Friday, December 14, 2007

Hello World





Oh before you play this video be sure to cut off the music player ;-) This is a video of me at the Adult Care facility, or should I say Nursing Home that I live in, in Santa Ana California. It's not to far from my three bedroom condo, how ironic, thats okay i'll be moving back home in the not to distant future. My ex- dude came by to visit me and put me on video, I wasn't really feeling that at the time, but he got a little bit of footage outta me ;-)

I wanna thank all of my new blog fam for comming by and saying hello to me, I really appreciate that. In my future posts I will tell my story, you know the good stuff, My life before my stroke and what has happened to me since. I am quite sure you will find it educational and informative.

There is a movie comming out or it may already be out called
"The Diving Bell and The Butterfly" there is also a book available. It's all about Jean-Dominique Bauby the former editor of French Elle Magazine, he had a severe stroke in his brain stem when he was 43 years old. The stroke left him paralyzed and in "Locked-in Syndrome", He could only blink his left eye, yet his mind was still intact. With the help of a speech therapist he was able to communicate by blinking and was able to write a book "The Diving Bell and the Butterfly", the diving bell was his body and the butterfly was his mind. This book and film should give you an idea what it is like to live in a body that won't function properly, after waking up from a long Coma.

Now I am not in the type of shape this guy was, I'm doing better than that, however, I cannot walk, yet, and my right side is still paralysed but the feeling is comming back. I also have difficulty speaking, this is due to a condition called Aphasia, My Aunt told me the last time I spoke a complete sentence was when I first came out of my Coma, when I aksed "What happened to me". Since then I can only produce single words, it's not that I don't know what to say, It's like I know what I want to say but magically I can't say it, it's very frustrating. Oh well, Im working hard trying to get it back guys, everyday I get a little bit better.

51 comments:

GERALD said...

am gonna play this video and see.....

GERALD said...

my computer has failed to load probably because the Internet at my University is so busy...
But i Will watch it...

Fo said...

u sure u 32??is that ur pic??u dnt look it i must say...nd nice blog!!

Fo said...

by the way wan an invite to ma blog...mail me on fatimsani@yahoo.co.uk nd subject it blog invite...just incase u wan..ciao now

Fo said...

oh gosh am so sori..i just got to see the video...nd i keep coming back...wow dont knw whr to start,hope u find the strgnth within to keep fightn...u can do it!!

Lyrically speaking said...

Thanks for the lovely visit to my blog, come back again and I'm taking time to read yours. Have a beautiful weekend.

jendayi said...

Thanks for the visit!

Keep up the good work lady. I'm sure you'll be back to your old self in NO TIME. Your spirits are high and you have faith, so I have no doubt that you'll make a 100% full recovery! Have a wonderful weekend miss thang!

Joy Akut said...

hi, still hanging on yeah!
was smiling thru my tears when i saw ur video...
have a lovely weekend.

All-Mi-T [Thought Crime] Rawdawgbuffalo said...

just stopping by to say have a greAT WEEKEND

Thirty + said...

Aminata, your story is quite touching. I tagged you on my blog to do 8 weird things about yourself.

Take care and I will be back on your blog often

Blu Jewel said...

Nice video. I'm always moved by people who have suffered a life altering experience and never give up. You are a blessing and inspiration to all of us because you're moving on and moving forward while so many able bodied people quit before they even get started.

I know God has something very special in store for you and with your tenacity, I know you'll reach for it and take what's yours.

Willowtree said...

Thanks for coming by my blog. Your story is amazing, I'd never heard of Cerebral Venous Sinuses before. Im so impressed and encouraged by your strength. Keep up the good work :).

KimPossible said...

YOU CAN DO IT CHICA! I am so proud of you. God, I pray that you would give her strength everyday. I pray that you would restore her speech and her feeling on her right side in Jesus name. I pray that God would help you through every therapy and rehabilitation session. You are a beautiful young lady and you have truly inspired me. (Okay, where are the kleenex?).

My father-in-law had a stroke this summer. His right side is also paralyzed, however, he can walk now and his speech is much like how you are describing yours to be. But, he is stronger than ever! It was an adjustment for us because he was the foundation for his family. The one who fixed EVERY body's problems.

Keep on blogging, it's medicine!

HAPPY FRIDAY and drop by my blog today and weigh in and let me know your thoughts on the topic.

KimPossible

Anonymous said...

Wow!! Thanks for sharing your story. I look forward to reading more of your posts my sister :-)

Still Patrice said...

You might not be able to verbally get the words out, But i be damn if you aint a wiz on a keyboard! LOL
I can't see the vid right now... but I'll check it out later.

Dr. Deb said...

I am awestruck at your story of strength and survival. I wish you continued growth and I will be visiting you often to see how things are going. The video is beautiful, btw.

princesa said...

Hey babes,
You are such a beauty, am sure God wont let you waste away just like that. There is hope and i want you to keep hanging on.
My xmas wish is for you to keep getting better everyday.
Have a very merry xmas and a wonderful new year in advance.

Priya said...

