Joanna Brock, aphasia survivor

Joanna Brock came to talk to our group recently. She had a severe stroke many years ago, but has made a tremendous amount of recovery. She walks normally, and her speech sounds normal. She still has some right hand weakness. She said she started her recovery by walking every day. At first she had to use a leg brace, but she was able to stop using it. This is what I hear from other stroke survivors who make recovery. Recovery takes constant work.

A few years ago some reseach was done that said to become a true expert in a field, for example, a pianist or a chess player, takes about 10,000 hours of practice. This practice is not just repetition, but a constant effort to improve. A stroke survivor has to work just as hard to achieve a normal level of proficiency. A brain damaged by stroke must become "expert" to function at an every day level.

Ms. Brock even became an ESL teacher, that is, teacher of English as a Second Language. I do know another young woman who took ESL classes to help her recovery after a stroke. However, Ms. Brock is the first person I know who actually became an ESL teacher. I can't think of a better way to learn language!

Ms. Brock used the language of the field of self-improvement. Never give up. Expect miracles. Listen to your inner voice. Use the strength of your higher power as you understand it. It makes sense that the same principles would help recovery, whether it is from a mental problem or a physical problem. Stroke by its very nature involves both the body and the mind.