Loosing your independence..

What is independence?
Do you even stop to think about the meaning behind something so broad and important that's actually who you are as a person;
'Self - determination'
I'd say independence and confidence 'tie together' as one.. especially after a stroke or when you suffer a brain injury..


Imagine
A life where leaving the house is; to daunting, to much, to scary or just impossible
A rush of emotions that burn your chest when you start to think about 'the next stage' (of your day)
Not feeling comfortable to see anyone, even your family, sitting in a room with people just seems horrendous Because holding a conversation with someone is impossible
Making yourself food or doing everyday tasks is a 'struggle'


Now imagine being 20 and waking up to loose all of that..

Not being able to shower was probably the hardest thing, having carers every morning to; shower me, cook my breakfast and do 'everyday tasks' for me..
Suddenly I'd lost every bit of my independence, I'd never once even thought about what it meant..

'You're an adult now, you can ring the doctor on your own, you need to be independent!'
'They're walking now! All independent, growing up so fast!!'
Because that's the reality.. that's all you ever hear about independence as you're growing up..

Your life flashes before your eyes when you finally gain independence again, gaining the courage to do things that 'before' you'd taken for granted;
Showering
Getting dressed
Cooking and preparing food
Leaving the house
Having the confidence to 'face the world!' Have conversations with family and 'friends' (I put friends in quotations as I'd lost all mine after my stroke) possibly due to the independence being *gone!*

Imagine
Being 'older' and loosing your independence/confidence.. it happens, to us all, we grow old and suddenly life is 'different' they've lived so long creating a life and then BAM it's gone..
this can be from any illness..
but 'strokes only affect over 65's' bla bla..

Make the most of your independence..
Encourage yourself to be confident inside and out.

Be strong
Be confident and
Be happy..

I've gained mine, can you keep yours?