I have never lived in a foreign country so maybe this isn't the proper analogy. But I was thinking today of what would be the best way to describe how it is living like a stroke survivor. i know that after you live in a foreign place for a while, you learn the language and the customs become more familiar. After being a stroke survivor for around two and a half years, I am definitely adapting to the local culture better than when I first arrived here.

Just like a foreign country where there are International symbols, signs and aids that enable you to traverse the local roads, likewise the SS is able to navigate with the help of others. Eventually hopefully you recover enough to experience the local culture yourself.

Depending on your degree of proficiency and your available resources you are able to adapt however you are always aware that you are in a strange land.

For the SS putting your arm through a shirt sleeve might be like shopping in a local market square, you may know what you want but you are unable to figure out how to pay for it.

Walking at a normal pace might be like wearing Western garb in an African village. You can do it but you stick out and every one knows their is something different.

Speaking with the same pace and ease that you are accustomed to now requires you to slow down and re learn the local language.

The world itself especially here in America is an immigrant society. We, all of us are in a continuous transition stage, It's what keeps us going and vibrant.

Just like moving to another land, it is in our best interests to adapt to this new culture. We can and should use our memories from our homeland but we are here now and we need to learn how to move forward, not look back and fit into this new environment..