The TakeAway – talking about movement and exercise with Emma Gee
At the age of 24 Emma Gee was an occupational therapist and an avid runner who had recently climbed Borneo’s Mt Kinabalu. When she had a stroke, her life was changed forever. Unable to move, speak, or swallow, she found herself dependent on the medical system she had planned to make her career in.
Do you want to know more about Emma?
You can learn more about her here.
How did your stroke impact you physically and emotionally? (0.55 sec)
Emma says, “Prior to my stroke I was a marathon runner and full-time OT. After my stroke I was in a coma. When I regained consciousness, physically and emotionally, I couldn’t do what I used to do. I couldn’t move, walk, talk or blink. All my emotions were trapped in this new disabled vessel.
I had to go on a path to work out what I could do and not focus on what I couldn’t."
Resources:
- Order ‘Reinventing Emma’ from Emma’s website.
- Read Emma’s blogs.
You’ve used sport and activity to help you in your recovery. Can you list a few things you’ve done? (2.48 min)
Emma says, “I found it confronting to not be able to do what I’d once done. I took up some activities that I had never done much of before my stroke. I found that a lot of the strategies I was being given exacerbated my chronic pain and deficits. I had to find things that worked for me. Swimming and yoga are two things that I started.”
Resources:
- EnableMe podcast: Yoga after stroke.
- Australian Physiotherapy Association: Physical Exercise and Stroke: What you need to know.
- Australian Physiotherapy Association: How many repetitions are needed to reach recovery goals post-stroke?
It’s a big thing to change and pivot, can you give some advice on how you did that? (6.40 min)
Emma says, “Initially I was in denial about getting back to the old Em. I think through many tries and falling flat on my face (trying to run) it wasn’t an uplifting or empowering experience. I had to slowly learn over many years, to accept what I couldn’t change and change what I could.
The change was when I looked for other activities that I could get the same feelings that I got from running. It was a gradual process."
Resources:
- Young Stroke website: Emotions and trauma.
- EnableMe: Stroke Support Groups.
Please describe one activity that you picked up that you were able to modify to suit you? (8.28 min)
Emma says, “I hadn’t done a lot of swimming before my stroke. One thing I had to do was to learn to breathe again because I can’t feel sensations. I couldn't walk at all; I couldn’t do a lot of things. Wearing a full wetsuit helped my balance and position in the water, and flippers helped me move better and helped my coordination. Swimming helps me to manage my pain.”
Resources:
Podcast: Pain after stroke, featuring Emma Gee.
How have you sustained long-term motivation? (9.36 min)
Emma says, “That is an ongoing challenge for anyone, but it’s important. I have maintained my motivation because I have prioritised moving every day. I make time and space for moving, and I recognise the benefit of moving in other areas of my life.
I also have great support around me, that helps me to make daily movement possible. Moving helps me to stay grounded.
Moving also helps my emotions and wellbeing hugely. I can handle my pain and physical deficits better when I am moving, and I get huge emotional gains.”
Resources:
Emma Gee: No trophy for never-ending rehabilitation!
Brian Beh blog: What to do when you lose your motivation.