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Does anyone feel old and useless with age?
Depression & Anxiety | Last Active: Mar 22 4:21pm | Replies (192)Comment receiving replies
While I can't help with the feeling old part, after having a stroke I felt not only useless but helpless.
After regaining some basic abilities, I began to think in terms of what I *could* do.
For example, I used to do professional narration. The stroke affected my speech for a while, but now I sound okay (if not great). Here's a sample of work I've done in the past (3 minutes):
I have a friend who's legally blind. She's in her 80s, but stays active and enjoys taking online classes. Problem is, her text-to-speech system can't interpret the training materials . So I read and describe the slides to her. I make recordings and email them to her.
It gives me something to do, and helps her out a lot. Not earth-shattering, but better than nothing.
Is there some ability that you have that someone else needs?
Replies to "While I can't help with the feeling old part, after having a stroke I felt not..."
Scott, I so enjoyed your post. Perhaps expressing gratitude for the life we have been given, regardless of the challenges, provides us a window to appreciate life. i.e. Grateful for being born in the US, having the parents I had, being a Mayo patient, etc. Trust me, I do have complaints, but I prefer to focus on "Good Stuff."
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Please, Scott, do not underestimate the gift you are to your friend!
Imagine what a world this would be if every person, whether completely healthy or living with physical and/or mental health challenges, did one kindness or service for another person, without expecting anything in return.
I have been reading your posts since you joined us on Connect, and am awed at all you are doing to regain purpose in your life and to recover from your stroke.
Thank you,
Sue