Mary Jane: Tell us about your stroke.

Terrie: On December 28, 1996 I had a stroke! My parents, who had been trying to reach me for three days on the phone, found me by coming to my apartment in San Francisco. I remember very little about the arrival of the paramedics and the emergency room. I drifted in and out of consciousness for the next week of so. My family visited me but I was unable to communicate.

Mary Jane: Were you working before your stroke?

Terrie: Yes, I was a nurse. After graduating with a M.S. in Critical Care nursing, I worked at Kaiser Hospital in Santa Clara. At the time of my stroke, I taught critical care nursing at Children's Hospital in San Francisco.

Mary Jane: Tell me about your early rehabilitation following your stroke.

Terrie: After a couple of weeks in Seton Hospital, I was transferred to Herrick Hospital in Berkeley. I had physical, occupational and speech therapy. I relearned walking, dressing, many activities of daily living and communication through speaking and writing.

Mary Jane: Since we've talked about your stroke, I understand how frightened you were when you became aware of what had happened. Have you discovered any benefits that have occurred since the stroke?

Terrie: Yes, I actually have received benefits from the stroke. Before the stroke, I had lots of back pain. Two discs had integrated and I needed to take a fair amount of pain medicine. Now, I have no lumbar back pain. Also, before my stroke, I didn't know much about aphasia and rehabilitation. Now I have experience and knowledge of both.

Mary Jane: Do you remember how you felt psychologically as you began your recovery?

Terrie: I was angry, depressed, and I felt totally lost. I asked myself daily, "Why me?" I couldn't understand why people did not realize what I was going through. I was frustrated because my communication was affected and people didn't know what I was saying. During the first year and a half after the stroke, I was in denial. My mother passed away six months after my stroke. My father was in his eighties. I was convinced that I would return to my previous self and everything would be as it was. I was wrong!

Mary Jane: You definitely have worked hard in recovery since your stroke. Can you tell us how you turned your life around?

Terrie: The Aphasia Center has helped me immensely. I learned to listen and to hear other people. I experienced the camaraderie and care of the group. I have progressed because the people challenged and encouraged me. I acknowledge my new found friends at the Aphasia Center!

One of the first priorities after my stroke was to improve my writing. I had been right-handed my entire life, but due to my stroke, my right hand didn't work anymore. So I had to relearn writing, but this time around, it had to be with my left hand. Once I gained these skills, I was able to take care of my financial business, grocery shop and use the computer. Although these relearned skills gave me some confidence, I was still homebound and depressed. At that point, a light bulb went off in my head! To get out of the house, I needed a driver's license. Freedom, at last, came with a new car. I loved nursing and this part of my life was not being addressed. So I took and completed a course at home, which allowed me to renew and activate my license. I am a licensed nurse once again!

Mary Jane: You have a wonderful success story. What would you say to other stroke survivors who want to succeed?

Terrie: Remember, you are ABLE, not disabled!