On March 26th, I woke up in a different body... literally. I had a stroke, and there are some pretty important lessons I've learned in the past month, that could change your life too.
The first thing I think everyone should know is that not all strokes leave you with the inability to talk, or with typical reflex problems- I was diagnosed first with an inner ear infection, and then with MS, before the 3rd MRI showed that it was in fact a stroke - nearly a week after it happened.
If you (or someone you are caring for) have balance issues, high blood pressure (mine was 168/122 when I entered the Emergency Room), double vision - and the MRI says, no stroke... have them look at the Brain Stem.
My stroke was in the "neck" area - and as opposed to "Brain" strokes, it is pretty much effecting everything "below" the brain. Most MRI's only look kind of from your ears up - where most people have strokes. Brain Stem Strokes are rare, but just as life changing.
I'm left with weakness on my left side (I can lift 40 pounds more weights with my right leg than my left), and I have no feeling on my right side. There are a few other issues, like double vision most of the time (my left eye sags a little), I have some issues "recalling" words, but over all I'm SOOO lucky! I can talk, write (with one eye shut) and move around on my own!
I had no history of high blood pressure, no high colesterol, no diabetes, never smoked. I was not one of those people this was "suppose" to happen to. But - I'm going to be 55 next week, and this was my wake up call.
Social Media "Active Boomers" Have The Advantage
After my inital Stroke Assessment /Physical Therapy session (which was tough - because the entire hour was a process of "proving" what I can NOT do...) I looked at the Therapist and said, "Well, the good news is, I'm not afraid to learn new things."
She looked at me like I had 2 heads.
"Well, "I said, "it's been my observation, that most Baby Boomers don't like to learn new things - that's not been a problem for me. I like learning how to do new things, I like learning how to maximize the newest tools. I KNOW that I'm okay with change, and that's what I'm bringing with me each time I walk into these Physical Therapy doors."
I think that any Boomer who has taken the time to learn how to Network, using Social Media - who is blogging on Activerain, who is embracing Dropbox on their smart phone, is TWO legs up on all of the other "old people" out there.
Active, is not just about running 3 miles a day. I know plenty of 50 and 60 year olds who are "fit," and then look like they ate a persimmon if I send them a Text message and don't call them first to let them know it's coming. Get with it!
Yes, having Activerain, and other platforms that allow me to interact is helping. Social Networks keep me from being isolated, when I have no choice but to "work" (and rest) from home by myself. But that's such a small part of the benefit.
Learning how to do "new things" with technology, adapting to what works (and what doesn't work) in this new "internet" marketing era - gives me confidence that I CAN be successful and handle change. This awareness has taken the FEAR out of my current "un-known" situation.
Activerain "Boomers" Have The Advantage
Imagine, I literally woke up a different person. How scary would that be? But in reality, many people in the Real Estate Industry have experienced just that.
We were all cruising along, placing ads in the local news paper, and selling houses, scooping up leads from our neighbors and local Chamber contacts. WOW! That changed.
We went from a Real Estate "MLS" centric Industry, to one that is now concentraing on a different conversation.
You don't see as many successful "great big box" Real Estate offices in our area. Smaller, boutique focused Real Estate shops are thriving.
The offices that are client centric are becoming the "disruptinator" forces - and the way you adapt, and the way you continue to change in the face of this Industry shift, helps you prepare for the next day you wake up... and everything has changed.
What I've learned is that those of us who are continually changing, and learning and adapting, are now so much more ready for the inevitable LIFE and "aging" changes coming our way.
My children and my friends are not as afraid of these changes I'm going through - because they've seen that I CAN learn, I can throw myself into the next phase, and come out ahead of the game!
Thank You For My Advantage
I guess what I'm trying to say is, "Thank you." Activerain was the FIRST "new thing" I tried - and it's proven to be MY advantage.
Thank you to all of my Activerain friends who have helped me learn that blogging does pay off (We've made thousands and thousands of dollars from our Activerain Blog). Thank you for taking my phone calls when I didn't understand how something works.
Thank you for teaching me, and reaching out to me when I've needed your support. Having inspiration, lunch, and so much support from AR friends like Pamela St. Peter and Nannette Turner have made this past month so much easier.
I'm okay. I woke up a month ago with a different body - but I'm teaching it new tricks, and I expect before the end of the summer I'll be able to play "Mother May I" with the best of them!
Each day is still all about perspective, and attitude :) If you have been reluctant to try something new, I encourage you to try. You never know, it could change your life.
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