B_wFxfPMbBQatojzlQNrUxI/s1600/St+Als+20201.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVK2XoB_o9YmxBnxfSXNEzmUyhyphenhyphenfR-daZD7GW5zq_T4Tr8OSMHsOQS6AGbtgVFlR-UzYPX5KuGKrCUunFztH3TysI1qLExkBBxtBBgKzrFxJQ3VJ3R-df7B_wFxfPMbBQatojzlQNrUxI/s320/St+Als+20201.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-ppzO4_l3vxnSZlkDTS3yGAeZDNMs6NYTFtAiwhjZZyyICBCvdEnGhS1-Pjrz0n3mdkxgmb9oECxbTbJFPKUFUVSuaalbvxanefGEjEWkD1_eUSHAxQvwpFQNK5bmwBC-QNB1m8GENUE/s1600/St+Als+20201.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; clear: right; color: #0066cc; float: right; font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em; orphans: 2; text-align: center; text-decoration: underline; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"><br /></a><span style="font-family: inherit;">As they prepared me to get another CT scan, I felt so
relieved. The sense of comfort is hard to describe. As they wheeled me into the
exam room, I realized it was the same room where I got imaging after the “big
stroke” on January 13<sup>th</sup> of 2012. That day, I was paralyzed with fear.
Plus, my right side was paralyzed but I digress. </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Back in the room, the doctor told me that nothing has
changed since the CT scan 3 years ago. I do have a baseline to compare if
necessary.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;">In clinical terms, the doctor said the good news is nothing
has changed. </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;">I was relieved and said, “So basically, there is no new brain
damage but I still have brain damage!” She was startled. My gallows humor might
have been out of place in the ER.</span><span style="font-family: inherit;">I have happy with the result yet the headaches are still
there. Such is life! My life! </span><br />
<b></b><i></i><u></u><sub></sub><sup></sup><strike></strike><span style="font-family: inherit;"></span>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1581387035361609832.post-37438248553207015422020-01-17T10:00:00.001-07:002020-01-17T10:03:38.500-07:00Handwriting and aphasia<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDNNdj2Iyi0FiswkG9XUy8_g533LOnTMr90vZy0umHWfrA7HYiwb6hbKexc9A7ONvofPYWQzyO2xJ7p7Du29x2n_0Zca4TpHDvIFZQeKsUv51UnBCgvJWXar25jf_FqPbWFccf4yUmzzE/s1600/handwriting.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDNNdj2Iyi0FiswkG9XUy8_g533LOnTMr90vZy0umHWfrA7HYiwb6hbKexc9A7ONvofPYWQzyO2xJ7p7Du29x2n_0Zca4TpHDvIFZQeKsUv51UnBCgvJWXar25jf_FqPbWFccf4yUmzzE/s200/handwriting.png" width="200" /></a></div>
A couple of days ago, I blogged about my new years resolutions. Today, I did my first "handwriting" task. Writing 4 sentences was really tough. I knew it would be. I got stuck on the words "sentences" and "tough."<br />
<br />
It is my "handwriting." I have always "printed" rather than using cursive. My 3rd grade teacher, Mrs. <msreadoutspan class="msreadout-line-highlight msreadout-inactive-highlight">White, was not "nice to me" (in my 3rd grade mind) so I rebelled and printed. </msreadoutspan><br />
<msreadoutspan class="msreadout-line-highlight msreadout-inactive-highlight"><br /></msreadoutspan>
<msreadoutspan class="msreadout-line-highlight msreadout-inactive-highlight">Her only redeeming trait was she drove a 1959 Buick Electra which I loved. </msreadoutspan>But I digress.<br />
<br />
The rest of my resolutions are a work in progress. I have not used the treadmill yet. Often, I endure headaches. For about two days, my headaches also caused nausea and lightheadedness. It was too dangerous to try.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
Today, of course, I feel better so I am doing too much again. I took my son to school. I changed an outlet in our kitchen. I stained some wood for a project. I installed a lighted outlet cover. I did my chore of handwriting and I am writing my <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh70nmBANUXQDpNVyDkEjBHlJ7tb57b4SHdCSgigQxSNT40He9PYAqNtgHFa-3N1xGYY9qkstT9QlIsUei9qBGE0UK_GBo14ZD8j_JOT6fy1XH_cp0a_4uuYPLja5i2MkjC41YYuwwQB8Y/s1600/Buick.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; clear: left; color: #0066cc; float: left; font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; orphans: 2; text-align: center; text-decoration: underline; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"><img border="0" data-original-height="460" data-original-width="736" height="125" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh70nmBANUXQDpNVyDkEjBHlJ7tb57b4SHdCSgigQxSNT40He9PYAqNtgHFa-3N1xGYY9qkstT9QlIsUei9qBGE0UK_GBo14ZD8j_JOT6fy1XH_cp0a_4uuYPLja5i2MkjC41YYuwwQB8Y/s200/Buick.jpg" width="200" /></a>blog.<br />
<br />
Earlier in the week, I spent hours changing my emails and passwords. That task was difficult. After my strokes, I had concept of passwords and login information.<br />
<br />
From work to personal credentials it was a huge problem. Think of all of the programs you use such as email, Netflix, banking, etc. I have more than 20 services I use.<br />
<br />
8 years ago, all of my passwords were stored in my head. My brother had to reconstruct all of my passwords. This week, I changed everything. The difference is I have several copies of my new passwords "just in case something happens."<br />
<br />
It all seems so simple yet this has been a tough week because my brain was overwhelmed. Using my treadmill is too much today. And not safe. So I will take my dog for a walk. Baby steps. 8 years.<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1581387035361609832.post-16488458962428895622020-01-13T10:54:00.002-07:002020-01-13T17:03:13.102-07:00New Year's Resolutions and Reality<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">Sometimes I have posted a blog about New
Year's Resolutions. Of course, I do not adhere to my resolutions. Like most
people. Perhaps I am lazy or my resolutions are not realistic. On the 8th
anniversary of my "big" stroke, I might be too somber to even write a
