| A stroke occurs when blood supply to the brain is | | | | Michael's body and also his speech. He was |
| interrupted. The most common cause of stroke is | | | | prescribed with anti-platelet medication to prevent |
| a blockage of arteries leading to the brain. Its | | | | a stroke from recurring and a possible heart |
| effect will depend on which part of the brain is | | | | attack that he was at a higher risk of getting. |
| affected, and its severity. Stroke, also known as | | | | From Internet, he learnt about how "qigong" could |
| brain attack, happens rapidly and hence immediate | | | | help stroke patients recover. He did a 6-month |
| treatment is very critical. Persons with stroke will | | | | intensive course, and learnt about qi (Chinese for |
| usually feel weak suddenly, lose sensation, and | | | | energy) and the importance of having a balance |
| have difficulty to talk, see or walk. | | | | between body and mind. Qigong also taught him |
| The year of 1999 was definitely not a good one | | | | to focus his body's energies on healing himself and |
| for Michael who is a businessman of age 61 at | | | | to relax. Learning to relax is important for stroke |
| that time because a contract fell through and a | | | | patients like him as stroke occurs amid stressful |
| client failed to pay him. Nevertheless, he decided | | | | circumstances. |
| to put all these behind and traveled with his wife | | | | He is 68 now. Although he has never fully |
| to celebrate the New Year of 2000 at Caesar's | | | | regained his speech and mobility, qigong has |
| Palace in Las Vegas. Waking up on the New | | | | helped him to forget his bitterness about the |
| Year's Day after a night's revelry, he felt | | | | stroke improved his mobility, and allowed him to |
| something was not right. He found difficulty to do | | | | embrace a fuller life once again. He has re-learnt |
| up his shirt and his leg would not work properly | | | | to drive again, and he now plays golf. |
| and he suspected he had suffered a stroke during | | | | Of course, he also watches what he eats to keep |
| his sleep. | | | | his blood pressure and cholesterol level down. He |
| He did not want to be hospitalized away from | | | | reiterated that he should have sought treatment |
| home and family, so he pretended he had a leg | | | | sooner as the outcome would have been better. |
| injury and got on the plane and returned home. | | | | He now teaches qigong relaxation techniques to |
| Upon alighting at the airport, he went straight to | | | | other stroke survivors and shares his experience |
| the hospital and was warded for some time | | | | to help other people recover and keep a positive |
| before doctor allowed him to return home. | | | | outlook. |
| The stroke had affected the right side of | | | | |