It is a normal response for a brain injury, including a stroke, to get into a surrounding you are comfortable with. For me, it was my home. Initially I had no depth perception and the world outside my four walls was really big and scary.
I was 50 years old and was a pretty good match as a pinball machine. I would bounce off familiar objects in my house, but the only solace at the time was my television. It was not three-dimensional, but usually two-. Black-and-white television was the best visual I could handle. It also retrained my mind to think in a progressive manner. What did I watch, you might say?
Gary Cooper Westerns, Gene Autry, Dale Evans, Cisco Kid, Cheyenne and Roy Rogers were some of my favorites.
I forgot Pat Butrum and also “frog” who was often at Autry’s singing side.
In other words, one thing follows another. Say someone trips, you expect a fall. In the mind of a brain-injured person, it is not unusual for them to know what happens after a trip. Strange thing, huh? It’s true for many brain injured people but sometimes, with their positive attitude, it can be corrected in many cases. I am not a doctor nor do I play one on TV, but I speak with many and they have this issue also.
Now what to do and when to do it might be the first question. First you must check with your physician and caregiver, if you have one. Next, take it slow as my first time out of the house scared the wits out of me. A noise, people talking all at once, people just come up behind you is the start of the list of being intimidating. These are real feelings people, try not to allow your fears to take control, but they are real. I still can not go into a buffet as to all the noise and just found out casino’s are worse. I also can not go into Wal-Mart when it is busy nor go down the toilet paper isle. I found that out as I freaked out when I was just out of my stroke. I was told the presence of a total white aisle made me short out upstairs.
All right, I want out of the walls surrounding me as if I was in a modified prison. Hmmm, Who sang “If I had the wings of an angel, over these prison walls I would fly”….There is an prime example of a brain injury short circuit. I am getting out in the Augusta County Universe more often and so can you.
Sometimes, being afflicted with a feeling of tension around close situations, you might want to venture away from crowded venues. Now I sat down and while doing my “Bucket List”, I started thinking many things I always wanted to do. Hmmm, spitballs….Nope did that in the first grade. Johnny Ride the Pony was a terrific and somewhat violent game played in New York City. I heard Bill Cosby on stage talk about that but he called it “Buck, Buck”….Nope, on Warfarin, besides how many stroke survivors can make a leap onto someone’s back?
I know, let us go see different Art Galleries. Quiet, redeeming and see what the artist is trying to tell his or her story through his paintings. This sounded good and added this to my bucket list for another adventure. I was never an “artsy” person, but why not. as you could always say I was there.
I have issues standing for a period of time as my brain blood flow is inadequate, so I picked an easy access gallery on Richmond Road in Staunton.
I went to the Gallery 13 ½ and met with the owner of the gallery, Mr. Phil Allen. What made it good for me was there was plenty of parking in front and on the side. I could maneuver well inside and outside of the building and inside I could just sit and look at the paintings. “Phil” takes an active role in his painting and allows you to interpret each hanging and make comments as to what you see or interpret. This works the brain very well as you now open up damaged areas to relearn. Phil will give his opinion along with you and that makes viewing all the better. Communication and blending of ideas are what some of us need to carry on from a brain injury. Being able to mentally work with a gentleman artist that takes the time to be interested in your opinion is priceless.
Wish to speak with Mr. Allen about his gallery, please call 540.910.0959. It’s worth getting out my friends. Go to the park, go get an ice cream, get the walkers, cane’s, power wheel chairs going, “Headed on a highway, Looking for adventure” Sorry Steppenwolf, memories are made of these…whoops sorry Mr. Dean Martin. Go my friends and don’t allow yourself to miss the beautiful world we live in.
– Column by Chris DeWald
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