You can have someone in the right postcode who does nothing to aid their recovery. Conversely, you can have someone in the wrong postcode who is socially and mentally thriving. The difference lies in their support and personal determination.

Stroke recovery is most definitely an uphill-both-ways (and sometimes backwards!) slog. From the afflictions it leaves, to the emotional scars it imposes on loved ones, it is not for the weak of heart. But there is good news…

I know that my anger has caused pain, ripped away relationships and left scars. A gaggle of therapists, countless friends and acquaintances (and my very own sister) can attest to this. So, that leaves me considering the question, “Should I get mad or get even?” 

From the ongoing impacts of the pandemic, to the ever-evolving political and environmental landscapes… they remind me of life's fragility.

It makes me think, how can we, as a community, grapple with everything life throws at us? How can we be resilient now?

The vision is simple yet powerful: to provide a safe space where anyone can learn about Stacie’s experience with stroke, from the comfort of their own home and in their own time. By offering this perspective, the platform becomes a valuable resource for stroke survivors and caregivers looking to navigate the recovery journey.

During those intense weeks of preparation, as we delved into a sea of questions from my mailing list, friends, family, and even those generated by AI, I couldn't help but feel the passion growing within me.

It led me to some introspection—why this unwavering dedication to making this project meaningful and impactful?

5 Things I Learned From Trail Running (that very serendipitously have everything to do with stroke transformation!) 

Last month marked my fourth stroke anniversary. I was extremely flattered, elated and, yet, really calm to reach that point. I had a quiet celebration of life with my tribe. 

Through a hell of a lot of work, I’ve gotten here– because I didn’t let anyone tell me that I couldn’t.  It leaves me wondering about our decisions… because we each have a choice to make…

To my friends, I always give the advice “Don’t be so hard on yourself!” or “Speak to yourself, the way that you would to a friend.” So why is it so hard for me to take my own advice? Why is it so hard to forgive ourselves?

I don't know what would have happened if I would have gone to a rehabilitation facility, instead of recovering from home. Would I be this far in my transformation? Further? Would I have written a book? Would I be able to speak? What I do know about my transformation is that it would not be possible without Passion-Based Therapy.

Read on to find out more.

Why does trauma make Santa Claus-ing feel so empty? How can we get the feelings of excitement and anticipation back? Answer: Learn to love our whole selves.

Fighting the effects of aphasia. Focus on the here and now to find a middle ground between the squirrels

The simple definition of recovery is a return to a normal state of health, mind, or strength. I suffered a multitude of set-backs from my stroke. From non-fluent aphasia, agraphia, emotional regulation disorder, impaired cognitive functions, sensory integration disorder to right-sided hemiparesis. I have spent the better part of the last year and a half working on my recovery.
But I’m not there yet.

I have been there.... where you are…. slogging thru the days. It has taken me a long time to understand that without finding your recovery groove, your sweet spot, your true passion, you can get lost in a never-ending mountain of to-dos.

4 fundamentals to live by during your recovery

Scared because this world has shown me that it is a big, dark creepy place, one where bad things happen to unsuspecting people. I am not saying that this is a rational thought, but it is my fear, one which I try to manage every day.

With all of the mental tennis going on in my head, it strikes me that I have another few lessons to re-relearn.