is there any hope for my arm/hand?

adouglas · 01-13-2001, 09:56 PM

I am 33 years old and had a stroke 10 months ago now. I still have no use of my left hand and very little movement in my left arm.

My physiotherapist keeps saying that it's not going to come back, but I haven't given up hope yet. Am I being overly-optomistic? Or are there other people out there who have overcome the odds?

Thanks
Angie

wonderG · 01-19-2001, 09:14 PM

Angie, dont ever give up on your optimism, my son had a massive stroke at 5mos. old, and he was unable to do anything, no use of his left arm or hand, to the point that they were just bone from lack of development. all of his doctors as well as people at various support groups I attended, insisted that I accept that my son would never walk, sit, talk, or do anything on his own... one thing I've learned from this experience, is when one person tells you that you "cant", walk away from themand find someone that"ll tell you YOU CAN! It has taken years of hard work, but my son is 14 now, and completely independent. I was told by a wonderful man once that thebrain can be manipulated, and the unaffected areas may take over the tasks of the damaged part of the brain, I never forgot that, and with constant repetition, and concentration, I've seen miracles. 82% of my sons brain was said to be damaged when he had his stroke, so I guess 28% is controlling his entire body. It may be easier for children to recover from such a tragedy, but I dont think its too late for anyone! try immobilizing your good arm, for periods of time, I did this to my son and everyone thought I was abusing him, but in time, we saw a reaction, and when he realized his arm really moved, we did it again and again, until he understood he was able to control the movement. It takes time, strength, and determination, repetition is key as well, dont give up OK? you can do this. Gena

adouglas · 01-20-2001, 02:05 AM

Thank you so much for your encouraging words! I was feeling quite down this week, and your note has given me new hope again. My son is 10 months old ( my stroke was post-partum) and I just cannot imagine what your family must've gone through! It's amazing how cruel life can be, But I am so glad to hear of the happy ending to your story! And it also makes me feel bad if I were to feel sorry for myself. I have heard of the contraint theory, and have given it some thought I just wouldn't be able to do anything with my left arm, so I'm not sure how I would get by, but it sounds like it would be worth a shot! I have also read that children's brains' re-map more easily than adult's so that concerns me as well.

Just curious - did they ever figure out why your son had a stroke?

Thanks again for your note, and take care!

Angie

wonderG · 01-20-2001, 10:25 AM

Dear Angie, When I used restraints on my son, there was no theories about it, I did it because it was like he had forgotten that arm existed, and it lay limp and lifeless, he would go to a PT but they only stretched nand manipulated the arm and hand. I didnt believe at the time, that my son"s brain was registering any of the activity, because he often stared off into space, never consentrating. and lets face it, your brain controls every move your body makes, I knew that there was a lot of damage done to his brain, but there was so much that he could do, especially with the right arm, and I guess I was ignorant as to why he couldnt move his other extremities. There was a period of time, shortly after he was diagnosed, that I truly felt sorry for him, and just filled him full of love, but I soon realized that I had given in to his disability, and my love wasnt going to teach him how to survive, He made no progress, and was wheelchair bound until he was 5. the summer before he started school, I realized what he was to be faced with, going to special classes in a wheelchair, with very little therapies, and I paniced. We worked, and concentrated, and worked, and the more I heard him say "I CANT" the more I made him work at it. He hated me I think, because I turned into a Drillsargeant of a mother.... But he started his first year of school walking, with a walker, in normal classes! He was so happy, that we decided NEVER to say "I CANT" ever again, and he never has. He's 14 now, and still needs the walker to get around, and hes had 4 surgeries on his hips and legs,(growth setbacks), but as hard as it is for him, if you were to ask him if he would rather sit(like in the wheelchair) he would tell you to get lost. If he falls, and people rush to help him, he tells them to leave him alone. He's as independent as I had only wished he would be. So I've become a great believer in the human spirit these days, I believe that anything can be accomplished if you want it bad enough! Something inside you will move that hand one day, and when it does, your brain will register that movement and wonderful things will happen! you watch. I'm sorry for such a long message. take care of you! Gena P.S I was told by one of my sons therapists, that the forceps used in his delivery were written up as the #1 cause of brain damage in children.

adouglas · 03-10-2001, 03:13 AM

Hello Again. Sorry for taking so long to reply. I've started working from home in an attemp to gear up to go back to work in the near future, so it seems like there are not enough hours in the day! I find your son's story very interesting and inspiring! It's amazing what he has had to endure in his short life! So did he actually suffer a stroke, if so what type? Or was his brain injury caused by the forcepts? My son was a forcept baby as well, but so far so good! You must be so proud of him.

Thanks again
Angie

[This message has been edited by adouglas (edited 03-10-2001).]