Claudia Fortunato-Napolitano is the Happiness Hero at John’s Crazy Socks. While still a young woman (Claudia is only 35), she suffered a major stroke in January 2017. Claudia is an essential team member at John’s Crazy socks working to spread happiness and show every day what is possible when you give a person a chance. Claudia is sharing her recovery in this blog, so others can learn of the challenges facing stroke recovery patients and people in recovery can take strength and inspiration from knowing they are not alone.
I am happy with my speech therapist, Judy Cavallo at New York Speech Solutions, which is a good thing because I will be going for a long time. Ha! I joke only because I would love to notbe going to speech therapy. This morning at speech therapy, we did a word finding test and I did good. But there was a few that I did not know. Tambourine. Hop Scotch. Battery. And some other words. It was so annoying. I knew their meaning, but I couldn’t think of the name. But for the most part, I had most of the names right, so that is good.
My glasses went missing. I had them with me when I went to my sister’s house, and I’m pretty sure that I had them when I was leaving because I drove home. So, how did they go missing? I have ransacked my house for 2 days. I called my sister to see if I left them there, and she said no, so I have to go and get new glasses soon - really soon. It’s driving me bananas! The point of the story is, I slacked on my speech therapy homework because I spent so much time searching for my glasses. That’s why I am so surprised I did so well on my word finding test this week. (On a side note, I went to LensCrafters at Macy’s yesterday and I ordered new glasses. Also, I got sunglasses for the first time.)
I am so excited about my weekend plans. It’s my seven-year anniversary, and Sean suggested that we go to New York Comic Con. It is my third time going, but I am so pumped to shop. I love Christmas shopping for other people. It’s my jam! I remember we purchased a Grim Reaper rubber ducky for Gwen, Star Trek books for my dad, and a t-shirt for my husband that said, “Still plays with toys.” I hope to see some panels. The Walking Dead and Star Trek are two favorite shows of mine. We’ll see, but I am so excited to be going.
The 7-year anniversary gift I got for Sean is made of copper. I got him a key ring with a 2011 Lucky Copper Penny that says “7 down and forever to go.” I think he will like it. 7 years. Since I had my stroke, I look at him and I am stuck with how much I love him. To go through this with me makes me fall in love with him even harder than I was when we met, when we got married, or even when we bought our first house. Everything pales in comparison to that fact that he loves through my stroke and after stroke. He really loves me, and I love him too. Happy anniversary, my love!
We got married on my parent’s wedding anniversary. They have been married for 46 years. They are so happy. I hope that I am like that after we’ve been married that long. I am giving a shout out to them. Happy anniversary to my parents!
Every day, every week, I take more steps. It is hard, but I keep getting better.
