Hi everybody,
I had a stroke on October 12 2022 after several TIA’s in hospital. Couldn’t speak swallow or stand. Time has moved on and i can walk 100 meters speaking and swallowing are now 9 out of 10. Sadly my left arm is an issue but im winning with improvements weekly.
I do keep pushing myself and can now socialise for 2 hours before i crash with no more energy.
I am truly grateful for where I’m at compared to where i was. Its been hard work but my calendar has been quite empty so time has not been an issue.
As good as things are i do shed a tear now and again where doing simple tasks has become so frustratingly difficult.
Does anyone have tips for putting socks on?
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Shwmae @Colin71 , welcome to our community of brave souls who have been presented with a life changing circumstance. Don’t push too hard, your recovery is in its early months and at this stage the brain needs sleep and rest to do it’s own repair job. That will end in about six months and many stroke survivors can be surprised that things can get a little harder after that. My first six months was a whirlwind of being a bit like Houdini chained in a straight jacket in a locked box, with a lot of determination, I managed to release the chains but two years on, realise I am in still in the box. However, everyone’s recovery is different but, in general, avoiding the boom-bust cycle is a good pearl to take onboard in the early days.
I hope our forum helps guide you along your recovery journey, and I look forward to your milestones being posted, should you wish to share.
Hi Colin I am a 79 year old male who had a stroke exactly a year ago. Life has been so frustrating ever since and quite emotional at times. I spend half my day picking up things that I have dropped. When I got out of hospital I could not get dressed or put on my socks and shoes by myself. Crisis point was reached four weeks later when my wife of 54 years and my 24/7 care collapsed and died. I was in at the deep end and helpless on my own. Over the last year things have improved, but socks and shoes where a major problem.I did try a sock pull on gadget with ropes, but it did no help. I then purchased loose fitting socks designed for diabetics with swollen feet. I Tried two options Bamboo and Gentle Grip, both of which were purchased on Amazon. They were much easier to slip on and off. I then purchased clip on shoe horns which are great and save me frustration every morning when putting my shoes on. If you decide to purchase this type of sock please get the self colored ones as the Argyle pattern socks have internal pattern stitching which catches on toe nails. Best wishes. Things will improve.
Brianr24743
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@Colin71 welcome to the forum but sorry you’ve had a stroke.
Sounds like you’ve made loads of progress in a short time. Well done.
I can’t help with the socks issue as i had enough use of my affected hand to enable me to get them on - well sot of 
Wish you the best of luck with your recovery.
Ann
Wow 44 years marriage @Loshy & 54 years @brianr24743
I’m in awe. Just a short 17 years for me. I was a late starter 
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Welcome Colin. You can buy a sock frame from your local mobility centre. Not sure whether it would help though. We stroke survivors all mourn the past and have many frustrating moments. Improvement does come if we persist, but very slowly. Undertaking too many tasks in a day is also quitecwearing, as is prolonged conversion. Fight on please.
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From one Colin to another- “Hi”.
After my stroke, I tried to go back to work (self Employed) and pick up where I left off.
I couldn’t and it took a good 6 months to get to where I am now.
You will find this is common. Don’t push too hard and you will learn when to rest. Not sure about putting on socks, others will have better suggestions, but what I can say is don’t try and run before you can walk. Allow your brain time to heal
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I can put socks on (slowly and when sitting down) so I can’t help. My husband has been hemiplegic all his life and hasn’t had much help, but he did get a domicillary visit from an Occupational Therapist when we realised that I wasn’t automatically going to be able to help him. Elasticated laces, a larger shoe horn and a perching stool were popular outcomes from this visit as was the shower chair that he was able to keep even though it was initially issued to me, but the sock frame was a bit of a disaster - neither of us could work it at all.
Welcome @Colin71 to our forum! You’re doing well so give some time and look after yourself 
this is not perfect but this YouTube does a pretty good job with a sock - the narrator does say that each person has its own way of doing it so I look forward to hearing what you come up with!
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Socks - use the tool. BUT I’ve used ‘soft top’ socks for years. They’re not as tight around the tops and made life easier for me after my stroke, as I found it difficult to bend down much.
I now use diabetic socks - bought on line - much simpler and more flexible than normal socks!
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Colin,
Sorry to hear about your stroke sound to me you are doing ok
I hade mine 2 years 10 months ago at 58 it’s a nightmare at the time. whilst I still get emotional and cry over the smallest things
After time things get better I took 6 months before doing any work then it was only part time aswell. Now back full time but still take things easy those socks are a pain the diabetic are the ones I use but still not easy. You will eventually adjust to the new you and enjoy life again
Steve
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