Public Address | Cafe | Speaker: A Very Simple Stroke

Sacha

Mon, 06 Jul 2009 10:38:44 +1200

Nice interview, David. Thanks again.

Russell Brown

Mon, 06 Jul 2009 09:11:18 +1200

Heads-up: Just after 10am on NatRad, David is talking to Kathryn Ryan about the road back from his stroke.

Matthew Poole

Sat, 27 Jun 2009 12:42:16 +1200

All I can really say is, commence frantic insertion of ditto marks throughout the thread. That's amazingly written, as one always expects of you, David. As others have said, thank you for making it. That includes thank you for not succeeding with your efforts to not make it!

My father…

Sofie Bribiesca

Wed, 24 Jun 2009 15:28:54 +1200

I have a more ambitious idea,

Excellent!whatever you figure out is fine by me :)

Russell Brown

Wed, 24 Jun 2009 15:00:46 +1200

Not quite ready to get up-and-organising yet, but David made two comments:

– Nothing too visually busy or jarring. There's enough noise as it is.

– Don't just think about the walls. People in rehab spend a lot of time on their backs too.

Personally, I think there's real scope…

MarkL

Wed, 24 Jun 2009 14:50:59 +1200

Thank you so much for this David. I have just come back from reading this to my father who is at rehab plus, which luckily for him has had a major face lift since you were there. He hung on to every word, closing his eyes to concentrate as much…

Sofie Bribiesca

Sun, 21 Jun 2009 20:02:48 +1200

Noted. I am writing a list as it is created but I am sure we will make it so. You can be on the list for working on it.:)

Christopher Dempsey

Sun, 21 Jun 2009 19:27:24 +1200

I could have a chat around the traps at Elam at University of Auckland... can't guarantee anything but at least I can get the idea into some people's head...

Sofie Bribiesca

Sat, 20 Jun 2009 17:31:58 +1200

It sounds like a good venue for sight specific art.

Need a couple of days but am working on it. Will know something by Tues. Hoping Russell has ideas also. ( Sent him an email with regard to where I am up to) Anyway so far, is promising :)

Sylvie Zlami

Fri, 19 Jun 2009 16:54:39 +1200

An amazing story, exquisitely told and inspirational – in every respect.
David, I take my hat off to you!

Don Christie

Fri, 19 Jun 2009 15:05:11 +1200

most importantly to John Flack for just laughing out loud at my 'I'll understand if you want to leave me' discussion

Good on you John.

Sacha

Fri, 19 Jun 2009 14:43:40 +1200

I reckon there are short term and longer term approaches that can work together well without much fuss. It's a great idea and I'd be delighted to help if needed. I am confident that Russell will be hatching good plans over the weekend (and he has my contact details).

Islander

Fri, 19 Jun 2009 14:30:05 +1200

Russell – if I can help, I'd be happy to-

Sacha – that sounds a good way to go. It would be excellent to get the opinions and input from yourself, and people like Davis & Sofie too.

Islander

Fri, 19 Jun 2009 14:27:12 +1200

Jackie, Andris is a really top bloke, as well as a genius* photographer.
Great cook, good hunter & fisher, excellent friend to so many people,
and wonderful father & grandfather...he and Lynne have truly enhanced the settlement.

He was down at my place – they live on the hill, I live on…

Sacha

Fri, 19 Jun 2009 12:35:27 +1200

I have some DHB contacts if they're needed, but probably best just start with the facility managers directly.

It would be great to see a longer-term relationship where artworks were cycled through many such places, maybe with the involvement of some trust to own/broker the art and so forth. Just…

Russell Brown

Fri, 19 Jun 2009 12:20:39 +1200

BTW, love the idea of getting some nice pictures on the walls at Rehab Plus. Give me the weekend to formulate a plan.

Andrew Jones

Fri, 19 Jun 2009 12:15:05 +1200

I would also like to add my appreciation of you story David. As a physiotherapist working in one of our cities big hospitals it is stories like yours that remind me of the reason I became a physio and why the work I do each day should never be treated…

Sacha

Fri, 19 Jun 2009 12:04:11 +1200

Speaking of universal design, check the video flythrough at the local Lifetime Design site. Some new retirement villages are starting to incorporate their principles and qualify for the associated LifeMark standard. Good stuff.

Sofie Bribiesca

Fri, 19 Jun 2009 09:32:19 +1200

She keeps her carers on their toes ...

Heh, Shelley was what made me think of "having determination".I didn't know her well but I'll never forget her. I understand she kept the house and Miles moved to a leafy suburb.:)

Russell Brown

Fri, 19 Jun 2009 09:21:36 +1200

NZ On Screen has a 10 min excerpt from Miles and Shelly Go Flatting.

