stroke: an inspiring journey of recovery - sevencanaries · journey of recovery ... birth – i had...

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Published: 03.06.2013

Text By: Diana Barnett

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Many people who have had to deal with serious healthchallenges are amazed at the number of inspiringpeople who enter their lives when their need is greatest,and help guide them through the dark times.

One such person is an amazing young woman, Emma Gee,who practises yoga beside me in the classes we attend. Ihave come to know her well through the years, andwatching her growth and development has been anextraordinary, uplifting experience.

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Stroke: An inspiring journey of recovery - SevenCanaries http://sevencanaries.com.au/articles/stroke-an-inspiring-journey-...

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Emma Gee inspiring many, here is her story...

In 2005, while undergoing brain surgery to remove an arteriovenous

malformation (AVM) in my brainstem – a congenital deformity present at

birth – I had a stroke.

Thankfully I survived, but was faced

with a daunting list of physical

challenges: I couldn’t move, speak,

swallow or blink.

I was just 24.

Eight years into my stroke recovery, I have re-entered my life with a whole

new identity, and adapted to life as a disabled person. During this time, I’ve

had to focus on my physical rehabilitation, re-learning such basic functions as

how to blink, how to swallow, how to speak and how to walk, while grappling

with the many emotional obstacles along this path. Before my stroke I was a

full-time occupational therapist, but even doing this work I never realised the

extent to which a person’s mindset can influence their recovery. And more,

how the attitude of people around me can impact me to the extent it actually

alters my everyday performance.

For a few years after my recovery I was too ill to work and unable to resume

all the activities I’d previously enjoyed. Even now, I experience significant

balance problems, visual deficits, an inability to determine temperature down

my left side, and chronic pain. Engaging in new activities such as swimming

and yoga help me to manage the pain, and also ensure I continually challenge

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2 of 4 5/06/13 11:37 AM

my body while simultaneously acting as motivators. I know that to ensure my

sleep, fatigue and pain remain on an even keel, it’s essential to incorporate

these activities into my everyday life.

Through my years of recovery I have become progressively more mindful of

how I can enhance physical and emotional recovery, both in myself and

others. Before my stroke, I believed I was living a balanced lifestyle, doing

work I loved, playing netball and seeing friends and family regularly.

However, with hindsight I realise I had little ‘me’ time where I could just stop

and reflect on where I’d been, the present moment and my future

endeavours.

Today I have both balance and meaning in my life. I work part-time in stroke

support at the National Stroke Foundation and have established an

inspirational speaking business (www.emma-gee.com), which was a catalyst

in re-learning how to speak. With my ability to communicate curtailed for so

many years, this business enables me to give voice to my experience – for

myself and others. I see it as a great opportunity to help others deal with their

difficulties.

In my role of therapist, I speak largely about client-centred care, but also

explore resilience and mindfulness. I know without any doubt that the way

we think and act significantly impacts our own and other people’s lives.

Although Emma's health challenge is not directly related to our

(SevenCanaries) core issues, I felt that it was important to bring

her story to light as there are parrallels in the issues she faces.

And we can all be inspired and learn from her journey and adapt

our personal journeys with Emma as a role model.

' If you'd like to engage Emma to speak at your organisation, school or

business – contact her via her website' or Emma currently works with

school groups, businesses & community groups (i.e. Yoga studios) to build

their resilience'.

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National Stroke Foundation

Emma Gee Inspirational Speaker

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All rights reserved. No part of this online publication may be reproduced in any manner without the written permission from Seven Canaries Pty Ltd. Opinions expressed in this publication are not necessarily those of the publisher or the editor.Every effort is made to ensure the accuracy of this publication, however Seven Canaries Pty Ltd the publisher assumes no responsibility, and no liability is accepted, for errors or omissions or consequences in reliance on or use of thispublication, nor do they accept responsibility for the accuracy of statements made by contributors and advertisers. Readers should take specific advice from a qualified professional when dealing with specific situations.

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stroke: an inspiring journey of recovery - sevencanaries · journey of recovery ... birth – i had...

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