chofvander Posted June 23, 2007 Share Posted June 23, 2007 I was just wondering do you prefer stroke victim or stroke survivor? I prefer stroke victim but all my therapists say it is preferable to say stroke survivor. What does everybody think? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dstraugh Posted June 23, 2007 Share Posted June 23, 2007 My opnion :2cents: is that had I not lived through the stroke, I would have been a victim. As I made it (unless it's my ghost is responding to this), I am a stroke survivor. To me, the "victim" classification has a negative connotation. I also utilized the survivor classification after I experienced and survived severe domestic violence issues. My therapists too have made reference to "survivor" as it's positive and shows that we're working at overcoming the deficits incurred with stroke. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
merichsen Posted June 23, 2007 Share Posted June 23, 2007 stroke victims are dead we are survivors we are alive we go on Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bstockman Posted June 23, 2007 Share Posted June 23, 2007 I am a Survivor... I had a Stroke.. I will not call it "MY" it is something that happened to me... but I am not naming it or calling it mine.. it is just something that happened.. like stepping in dog doo... I Survived it, I have worked hard to OVERCOME .. and some days I feel like ROCKY..LOL and some days I don't ... but I am still here. If you are in a plane crash and dead you are a vicitim.. if you are alive a survivor. just my :2cents: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kanderson Posted June 23, 2007 Share Posted June 23, 2007 chuck, i think maybe alittle of both terms could qualify here. but i prefer to be called a survivor. kanderson Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
slmstrokeangel Posted June 24, 2007 Share Posted June 24, 2007 "Survivor" is the politically correct term. I use the term "victim" when I am trying to get my way. lol Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
marlen Posted June 24, 2007 Share Posted June 24, 2007 victims don't or can't respond on this network. they are deceased or at pity parties with other victims Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ekh92206 Posted June 24, 2007 Share Posted June 24, 2007 Hey Chuck~ Give yourself some credit.....YOU ARE A SURVIVOR. I'm not sure of the percentage but I believe, maybe, stroke is the #3, or #4 killer of adults in the US. Don't be a victim.........be a survivor! Good luck to you in your journey! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
myhome Posted June 24, 2007 Share Posted June 24, 2007 I was just wondering do you prefer stroke victim or stroke survivor? I prefer stroke victim but all my therapists say it is preferable to say stroke survivor. What does everybody think? Well I perfer Stroke Survivor, if I was a Stroke Victim then I'd be dead. Not a hard choice for me. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HostAsha Posted June 24, 2007 Share Posted June 24, 2007 hey chuck: depending on what day is and what mood I am in, I am survivor or victim the day I am throwing pity parties I am victim to stroke cause it is ruling over my day, the day I am having fun with my friends and family I am survivor enjoying life to the max. Asha Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Al2006 Posted June 24, 2007 Share Posted June 24, 2007 I am a stroke survivor. But I am also a victim. I have complete right side CPS. I am taking 2400 mg a day of Gabapentin. I hurt. I am reminded that I had a stroke every minute of every day. This makes me a victim. My stroke haunts me. I can Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest wsteinlauf Posted June 25, 2007 Share Posted June 25, 2007 Hello! I prefer "stroke survivor" to stroke victim. We need to remember that we have survived the third most deadly killer known to mankind. As such we have a duty to be available for other survivors when they arrive. Best Regards, WALTER Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chofvander Posted June 25, 2007 Author Share Posted June 25, 2007 Thanks to all that have responded to my post. Webster Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dstraugh Posted June 25, 2007 Share Posted June 25, 2007 Thanks to all that have responded to my post. Webster Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
marlen Posted June 25, 2007 Share Posted June 25, 2007 YA DO WHAT YA GOTTA DO TO STAY ALIVE. WHAT DOES THAT MAKE YOU? :i_did_it!: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
shakeyleg Posted June 27, 2007 Share Posted June 27, 2007 Hi I think stroke survivor sounds better and lets people know youre still alive. Kelly Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
myhome Posted June 27, 2007 Share Posted June 27, 2007 I think too many are dwelling on the death aspect of stroke. We're alive and survivors, it's just that simple. Now how about we get on with the job at hand, living. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lmouat Posted July 2, 2007 Share Posted July 2, 2007 :Clap-Hands: I look at things from the perspective of being a stroke survivor! Being a survivor is to overcome! You ARE a survivor! And I celebrate that in you Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lady k Posted July 2, 2007 Share Posted July 2, 2007 I'm kakii, I try not to accept stroke as any part of my identity, but if I had to choose it would be survivor. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
preluki Posted July 3, 2007 Share Posted July 3, 2007 I was just wondering do you prefer stroke victim or stroke survivor? I prefer stroke victim but all my therapists say it is preferable to say stroke survivor. What does everybody think? I defintly prefer survivor, I do not like to be a victim Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
arogers Posted July 3, 2007 Share Posted July 3, 2007 I believe everybody here has been a victim of stroke (brain attack), just as people are victims of heart attack, cancer, etc. Victims have no control over an incident, it just happens. However, that being said everyone has a choice - either continue to be a victim, ignoring the fact that one need NOT remain in the victim mode or become the survivors we relate with daily. The victims on this site have determined to be survivors by making the choice to continue on living life to it's fullest. I believe the term "fullest" means different things to different people, depending upon the challenges that remain post stroke. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
shaylerobins Posted July 3, 2007 Share Posted July 3, 2007 I don't know why many Chucks have such a negative attitude. According to therapists, if you call yourself a victim, you are depressed and need professional help. It does'nt matter whether it relates to cancer, strokes or any other illness. A survivor has a strong will to live, and that's important to all of us. The founder of Stroke Network is a survivor. If he had been a victim, the web site would not be successful. Having worked in the health field for many years, I have seen the devistation of the victim attitude to the stroke survivors and their famillies. Shayle Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mema Posted July 3, 2007 Share Posted July 3, 2007 Survivor, definitely. The other word is not in my vocabulary. Vi Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chofvander Posted July 4, 2007 Author Share Posted July 4, 2007 Ann Rogers convinced me that "survivor" is what I want to be referred to from now on. Thanks to you all. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hemideb Posted July 10, 2007 Share Posted July 10, 2007 I don't like either one. I will say "I have had a stroke." But I can't call myself a victim or a survivor. Doing that makes me feel like all of a sudden the most defining thing about me is the fact that I had a stroke. I don't want to be defined in that way. I am other things too. A wife, a mother, dedicated to my career. I am a dog owner. I like the color blue. I am addicted to coffee and am a terrible cook. Why is it that the stroke is the defining characteristic? I don't like that we define ourself by what we've survived. Who are we, what do we believe in, what do we do? At the doctor's office, I am a "stroke patient" simply because it is helpful re: medical decison making. But that is not who I am. I struggle with changes post stroke, as we all do. One of those I refuse to accept is the loss of my identity. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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