I still see Shelly around Pt Chev too. She keeps her carers on their toes ...

Sofie Bribiesca

Fri, 19 Jun 2009 09:08:23 +1200

I remember Miles and Shelley from those 1990s? documentaries. Would be good to watch again and see if attitudes have changed at all.

Somehow I cant imagine loads of houses being built for the disabled but, and not that I see much of Miles, he does still live in the…

Hilary Stace

Fri, 19 Jun 2009 08:44:19 +1200

Thanks for your insights too Sophie. Lived experience and personal stories much more engaging than theory.

I remember Miles and Shelley from those 1990s? documentaries. Would be good to watch again and see if attitudes have changed at all.

Sofie Bribiesca

Fri, 19 Jun 2009 08:39:47 +1200

With that, I ask a question: what advice would you give to the rest of us, who haven't had strokes?

Keep your blood pressure stable of which 120/80 is ideal and Vodka was a common thing with David and myself which could have pushed the blood pressure up.If you ever…

Hilary Stace

Fri, 19 Jun 2009 08:31:54 +1200

Thanks David. This might sound tactless but I love the synchronicity of the research at the spinal unit and then the lived experience of wheelchair use. Wouldn't it be wonderful if we had 'universal design' and all our houses were built fully accessible, for any such future events. My partner…

Jackie Clark

Fri, 19 Jun 2009 07:51:22 +1200

I can donate really superb photos (that I'll buy off my neighbours Andris Apse & David Alexander) or calligraphed/illustrated poems I'd make-

Oh Andris Apse. . I love his stuff. Very beautiful. A bit like your wriiting made three dimensional. Evocative. And yet definitely feet on the ground. Hope all is…

tussock

Fri, 19 Jun 2009 01:41:05 +1200

+1 Human.

George Darroch

Thu, 18 Jun 2009 23:48:49 +1200

I can only echo what has been said.

With that, I ask a question: what advice would you give to the rest of us, who haven't had strokes?

Sofie Bribiesca

Thu, 18 Jun 2009 21:59:32 +1200

Of course any donation sounds great to me. Must admit though, when I was there. there was something nostalgic (possibly knowing that Miles had lived there) about that place. One ward housed amputees, and the one I was in...,well lets just say a few stroke and lots of other shit,…

Islander

Thu, 18 Jun 2009 21:28:37 +1200

"went to sea
in a beautiful peagreen boat"

steven c – that is a bloody good idea.
I can donate really superb photos (that I'll buy off my neighbours Andris Apse & David Alexander) or calligraphed/illustrated poems I'd make- hey! small ones, in the loo, might usefully distract/remind us of our…

octopusgrrl

Thu, 18 Jun 2009 20:52:49 +1200

David, you're still such an amazing writer – good luck with your recovery and thank you for sharing your story!

Barbara Browning

Thu, 18 Jun 2009 20:32:15 +1200

A beautifully written, moving account. I sat riveted until the very end. It should be a great encouragement to the recently afflicted Chris Knox.

Sofie Bribiesca

Thu, 18 Jun 2009 20:11:55 +1200

Oh, and just quickly while thinking about PAS, can I say it is lovely how it morphs into sessions with real people .It's a jolly good site. David, everyday becomes a celebration of life. You wont sweat the small shit. Cheers.

Sofie Bribiesca

Thu, 18 Jun 2009 19:04:36 +1200

Russell – thank you for having a site

Yes I agree. This site started as a therapy for me whilst on chemo and from then came the need for a laptop. :)

Islander

Thu, 18 Jun 2009 18:15:15 +1200

RiverHowe – I love those unexpected – resonances?
I've come across the word 'lacuna' in 3 different publications (which I dont normally read!) over the past fortnight...

Stephen J – yep, several of the older generation, Scots side of the family, just died (after a miserable while) from the effects…

RiverHowe

Thu, 18 Jun 2009 17:56:51 +1200

What a great surprise to find this uplifting story especially after just reading "Still Here" by Ram Dass written before and after his stroke.

Sofie Bribiesca

Thu, 18 Jun 2009 17:55:11 +1200

If there is any way I can help re questions about my stroke experience ,I have just put my email up so feel free, although David's experience is a bit like snap to me (yet so much better than I could write) 'cept I got a consolation prize of epilepsy.…

Sacha

Thu, 18 Jun 2009 17:44:04 +1200

That's beautiful and brave, David. Thank you for baring so much of yourself. And my thanks to Russell for publishing it here, where I am sure many will visit over time for genuine insight into an often confusing, overly secret and poorly supported experience for all concerned. Kia kaha.

Stephen Judd

Thu, 18 Jun 2009 17:25:35 +1200

I agree with all praise above.

