I’m stubborn. This trait hasn’t changed post-Steve. Several weeks after meeting Steve I noticed I was having trouble reading. My vision was slightly fuzzy. I hadn’t noticed this because I hadn’t been reading much at the time, I was more focused on my occupational and speech therapy‘s. Plus, Steve had made me inordinately sleepy. When I read, it was difficult to focus on one line at a time, though I was able to read individual words just fine. I figured this would improve as I am continued my recovery from Steve, but in the moment it was frustrating and exhausting.

About the same time I was discovering my slight blurry vision, I was feeling motivated to rummage through my backpack. I hadn’t used my backpack since before Steve. In the backpack I found the remnants left over from a hike:  my Yeti, a sweatshirt, some dog treats, and my glasses. My glasses?! WTF?! Apparently the glasses I had been using since I met Steve were for an old prescription! I had put away the correct glasses after the hike! Upon discovering the correct glasses reading became easier for sure, but my vision still a little fuzzy.

One of the many tests I had post-Steve, was an eye exam. The results of the test showed that the prescription for my glasses had not changed. The eye exam did show, however, that Steve had caused me to lose about 20% of my peripheral vision in my right eye. The good news was that I would still be able to drive! This loss affected the lower right corner of my vision. Additionally, the exam revealed that Steve had caused a bit of double vision. This double vision explains why I was having trouble reading. My optometrist explained that among people who have met Steve, double vision was common and sometimes it corrects itself.

Armed with the information that I in deed had the correct lenses, and I was good to drive, I decided to not switch to prism lenses to correct the slight double vision. I figured since overtime that the double vision would correct itself so I’d be good. After all the occupational therapy and speech therapy were working well, so this was worth a shot. As I said, stubborn.

I continued using my glasses but reading was still challenging. Then one day I noticed, as I was adjusting my glasses, I could see more clearly! By positioning my glasses slightly askew I could see better! All I had to do was remember to put them on a little crooked. Again, stubborn. Persistent? Having discovered hack, I continued reading with albeit slightly blurry vision. After all, the double vision will, might?, correct itself. Then I noticed the frames of my glasses were bent a bit! The bend had caused my eye to separate further from my eyeball thereby messing up my prescription.  No matter, I’ll just adjust the adjustments I’ve made on the placement of my glasses when I’m using them. Stubborn.

My first “strokeaversary” is approaching. I have made tremendous gains, and am aware that there is still progress toward recovery. Maybe all I need is a little more stubbornness.

P.S. I eventually had my glasses fixed and they are currently comfortable, but the double vision has not changed. Looks like prism lenses are in my future.