Eclectic: Regina - Emotional Health — Part 2

By Regina Price

Two weeks ago, I wrote about what made me excited and happy after my aneurysm. I wrote about my creative side after my brain aneurysm experience and how music, nature, and gardening made me more contented. This week I will write about understanding my roots and the wealth of my knowledge, and the people I enjoyed and loved in my world.

When one goes through a stroke or aneurysm, one of the things we lose besides our confidence, are our colleagues and friends from our past lives. Lots of people can’t understand us, because of our aphasia or loss of physical attributes. They don’t see how the stroke has changed our lives forever, in some ways but not all ways, and we can’t go to work the way or the place we went to before. This can cause us to grieve for a long time and often we blame God or our stroke and for this sadness.

I lost most of my colleagues because I wasn’t there with them at work and their lives were too busy to fit me in otherwise. Now I realize it wasn’t because I was disabled but actually it was because they were too busy to fit me into their frantic schedule. At first, it was disheartening, but I am now at peace.

Going to ELLA (Edmonton Lifelong Learners Association) for three weeks in May every year helped me to meet new pleasant, encouraging, and uplifting people. There are many groups, like the ELLA organization, which are helpful. Some organizations particularly help with people who had strokes and some disabilities and going to a group like this would help to find new friends.

Now I appreciate that I am the same way as others — I want to spend time with the ones I love — family members and real friends. I don’t want to waste my time with others who don’t like me — all of me. I want to spend time with those who care about me and able to grow with me differently than our before relationship, which occurred before my stroke.

I now understand my family roots and culture and how our family was very different than some other families. The past strengthened my relatives and nowadays, I am proud to carry that gene. That gene made me more energized and toughened me during my unusual life.

Another thing that I comprehended was that I can use my time more wisely now. I volunteer with organizations which appreciate me and understand me. I volunteer to help others who accept me for me being different and I sometimes can’t speak clearly or coherently. I mentor one student and help others struggling with their lives — and they appreciate me.

In the next two weeks, I will continue writing about my spiritual journey but I would like to hear from others. Again, what do you to make yourself happy and fulfilled? And what makes you sad? Are you alone or lonely? Please send the Tattler your comments and questions. Maybe we can brainstorm to help you find other outlets…