A Mindset Medication

Summary

This podcast episode features Brother Joseph interviewing Peter, a stroke survivor, discussing his journey and the impact of spirituality on recovery.

• Peter's Background: Peter, now 56, suffered a stroke at 25, which left him with speech and coordination difficulties
• Hope and Recovery: Peter shares his experiences to inspire others facing similar challenges, emphasizing the role of spirituality and self-help in his recovery. 
• Initial Experience of Stroke: Peter recounts the moment he collapsed at McDonald's, describing a strange sense of peace despite the chaos around him. 
• Hospitalization and Healing: He spent about six months in the hospital, where he participated in physiotherapy and gradually regained movement and speech, motivated by the desire to communicate
• Support Systems: Peter credits both God and the NHS for their support during his recovery, highlighting the importance of community and professional help. 
• Personal Reflections: The conversation touches on the deeper meanings of blessings and how Peter's perspective on life has changed following his strokes, finding beauty in everyday moments. 

Transcript

A Mindset Medication 

Season 7 episode 9

Continuing about our senses and how understanding spirituality can be helpful to us, today Brother Joseph speaks to a family friend Peter on a very personal subject, Peter is now A 56-year-old adult. But as a young man of 25 he was crippled with a stroke.

With the aim of giving hope to others trapped in this sudden crippling affliction. peter, is sharing with you what led to the stroke, and the things he had to do to overcome his situation. he will share with you how blessed he is to have survived to this day, even though he still has some difficulty with speech and coordination. But Joseph wants you to engage with this and understand the possibilities of self-help and the renewed growth of strength through spirituality. It's a touching subject which he wishes to share with you.

Here’s brother Joseph speaking with Peter

Hello. welcome back. it’s a beautiful spring morning here in the Uk continuing with the spate of good weather we have been having lately, and I hope it’s the same for all you my listeners wherever you’re joining us from. May it continue and we all have a pleasant and blessed day. Now I don’t know how many of you have had heart issues in your lifetime and I’m hoping it’s not many, as it’s an extremely painful and uncertain situation to be in. for some the struggle is a final one but there are many things you learn while undergoing this issue and they are not all bad There are many things which you may be told or have read about, but there are also many things which you may be told about, that you will never believe Until “You,” have a heart attack yourself. I, can bear testimony to this, being a person who has been afflicted with a serious heart condition myself. I know you’re impatient to hear more about the issue today, but just one more thing before we continue. If you can help in any way, “please subscribe to the podcast”, you’ll be of great help and if you’ve enjoyed what you hear and wish to hear more just type yes in the comments section. (although this intended content may change somewhat)

Now I know some of you out there, particularly in the UK may have knowledge of who my guest is and say:

I know who he’s talking about and that’s not him, his name’s not Peter and that’s not his voice

Well, you’re almost right, but not quite. Yes, you probably know him. No, his name is not peter, and “Yes”, this is not his voice, the name and voice have been replaced at the request of my brother. However, there is no alteration in the transcript, as I would really prefer not to be sued

Hello Peter, I know this is not something you want to do, but you’ve chosen to do it because we’ve been brothers for such a long time…. I appreciate it very much

and because I knew heart disease was a subject you always wanted to cover

I asked you for your time and it seems I’ve wasted so much of it already, but you know me, always trying to make a point

you haven’t waisted any of my time my brother, I have plenty of it. 

I count every minute as a blessing

I can understand that

yes, but can you really?... My blessings might not be what you perceive them to be. My blessing may not entirely be because of me having three strokes and still being here in the land of the living. I have always felt blessed but these days I’ve transcended a little. I know I’ve just said it’s not because of my heart issues but perhaps that’s not quite right, perhaps it "is" as a direct result of these things that I enjoy my blessings minute by minute.... These days I still see all the beautiful aspects of my world; it’s still like a wonderland to me. but everything is brighter and more alive, and because it’s all so much more beautiful to me I enjoy every minute of it. minute by minute. Now you understand... This is my real blessing.

yes indeed. I do understand now…. You mentioned three strokes Peter….

Yes, I've had 3 strokes but I'm still here.

yes, Peter you are, and you are truly amazing.... Listeners, you would not believe this man sat in front of me now, has had three major strokes looking as fit as he does, and is the age I know him to be, he’s been a friend and a brother to me for many years, since our childhood. How many years ago was that?... I’ll leave you all to guess.... You had your first stroke at a very young age. You were 25 if my memory serves me right….

yes, I was 25... but only half alive

so, what brought it on, were you very stressed out prior to it, were there any pre-warnings… anything?... for you my listeners, I believe I should say at this point I speak of experienced feelings here and not any medical reasons involved…I'm not a physician, but I am interested in hearing how you managed to work your way through that terrible trauma and still be as fit and settled as you are.

there may have been subtle warnings in the time leading up to it, but I might have subconsciously discarded them because I've had no recollection at all. the father looks after us my brother you "know" we're his chosen ones

will you share with us anything you do remember, and how did you feel at the time?

I remember walking into McDonald's. and starting to feel a little crazy. as I've said, I don't recollect any warnings prior to this but I suddenly felt very weak and began to sweat. I began to feel very dizzy. And overcome with what seemed like a feeling of excitement, but my heart was racing at the time I believe. And then? For the first time in my life. I collapsed. I was lying on the ground. Few people surrounding me. But the strangest thing, as I recall, was. there was a strange air of peace. I felt very peaceful. Even though my heart was pumping away like a Machine.

I guess the onlookers were asking how you were.... Were you able to speak?

