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Recovering from Stroke: With a Little Gallows Humor Along the Way

Ted Simmons

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Published in Not So Green As Cabbage Looking: Recovering From A Stroke With A Little Gallows Humor Along The Way

4 min read · 3 weeks before

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In May of 2021, I suffered a massive ischemic stroke that put me in the hospital for eight weeks. During that time, I lost most of my ability to speak and write, a condition known as expressive aphasia. This made it extremely difficult to communicate with my doctors, nurses, and family members.

Not so Green as Cabbage Looking: Recovering from a Stroke with a Little Gallows Humor Along the Way

by Simon Barton

5 out of 5

Language	:	English
File size	:	8388 KB
Text-to-Speech	:	Enabled
Screen Reader	:	Supported
Enhanced typesetting	:	Enabled
Word Wise	:	Enabled
Print length	:	87 pages

One day, I was sitting in my hospital bed, feeling frustrated and alone. I had been trying to write a letter to my wife, but I couldn't find the words. I started to get angry and upset. Then, all of a sudden, I started to laugh. I couldn't believe that I was actually laughing in the middle of all this chaos. But then I realized that laughter was the one thing that could make me feel better.

I started to use gallows humor to cope with my stroke. I would make jokes about my speech therapy, my physical therapy, and even my own mortality. It wasn't always easy, but it helped me to get through some tough times.

When I was finally discharged from the hospital, I continued to use gallows humor to help me recover. I started a blog where I wrote about my experiences as a stroke survivor. I also started giving speeches about my journey. I found that sharing my story with others helped me to heal and to connect with other stroke survivors.

Gallows humor is not for everyone. But for me, it has been a valuable tool in my recovery. It has helped me to cope with the challenges of stroke, and it has helped me to find my voice again.

If you are a stroke survivor, I encourage you to try using gallows humor. It may not be easy, but it could make a big difference in your recovery.

Here are some tips for using gallows humor to cope with stroke:

Don't be afraid to laugh at yourself.
Find the humor in your situation.
Share your story with others.
Use gallows humor to connect with other stroke survivors.
Don't take yourself too seriously.

Gallows humor can be a powerful tool for stroke survivors. It can help you to cope with the challenges of stroke, and it can help you to find your voice again.