Locked In and Free

Sometimes knowledge of another person's challenge helps keep one's own in proper perspective. In this month's Cornell Alumni Magazine, Brad Herzog chronicles the story of an alumnus who gives new meaning to the term, Healthy Survivor.

Judy Mozersky was a 19-year-old Cornellian studying dance (along with her academics) when she suffered a stroke affecting her brain stem that left her in a condition known as Locked-In Syndrome. Herzog writes, "Her mind was unscathed, but she lost the capacity to direct any movements of her body other than the muscles governing her eyes, throat, and respiration. She could feel everything; she could move almost nothing."

Forever a dancer at heart, Judy sees her recovery as resembling the various positions of ballet:

• First position = survival
• Second position = communication
• Third position = independence
• Fourth position = connection
• Fifth position = perspective

After herculean efforts by Judy and her healthcare team, she has been breathing and swallowing on her own. As for voluntary movement, she still moves only her eyes. Yet, she is living in an apartment (with caregivers) where she is studying Latin and Hebrew, dictating letters, and enjoying aromas and tastes as she guides her caregivers to experiment with recipes. 

Herzog concludes, "...you can't confine the human spirit...anyone who believes only sunshine brings happiness has never danced in the rain."

Comments

[kate]

These chronicles of extreme courage are so inspiring. What separates the person who doesn't give up from the person who does? I've often wondered if it all inner wisdom and strength or more.

[Wendy S. Harpham, MD]

Dear Kate,

I believe two main factors govern how well a person adjusts to serious illness: (1) innate personality and (2) the choices the survivor makes about each aspect of his or her life.

Some people seem hard-wired to see the positive and the possibilities in any situation. They seem to have a bottomless supply of courage and fortitude needed to transcend horrific circumstances.

Other people sink to rock bottom with any serious challenge.

Since we come to illness or injury with our unique personality, and with our strengths and weaknesses, each of us must forge and follow a unique path toward Healthy Survivorship.

I don't think anyone on earth could accept and adjust to Locked-in Syndrome without a struggle. And I suspect that Judy's pre-morbid personality and style made it easier for her than almost anyone else.

Some people in Judy's condition might suffer from changes in the chemistry of their brain that make it difficult - if not impossible - to obtain knowledge or set the stage for hope. These people need antidepressant and/or antianxiety medications to help return their brain chemistry back toward normal.

Some people benefit from any combination of religion, music, meditation, cognitive therapy, hypnosis, stories, art or, or, or...

When it comes to Healthy Survivorship, it doesn't matter whether hope and joy come naturally, or with a little help, or with lots and lots of guidance and support. What matters is that Healthy Survivors make the effort to set the stage for hope and joy.

For those who are hopeless and despairing, the simple act of agreeing to the possibility of improvement opens the door to hope and joy.

Let me know if this makes sense.
With hope, Wendy

[Kairol Rosenthal]

Thanks for posting this article. As a choreographer diagnosed with cancer at 27, I believe there is a double edged sword to facing physical limitations as a dancer: 1. The loss is perhaps more profound than others whose physicality is not so innately tied to their identity; 2. Dancers have incredible kinesthetic awareness that, even when hindered, can give us tremendous access to working differently inside our own bodies. I really think we have an advantage to feeling the world differently when our bodies are against the wall.

Thanks for sharing this story Wendy.

Best,

Kairol

blog http://everythingchangesbook.com/

[Wendy S. Harpham, MD]

Thanks for your dancer's perspective. That's why in my presentations I emphasize that obstacles to Healthy Survivorship can only be appreciated if a patient's illness is viewed in the context of that patient's life. A violinist with peripheral neuropathy from chemo will suffer more than someone who doesn't depend on his or her fingertips to that degree.

I appreciate your insight that the same qualities that can make your loss more profound can also give you access to great sources of adaptation and strength.

With hope, Wendy