A Story to Create: Stroke Survivors’ Broken Narratives

Abstract

In this commentary, I explore the impact on stroke survivors of the disclosure or the lack of disclosure by attending medical personnel of the limits of knowledge of Western medicine. Examining the effect of internal narratives on attention and engagement, this commentary presents the view that survivors’ internal narratives are significantly influenced by the statements of attending medical personnel. Their willingness to disclose the limits of medical knowledge can alter the outcome of recovery and the creative adaptation of a survivor’s life post stroke.

Keywords:

• attention
• engagement
• learned non-use
• narrative
• recovery