Someone Who Was Passionate About Golf...

Barb Polan
Barb's Recovery

17th November 2010

I got back on the horse and went 3 miles on the rowing machine this morning - in 42:07, which I think is 14:24 per mile. Next time I will go 4 miles, then 5. My goal is 5.5 miles in less than 5.5 times my 5-mile rate. Instead of being in a hurry today, I woke up at 5:15 and started rowing just before 6.

Yesterday I finished Peter Levine's "Stronger After Stroke," a book about stroke recovery from the point of view of a stroke rehab specialist. I had been avoiding the book because I assumed (based on the title) it was by a stroke survivor who had found a positive way of looking at the stroke he had, but now I'm very glad I read it because I didn't have to read through sap about how the stroke was good for him - .Instead, it contains a comprehensive overview of our choices and treatment options plus encourages survivors to take charge of and responsibility for their own recovery. It has a chapter on motivation that includes the idea that someone who was out-of-shape and unconcerned about his/her fitness before the stroke can hardly be expected to muster the motivation to work hard to get to a never-before-experienced fitness level. On the other hand, athletes know how to work hard to reach a fitness goal, so they can be expected to do the same after a stroke.

He also brilliantly ties motivation and recovery to a survivor's passion - someone who was passionate about golf before the stroke can expect better recovery as he/she works toward the ability to return to playing golf. I see that that is true for me - you might have noticed that rowing is the driving force during my recovery process.

According to Levine, incremental improvements that are barely noticeable day by day yield successful results as long as the improvement contributes to once again doing something that is meaningful to the survivor. In my own life, this translates into focusing my work on my grip and release so that by every day I should push the limits of what I can already do, with the short-term goal of grasping a PVC pipe that is the same circumference as an oar. He also stresses the endless repetitive acts are required to allow recovery. I have decided to keep my pipe with me all day long at home so that I can grip it as often as possible.

He also says that, for a stroke survivor, recovery is the hardest thing he/she will ever do. I certainly hope so.
 
Comments: 

Peter G Levine November 22, 2010 That is, by far, the most thoughtful review of my book. Thanks Barb!

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