Life After My Stroke - Therapy with Tailwind

4 birthdays I shouldn’t have had!

Shary — Tue, 24 Aug 2010 20:29:28 +0000

Good Wednesday morning, Everyone! Today is my birthday, and it is the fourth one I shouldn’t have had – according to the doctors in the ER on January 7, 2007. However, here I am to celebrate, yet another, August 18th. I would just like to acknowledge the wonderful, loving people in my life who have helped save my life and get me stronger: First, naturally, is my husband, Beautiful Bob, my folks, my friends, and Mr. Mark McEwen (who introduced me to the fantastic president of Encore Path, Ms. Kris Appel) THANK YOU to each and everyone of you! I owe you all so much! Sincerely, Shary

a strong hold on Isaac

Shary — Tue, 17 Aug 2010 19:02:06 +0000

Good Monday morning, Everyone! Over the weekend, I got to hold our new grandson, Isaac. I realized very quickly that because my arm is stronger (thanks to tailwind!), I was able to safely hold our new grandchild, even easier than I did with our first girl, Samantha, 20 months ago! Like I’ve said – because of my tailwind use, my arm is fairly strong and reliable; it is my left HAND that continues to be the daily struggle. (still searching for answers on that one!) Sincerely, Shary

I have a new job for tailwind to accomplish -

Shary — Mon, 16 Aug 2010 09:02:44 +0000

Good Thursday afternoon, Everyone! Well, tailwind has got its job cut out for itself. I am now looking towards the future, as I have just become a “Nana” again! We now have a little brother for Samantha, and I need to get my arm fully functioning so that I can take care of this precious guy all by myself! (I’d better get busy!) Sincerely, Shary

don’t give up on me!

Shary — Tue, 10 Aug 2010 22:21:46 +0000

Good Tuesday morning, Everyone! Because I have reached kind of a plateau in my recovery, I have had to re-examine my tailwind exercises, in order to continue to improve. I am in the process of trying to learn new and different arm/hand exercises. Thanks to Kris Appel, I was directed to some things in the manual that I hadn’t tried yet. As soon as I master these new things, I will begin blogging about my new experiences on Tailwind. Sincerely, Shary

Bonnie battled me!

Shary — Mon, 02 Aug 2010 21:25:05 +0000

Good Monday morning, Everyone! Beautiful Bob and I just got back from a few days in Destin, Florida, where Tropical storm Bonnie decided to battle me, while I was trying to swim in the gorgeous ocean. I did manage to stay upright, but the waves made it impossible for me to swim safely. I found myself laying on the beach, while Beautiful Bob battled the surf. My biggest challenge all weekend was trying to get up off the beach blanket.(we must have been hysterical to watch!) It required a different set of skills in order to stand up again, while the soft sand gave way.) It wasn’t a pretty sight, but Beautiful Bob and I managed to get me upright again! With him, I can do anything! I’ve decided that my left hand needs some additional work, in order to fully recover. My left arm is strong and fairly reliable, thanks to my tailwind therapy, but that is not enough yet! Sincerely, Shary

Now I’ve covered the biggest events of our Keys trip

Shary — Mon, 19 Jul 2010 14:22:06 +0000

What I really want today’s post to be about is that both Beautiful Bob and I realized that there is NOT one thing we have been kept from doing since my stroke. Thanks to gaining much needed strength in my left arm from the Tailwind, we simply go about our business as usual, and we conquer any new ventures together! You can too! THANK YOU TAILWIND and Kris Appel!!! Sincerely, Shary

a boat tour in the Keys -

Shary — Fri, 16 Jul 2010 10:02:49 +0000

- Good Wednesday morning, Everyone! Yep, I was on a boat tour and not only did I navigate the decks quite easily, I was able to go up and down the stairs, WHILE the boat was moving rather quickly! My balance has improved tremendously since using the Tailwind, so I was able to hold onto the handrails and go up and down each deck without fear or trouble! (eventually, I will be steering a boat with boat hands!) Sincerely, Shary

did you ever almost drown in a hot tub?

Shary — Thu, 15 Jul 2010 18:02:07 +0000

Well, believe it or not, I did! About a year or so ago, I was in Naples, Fl. with my family. We all went in a hot tub, and when the jets started going, I lost my balance and started going under the water. I couldn’t catch my breath or right myself. Thankfully, my mother saw this and got control of the situation. She exclaimed, “I never had to save anyone before in a hot tub!” (We laugh about this now.) This past trip to the Keys, however, was much different for me because the tailwind has helped my left arm gain strength and some function, so I am now able to balance myself better and keep myself erect in a hot tub! As I keep saying – I have come a LONG WAY thanks to the tailwind! Sincerely, Shary

swimming in the keys -

Shary — Tue, 13 Jul 2010 12:59:02 +0000

Good Monday morning, Everyone! I will start my writing today to mention that I didn’t drown in the keys! Not only did I not drown, I was able to swim and go in the hot tub! Beautiful Bob said that once I got carefully down the steps of the swimmimg pool, I went off on my own to swim. Although my left hand still does not cooperate,my left arm (since using the tailwind) tends to be reliable and strong enough to support my swimming ventures. Tomorrow I’ll write about my first hot tub diaster months ago. It’s much different NOW! Sincerely, Shary

The Keys to my success…………

Shary — Mon, 12 Jul 2010 10:12:00 +0000

……….Good Saturday morning, Everyone! I have been away on a little vacation to the Florida Keys. I thought I might talk to you all about my little adventures during my trip. I had many wonderful happenings this past week, and those are because of my tailwind use! I will write about each experience over the next several days. Sincerely, Shary