Hello everyone, my name is Sahmad Nakumbe. I had a stroke on May 9th, 2018. I was in Ohio, on a business trip. I went to a business conference. I had trouble seeing and talking, while at the conference. My co-worker called 911 and took me to the hospital in Ohio. I got to the hospital and was diagnosed with a stroke. I was in the hospital for about 1 and ½ months before coming home to Minnesota. Since arriving home in MN, I have participated in Physical Therapy, Occupational Therapy and Speech Therapy on a weekly basis.
Currently, I continue to experience aphasia (i.e., language deficits following a stroke) and right-sided hemiparesis (i.e., weakness of my right side including my leg and arm). Given the lasting effects of my stroke, life has changed dramatically. Although life does not look quite like I had expected at age 29, I continue to find ways to live life to the fullest! For example, I still drive a car…it might have the gas pedal reversed and snow makes me more nervous now, but I can come and go as I please! I am able to independently complete all of my daily routines such as showering, brushing my teeth, and although in a different sequence, getting dressed! I continue to serve in my role as the chef at home, finding ways to cook one-handed with the help of adaptive equipment. In addition, I was able to return to work in a modified capacity beginning in August of 2019!
The goal of this blog is to provide you with instructions and videos to tell yourself “I CAN DO IT,” no matter the limitations!
Sahmad Nakumbe