Beyond Stillness: Stories After Stroke

Mariella's stroke taught her that the little moments are the big moments. From standing up in a rehab hallway to finding her people in a water cup relay, Mariella shows us what it looks like to trust the process even when progress isn't always visible. Her story is about consistency, community, and discovering you're more resilient than you ever knew.

Community Conversation Prompt

• Mariella kept trying different forms of therapy — the pool, weights, acupuncture, golf. What unexpected piece of your recovery has made the biggest difference?

Mentioned Resources

• Champion the Challenges - Golf4Life
• Hope Neuro Acupuncture Rehabilitation
• REACH - Ability Path's Stroke and Brain Injury Services

This episode was presented in partnership with Santa Clara County’s Stroke Awareness Foundation — because through education and awareness, we can save lives and improve the health of our diverse community. Visit strokeinfo.org

Support a Stroke Survivor:

Your gift sponsors a stroke survivor through our seven-week reflective story crafting journey.
👉 Donate at beyondstillness.org

Beyond Stillness: Stories After Stroke is a nonprofit that empowers stroke survivors to articulate and publicly share their stories of wisdom, purpose, connection, and hope.

Follow us: Instagram · Facebook · YouTube · beyondstillness.org

#BeyondStillness #StrokeRecovery #StrokeSurvivor #StrokeStories #StrokeAwareness #Storytelling #StrokeSupport #Recovery #Resilience #Hope #Transformation #LifeAfterStroke #Inspiration #NarrativeIdentity #StorytellingHeals #RewritingMyStory #IdentityAfterStroke #PostTraumaticGrowth

Mariella's stroke taught her that the little moments are the big moments. From standing up in a rehab hallway to finding her people in a water cup relay, Mariella shows us what it looks like to trust the process even when progress isn't always visible. Her story is about consistency, community, and discovering you're more resilient than you ever knew.

Community Conversation Prompt

• Mariella kept trying different forms of therapy — the pool, weights, acupuncture, golf. What unexpected piece of your recovery has made the biggest difference?

Mentioned Resources

• Champion the Challenges - Golf4Life
• Hope Neuro Acupuncture Rehabilitation
• REACH - Ability Path's Stroke and Brain Injury Services

This episode was presented in partnership with Santa Clara County’s Stroke Awareness Foundation — because through education and awareness, we can save lives and improve the health of our diverse community. Visit strokeinfo.org

Support a Stroke Survivor:

Your gift sponsors a stroke survivor through our seven-week reflective story crafting journey.
👉 Donate at beyondstillness.org

Beyond Stillness: Stories After Stroke is a nonprofit that empowers stroke survivors to articulate and publicly share their stories of wisdom, purpose, connection, and hope.

Follow us: Instagram · Facebook · YouTube · beyondstillness.org

#BeyondStillness #StrokeRecovery #StrokeSurvivor #StrokeStories #StrokeAwareness #Storytelling #StrokeSupport #Recovery #Resilience #Hope #Transformation #LifeAfterStroke #Inspiration #NarrativeIdentity #StorytellingHeals #RewritingMyStory #IdentityAfterStroke #PostTraumaticGrowth

Faith says her body is like a baby. It needs repetition, patience, and consistency to learn something new. Try. Try again. Try again. She's now washing dishes, folding laundry, walking her neighborhood for an hour at a time — and she's walking fast. In this episode, Faith traces her journey from the ICU to the familiar halls of the rehabilitation center where she once worked as a nurse, and into a life she is actively, intentionally rebuilding. Faith says, "If there is life, there is hope." And she lives that every day.

Community Conversation Prompt:

• In what ways do you consistently work towards improvement these days?

Guest's Mentioned Resources:

• Champion the Challenges - Golf4Life
• Santa Clara Valley Medical Center 
• San Jose State University's Occupational Therapy Clinic
• Skyline Rehabilitation Center

This episode was presented in partnership with Santa Clara County’s Stroke Awareness Foundation — because through education and awareness, we can save lives and improve the health of our diverse community. Visit strokeinfo.org

Support a Stroke Survivor:

Your gift sponsors a stroke survivor through our seven-week reflective story crafting journey.
👉 Donate at beyondstillness.org

Beyond Stillness: Stories After Stroke is a nonprofit that empowers stroke survivors to articulate and publicly share their stories of wisdom, purpose, connection, and hope.

Follow us: Instagram · Facebook · YouTube · beyondstillness.org

#BeyondStillness #StrokeRecovery #StrokeSurvivor #StrokeStories #StrokeAwareness #Storytelling #StrokeSupport #Recovery #Resilience #Hope #Transformation #LifeAfterStroke #Inspiration #NarrativeIdentity #StorytellingHeals #RewritingMyStory #IdentityAfterStroke #PostTraumaticGrowth

Faith says her body is like a baby. It needs repetition, patience, and consistency to learn something new. Try. Try again. Try again. She's now washing dishes, folding laundry, walking her neighborhood for an hour at a time — and she's walking fast. In this episode, Faith traces her journey from the ICU to the familiar halls of the rehabilitation center where she once worked as a nurse, and into a life she is actively, intentionally rebuilding. Faith says, "If there is life, there is hope." And she lives that every day.

