I admitted a CVA patient on friday, R hemiparesis, aphasia, 55 year old active woman. beautiful and with a very loving family.  My goal was to see her smile before I left the room.  Her husband and daughter told me that the hospital said that every thing she did was reaction and that it didn't mean anything.  Well from point one I spoke to her like she could answer me back.  When I got to her skin sweep I noticed that she had an abd binder on. fresh peg.  and she had already attempted to pull it out in the hospital.  It was cutting into her.  well to go back a few steps when i initially met them I was telling her that we would be working with her to help her get as much back as was possible.  I then told her I wanted to see her smile and that i bet she had a beautiful smile. she nodded and really looked at me then.. now back to the abd binder.  When I took it off her I was like" that's right hun take a deep breath, I bet it feels great to breathe"  She awarded me with the most beautiful smile.. I wanted to cry.. her husband and daughter told me that that was the first time she had smiled since the stroke.  I felt blessed to be a part of that.  now when I go and visit her she holds out her hand and smiles at me.   To me that is the greates reward...