The art of recovery just by "doing" and not thinking

As I work on upcoming book on coping with strokes and another one on brain injuries, I keep coming across story after story of survivors who continue making fantastic strides in recovery just by "doing" and not thinking.

Now, what is that? It's simply that: movement in response to a game or activity automatically without thinking.

I've witnessed folks who've had strokes and brain injuries reach further while playing the Wii interactive games without realizing how much they were extending their arms or hands.

I've seen a corn shucking contest turn stroke survivors into active participants, exerting strength they didn't realize they had as they got caught up in the frenzy of competition with team members and cheers for their victory.

I just heard the story of a stroke survivor who wouldn't use his right arm that was affected by the stroke. However, he was given a little dog as a companion and he wants to hold it all the time in his "good" arm, his left, and now is doing amazing things with his right, simply because he doesn't want to let go of his buddy.

Here's to the art of recovery, just by "doing" and not thinking. And it's a heck of a lot cheaper!! Maybe I'd better write President Obama and let him know this action alone could reduce the country's health care bill in half!!

Dear President Obama …