Before I had one, I couldn't have explained stroke. I would have described a couple of symptoms – slurred speech, impaired arm function. I would've said "It's sort of like a heart attack." I didn't understand it was brain damage. I didn't understand the possible long-term effects. I've since talked with an adult friend whose concept was just as fuzzy.
It might be that we were never interested enough to pay attention to the definition, or that we were confused by the statistics we heard lumping heart attack and stroke together as leading causes of death. Or it might be simply that it's complicated.
My sister recalls her attempt to explain stroke to her seven- and eight-year-old daughters: "I told them 'Auntie had a stroke' and explained what that was. They listened and nodded and then a minute went by and they said, 'Wait, what's a stroke again?' "
Earlier this week I was picking up my brother's son from preschool when a little girl rode alongside me on her tricycle and asked, "How did you hurt yourself?" I struggled for words. How do you explain stroke to a four-year-old?
My brother's six-year-old daughter – by my side and never wordless – came to my rescue. "She had a stroke," my niece said brightly. "That means your blood stops moving and your brain gets all kooky and your arm stops working and your leg stops working and – it's really bad."
Only a child could give a description so dire and make me laugh.
Children often say funny things that distort what they heard an adult say. Your nephew is both funny and accurate. I like his pithy desciption of stroke.
ReplyDeleteLOVE this....Nate and Abby are precious....xo
ReplyDeleteI am learning a lot reading your blog. Your journey is inspirational and reminds me how important one day at a time is. Each of us is working on something and you give voice to your journey, which informs and encourages me. Thanks!
ReplyDeleteJanet Mc
Just was introduced to your blog and love it! I tell kids that a stroke is when your brain forgets to tell your arm and leg what to do. That has seemed to work with all my piano students who don't understand why my 'stroke hand' won't play the piano like my good hand. I have been post-stroke since 1985 at 28 years old. And teaching piano since I was 15 years old. You do the math! Thanks for putting our 'stroke fears' into perspective!
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