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what do you say?


lmctrouble

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Whenever I'm out in public with my shoulder sling on I get comments like "that looks painful" or questions like "what happened". I say I had a stroke which seems to shock most people - today I wanted to say "I hurt it sliding into home plate" or something equally as outrageous. What do you say to people when they ask "what happened"?

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Since Bruce is in a WC, it is pretty obvious something happened - LOL. A lot of people figure out immediately it is stroke and are kind and polite enough not to ask, but ask if they can help. I never cease to be amazed at the generosity of strangers.

 

However, I call them looky-loos and I can just tell they are just being nosy. Don't ask me why. I have enough taking care of Bruce and I. Being a nurse, I can usually recognize a hip or knee replacement coming just by gait, but I would never stop a stranger and ask.

 

Personally, I love your "sliding into home plate" response. Everyone will laugh, relieves the stress and you have made it known in a pleasant and fun way that that is the end of the discussion. Laughter can be the exact right answer. Debbie

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Since my stroke deals mostly with my balance issues, I say to people:

 

You know how you are standing on solid land? 

 

Yea. 

 

Well, I feel like I am standing on a boat in really choppy water all the time. 

 

Oh, Okay. 

 

 

Usually takes care of it in my case :)

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I guess I'm the kind who just wants to teach them a lesson about asking.   I'd just say, "I'm handicapped" and turn away.   Maybe they'll think next time.

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I wear a wrist support so that invites people to ask. II was at the grocery store the other day and a few people asked about it. I ignore the people which is. Not nearly as rude asking me about it. I personally would never ask somebody that. I find it rude! Maybe some think of it as caring. Kristen

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I am not bothered when people ask. I see it as an opportunity for dialog and education. I figure that at some point everyone knows someone in their life who has stroked. However i do like the sliding into home base or maybe riding barebacked on an elephant.

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It doesn't really bother me when people ask - it's more the shocked reaction when I tell them it was a stroke - everybody seems to be stunned because (aside from the gray hair) I look so young. Maybe it's a good thing because then they realize it's not just older people that can have a stroke - it can happen to young, healthy people too.

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