Five years ago, I was lying in the ICU after my stroke when a nurse walked past my room and said, “You don’t belong here.” I didn’t look like I belonged in the ICU. The clot-busting treatment had worked. My speech improved significantly from when I was in the ER, although slow and struggling to […]
Tag: stroke recovery
The Joys of Recovery: How Sobriety Gave Me a Life I Never Knew Was Possible
I walked into AA to learn how to drink without consequences, and instead I was given the gift of a joyful life.
“I Can Figure This Out Myself”: Increase the Frequency of Hope
I have always liked being able to say, “I did it myself.” There’s something satisfying about figuring things out on my own. It’s the same feeling a child gets when they run into the room and proudly announce, “Look what I made!” Honestly, I still do that with my husband when I finish a painting, […]
Easier Said Than Done: The Hard Part of Recovery
Advice is easier said than done. Phrases like “listen to your body,” “be patient with yourself,” and “accept where you are” are simple, but living them is something else entirely. In recovery, I navigate chronic pain, fatigue, and the constant negotiation between what I want to do and what my body will allow. And it’s […]
Spoon and Cup Theory
Balancing Energy, Emotions, and Spirit One Day At A Time Living with a chronic illness requires a daily physical, emotional, and spiritual wellness check-in upon awakening. Spoon and Cup Theory offers a cross-referencing framework for a morning self-assessment of mind and body. Each day stands independent of the last and is paved with unknowns. There […]
No Matter What: Sobriety & Stroke Recovery
Life in recovery doesn’t take a holiday or long weekend. Whether it’s navigating sobriety, stroke recovery, living with migraines, or a vestibular disorder, perseverance is not an option. It is a requirement. A mantra in sobriety is simple: “I don’t drink no matter what.” That concept runs deep for me. For stroke survivors, those dealing […]
Disability Guilt: Being Disabled Is Not Your Fault
Why do we experience disability guilt and its detrimental effects on our well-being, and what are effective strategies for managing it?
Active Surrender: Rise Up and Rebuild
Active surrender is about the deliberate action that follows, unplanting our feet from familiar ground and taking steps in a new direction.
Navigating Self-Talk in Sobriety and Stroke Recovery
Acknowledging how self-talk shapes our reality is a significant step toward personal growth and emotional well-being.