By Dave Kelly
Let me start my story stating that I was very fortunate for three reasons; it was a mild stroke, I had been practicing Tai Chi for about 12 years and I had learned about neuroplasticity at a physiology workshop and watched individuals realize amazing benefits at Health Recovery weeks.
The stroke affected my right side, arm and leg coordination, speech and my ability to recall some words. However, I was still mobile and could do most activities and practice Tai Chi. Tai Chi became my diagnostic tool, and my therapy. One of the first deficits I noticed was in the standing jongs. In the second one (hands going out) my right arm did not know where to go, often ending up near my waist. This is where the fundamentals of neuroplasticity gave me the understanding that I could re-teach myself this movement. It took a lot of focus and I had to concentrate my visual focus on that arm to get it to the correct place in space. I’m not sure how long it took to recover, but now 8 years have passed, and I have full capability.
A second deficit was single whip. Again, my right arm didn’t go where I knew it should. Again, watching my arm was necessary. My deficit might be described as a loss of proprioception (the mind/body sense of where your hand is without looking). Without looking, I could not tell where my arm was. Again, with time, focus and belief, I regained this ability.
Another loss was fine motor skills and the ability to write. Neuroplasticity. Each morning, I would write the alphabet in block capitals 3 times. I kept this up until I felt I had made enough progress. (My handwriting was never good, but I got back to almost the same standard as before. I notice it deteriorating again but I think it is from lack of practice, not lack of ability).
About a year later, my instructor asked if I had regained everything. My response was, “Yes, even my sense of humour”. However, I had not regained everything. One day, I went to throw a ball for my son’s dog and it went sideways (the ball, not the dog). My immediate thought was, “Something else I need to re-learn how to do”. With practise it gets better. I only see my son and his dog about once a year, so I don’t practise much. Each visit the first few throws are erratic, but with focus, I am able reproduce the necessary coordination to have the ball fly in the intended direction.
In closing, I’ll say again, my stroke was very mild. But with an understanding of neuroplasticity, I had the belief that I could learn how to do things again. That, and diligent practise of Tai Chi, I was able to regain essentially everything. One doctor even said, “It is hard for me to believe that you had a stroke a year ago”.
Translation by Jordi Awarita, Cathy Filion
Great results, thanks for sharing Dave.