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I AM THE
Stroke Maven |
I'm an ischemic stroke survivor making the best of every day.
I heal by sharing my experiences and what I'm learning on this journey in the hopes that it will help others. |
Every Month Is Stroke Awareness Month
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Did you know stroke is the 5th leading cause of deathin the U.S.?On average, every 3 minutes and 17 seconds someone in the US dies of a stroke. Every year more than 795,000 people have a stroke and in 2020 I was one of those people.
I launched this blog in March 2022 for brain injury awareness month and as a vehicle to help me heal, but I wasn't ready and I didn't have a game plan. I finally feel better prepared and ready to "speak up and speak out" to help other survivors and to raise awareness. On August 8, 2023 it will be 3 years since my stroke. So here I go, relaunching this blog, less overwhelmed, and with more of a plan. My hope is this will be a supportive space in my healing and through these efforts I can potentially help others. Thank you for visiting and I hope you find something that speaks to you. #strokesurvivor #nonvisibledisabilities #bloodthinnersforlife #MoreThanMyBrainInjury |
"We have the power to choose who and how we want to be in the world each and every moment, regardless of what external circumstances we find ourselves in.”
- Dr. Jill Bolte Taylor
TELL ME ABOUT YOUR JOURNEY
The first time I heard Dr. Jill Bolte Taylor speak, she reminded a group of brain injury survivors to pay attention to the things we can do today, that we couldn't do yesterday. It's important to celebrate the small things as sometimes the smallest incremental change can hold more impact than what one might see as a major accomplishment and helps to remind us how far we've come.
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Walk to my neighbors house one building down. |
Please read top to bottom in each column - left to right. I reorganized for viewing in mobile. My hope is to tell the story of these milestones in my blog, I've got some catching up to do. Stay tuned for these updates, and thanks in advance for your patience.
WENT TO AN ADAPTIVE CLIMBING CLASSJULY 18, 2023
ADVOCATE FOR STROKE AWARENESSMAY 1, 2023
DROVE SOLO 2.5 HOURS TO NJSSWAPRIL 21, 2023
FIRST CONCERT WITHOUT A PANIC ATTACKMARCH 15, 2023
SURVIVED BROADWAY SHOW WITH A DJFEBRUARY 11, 2023
RODE THE COMMUTER TRAIN HOME SOLOFEBRUARY 11, 2023
ATTENDED MY FIRST WORKOUT CLASSDECEMBER 2022
ORGANIZED A FAMILY PIC WITH MATCHING PJSDECEMBER 25, 2022
WAS SOMEONE ELSE'S SUPPORT PERSONDECEMBER 21, 2022
DANCED AT A FAMILY WEDDINGNOVEMBER 5, 2022
TRAVELED SOLO FOR WORK DIA-BUROCTOBER 2022
DID MY OWN PARTY HAIR AND MAKE UPSEPTEMBER 10, 2022
WALKED A VIRTUAL 5K WITH MY COUSINSSEPTEMBER 6, 2022
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HELPED THROW A BIRTHDAY PARTY FOR MY POPAUGUST 2022
DROVE 1 HOUR ON I-80 NB WHILE ROB NAPPEDJULY 16, 2022
HIKED 1.4 MILES AT EVERGREEN LAKE COLORADOJULY 14, 2022
ATTENDED THE STANLEY CUP FINALSJUNE 18, 2022
TOOK A 36-HOUR TRAIN RIDEJUNE 1, 2022
ATTENDED MY FIRST ART THERAPY CLASSAPRIL 26, 2022
DENVER NUGGETS PLAY-OFF GAMEAPRIL 21, 2022
COLORADO MAMMOTH - TOO MUCH COW BELLAPRIL 2, 2022
LAUNCHED THIS BLOGMARCH 2022
HOSTED AND THREW EPIC LASGNA GRAD PARTYDECEMBER 2021
CELEBRATED THE KIDDO'S GRADUATIONDECEMBER 2021
STARTED DRIVING AGAIN - FIRST DRIVE-THRUNOVEMBER 18, 2021
FLEW SOLO HPN TO PBI FOR A FAMILY VISITNOVEMBER 5, 2021
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VOTED WITHOUT HAVING A PANIC ATTACKNOVEMBER 2, 2021
HAD AN UNSCRIPTED CONVERSATIONOCTOBER 26, 2021
VOLUNTEERED WITH CAP CARESOCTOBER 3, 2021
VISITED AN IMMERSIVE ART EXHIBITSEPTEMBER 23 , 2021
TOOK A 20-HOUR MULTI-DAY TRAININGSEPTEMBER 10, 2021
CELEBRATED 1 YEAR POST-STROKEAUGUST 8, 2021
ATTENDED A LIVE LEARNING EVENTJULY 18, 2021
PRESENTED TO A GLOBAL GROUPJULY 17, 2021
ATTENDED A CONCERT AT RED ROCKSJUNE 5, 2021
CLIMBED THE STEPS AT RED ROCKSMAY 17, 2021
CARING FOR MY FURRY FRIENDMARCH 28, 2021
GOT BOTH FEET OFF THE GROUND AT ONCEMARCH 23, 2021
BAKED A SUGAR-FREE BIRTHDAY CAKEMARCH 7, 2021
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As I've been connecting with other brain injury survivors, I have found the most meaningful interactions happen when I'm most vulnerable. I may not recognize the courage in myself, I do strongly see it in others. This space is for recognizing the strength in all of us.
@alessoninswimming
Your willingness to share your struggles and still have the ability to find humor in most situations is a skill. It's no wonder we gravitate towards each other.
@tawniethemermaid
You've shared this quote: "Anyone can make you smile, many people can make you cry, but it takes someone really special to make you smile with tears in your eyes." Know that you are really special.
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@joesorocks
You telling me, "You’re living life! You survived but you’re doing so much more than that. You’re living. I’m so fucking proud of you!" was everything. You've given countless others the same feels.
@twothet2.0
You're an inspiration. Thanks to you posting therapy videos I've connected with @neuro.ot_nj and have been working in the most dynamic therapies in these 3 years. I owe much of the progress inching me closer to 100% to you and NJ Sports Spine Wellness.
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@howweedsave
Your generosity and excitement to advocate during brain injury awareness month inspired me to launch this blog. When I see you with your kiddo, it reminds me of my mini-me. Many blessings to you on your journey.
@compassionate.snob
We share very similar storms and you are one of the toughest people I've meet and you shares in such an honest way - I feel like I'm walking the path with you. I do believe WE ARE THE STORM!
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@jas__loh
You are so incredible, my ray of sunshine and peaceful positivity. You kept a watchful eye on during my first solo mission - I'm blessed to have a guardian angel in Singapore.
@vwangny
Our relationship with creativity can be a challenge after brain injury. I'm thankful for our new connection and for you bravely stepping forward. Inspiration, move me brightly - light the song with sense and color...
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