Some people don't make much if any progress. My aunt had a stroke three or four years ago and is still almost completely speechless and unable to walk. My grandmother died within a few weeks of her stroke. When I read this story of…

Sofie Bribiesca

Thu, 18 Jun 2009 16:40:20 +1200

Hey David, Howzit? Been to that rehab plus also and a little bit of history is a friend of mine with spina bifida used to live there until they trialled a flatting situation for him(Miles) and another person there (Shelly), of which he happily still does to this day.The building…

buzzy

Thu, 18 Jun 2009 16:37:05 +1200

As many others have said, David this is a brilliantly written and very moving article.

I've only ever read a few other articles on the subject, and those tended to be "women's weekly" style things*, glossing over the pain and focusing on how nice things are now the sufferer is…

Jackie Clark

Thu, 18 Jun 2009 15:17:32 +1200

David, what a deeply affecting way you have of telling your story. It was a great privilege to read it. I hope that your recovery is ongoing, and that you find your "new" normal a liveable place to be.

Islander

Thu, 18 Jun 2009 14:59:32 +1200

This is a profound and marvellous on-going story, David. Thank you for giving me an insight, deep insight, into strokes...may all continue well, and get better-

(Late last month, I was briefly in the ED of a South Island hospital having had an 'episode': a CT scan showed that I…

Richard Llewellyn

Thu, 18 Jun 2009 13:55:41 +1200

Ditto all the above sentiments. A close friend is shortly to experience the world of Rehab Plus and your story illuminates much of what he might expect. Cheers and keep getting better.

Geoff Lealand

Thu, 18 Jun 2009 13:39:36 +1200

Spam like 'ghost ships'. Brilliant!

You have successfully taken me away from my own petty worries this day. Thank you.

Julian Melville

Thu, 18 Jun 2009 13:17:55 +1200

Great read. Thanks for writing that, David.

Robyn Gallagher

Thu, 18 Jun 2009 13:09:44 +1200

What an excellent piece of writing. Thanks for telling your story, David.

wendyf

Thu, 18 Jun 2009 12:55:29 +1200

Thank you for that, David.

giovanni tiso

Thu, 18 Jun 2009 12:47:31 +1200

What everyone else on this page said – thank you for sharing this.

Neesha Bremner

Thu, 18 Jun 2009 12:43:12 +1200

David , Thank you for sharing your story written with such eloquence – your stark experience, your humour and your passion for recovery are a testament to you.

Phil Sargent

Thu, 18 Jun 2009 12:34:37 +1200

What Danielle said.

Thank you David.

Sam F

Thu, 18 Jun 2009 12:06:04 +1200

This subject is familiar and fairly close to the bone for myself and my family since a relative experienced a sudden (and still inexplicable) brain injury three years ago. The journey back to wellness for him seems very long and uncertain at the moment, but it's good to to hear…

Emma Hart

Thu, 18 Jun 2009 11:56:28 +1200

Thank you for that, so much. It's remarkable to be able to convey the emotional experience so clearly. I had a wee cry to myself.

Danielle

Thu, 18 Jun 2009 11:53:32 +1200

That was amazing. I was in a very uncomfortable position when I started reading it, as this was meant to be a drive-by computer visit. I have now pulled a muscle because I couldn't stop reading and I was so mesmerised that I forgot to move. :)

Thank you.

Simon Grigg

Thu, 18 Jun 2009 11:29:30 +1200

Ta David, that really moved me, and knowing you, made me smile a lot too..

And ta for making it. The world is a much better place with you still around.

Simon Pound

Thu, 18 Jun 2009 11:18:57 +1200

Remarkable story and remarkable writing. Thank you for sharing this.

Patricia

Thu, 18 Jun 2009 11:16:24 +1200

Thanks.

I always like to know everything about my new friends, and nothing about my old ones. OW

Kyle Matthews

Thu, 18 Jun 2009 11:06:17 +1200

Bugger me. That's a life story, very well told.

David Slack

Thu, 18 Jun 2009 11:03:10 +1200

Welcome back, David. Whatever physical impediments remain, you have a mind within that plainly could not be stronger.

Paul Campbell

Thu, 18 Jun 2009 10:43:37 +1200

Wow! thanks – I have to read that again now

Michael Stevens

Thu, 18 Jun 2009 10:28:58 +1200

As usual, David, the way you write fills me with envy and admiration, and that this piece makes me feel that way is a good sign of your recovery.
Thank you for telling us all this.
Much love

Russell Brown

Thu, 18 Jun 2009 10:20:05 +1200

David, thank you for letting me publish this, and thank you on behalf of the people it's going to help.

I went to see my friend Chris yesterday, and I told him about you, and how you came down to the Media7 recording three weeks ago. How you'd got past…

Public Address

Thu, 18 Jun 2009 10:20:05 +1200

Discussion from blog post.