# @strokeonward on Instagram

- **Type:** Image
- **Original URL:** https://www.instagram.com/p/CnSTTZBvy1R
- **Gondola URL:** https://gondola.cc/posts/3107504-strokeonward-instagram
- **Thumbnail:** https://img.gondola.cc/tr:w-,h-,fo-auto/postThumbnails/7f4ea7bfc2.jpg
- **Posted:** 2023-01-11T19:04:51.000+00:00
- **Account Owner:** Stroke Onward (@StrokeOnward) — https://gondola.cc/StrokeOnward

## Caption

"I've been married for 33 years to Debra Meyerson, my life partner, and my best friend. In 2010, at 53 years old, healthy and fit, Deb suffered a severe stroke. It left her paralyzed on the right side with no speech at all. Of course, we were all devastated. Fortunately, with tons of hard work, she has recovered but still, many of her capabilities she lost. She still suffers from significant disabilities, including communication challenges from aphasia and no functional use of her right hand.

As partners of stroke survivors, our lives changed dramatically. So did those of our kids. But it's more than our lives that change. We change, and our identities change. As we say in Deb's book, identity is a choice. As you read and talk about Identity Theft, I'd encourage you to think about it on two levels.

One, I hope the book helps you understand the experience your partner is going through and how you can best support them. 

Two, remember to think about yourself; that's not selfish. This trauma changed your life and your identity. Doing so has been a critical step in dealing with our lives these past eleven years. After all, not only do I want to support Deb I want to keep living a life of meaning, purpose, and joy. I know my life has not been impacted nearly as much as Deb's. So it's hard for me to talk about my challenges and frustrations with her or even with her in the room. But I certainly have them, and taking care of my mental health requires I talk about it. Doing so in a group with other carepartners has been helpful to me. So I hope you read the book and join a group of carepartners to talk about it.

Two parting thoughts. Take care of yourself as much as you need to take care of someone else. You're far more good to them when you're truly healthy, both physically and emotionally. Sometimes it's hard for us to remember that and to act on that. And know that you're not alone." - Steve Zuckerman

Deb's book 📖 Identity Theft: Rediscovering Ourselves After Stroke is available in print and audiobook formats - Link in Bio 🧠

#careparnter #strokeacrossamerica #strokeonward #aphasiarecovery #aphasiatherapy #selfcare #mentalhealth

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- **Views:** 0
- **Likes:** 73
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## Tags

aphasiarecovery, strokeonward, careparnter, strokeacrossamerica, selfcare, mentalhealth, aphasiatherapy

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