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
“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?
Grounding Techniques for Stroke Recovery
Grounding techniques in stroke recovery allows us to acknowledge the hard stuff and uncover subtle blessings of our new reality.
Seasons of Recovery: Each Serves a Purpose
Each season of stroke recovery and sobriety is necessary and brings us closer to acceptance, joy, and serenity.
I Am A Miracle In Recovery
When navigating life-altering and near-fatal events that lead to a life of recovery, the concept of a miracle in recovery often emerges.
Walking the Path: Choosing Adaptation Over Despair
I used to go to extreme lengths for alcohol and today must go to any lengths to choose adaption over despair and prioritize my well-being.