Neurorehabilitation from the Trenches: April 2021

Spring is here! I’ll probably have my lying-bike for the next neurorehabilitation report, which will hopefully follow this new format; which is basically an update on each of the main component parts; namely, in no specific order, speaking, my Harm, double-vision and walking.


You see, the gradualism of my healing, it occurs to me, is irrelevant because I couldn’t know where, in the big picture, I am. What I mean by that is; I am aware of small improvements taking place but I am aware also that I’m miles away from where I want to be, somewhere on the trajectory. So I’d rather focus on the component parts and trust that it will all come together in the end.


Speaking

I must sound like an imbecile, but I can assure you all that the slowness of my speech has little to do with my cognition. Rather, it is a malfunctioning of the various body parts involved in producing speech. This involves mainly breathing but my speech is also hindered by a general numbness of the left side of my face and mouth, and the ongoing dysphagia means that I must remain ever-vigilant about ensuring nothing, not even saliva, goes down my throat unannounced. My speech is improving though, but at this rate, I won’t be auditioning for any speaking parts any time soon.


Harm

This is not really part of my neurorehabilitation, after it was confirmed that the malfunctioning nerves are that way because of their own trauma. As such, it feels safe to say it won't be getting much better, but I try to involve my left side as much as possible in my day-to-day.


Double Vision

It’s very interesting to think about the autonomic nervous system and what it does for us. Let me riff a bit on that. When you walk, there are many muscles working in harmony for your gait, balance and coordination. Some of those muscle movements get their cues from your organs, subconsciously. The eyes play a key role in this, and all of this makes a very strong case in support of there being no free will; in fact, I wonder if this experience has solidified my conviction in the same.


Walking

I have developed a new regime. We have moved house, so there is not yet a Gehbarren assembled for me to use. As a result, I have started doing the following: Every hour, on the hour when convenient, I set a ten minute countdown timer: Once set, I get into a standing position, then, using any nearby, sturdy construct to steady myself, I do 50 mini-squats – I used to think squats but I have since learned that I do not do full squats – then I spend the remaining ~6 minutes in a standing position, with my feet shoulder width apart, and I balance unaided. I try to do this ten times a day: so 500 squats a day will provide an adequate base from which to power up hills on my Liegerad when it arrives.


Peanut

Let me introduce Peanut. She’s 6 months old and, if the vet’s opinion, who gave her her initial check-up, is to be believed, a cat of incest as she is so very small. 



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