Stroking something usually calls for a soft brushing movement, not the debilitating condition suffered after a stroke.
It seems such an odd way to describe possible death and almost certain paralysis in parts of the body.
I suffered a severe stroke due to a bleed in the brain almost four years ago and the left hand side of my body is still affected to such an extent that my fingers are not of any practical use.
My left arm is slightly bent and difficult to move.
My skin feels tender when touched.
The muscles in my left leg are fairly stiff but I am able to walk with a walking stick, thank goodness.
I had to stop working, therefore the disability affected my earning potential as well as the everyday things that were taken for granted.
The problem of a reduced income had to be addressed as well as the need to attempt a return as near as possible to a normal existence.
Initial Physiotherapy carried out in hospital enabled me to walk short distances and I was then put on a community rehab programme, mainly to increase my ability to walk, although I am still dependent upon a walking stick.
Here in the UK, only limited resources are available to continue physiotherapy for any length of time and stroke victims need to continue rehabilitation under their own steam or to use a private Physio which can be very expensive.
For the benefit of readers who do not know, healthcare in the UK is free; goodness knows what would have happened if I had to rely on my reduced income for prolonged private physiotherapy.
Anyway, I don't want to bore the pants off everybody, so I'll just say that I do know that immediate medical attention following a stroke is absolutely essential if any sort of recovery is going to happen.
I was lucky in that I was taken to hospital without delay, an action that certainly saved my life and aided recovery.
Now, the other part of my rehab is being addressed, that is, to increase my income.
I have achieved this by doing one thing available to sufferers whose mental capacity has recovered enough to use a computer: - Getting an income from internet marketing.
I have bought numerous money making programs during the last three years, vowing that the next one would be my last.
Unfortunately, nothing seemed to do it for me; maybe I was too impatient, that is until I embarked upon a couple of programs that are reaping the rewards of my perseverance.
I am not interested in 'get rich quick' schemes, pyramid or MLM schemes: I wanted something that was easy to do, ongoing and seemed as if it would work.
I didn't mind spending some time learning, after all, I have plenty of that now.