Thank you to everyone for sharing. There is strength and great healing that comes from not feeling alone and experiencing a sense of belongingness again. I also continue to grieve the loss of the past me, but with time and acceptance of the now me, I find my awareness focusing more on the future now and much less on how I used to be. Thanks to a group member who suggested singing or playing a musical instrument. Singing has helped my speech problems immensely. Remembering all or most of the lyrics has increased self confidence, improved my word finding problem, and increased my joy and sense of humor when I make mistakes or simply sound weird. My social anxiety has decreased as has isolating myself so much. Strangely, I no longer feel less whole. I feel more whole. I now know a different experience of change, loss, rebuilding, and regaining. I know more about life, loss, suffering, possibility and the deeply spiritual importance of valuing and supporting my own will to live. Life matters, things unplanned happen, but I can love and choose the quality of my life.

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