laree

Sorry been so long since I logged in,I taught myself to run just trial and error,started out on my good foot first,its hard to get the bounce and rythem but it eventually comes,try and try again as you well know.

Hi Billie,read your bio.I am confident you will get there,you impress me as a woman who is determined,same as myself.I stroked 10 years ago.You can read my bio if you like my name is Laree Martz I was 43 at time of stroke,stayed in the hospital 3 months.Life is good now thank the lord.All the best to you hang in there it will all get better dear one.

I feel like I just had to write and see how you are now.I too had my stroke at 43,am 52 now and getting ready tocelebrate my 9 year stroke date,happy to say have not stroked since,hope your as lucky.My name is Laree Martz,I'm a 52 year old survivor and grandma of 2 with one more coming in April.Your story was similar to mine,I had 4, TIa's then stroked my massive stroke in my sleep as well,trying to wake my husband too where he said honey your ok go back to bed.I had put my foot on the floor but could not feel the floor.My stroke was oposit side from yours,I have regained my strength in my leg and foot but my fingers are not nimble on my left side and I still have a lot of problems doing up buttons and trying to reach for things with my left hand,all I'd hear from people was your so lucky because your right handed but you hold and stablize things for your right hand to do with your left.I did pt. for many years and got to a point where I made no more progress so I stoped kidding myself and the therapist,I'm not one to give up but I fought the fight and I am realistic no more was coming back,I use it daily though and I can kinda diaper a baby when I need to and I can hold my grand daughter and grand son so I'm a happy lady.I was very blessed to recover as well as I have and I hope you will continue to make progress,god bless and good luck.Laree

Amanda,bless your heart,I know how difficult it is tryingto cope with the social aftermath of a stroke,somehow in rehab no one covers that aspect.I stroked 8 years ago,I was 43,probably sounds old enough to you but I was a young 43 with everything to look forward to.I too have recovered very well but still cope with the social aspects a stroke can leave you with,please feel free to read my story Laree Martz. I have always beev a very outgoing person until this and I found myself sticking close to home,not calling friends and generally lonely,my marriage was straigned as well.This was not the woman my husband married it was like a new person to learn how they worked,I felt like if I could master the walking,doing my hair and makeup then life would go on.I can say eight years later things are sooo much better,I sought counciling for my marriage and my stroke problems,I had to get off my but get out and try to make friends,we moved away from where we had lived and I had no friends,I am happy to say I put myself out there and met a girl that we just really like each other and we walk 4 miles 3 times a week.I know you won't give up but hang in there its not an easy or quick thing to recover from in every aspect of your life. My memory is terrible (short term) long term is remakable. Your story touched me,the best to you honey...and you got a friend in me....Laree

Londa,I was looking through the gallery and saw you pleasant smile,had to read your bio.Let me say you look wonderful and no most of us don't do things the same way but we get it done somehow and sometimes hopping no one sees us.I stroked 2001,when I think of all I've lived to experience since,all those tough days in rehab are worth it.I saw my twin sons graduate highschool,get married and this past May,I was blessed with my first grandchild,a little girl and I was right there and saw her being born,boy what I would have missed.You keep up the good work,take care and keep smiling,yours is nice mine is still a little crooked.Laree

I think this picture speaks volumes.So many of us can relate and know the effort it takes.I stroked 2001 and this picture takes me back as if it were yesterday,thank God it wasn't.You keep up the good work it all pays off.I was there and I can run now,it is possible. Just wanted to say I feel your pain and frustration. Laree

Hii Penny,my name is Laree I live in So. Cal. I read your bio this evening and saw your beautiful dogs.I think you are to be comended,riding and compeating that is great.No we may not do things as we use to but atleast we are doing them.I remember laying in the hospital bed looking out the window at people coming and going all day and wondering would I ever be back in the game of life again as before? Yes I am and so glad I'm on this side of it.Well I just wanted to say hello and keep up the great work.Take care Laree

I hope your doing better at this point of recovery. I am six and a half years in myself,this is my best year ever. I also hope the writting career is working well for you,I know how board you can get if your not focused on something productive. I myself owned an antique store and had to give that up as well as designing and building funiture if you like you can read my bio.its all there. I am interested in writting a book about stroke and depression recovery,do you help people write books? My best to you...Laree

You hang in there Georgia,sounds like your life has a plan.Good for you God Bless Laree