Hello, my name is Joanie Peckels, and I am a stroke survivor. About a year ago, I met my dear friend Louise Jenkins. She has never-ending faith in my abilities and she asked me to be the editor of the Stroke Scoop. So, here goes!
My husband Ken and I have lived all over the place. We met in Portland, Oregon, were married in Perth, Australia and spent 2 years there. After we moved back to Portland, we had two beautiful babies, Cassie and Philip.
Over the next several years we moved to Lewiston, Idaho; on to Pine Bluff, Arkansas; back to Vancouver, Washington; then to Appleton, Wisconsin for 4 years. But, we are happily back here in Vancouver now, and knock on wood, will stay for some time!
When we were in Pink Bluff, out of the blue, on August 26, 1999 (my parents' anniversary), I had my stroke. It was the first day of my new job as a part-time teacher's aide for 2 year olds. I had planned to have time to sew and had all these projects lined up. That week I had set up my classroom and had an open house for the parents.
I never got to see those kids in my room. I never made it to work. I spent the day in the hospital instead. I was 35 and my kids were 6 and 8. I could not be having a stroke!
After numerous tests they discovered I had a carotid dissection. I was totally paralyzed on my right side and could not speak for 2 weeks. I could not read. I could not add 1 and 1 together. When they would ask me to write out my kids' names on a piece of paper I could only come up with the first letter and burst into tears. The speech therapist would lay out various items on the table and ask me to pick up a specific one. I was not able to distinguish a hair brush from a paper clip!
During the 39 days I was in the hospital, my daughter had her 9th birthday party in the eating area of the rehab floor. My brain slowly rewired itself, and I was able to do some simple math and reading. And, I could now actually pick up 3 of those various items and put them in order. Who would ever know that those simple milestones would mean so much! I was also able to walk with a cane.
In the months that followed, I learned to become left-handed. I was able to email my friends by typing with one hand. It took me forever, but I could do it! And now, 8 years later, I can write this. Thanks for the opportunity, Louise!
