Over the last year Mayda Franco has had to relearn some of the basics including how to care for her animals and use her own microwave.
Last year, at the age of just 42, the Vernon, B.C. woman suffered a stroke that’s impacted her memory and her vision.
“When I first had the stroke I was dealing with being in the darkness and not remembering the now, but the past was back in my head,” Franco said.
So she uses techniques to jog her memory including taking walks down her very own memory lane, the route she’s used over the years to take her kids to school.
“My memory is better now. I can remember maybe what happened yesterday,” Franco said. “It is not 100 per cent. The year has gone by and I don’t feel like I have much to say about this year. I don’t recall much of it.”
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She hopes her perseverance can give other’s facing challenges hope.
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While she admits it hasn’t been easy, the experience of recovering from her stroke has also left her with a newfound appreciation for day-to-day life.
“Enjoy the wind, the rain, the snow, the birds, everything, because you don’t know when you won’t be able to remember or to see it again,” Franco said.
The 43-year-old is now focused on recovering, staying positive and eventually returning to her job as a care aid.
This Thanksgiving has so much meaning for me because for me every day is for me to give thanks,” Franco said.
“I’m grateful that I’m remembering more and I’m seeing more and I’m very grateful for today.”
It’s a Thanksgiving reminder that despite life’s challenges so many of us have so much to be thankful for.