blog.</span></span></span><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: inherit; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;"> </span></span></span><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">My goals for the New Year are simple:</span><span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;"></span></span></span><br>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;"><br></span></span></span>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">1. Do a blog post every month.</span><span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;"></span></span></span><br>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">2. "Handwrite" 4 sentences every other day.</span><span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;"></span></span></span><br>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">3. Use my treadmill three times a week.</span><span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;"></span></span></span><br>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">4. Start to outline a book about my life and my strokes.</span><span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;"></span></span></span><br>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: black;">
</span></span>
<div style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">5. Do not beat myself up too much.</span><span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;"></span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: black;">
<br>
<div style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">It seems simple enough. The list seems attainable. Of course, there are some
caveats to my list.</span><span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;"></span></div>
<br>
<div style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">BLOG: When I started my blog it was for my son. After my strokes, my blog
morphed into strokes, aphasia, sadness and some hope. It was my journal. My
blog served several purposes.</span><span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;"></span></div>
<br>
<div style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">For months in rehab, several therapist "made" my start to blog again.
The Occupational Therapist thought using a keyboard and using programs such as
"Word" would help me "go back to work" and function
"like I used to function." 8 years after, those therapies did
help. The fact that I am using a keyboard is proof. Using a blog program
presents me with other issues. Because of aphasia, it is very difficult for me
to type. More often that I can describe letters in a keyboard are a mystery.
Even now, the letters "P, K, and Q" are nonexistent in my brain.
Grammar? Gone. Pronouns? Gone. Numbers? Gone. Even now.</span><span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;"></span></div>
<br>
<div style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">My Speech <span style="background: white;">Therapist also thought doing a
blog would help me with my aphasia. Writing (on a keyboard) stimulates part of
the language centers which were damaged in my brain. When I "write" I
have to silently "talk" what I "keyboard."</span></span><span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;"></span></div>
<br>
<div style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;"><span style="background: white;">There are other issues with my blog. Honesty, I
did not think anyone would read my blog. It is just a guy trying to express himself
who has lost the creative spirit I had. In the beginning, some if my post were
dark and expressed many innermost thoughts. </span></span><span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;"></span></div>
<br>
<div style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;"><span style="background: white;">I did not really think people read it or cared
other some close acquaintances. I realize know that though my audience is
limited, I have to be careful to not reveal too much. Reporters have taken note.
Others as well. </span></span><span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;"></span></div>
<br>
<div style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;"><span style="background: white;">Therefore, my blog is much more guarded. I will
strive to blog more consistently yet keep up appearances.</span></span><span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;"></span></div>
<br>
<div style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;"><span style="background: white;">HANDWRITE:</span> The worst part of my
strokes and aphasia (other than the effect on my family and finances) is the
devastating loss of language. Reading and writing (typing and handwriting) were
the basic of my being from my job and hobbies. All gone. After years of therapy,
I can read proficiently. It is OK. I can function. Handwriting is vaporware. In
the 10 month of intense therapy, two therapists made me handwrite 4 sentences 5
times a week. After the first year, I quit because I could. It was too
hard.</span><span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;"></span></div>
<br>
<div style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">I am listening to an audiobook that make me realize
I will "use it or lose it." Though I am really busy, it is easy for
me to write "the aphasia is so hard and I just cannot
handwrite." </span><span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;"></span></div>
<br>
<div style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">Listening to "Healing the Broken Brain" by Mike and David Dow makes
me ashamed about lack of try to handwrite. I cannot even take note in a
meeting. I will handwrite. </span><span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;"></span></div>
<br>
<div style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">TREADMILL: The key of stroke recovery is some sort of exertion. Because
of my fibromuscular dysplasia, I cannot elevate my heart rate too much. So too,
I cannot ski though I would love to ski with my son. My vision was affected by
my strokes and I cannot safely move my head around. Treadmill? No excuse. I
will use my treadmill.</span><span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;"></span></div>
<br>
<div style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">BOOK: After my strokes, I thought I would have written a book about my strokes.
