The thrill on every one’s face as they saw their work on show was unforgettable. It was incredible to see all our work exhibited as if it was really art. Our members were so proud of what they had achieved and their work was an inspiration to the general public who visited the gallery during the four-week display. We felt we had arrived. We could hold our heads up high that we had achieved such a high quality of artwork. It was so exciting to look around the gallery and see our creations on display. As well as the group paintings there were oil and watercolour paintings by others in the group, displays of woodwork, knitting and mosaics. Large glass cabinets held a selection of pottery pieces made by members. The glass walls of the gallery were hung with the hand painted silk scarves in a myriad of colours.
In parallel with the art exhibition, Alli produced a calendar featuring the artworks of our members and the group paintings. Everyone was pleased to have a lasting memory of the exhibition and the calendars became a popular gift for friends and families. Here was lasting proof that we were able to produce such magnificent pieces of art even with our deficits.
Our group members look forward to an annual exhibition and continue to explore new areas we can try our hand at.
I have a dream
After hearing the stories of so many of my friends at our stroke group, I was determined to see what was available to enhance the lives of these people Many members have been unable to speak since their strokes and hence found communicating very difficult. I noticed that when we had a morning of community singing, these people were able to join in with the rest of us. It made me start to think.
I would love to see the formation of a choir for those who have aphasia – the medical term for this condition. The preparations are underway and our Stroke A Chord choir begins its first rehearsal in early 2010. We have been very fortunate to have had so much interest, assistance and support from a number of medical professionals and our local Council.
If we are successful, I hope it would become standard practice to have singing introduced into every rehabilitation centre as part of the day to day therapy given to stroke survivors whose speech is either lost or impaired. If people can no longer speak, singing would be a perfect substitution. The rehab ward would no longer be silent instead it would become a noisy place as everyone sang for their supper.
The gathering of the clan
In April 2009 the family came to celebrate Alli’s marriage to Mike. It had been six years since we had last been together – at my husband Graham’s funeral. I had the honour of walking the bride down the aisle at the Great Hall Gallery at Montsalvat. The art space had been transformed into a magical wonderland, with rows of tiny twinkling tealights lining our path. Bouquets of cream and copper coloured roses decorated the pews and the dark timber pillars. We lit a candle in remembrance for those we had lost and the ceremony began. Love radiated from family and friends – the atmosphere was overwhelming and gave me a sense of calm that I will carry with me into tomorrow.
Tomorrow
My life is very different to what I had excepted it to be before the stroke. It has certainly changed direction and I am much busier than I could have imagined that I would be. However, the joy I obtain from my family, my friends and my interests keeps me on the go. There does not seem to be enough days or years left in my life to do all that I have plans to achieve. Every day is a blessing and I have found that each sunrise is a new gift for me to celebrate life and embrace it fully. Being with my family and friends and sharing each experience certainly contributes in making each day a memorable one. Passion and enthusiasm keep unpleasant sensations at bay. I live in anticipation that life can only get better.
I can see that I have moved on from the day of my stroke and the numbing shock and disbelief, through the sadness at my loss and at last come to acceptance. What I have lost is gone and will not come back, however, I have also gained a new life and a new opportunity to explore paths that I did not know existed before.
Not one of us is aware when we are going to run out of tomorrows, so it is important to make each day a worthwhile one. I see the necessity to seize the day. No longer do I put off until tomorrow all the joys and pleasures of life, for my tomorrow may never come.
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