From Recovery to Discovery: Meet @scottrl

JOHN: What brought you to Mayo Clinic Connect? 

@scottrl: I joined in autumn of 2023, nearly four years after I had a stroke that permanently disabled me. I had learned a lot, part of which was that I had lots more to learn. After searching around the internet, I found Mayo Clinic Connect as a good educational resource.

JOHN: What motivates you to take part in the community?

@scottrl: Mayo Clinic Connect gives me a sense of belonging. I’m on my own a lot and isolation is a big issue. I sometimes call my house the “Spaceship to Saturn” because I feel I’m locked inside a confined space on a very long journey.

I have a personal belief that we should all be trying to make things at least a little bit better for others. When I can offer helpful support to others, I feel like a contributing member of society – and a bit less isolated.

 JOHN: What about Mayo Clinic Connect makes you feel comfortable to share and to be open with the community?

@scottrl: I have been involved in online communities since college in the 1970s [not a typo], so it’s a format I feel comfortable with. The anonymity (or technically, pseudonymity) provides a safe space for being open. Also, members are very open, so that encourages me to be candid.

JOHN: What support groups do you participate in?

@scottrl: To be honest, I became over-involved at first, and felt myself becoming too emotionally invested in the lives of others. I cut back a bit, and now focus on Stroke, Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI), Sleep Health (I have apnea), and Just Want to Talk. But I will often skim through other groups (I read really fast).

JOHN: Tell us about a meaningful moment on Mayo Clinic Connect.

@scottrl: One thing that really touched me was the first time someone read a comment of mine and said that it was really helpful, caused her to relax and finally feel some relief. That reminded me how powerful, and necessary, kind and supportive words are.

Of course, this interview is especially meaningful!

JOHN: What surprised you the most about Mayo Clinic Connect?

@scottrl: How friendly, sympathetic and empathetic others are. Also, how patient and effective the moderators are. They do a great job keeping comments appropriate and rational. Not an easy task!

JOHN: What energizes you, or how do you find balance in your life?

@scottrl: Balance is tricky – literally. Since the stroke, walking isn’t easy and my balance can get upset by loud noises or even a gust of wind! But I know what you’re really asking. I’m a lucky man in many ways; foremost is that my wife is the best part of my life. She keeps me energized and motivated. I work hard to improve in order  to reduce the burden on her, even though she has never complained. She can still look at me the way she did on our wedding day, despite everything. I tell people that she’s the real hero in the story. 

In other ways, I have given talks about my experience, including addressing graduate students at Texas Christian University and patients and staff at a local rehab hospital (see photo above). I really enjoy those opportunities and hope to do more.

JOHN: Tell us about your favorite pastime or activity

@scottrl:The stroke destroyed many of my hobbies – hiking, wildlife photography, international travel, etc., so I have had to find new ones. Probably the biggest is my YouTube channel From Recovery to Discovery, which I use to share my experiences and insights. Viewers tell me that they find my videos inspiring, helpful, and even amusing at times. What can be funny about having a stroke? Well…you laugh or go crazy.

I still read a lot (though for a couple of years after the stroke my reading was greatly impaired), and I am a classic movie buff with a huge DVD collection.

JOHN: What do you appreciate most in your friends?

@scottrl: Their loyalty. As a lot of people learn, having a traumatic event taught me how many friends I “didn’t” have. But my real friends have stuck with me through years of good and bad. I can never thank them enough.

JOHN: What do you love about where you live or vacation?

@scottrl: Where I live…it’s paid for! More seriously, I’ve been in my little house for 37 years. It backs up to an old horse pasture, so it’s quiet, and ironically, ever since I became disabled, its compact size makes it easy and safe for me to move about.

JOHN: Puppies or kittens?

@scottrl: Puppies. Fuzzy little angels.

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