I would have been a public speaker flying all over educating people about
strokes and aphasia. Listing to the audiobook by the Dow brothers gives
me incentive. Nevertheless, this will be so hard. Reliving the strokes will be
emotional. The physical and mental toll will be exhausting. Currently as I am
typing this blog, I have a headache. It will get worse. Using my brain
creatively, problem solving, etc. will be zap my brain. I need plan that
involves realistic goals with time to rest my brain. I will commit during this
next year to identify source for an autobiography and common themes to tell my
story.</span><span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;"></span></div>
<br>
<div style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">DEAL WITH ME: I do need to continue to understand my constraints. There
are triggers such as stress and exhaustion. I am also nearing 60 years old. I
am already cutting back on activities I can avoid such as meetings, travel and
positions which cause health risks, mental and physical. I will take time to
rest my brain. Once I was a grammar Nazi. I cannot beat myself up when I
blog and write in a journal. Verb tenses be damned! </span></div>
<br>
<div style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">Therefore, I am done with this post. My brain is on fire. I do not have time to
edit. I cannot fathom inserting photos and clipart. </span><span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;"></span></div>
</span></span><b></b><i></i><u></u><sub></sub><sup></sup><strike></strike>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1581387035361609832.post-38304749021467626892019-12-01T12:13:00.000-07:002019-12-01T13:07:13.014-07:00Bookstore and Reality<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVpt2-ECPglPRrw7DVBtD2D57rqSpPcP6fw7awSo5XPtyAXUTrqA1IcRTNXlHLCIo3E_dApAtlFhoroo4nSvzYt4v8EM1KRTklF7XPwaUjubW8G8_KKDlrUY3t_VVT0Fr7-QtxraaoSho/s1600/bookstore.png" imageanchor="1" style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; clear: right; color: #0066cc; float: right; font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em; orphans: 2; text-align: center; text-decoration: underline; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"><img border="0" data-original-height="924" data-original-width="696" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVpt2-ECPglPRrw7DVBtD2D57rqSpPcP6fw7awSo5XPtyAXUTrqA1IcRTNXlHLCIo3E_dApAtlFhoroo4nSvzYt4v8EM1KRTklF7XPwaUjubW8G8_KKDlrUY3t_VVT0Fr7-QtxraaoSho/s400/bookstore.png" width="301" /></a><span style="font-family: inherit;">Today I drove to Barnes and Noble bookstore. Before my strokes and my aphasia, reading was my hobby and my therapy. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Despite two years of vision therapy reading is still difficult for me. I used to read three or four books at a time. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Today, I wandered through the aisles and became more progressively depressed. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;">I left the store and I took a picture of me outside looking into the store. That is how I feel.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;">My wife reminded me that at least I could drive to the store alone. She stressed that I am much better off than many survivors. That is true.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;">But I’m still sad. Libraries and bookstores were a huge refuge to me. I could escape into a book and leave my reality behind. My reality is missing books. Almost 8 years. </span>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1581387035361609832.post-21308927652196076352019-11-25T10:30:00.000-07:002019-11-25T10:34:05.593-07:00Simple tasks and injuries<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDAYl-U7UReqPhOwi62gSFGuzF1FBM80zd1F4RqIN5bbkkcaAo33ssbc_s2bgD4P1YFm6ZDH5tK0SRJZK1mhqO45u57Me5voB1ehGlnW8sDsi4jsHPvPiiCwmU7WHXyQguLy9cWK2Tsl8/s1600/Ethan+carpet.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDAYl-U7UReqPhOwi62gSFGuzF1FBM80zd1F4RqIN5bbkkcaAo33ssbc_s2bgD4P1YFm6ZDH5tK0SRJZK1mhqO45u57Me5voB1ehGlnW8sDsi4jsHPvPiiCwmU7WHXyQguLy9cWK2Tsl8/s400/Ethan+carpet.png" width="400" /></a>For several months, I have been updating our upstairs with
new carpet and paint. It seems simple really. For my “DYI” projects, we have new
carpet in two bedrooms plus new paint in three rooms and an upper hallway. Those jobs took days! <br />
<br />
In
addition, also helped a couple of relatives repair some carpet issues. Those “simple
jobs” took several hours. <br />
<br />
In the “old days” that would have been simple. <br />
<br />
In high school and college, I installed carpet for a living.