I could hear them but was having difficulty answering. I was on the floor wondering what had happened. But for some reason. I couldn’t ask. I wouldn't. I don't believe that I tried or was trying. But for some reason. I was unable to ask. I guess instinctively I knew I couldn't.

so, there you were. On the floor. In a McDonald's. Surrounded by strangers. Did it register with you at the time You might have been having a heart attack. Did that enter your thoughts?

the thumping in my chest told me that, but I was in a strange state at that moment in time. I was.... Going in and out of consciousness and. I was in a very strange state, but I was at peace. I must have blacked out, because the next thing I knew I was in Intensive care.... all a bit strange really. Things happening. And me not understanding what it was. But underneath it all. I wasn't panicking. the thumping in my chest had subsided but the hurried attendance of my carers led me to understand I was in a bad way. although I wasn't panicking. I also realised that. My entire right side. Felt strange, or rather I couldn't feel it. My entire right side had gone numb. I managed to reach across and touch my shoulder. It felt cold. And Tingling. It was difficult to do, and I Realise I had little control over my body. But I still wasn’t worried about that. I just wanted the father to do with me as he will. I realised I had very little control over my body but also realised I was unable to speak. But for some strange reason I still was not bothered. I was perfectly at peace. I blacked out again and when I awoke, I had visitors. Everyone was so sad about what had happened to me, But I was at peace. At least I was for a while. Until my family started asking how I felt. this brought home to me the fact that I could not speak but for some unknown reason I began feeling a great sense of frustration and I began to swear. it seemed they were all asking me the same questions. asking about my health but I couldn't respond and when I did, I swore. it was as though they had all drawn up a list of questions before they came, and one by one they repeatedly asked them without realising my inability to speak. eventually I knew the only way out was to "learn" to speak. At least then I could tell them all to shut up. I guess that's what motivated me to communicate once more. Just having the ability. To tell them be quiet. I was grateful for their visits. But at the same time, I wanted time for myself. I I needed to figure out if I would ever be whole again or be stuck in this bed forever. will I ever be fit again?

how long had you been in hospital by this time?

in total I've spent 18 months in one hospital or another. this was about the 3 month period, when I was beginning to gather my thoughts more clearly. Although it seemed like 3 years. but it wasn't all bad. Physiotherapy was extremely painful when it began, but I was intent on getting out of that hospital, so I accepted the discomfort and worked hard. many Improvements were happening. I was able to move my leg and walk. If. If only timidly, but I “was” able to walk again in quite a short while, I was also regaining a little feeling in my fingers and was able to move them. I remember the overwhelming feeling I had that day when an epiphany hit me. My side is not as numb anymore. and I am almost able to walk unaided.... Wow! if I can only put a sentence together without swearing now. Yes. I still had a problem with that too, but I worked at it, and I got help.

you got some help.

from God!

from God my brother?

and the (NHS) the National Health Service here in the UK. they have some great people in there, and I would not be here now without their help and encouragement believe me. I would like to talk a bit more on how great this service is...

there must have been many others in your life who helped you along the way Peter. What of your fitness instructor David, you became so friendly, you now run a successful gym together, tell our listeners these things my brother, what of your relationships Peter, how painful has your experiences been for them?

"That’s private!" come along now. I've told you not to ask about my family.

at this point I stopped the recording and explained to Peter the need to stay on the subject and not diversify.... He had said he did not want to talk about his personal life, and I respected that, but I could see he was quite clearly steering the conversation towards God and the NHS. I know Peter well, he’s my brother and I knew he was drawing the line. He stood up looked me in the eye and spoke

I really wanted to say more about the NHS. without them I would probably not be here. My brother they’re the hands of our father. we both know that. Come on....

he was playing with me now, he knew that’s exactly what I did not want. Because I wanted you listeners to know more about the man I knew, a man of great strength and endurance, a spiritual man. it took me forever persuading him to do this as he is such a private individual. but he played me. before we began, I told him although I really appreciate the NHS for the work they do, I wasn’t going to allow too much said about it, because he would be creating an advert and they are not paying me for it. He roared in manic laughter for some time, then cradled my head in his hands, and looked me straight in my eyes as he said

but Joseph...Joseph....Joseph, my good brother. You’re not paying “Me” either.

He winked at me and slowly walked out of the studio.... My brother I thought, You know I will make something of it. Thank you. That was Peter. A wonderful, pixilated spirit. And the person who just played me and sabotaged my show. this has not been entirely about the heart I’m afraid. More about a heart to heart. Knowing my brother I'm sure he's still laughing right now. I did get a few things out of the miserable old scrout and even though you may not have learned much about undergoing a stroke I hope you enjoyed this..... For now, I'm brother Joseph saying. Thank you for being here.... thank you for listening. And thank you for your continued support.... I know if he was being paid, he would have been more compliant,... So... "Please subscribe"

I’ve said I will not give the NHS a free advertisement. Well, that is not the case because here it is

The National Health Service (NHS) in the UK was established on July 5, 1948, following the enactment of the National Health Service Act in 1946.

Here's a more detailed breakdown:

The NHS officially came into being on July 5, 1948.

The National Health Service Act, passed in 1946, provided the framework for the establishment of the NHS.

The NHS was designed to provide healthcare to all, free at the point of use, and based on clinical need, not ability to pay.

The NHS was launched by then-Minister of Health, Aneurin Bevan, at Park Hospital in Manchester, now Trafford General Hospital.

The first patient admitted to the NHS was a 13-year-old girl, Sylvia Diggory, who was admitted with liver problems.

The NHS was a landmark achievement, being the first universal health system in the world, free at the point of delivery.

Today, we must pray long and hard to see a GP. I’m tempted to signpost my GP saying... “we welcome you in death” .... it is impossible to see them and when you do, what you get is a bag of pharmaceuticals to take home, "what on earth is going on?". is this a subtle way toward reducing the population? What do "YOU" think?

is this a case of the devil in plain sight?