Pick It Up

    During the first week of August,  Mike went to an intensive Stroke Recovery Camp at the University of Utah Rehab Center. The "camp" was 6 hours a day; 5 days / week for 3 weeks.  Two of his goals were to walk consistently without the cane and increase his ability to use his right arm and hand.  From the minute we arrived at the camp, Mike was expected to use his right arm. When he gets out of the car, I put the strap to his lunchbox in his right hand and he holds it as he walks into the building. This may sound like a simple thing but it is HUGE. This morning Mike had trouble maintaing his grip on the strap and the lunchbox would fall to the ground. I would pick it up and put it back into his hand, reminding him to squeeze his fingers into a fist. After dropping the lunchbox four or five times, Mike said, "You just do it." Of course, you know my answer, " No Way!"  I told Mike, "I don't care how many times you drop it. I care how many times you pick it up."
    That is the way life is too. It is easy to quit too soon when frustrations come. It is important to remember where we came from and goals we have already accomplished.