“About” This Blog

How this blog came into being:

The dry heat of the late August morning was too intense and I had wanted to sleep in. But I had a project waiting for me at the office. Reluctantly; I got myself dressed, gulped down a bowl of Cheerios. And stopped.

What I remember accurately is  that ‘something’ just wasn’t right. I don’t remember what it was exactly. Just a ‘something’; something a little ‘off’. I do remember telling my wife, “I’m really feeling dizzy”. I had experienced a small stroke two years earlier, but I had gone right back to work after six weeks. I wasn’t scared. But I was being cautious. I was 59 years old. 5ft. 8 inches tall. And 298 pounds.

“Do the math”, I could have said! I was a second stroke waiting to happen. And it was happening!!  

I was getting more and more dizzy. Fortunately, my wife and I were living on the same street as Los Angeles’ Cedars-Sinai Hospital,  5 minutes away.  During those five minutes I had lost consciousness.  My wife remembers that I was throwing up in the car.  She remembers that I had started convulsing.  She remembers arguing with the woman in admitting who demanded accurate paperwork; screaming at the clerk,  “He’s having a stroke NOW”! Do something !!!   She has told me that a doctor, hearing the commotion, took control of the situation.  But; for me?  I remember…   …  ….

NOTHING

Here I am!

Three months in in-patient rehabilitation. Several days of re-learning the basics of swallowing. Several weeks re-learning how to control by bowels. Several weeks of sitting in a wheelchair, strapped to a back brace to strengthen my spine. Learning how to walk. Learning how to speak. Learning how to write.

That was 2002. Now is 2017. I am writing this blog. The right side of my body is paralyzed. I can walk with a mini-walker for a few yards. My wheelchair takes me further. The (in)famous Los Angeles Rapid (?) Transit System takes me further. My arthritic hands are…   …   …arthritic hands. There’s more. Worse.  You can imagine.

Don’t!

“Now”, is all there is. An incredibly short series of ‘now’s. They can disappear in a moment.  Cherish what you have.  Its all you’ve got.  Its the same for all of us; I know.  Maybe some day, I’ll tell you my raison d’etre; why I don’t give up. Maybe some day.  As soon as I figure it out.

The story never stops.

Until it ends.

For now,  there is more to tell.

The rest is the on-going work of my blog.  It has given me hope and focus.  And Meaning.  And Purpose.  I hope you will find the work useful as you, and I, age.  Further.

Jonah A. Steinhaus; Editor