With my older brothers who owned a residential construction firm, I learned a
lot such as painting and finish work. Those skills served me well throughout
when I flipped house as a hobby. I still have the tools and the skills.<br />
<br />
However, because of my strokes and aphasia, updating carpet
and paint tested my brain and stamina. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
For example, measuring carpet used to be easy. When my
brothers would build a house, I would install the carpet. Carpet rolls are
usually 12 feet by whatever we need. I would get a huge roll of carpet, I would
complete a complicated carpet job in several days. In a 2,000 square foot
house, I would use my math skills to figure out how to make cuts without too
much waste. I could easily take 4 pieces of carpet and seam the carpet into on
piece for a bedroom for example. </div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
Installing two rooms of carpet in our house was confusing
for me. I cannot understand simple math and a basic tape measure is almost foreign.
Plus, sometimes my short term memory is an issue. If I actually understand the
measurements, I cannot remember the measurements! <br />
<br />
For the bedrooms in our house, my 14 year old son did the measuring.
We triple checked ever measurement “just in case.” <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><br />
<br />
For paint, I could figure out how much paint to buy in my
head. I was adept “cutting in a ceiling” without getting paint in the ceiling
and the wall.<br />
<br />
Should I even mention the blood? I will. <br />
<br />
When I was a finish carpenter and a carpet installer, I routinely
cut myself. It happens. For carpet installation, you have to use very sharp razor
blades. I have scars to prove it. <br />
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYqlgDcMSz6mPpYaFu9L3bIVNKQcCqdyNfnYuV_yoXBRXFvZnTRNBb5oSD_ukaOUzxYSpJjErDvi9nkrVAFtikteE2peZTDWYoMgNwt9ZmDkQbYvBHzG7WuxEg-Uc9iQJHi9iHQ3jZ_GI/s1600/carpet+tools.png" imageanchor="1" style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; clear: left; color: #0066cc; float: left; font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; orphans: 2; text-align: center; text-decoration: underline; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYqlgDcMSz6mPpYaFu9L3bIVNKQcCqdyNfnYuV_yoXBRXFvZnTRNBb5oSD_ukaOUzxYSpJjErDvi9nkrVAFtikteE2peZTDWYoMgNwt9ZmDkQbYvBHzG7WuxEg-Uc9iQJHi9iHQ3jZ_GI/s200/carpet+tools.png" width="200" /></a>Doing a simple job has risks for me now. Because of the
aphasia and apraxia, I cannot be in a hurry. Often, I will grab the wrong side
of the carpet knife which is dangerous for me. In my head, I grab the knife
correctly yet in reality I use it incorrectly and cut myself. These two
pictures might explain that happens. <br />
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg88ZJeToowhKrAK15Ka8IMZmbblPauqygqO6_oMNr6G9oZiwbRYvrmONzg3Z68_BNStZ1x2E5YTP3RZNYTXsxeV3e7kE9PErQsbwBCrO1v3ifjBPNJN3APJ2cF5-eVOvorPCS8hmUn9s8/s1600/carpet+tools1.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg88ZJeToowhKrAK15Ka8IMZmbblPauqygqO6_oMNr6G9oZiwbRYvrmONzg3Z68_BNStZ1x2E5YTP3RZNYTXsxeV3e7kE9PErQsbwBCrO1v3ifjBPNJN3APJ2cF5-eVOvorPCS8hmUn9s8/s200/carpet+tools1.png" width="200" /></a><br />
These are three basic tools to install carpets: Hammer,
razor knife, and a “tamper.” One photo shows the knife blade on the top of the
photo. The other photo shows the knife blade on the bottom. If I get careless,
I grab the knife “upside down” and cut myself. <br />
<br />
Which I did recently!<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjDvfp0Tlo2RgJfWHsQSQ94QSaCoF8HWUcx2Re1H5hp_Wm8fsj5mekatmTR2MxDVWK_LF_0pSHTVEpUDZ_hKpnB9N1pFsCZQrwMqiGGZ9qpeWXeusoL2Nxb3MOFKYPVqTQhumnetZygGo/s1600/blood.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjDvfp0Tlo2RgJfWHsQSQ94QSaCoF8HWUcx2Re1H5hp_Wm8fsj5mekatmTR2MxDVWK_LF_0pSHTVEpUDZ_hKpnB9N1pFsCZQrwMqiGGZ9qpeWXeusoL2Nxb3MOFKYPVqTQhumnetZygGo/s200/blood.png" width="200" /></a>Given my strokes and aphasia, I am proud of myself. Because
of blood thinners I need to take to survive, I completed all of those tasks
with minimal blood loss and bruising. <br />
<br />
The next project I will undertake is a new and simple mantle
and painting the fireplace. I hope my son will to the measuring and have Band-Aids
ready for his dad! <br />
<b></b><i></i><u></u><sub></sub><sup></sup><strike></strike>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0