This summer semester we studied neurological disorders. One of the activities that we completed in our lab was called "The Great Stroke adventure". This was a chance for some of in class to experience some of the limitations that someone with a stroke may have to deal with after their CVA. I had a brace on my right knee that did not allow my knee to flex. My right arm was belted to my chest as if I had hypertonicity and in an upper extremity synergy pattern. My Right hand was stuck in a flexed position and I had to wear an eye patch on my right eye and an ear plug in my right ear. This was a great exercise to see how difficult participating in ADLs and IADLs can be with the limitations that those with a CVA have. I can only imagine how difficult life on a daily basis is for individuals who have experienced a stroke. I had difficulties and I still had all my cognitive abilities available and I only did this for 30 minutes. I gained a new respect for people with neurological disorders and give me a new perspective in how I care for these individuals and their families. I hope that I will be able to be respectful and caring in how I will be working with them in the future. Below was the paragraph that we had to complete on a discussion post typing immediately after the activity and with the limitations still enforced. I typed this one handed and with my non-dominant hand. It took much longer than I thought and I also thought that I had typed more than I actually did.
"I had my dominant side be the most affected side, this made every task even more difficult to complete. My Left LE is tired. going up stairs always leading with my left foot, using my left leg to propel myself in the wheel chair allowed me to see how energy expenditure was increased. half the time i did not know when the caregiver was by me as I had right side neglect. multiple times i hit my own leg with the cane. the hardest things i experienced was tying my shoe. it took many attempts and now i only want to have slip on shoes or sandals. Exiting the bathroom was hard. there was a lip i had to get the chair over and hit the door and manage a cane. i can see how frustrating it is to have these limitations can be. i think it would be nice to have the caregiver to also walk a little in front so i could see them in my peripheral vision."
"I had my dominant side be the most affected side, this made every task even more difficult to complete. My Left LE is tired. going up stairs always leading with my left foot, using my left leg to propel myself in the wheel chair allowed me to see how energy expenditure was increased. half the time i did not know when the caregiver was by me as I had right side neglect. multiple times i hit my own leg with the cane. the hardest things i experienced was tying my shoe. it took many attempts and now i only want to have slip on shoes or sandals. Exiting the bathroom was hard. there was a lip i had to get the chair over and hit the door and manage a cane. i can see how frustrating it is to have these limitations can be. i think it would be nice to have the caregiver to also walk a little in front so i could see them in my peripheral vision."