Do you have a Bucket List?! If not, you may want to start one. This is why…
It provides:
A written reminder you can revisit time and again;
Motivation for your seemingly endless recovery;
A reminder to keep hope alive!
Hey, we ALL need a break from the recovery routine, don’t we?! A new setting, new environment, new people, new air to breathe! :-) YES!
It’s easy to get discouraged. We all do at one time or another. The key is to not allow it to become a habit, and try to focus on the positive; and, draft a Bucket List!
It’s also easy to compare your recovery to others’ recovery. “Why is it they can….and I can’t?! That answer is simple, but not easy to follow.
Everyone is different.
Every stroke is different.
Every stroke attacks a different area in the brain.
Every rehab facility has a different group of therapists with various skill levels and variety of facilities.
Every survivor’s motivation & quality of health are different.
You get the message…!
Recently, I was fortunate enough to check off one item on my bucket list - a cruise to the Panama Canal! A dream come true!
We chose to use Viking Cruises again. We had taken one of their European river cruises 15 years ago. It was pre-stroke.
An additional (surprise) benefit of experiencing the engineering marvel - the canal - was the ship itself! Their accommodations for their disabled passengers were phenomenal!!! The cabin’s restroom was laid out perfectly for a disabled guest - grab bars in the walk-in shower, a fold-down seat, a hand-held shower nozzle, and a drainage system that surrounded the large shower space, so no opportunity to slip on the excess water!
Their public restrooms were a dream! The ADA toilets were not only separate from the full-sized restrooms; but they were separate ROOMS with a button to press on the outside/inside to open/close/lock the door! Cool, very cool!
And, I never once saw a non-disabled person use one! Nice!
The restaurant accommodations were wonderful also! The food was delicious as well!
Finally, their customer service was as “impeccable” as the Chairman/CEO describes in their ads! Having been in customer service industries my entire career, I was more impressed with their employees than I’ve ever been in my career of striving for superb service standards! Viking has nailed it!
In closing, I encourage you to get out there, scared or not, and try new things! Was I able to do everything offered, every excursion, walk around the ship, etc. - NO! - but I brought enough books to read and music and podcasts on my phone; so I was just fine in our lovely room! Did I fall due to motion of the ship - YES, but it didn’t deter me! And, thank goodness I didn’t injure myself seriously. Lesson learned.
You don’t have to spend a lot of money - just do something different! It really helps your mental attitude, and possibly your physical well-being!
All you need to do is:
Decide to step out of your ‘comfort zone.”
Make a Bucket List.
Plan ahead.
Do your research.
HAVE SOME FUN!!! You deserve it!
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