Community Conversation Prompt:

• In what ways do you consistently work towards improvement these days?

Guest's Mentioned Resources:

• Champion the Challenges - Golf4Life
• Santa Clara Valley Medical Center 
• San Jose State University's Occupational Therapy Clinic
• Skyline Rehabilitation Center

This episode was presented in partnership with Santa Clara County’s Stroke Awareness Foundation — because through education and awareness, we can save lives and improve the health of our diverse community. Visit strokeinfo.org

Support a Stroke Survivor:

Your gift sponsors a stroke survivor through our seven-week reflective story crafting journey.
👉 Donate at beyondstillness.org

Beyond Stillness: Stories After Stroke is a nonprofit that empowers stroke survivors to articulate and publicly share their stories of wisdom, purpose, connection, and hope.

Follow us: Instagram · Facebook · YouTube · beyondstillness.org

#BeyondStillness #StrokeRecovery #StrokeSurvivor #StrokeStories #StrokeAwareness #Storytelling #StrokeSupport #Recovery #Resilience #Hope #Transformation #LifeAfterStroke #Inspiration #NarrativeIdentity #StorytellingHeals #RewritingMyStory #IdentityAfterStroke #PostTraumaticGrowth

"When we let each other in, we help each other." Gary knew this as a runner and a coach. A stroke in 2020 taught him what it really means. Gary's story is about connection — neighbors, coaches, roommates, therapists, and fellow survivors who showed up. Now Gary is the one showing up for others, sitting with fellow stroke survivors, and passing on exactly what was given to him. 

Community Conversation Prompt:

Who believed in you before you believed in yourself?  How are you passing that on now?

Guest's Mentioned Resources:

• Champion the Challenges - Golf4Life
• O'Connor Hospital Therapy Services
• Santa Clara Valley Medical Center 
• San Jose State University's Occupational Therapy Clinic

This episode was presented in partnership with Santa Clara County’s Stroke Awareness Foundation — because through education and awareness, we can save lives and improve the health of our diverse community. Visit strokeinfo.org

Support a Stroke Survivor:

Your gift sponsors a stroke survivor through our seven-week reflective story crafting journey.
👉 Donate at beyondstillness.org

Beyond Stillness: Stories After Stroke is a nonprofit that empowers stroke survivors to articulate and publicly share their stories of wisdom, purpose, connection, and hope.

Follow us: Instagram · Facebook · YouTube · beyondstillness.org

#BeyondStillness #StrokeRecovery #StrokeSurvivor #StrokeStories #StrokeAwareness #Storytelling #StrokeSupport #Recovery #Resilience #Hope #Transformation #LifeAfterStroke #Inspiration #NarrativeIdentity #StorytellingHeals #RewritingMyStory #IdentityAfterStroke #PostTraumaticGrowth

"When we let each other in, we help each other." Gary knew this as a runner and a coach. A stroke in 2020 taught him what it really means. Gary's story is about connection — neighbors, coaches, roommates, therapists, and fellow survivors who showed up. Now Gary is the one showing up for others, sitting with fellow stroke survivors, and passing on exactly what was given to him. 

Community Conversation Prompt:

Who believed in you before you believed in yourself?  How are you passing that on now?

Guest's Mentioned Resources:

• Champion the Challenges - Golf4Life
• O'Connor Hospital Therapy Services
• Santa Clara Valley Medical Center 
• San Jose State University's Occupational Therapy Clinic

This episode was presented in partnership with Santa Clara County’s Stroke Awareness Foundation — because through education and awareness, we can save lives and improve the health of our diverse community. Visit strokeinfo.org

Support a Stroke Survivor:

Your gift sponsors a stroke survivor through our seven-week reflective story crafting journey.
👉 Donate at beyondstillness.org

Beyond Stillness: Stories After Stroke is a nonprofit that empowers stroke survivors to articulate and publicly share their stories of wisdom, purpose, connection, and hope.

Follow us: Instagram · Facebook · YouTube · beyondstillness.org

#BeyondStillness #StrokeRecovery #StrokeSurvivor #StrokeStories #StrokeAwareness #Storytelling #StrokeSupport #Recovery #Resilience #Hope #Transformation #LifeAfterStroke #Inspiration #NarrativeIdentity #StorytellingHeals #RewritingMyStory #IdentityAfterStroke #PostTraumaticGrowth

Today we meet Denise Lowell.  Denise shares her journey from confusion, depression, and isolation after her stroke to discovering purpose and creating community. After losing her ability to read, write, and speak clearly due to aphasia, Denise transformed her struggle into action—creating a thriving aphasia support community in Rhode Island that has grown from a single conference to an organization serving people worldwide. Now, as she embarks on graduate school and explores what it means to care for herself after years of advocating for others, Denise reflects on the question: "What do I want to be when I grow up?"

Community Conversation Prompt:

What inspiring moment in your life nudged you to make a difference in the lives of others?

