Under most standards that we measure anything, 98% is more than acceptable if not in fact considered exceptional.

Frequenting an online stroke support  message board recently, I came across two posts on the same thread where the survivors

mentioned that they were "only 98%" healed and would probably not expect to see any more improvement.

My first thought is to say congratulations, 98% in my book is pretty darn good under most any circumstance.

My second thought is to wonder how they arrived at that number .

My third and fourth questions are, whether they are pleased with that level of  rehab and to wonder why they feel like they will not see

any more improvement? Again 98% is pretty darn good and I would venture to speculate that at least 98% of stroke or brain injury

survivors would be more than satisfied and even ecstatic to achieve that level of recovery.

One question that I did ask and have yet to hear back from them is, "do they sense or notice improvements in other facets of their life

such as, more compassion for others, better awareness towards their own body or even enhanced habtls like reading or eating

healthier?

 Are they talking about  their physical ability only?

 How does one judge something like this?

If only we could put our bodies into a device like a CAT scan that could scan our entire physical and mental state to kick out a reading.

But would it measure any spiritual or emotional gains or losses? Could it measure our attitude or the new insight or compassion

that we most certainly have gained?

Realistically, I doubt there any such device will be available in my lifetime and if it was it would be primarily based on the physical

although areas like memory and speech could certainly be tested as well. I just don't think that the other intangibles like insight or

attitude, awareness and belief could be measured from an outside source.

Okay, where am I going with this? I personally am shooting for 115% as a recovery rate for myself.

Where am I in my own recovery right now? It's hard to say because I may feel 90% physically and 75% mentally on any one day while

having those two readings reversed on a different day. All I really know is that a little over three years after my stroke, I continue to see

noticeable improvements all the time. Do I see improvements every day? No, it doesn't work like that but for instance, I may be trying

real hard working on a certain exercise or task every day for two months without any sign of improvement and then one day perhaps

after taking a break for a few days, boom I surprise myself by being able to perform a certain task that I couldn't do previously.

Because of these experiences and my new insight and awareness coupled with my new zeal and passion for improvement plus

my desire to share what I learn and inspire others to be their best self, I honestly and aiming for a 115% recovery.

If only I can improve my ability to cut down on my run on sentences, then I would be truly satisfied.

Bob Miller
The Stroke Coach