Rising Again: Rosalinda’s Story of Recovery and Resilience

Sometimes the strongest people are the ones who fight battles we cannot see, rising each day with courage after life has tried to break them, and this is exactly the story of Rosalinda, a mother of four, striving to find means for her family. However, Rosalinda’s life took an unexpected turn when she suffered a mild stroke. She recalls that moment vividly: she was simply using the restroom when her legs suddenly gave way, leaving her unable to stand. Alarmed, her children rushed her to the Cebu City Medical Center, where she was confined for a week.

Rosalinda was discharged from the hospital, but was still weak and bedridden. Rosalinda was referred by her physician for Physiotherapy, her children brought her to the PT/OT Rehabilitation Center of SSHJM and was assisted and screened by the therapist were Range of Motion (ROM) exercise was thoroughly applied, focusing on the weak hand and foot to rebuild strength and movement. Many in her situation would have given up, but Rosalinda chose perseverance and endurance on the therapy sessions. She religiously attended her therapy sessions and, enhanced the home exercises given by the attended therapist thus Rosalinda improvised it by using ropes around objects so she could move her stiff limbs and keep her body active.

For more than two months, she struggled. She fell often and move only with the support of a cane. She endured pain daily. Yet, she pressed on. She found ways to turn household chores into part of her therapy—doing small amounts of laundry, sweeping floors, and fetching water for their household. She used heavy objects like pails, brooms, and containers not just for chores but also to strengthen her paralyzed hand and prevent stiffness.

Her determination was fueled by a simple, powerful thought: “Who will take care of my children if I remain paralyzed? They are still studying, so I need to recover.” Inspired by her perseverance, and the great support received from her daughter motivates her and decided to install running water at home so she would not have to endure the added strain of fetching water.

After six months of relentless effort, Rosalinda began to reclaim her independence. She was able to return to her small business selling viand. At first, her children bought the supplies in Carbon Market, but after a year, Rosalinda herself was once again strong enough to do the buying. Her recovery was not just physical but also spiritual as she visits the adoration chapel to pray before the therapy sessions with only desire for God’s healing. She promised to dedicate her Sundays to the Lord. She admits there were times she looked at herself in the mirror and felt disheartened—feeling older, weaker, and useless. But she refused to let despair define her. Instead, she set her heart on her goal: full recovery.         

Rosalinda is one of the pioneering members of the Weaning-Off client towards Livelihood Scheme where one of the chronic patients that fully recovered through rehabilitation, and through the help of the Sisters of the Sacred Hearts of Jesus and Mary which supported by Misean Cara reaching the furthest behind, she has been able to continue her livelihood in a way that reduces physical strain. With the startup support, she no longer needs to go to Carbon Market daily. Instead, she purchases her supplies on a weekly basis, which saves on time, finances, and energy. For someone still managing the aftereffects of a stroke and the challenges of aging, this change has meant safety, dignity, and renewed strength.

Rosalinda tells her experience that it is not a piece of cake to have a stroke. But just trust the process and never give up. Always keep fighting and remember that God is watching us. The physical endurance of Rosalinda demonstrated is a form of physical endurance involving PT/OT, faith, family support and possibilities of sustainable livelihood. What started as a tale of misery has turned out to be one of strength, teamwork, perseverance and appreciation.