STORY - "Connecting Pathways "

I was down straightening my personal room, reading the old mail I needed to throw out when I began to realise that I was going over and over the same passage and it wasn't making sense. I took it across to my husband, John, in the garage and exclaimed,
“Can you read this for me, it's just not making sense.” Forever etched in my memory is the look on his face,
a look of shock and disbelief as he tried to steer me
on to a bed. I tried to shake him off saying, “All I want
is for you to help me understand this article.”

He became more insistent that I lie down as he reached for the phone to ring an ambulance.
Unknown to me in that instance of calmly reading my mail my world changed. The whole left side of my face had slithered down; eye, cheek and mouth were contorted as I also looked with disbelief in the mirror. How could this be? I had felt absolutely nothing!!

Connecting Pathways: A Triumphant Journey Through Stroke is the story of Libby Levey's recovery from a massive stroke which paralysed the left side of her body. Living in Newcastle , Libby is the eldest of six children, a wife of 42 years, a mother of four and a trained children's nurse and counsellor. In more recent years she has developed her creative talents in sculpture, art and poetry.

In many ways Libby's story is familiar. Any family which has been affected by stroke (or other sudden and debilitating illness) will relate to its elements: the fears, confusion, distress and sadness of confronting loss and uncertainty, the agonising medical decisions loved ones are asked to make at these times and the particular anguish for family members overseas who receive terrible news. Like many others, Libby's family quickly learnt to appreciate the importance of humour and hope.

Yet Libby's story – and her book - is filled with many elements which are anything but commonplace. It contains first hand accounts not only by Libby, but by family, friends and health professionals who accompanied her on her journey to recovery. It highlights the use of alternate therapies alongside medical interventions, and the power of prayer, love and friendship.

A fascinating aspect of this book is the inclusion of journal entries, poems and images which, Libby says, were a central part of her healing journey. Four days after her stroke, she requested writing materials from hospital staff.

There were several reasons why it was important for me to express my thoughts and feelings. Firstly, to prove to myself that my brain could work in a way that it used to and secondly, the inner urging to express my trauma was so strong … In the past I had used various forms of art to intuitively work through many hardships. Playing around with sculpture and art had been an emotional and creative outlet that I believe kept me sane.

Libby tells of the strange twilight experience of slipping in and out of consciousness, a dimension which many of us wonder about but few are able to share. She describes awakening and having conversations with her son about the pizzas she had prepared for his homecoming, and then losing consciousness again. She remembers her strong awareness of the visit and prayers of Dean Graeme Lawrence from Christ Church Cathedral - and the sound of people crying and blowing their noses which she believes was a “love connection from my family”.

Libby highlights the complex world of medications and unexplained side effects and provides a compelling reminder of the need for patients to be told what is happening to their body and their mind. The book does not shy away from many of the distressing elements of illness.

“Loss of independence was a big issue. All the daily tasks I took for granted - … dressing, toileting, eating, being able to smile normally instead of lopsidedly…”

This story shines with Libby's strong sense of self knowledge and she attributes much of her recovery to the use of alternate therapies. She developed her own routine of art therapy, massage, meditation, Pilates, swimming, walking, dance and creative expression, knitting and regular rest.

Libby's faith and spirituality are integral to this story. All the way through the journey she thanks God for her healing and prays for strength and peace during the difficult times. She writes with gratitude about the faith and comfort she felt through the constant prayer support of her family and friends. The book contains many insights into individuals' experiences of prayer and miracles.

Libby dedicates her book to her daughter, whom she “lost to mental illness and suicide. I want to thank you Margie for the gift of revelation that sent me on a journey of creativity to freedom.…Through all your traumas God was equipping me for mine.”

To contact Libby, email palero@aapt.net.au or write to PO Box 929 Newcastle 2300.


Catherine Mahony

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