I'm back!
For those of you that don't know, I had a stroke October 14, 2010. I wasn't able to speak for a week, but I am working with a speech coach, and my right side was paralyzed, but I am getting better. I only use a wheel chair when I am going shopping, and I can also walk around my house without my cane. I work out every day: lift, swim, spin, and I go to physical therapy every other week.
The support has been amazing! Friends, people I don't know, and relatives have donated dinners, supported the Art Walk, posted on Facebook, helped give my kids rides to sports and school, and just shown up!
I have started to draw and paint, and even though my right side is paralyzed, all of the information is still in my head and I just have to train my left hand.
The picture I put up here is my work with my left hand....
40 comments:
I can't wait to witness the progression of your left hand's ability to catch up with all those wonderful visions you have. Hugs!
This is such great news! So great to hear from you.
Annie! I'm so glad to hear that you are doing so well. You don't know me, I learned of you from artists helping artists. I'm praying for you.
God bless you!!!
Jacki
God bless you, Annie....you have a ways to go. I popped in at your blog last September and started following you and wondered what happened. Left handed isn't so bad; I've been that way all my life :) Oh, I can use the right hand too but prefer the left. I hope you keep us all up to date on your progress frequently. Hugs!
Your spirit is inspirational Annie. Welcome back!
You're a brave, determined woman. And blessed to have so many wonderful friends. Wishing you the very best.
hi Annie! welcome back! great to hear from you :)
I know you can do it, even better with left hand! Keep it up!
somethAnnie.I was just told about your blog and want to send you big hugs and to tell you I know everything you are going thru. I had a stroke 4 years ago,same side ,same aphasia problem. I want you to know you are not alone! SO glad to meet you! My good friend Kimberly Santini told me about you!
God bless!
Kathi
Welcome back and the drawing is wonderful. My husband's mother had a stroke which paralyzed her on her right side, and she learned to write with her left hand and only had to wear a brace on her right leg. I wish you a continued speedy recovery.
Gorgeous smile, Annie. My dad had a stroke, the most important determinant of recovery was willingness to practice physical therapy and to persevere. You're an artist, so you know firsthand how important practice is, and that you have what it take. Very best wishes.
Oh my gosh! Welcome back, Annie! This is a beautiful drawing with your left hand...I am amazed and very happy to see your new piece. Hoping to see lots more. HIGH FIVE!
Oh Annie I am so glad to see you're back! You are an inspiration! Just this morning, I looked at your blog quietly sitting on the bottom of my blogroll, where it's been since your stroke, and I thought "I can't wait to see Annie's blog at the top with a new post". I've just come in from a gig, and here you are! You have so many of us pulling for you and praying for you! Welcome back!
Wow! That is so great that you are back! Good luck to you in your recovery!
Annie, I am very sorry for your problem and I'm very close to you. Also I've had a stroke in November and just now I started to paint. Best wishes and sincere congratulations for your art
mario
I'm so glad you're back, wonderful you can do all the things you have been up to. Very impressive drawing with your left hand. You were missed.
Welcome back... Its great to hear from you...
after a shoulder surgery that my father had to go through last year, the doctors were not very happy... some of the muscles werent responding the way they should have... but my dad was very regular with his exercise and physiotherapy and this helped to train the muscles to work better...
so its wonderful that you are doing all the therapy religiously... and most of all draw and paint!!!
yea left hand!!!
can't wait to see your left hand do
another great drawing.
I am going to join you and see what happens today when
I use my left hand.
your "art spirit" is amazing.
AHHHHH!! Annie! I was just thinking about you yesterday because I came across an email you wrote me when I first started painting again and had written you for advice on using acrylics. I am sooooo glad you are able to post and so thankful you are healing! You and your family have been in my prayers and my friends prayers that don't even know you ever since your stroke. Thanks so much for your post and keep drawing! It will surely be a healing thing for you to continue your art however you can.
This is to let you know that I've never seen your blog before, but the image drew me in instantly from Celeste's blog.
Blessings going out to you in this difficult time. Your art is wonderful and I'm uplifted having seen it.
Dearest Annie,
What a beautiful gift to see your art again! I look forward to seeing more...you are my favorite. Always in my prayers, Gigi
Fantastic to see you post and welcome back, Can't wait to see more of your wonderful work. You will do great !
Thrilled you are back; welcome! I'm looking forward to seeing your new work as you recover and heal, blessings to you.
with all these artists supporting you, it's all uphill from here. looking forward to future posts from you.
Annie! Your determination to create
has me welded to your site! I pray you have eagles wings for your journey!
Annie you are an inspiration to me. What a wonderful sensitive drawing!
I have been checking your blog often and was so happy to see you are doing well and getting back too your art.
I'm sure it won't be long and you will feel comfortable using your left hand for painting and drawing. God bless you!
Carol
Welcome back Annie! Was praying for your speedy recovery and it is indeed great to see you back. It is inspiring to see that you are training to paint with your left hand, more power to you!
Congradulations on your recovery! I was glad to meet you at Matthew's Gallery after hearing about your story from artist friends. Your left hand portrait looks great!
I was so glad to hear you have received the intensive physical therapy/recovery.
My thoughts come as a fellow artist and a nurse.
Annie, I only know you through your blog. I have missed you and did not know what had happened. I have been waiting patiently for you to return because I love your work so much. Know that you are in my prayers. I look forward to those wonderful left handed paintings. God Bless!
I am a first time visitor also. It is wonderful to be here after all you have overcome. I love you people paintings.
After having had a right side brain stem bleed, I know how important it is to do common daily things to relearn to use your brian.It will al come back some in big measures and some in small measures. I have ben relearning to do my art with the wonderful help of Celeste Bergin, a beautiful woman I have never met.Keep at your art and your world, explain the frustrations to your family and friends. Sometimes just getting them to understand what you're going through is quite difficult. My lovely daughter always says "Dad, it's okay." Well somedays it just isn't. Your support network is huge from what I have observed.
I suggested to Celeste that you listen to your favorite music with headphones. The amazing thing about the brain is that it recircuits itself, connections are remade.
Take your time. In my old life I was in way too much of a hurry. My stroke forced me to slow down, probably closer to God's pace. i can't wait to see your art on a regular basis Annie.
My best to you,
Scott L. Hendrie
scottlhendrie.com
You sound in good spirits and surrounded by lots of love and support! Sending hugs and best wishes!
Annie, You have been in so many of our thoughts and prayers. I was so glad to see you back and with such a wonderful spirit that shines through. Wonderful art done with your left hand and that makes it all the more beautiful! Be patient with yourself- Take care!
You are an inspiration Annie...
I look forward to following your continued recovery!
Annie - I've followed you as a fellow DSFDF artist. Love your work and had no idea about the stroke. I'm so glad you are recovering and know that the left hand will become more and more adept at relaying your thoughts. Keep it up.
HOLY MOLY!
Your drawing is quite impressive...and from your left hand! Annie, you are an inspiration to follow! See you soon!
Annie! I didn't know until tonight! It's fabulous that you're on your way back. I absolutely know the gift of art is in your brain and your hand is the vehicle. I was left prone as a child and was redirected to be right handed, so I know you can train that left hand to express your art. Your drawing is beautiful already!
Your spirit is triumphant... though lots of days it might feel lousy. Very well done!
So glad to see you are back and continuing your beautiful art! You are an inspiration. Blessings - Linda
From a speech pathologist here in Oregon - keep up the good work!
You made an amazing and very intense portrait.....those eyes! I wish you all the best and admire your strength , heard about you from Celeste Bergin...glad I did. Big hugs
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