I saw that article and it hit home in quite a few ways.

My situation is a bit different. I hand-wrote lyrics on legal or steno pads with cross-outs and inserts as the lyrics came together. Only when done would I use a typewriter, later a computer to enter them.

That changed seventeen years ago when I had a massive stroke losing the dominant side of my body—I'm left handed. Though I write daily, lyrics are few and far between nowadays—it just doesn't give me the pleasure that I used to enjoy.

Three months ago, I had the Vivistim implant done. I am patient #2 on the West Coast. Patient #1 turned out to be my piano tuner for thirty years till his stroke a month after mine. We were featured speakers at the Pacific Stroke Association conference last Wednesday talking about our experiences with the process.

Since then, my main progress has been handwriting. I have begun writing cursive again—something I never taught my right hand in seventeen years. I can't just pick up my fountain pen (ball and gel pens are less forgiving as to angle) and go—my arm has not caught up to my hand yet—but I am enjoying the struggle and the process. I feel it may unlock that creativity again; at least, that's the plan.

We'll see...


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