O is for Oceanside

Despite being married to the author of The Defiant Mind – Living Inside a Stroke, a memoir which documents the feelings and experiences of a stroke survivor and the role that memory played in the recovery of his former self, it is still difficult for me to recall clearly the events which occurred to us during the first year after Ron’s stroke. By April, 2013 I believe I was still in a state of semi-shock, trying to cope with and process the dramatically altered circumstances which now confronted us.

By April, 2013 Ron had completed the Intensive Outpatient Rehabilitation Program for stroke survivors offered at the Nanaimo Regional District Hospital. He had graduated but we no longer had access to our team. We were left to drift on our own, in search of a place to land.

Fortunately Ron heard of a public event (advertised on television) which was to be held in Nanaimo to inform stroke survivors of the community resources available to them. Fortunately we attended and fortunately we met Kathleen.

Kathleen Falvai is the Co-ordinator of the Oceanside Stroke Recovery Society which provides therapy and support to stroke survivors and caregivers in the Oceanside area of Vancouver Island including Whiskey Creek, Coombs, Errington, Qualicum Beach, Parksville and Nanoose Bay. Kathleen encouraged us to attend one of their stroke group meetings which are held every Friday from 11am to 2 pm at St. Columba Presbyterian Church in French Creek. We went, we joined and we both benefited enormously from the experience. Although Ron and I decided to let our membership lapse at Christmas, by meeting other stroke survivors and caregivers and taking part in the therapy sessions, we were able to find our bearings and plot a new course.

When Kathleen invited Ron to return to Oceanside last Friday to read from his book and speak to the group, he was most happy to do so. The reception he received was warm and welcoming. Many people he already knew. Many were new members. At present the group’s membership is 50 stroke survivors and caregivers. At times it has been as high as 70. The numbers continually fluctuate. Some, like Ron and I, attend for a year or less. Others are long-term members. The group has been in continuous existence since 1986.

I am grateful for the time that Ron and I were members. I learned much about myself. And I am comforted knowing that, should another squall hit us, I know exactly where a nurturing harbour awaits.