Thank you for visiting my blog.

Have a nice weekend.

KimPossible said...

Hey Kawana,

I tagged you on my blog. Go check out my last post. Get ta writing. LOL!

KimPossible

who? said...

Hey, I liked the vid, and I know you will rehab beautifully. You're story, from what I've read has really touched me especially, because in november of 06, my father had a severe stroke as well and he wasn't expected to survive it. it was completely unexpected and really had me shook up knowing that things would never be the same. just in that moment of finding out, I swear I was just dead to the world. he wasn't expected to LIVE, but he came back, though. now he is walking and doing almost everything he could do before. his speech is still sometimes hard to understand, but he really did make a comeback, and I'm sure you can do the same

Ozymandias said...

Hope you doing better today...I like the "Hello world" caption...have a great wknd !

mckait said...

Hey K,

Thanks for stopping by my blog..
Your is amazing! YOU are amazing!
D you mind if I visit now and then to watch you come back better than ever??

Take care and keep on keeping on....
and may the stars light your path...
k

mckait said...

Hi K,

Thank you for stopping by my blog! What a great blog you have..and what a story~

I admire your strength and determination. I hope that you don't mind if I stop by now and then to watch you come back better than ever!
Take care and my the stars light your path.

Anonymous said...

i love your fabulous spirit!!! You are a true true inspiration. Going to check out the footage now. thanks for stopping by mine!!!

JLee said...

All things are possible! Believe it and it will happen :)

HATgirl said...

It takes a lot of strength to share your story. That strength will carry you through. Hope you continue to improve.

James Tubman said...

please keep us informed about your condition

it might not hurt to look into natural holistic cures

you'd be surprised what you can find

Anonymous said...

Beautiful place you have here. I will make sure to read your blog regularly.

Shai said...

You are amazing. That is all I have to say.

All-Mi-T [Thought Crime] Rawdawgbuffalo said...

hey sister, if i may call you that, just waned to say your faith empowers me

diary of a G said...

I'll be watching ur comeback
ur confidence is wonderful
I believe without a doubt
you'll be triumphant
Get em girllll

anonymous gal(retired blogger) said...

hey. how u doin.unfortunately the server is slow so i cant play the video.keep up the spirits and a very merry xmas.

Nakeel said...

Thanks for the recent visit. Keep up the strong spirit. Merry Christmas and Happy New year.

desperate lady said...

OMG You are so beautiful!(before and after).
i'll pray for you darling, don't worry, everything will be alright.

HP said...

You are simply an inspiration. Thank you for your visit to my blog, thereby allowing me to discover yours. Will be checking in to see how your progressing. Wishing you well. HP

Xave said...

You are a breath of fresh air. I find myself trying to help adults who have so much going for them and all they do is complain about this and that. I love to be of service, but it gets frustrating at times. And not one word of complaint from you, at least not on your blog ;-) You are an overcomer and an inspiration.

Peace and Love,

Ali's Zay (LoversA.blogspot.com)

Anonymous said...

Hi Kawana,

Nice place you got here. Silly me, I didnt check your profile before asking if you were from Senegal.

My Dad had a stroke too but didnt survive due to other complications but you - you have it beaten already. Please keep on keeping on.

GOD is your strength.

Nimmo

Anonymous said...

Great stuff, Kawana.

@ I am quite sure you will find it educational and informative.
No doubt. Looking foward to hearing your story.

Bella said...

Kawana, read your story...don't ever give up! You sound like an AMAZING woman with lots of strength and so much to offer!

I love your blog and continue to be an inspiration to all!

:) Bella

cinnamonqueen said...

Hello Aminata! I feel priveleged to share your inspiring story! My prayers are with you.

rethots said...

Whoa! All will be well. Hold on.

SOLOMONSYDELLE said...

Hey you! Thanks for stopping by my blog. Merry Xmas and Happy New year.

Now let me go watch that clip.

Ozymandias said...

Merry xmas !!

Tami said...

You are my hero!

I hope you are having a wonderful holiday.

Frank Partisan said...

I found this blog at Mimi's.

I saw Diving Bell at a screening. It is one of the best movies you'll ever see in your life. I expect it to win "best director" awards.

Well written blog.

Regards.

Anonymous said...

Miss Kawana,
This is so amazing. I has brought me to tears. I am so enthralled by you and your recovery. I miss you! I will continue to pray for you and I will be by to visit. Love You!
Jodee

Joy Akut said...

happy holidays....

guerreiranigeriana said...

your hope and fighting spirit emanates off the page...happy new year to you!!!!...and to new beginnings for you...your hope and faith will allow you to raise the needed funds and recover...i admire you blogging to share your story...i too learned more about strokes after my father suffered a major one in 2003...it tests all of our faiths and ability to stay positive and hopeful...

...your light shines brightly, unwavering and i know you will walk again...cheers to you...and thanks always for sharing...

Anonymous said...

happy new year Kawana!!!

Atutupoyoyo said...

happy new year K.....

heiresschild said...

i admire your faith. it'll take you far. will keep you in my prayers.