Mentioned Resources:

Just ASK (Aphasia Stroke Knowledge)
Aphasia Center Intensive Treatment Programs
Bridge Project
Five People You Meet in Heaven by Mitch Albom
National Aphasia Synergy
Trish Hambridge's Story and Interview

Support a Stroke Survivor:

Your gift sponsors a stroke survivor through our seven-week reflective story crafting journey.
👉 Donate at beyondstillness.org

Beyond Stillness: Stories After Stroke is a nonprofit that empowers stroke survivors to articulate and publicly share their stories of wisdom, purpose, connection, and hope.

Follow us: Instagram · Facebook · YouTube · beyondstillness.org

#BeyondStillness #StrokeRecovery #StrokeSurvivor #StrokeStories #StrokeAwareness #Storytelling #StrokeSupport #Recovery #Resilience #Hope #Transformation #LifeAfterStroke #Inspiration #NarrativeIdentity #StorytellingHeals #RewritingMyStory #IdentityAfterStroke #PostTraumaticGrowth

Today we meet Denise Lowell.  Denise shares her journey from confusion, depression, and isolation after her stroke to discovering purpose and creating community. After losing her ability to read, write, and speak clearly due to aphasia, Denise transformed her struggle into action—creating a thriving aphasia support community in Rhode Island that has grown from a single conference to an organization serving people worldwide. Now, as she embarks on graduate school and explores what it means to care for herself after years of advocating for others, Denise reflects on the question: "What do I want to be when I grow up?"

Community Conversation Prompt:

What inspiring moment in your life nudged you to make a difference in the lives of others?

Mentioned Resources:

Just ASK (Aphasia Stroke Knowledge)
Aphasia Center Intensive Treatment Programs
Bridge Project
Five People You Meet in Heaven by Mitch Albom
National Aphasia Synergy
Trish Hambridge's Story and Interview

Support a Stroke Survivor:

Your gift sponsors a stroke survivor through our seven-week reflective story crafting journey.
👉 Donate at beyondstillness.org

Beyond Stillness: Stories After Stroke is a nonprofit that empowers stroke survivors to articulate and publicly share their stories of wisdom, purpose, connection, and hope.

Follow us: Instagram · Facebook · YouTube · beyondstillness.org

#BeyondStillness #StrokeRecovery #StrokeSurvivor #StrokeStories #StrokeAwareness #Storytelling #StrokeSupport #Recovery #Resilience #Hope #Transformation #LifeAfterStroke #Inspiration #NarrativeIdentity #StorytellingHeals #RewritingMyStory #IdentityAfterStroke #PostTraumaticGrowth

Join us for a reflective two-part compilation featuring the collective wisdom of twenty-eight of our 2025 storytellers. Stroke survivors share profound insights on discovering purpose, reclaiming voice, and finding hope through adversity. Hear stories of resilience, acceptance, and the transformative power of community as survivors navigate their recovery journeys. From learning to breathe again to advocating for aphasia awareness, these voices remind us we are part of something greater. Each story offers a compass for navigating life's challenges with courage, patience, and connection.

Community Conversation Prompt: 

Looking back, what insights have emerged from your stroke experience?

Support a Stroke Survivor:

Your gift sponsors a stroke survivor through our seven-week reflective story crafting journey.
👉 Donate at beyondstillness.org

Beyond Stillness: Stories After Stroke is a nonprofit that empowers stroke survivors to articulate and publicly share their stories of wisdom, purpose, connection, and hope.

Follow us: Instagram · Facebook · YouTube · beyondstillness.org

#BeyondStillness #StrokeRecovery #StrokeSurvivor #StrokeStories #StrokeAwareness #Storytelling #StrokeSupport #Recovery #Resilience #Hope #Transformation #LifeAfterStroke #Inspiration #NarrativeIdentity #StorytellingHeals #RewritingMyStory #IdentityAfterStroke #PostTraumaticGrowth

Join us for a reflective two-part compilation featuring the collective wisdom of twenty-eight of our 2025 storytellers. Stroke survivors share profound insights on discovering purpose, reclaiming voice, and finding hope through adversity. Hear stories of resilience, acceptance, and the transformative power of community as survivors navigate their recovery journeys. From learning to breathe again to advocating for aphasia awareness, these voices remind us we are part of something greater. Each story offers a compass for navigating life's challenges with courage, patience, and connection.

Community Conversation Prompt: 

Looking back, what insights have emerged from your stroke experience?

Support a Stroke Survivor:

Your gift sponsors a stroke survivor through our seven-week reflective story crafting journey.
👉 Donate at beyondstillness.org

Beyond Stillness: Stories After Stroke is a nonprofit that empowers stroke survivors to articulate and publicly share their stories of wisdom, purpose, connection, and hope.

Follow us: Instagram · Facebook · YouTube · beyondstillness.org

#BeyondStillness #StrokeRecovery #StrokeSurvivor #StrokeStories #StrokeAwareness #Storytelling #StrokeSupport #Recovery #Resilience #Hope #Transformation #LifeAfterStroke #Inspiration #NarrativeIdentity #StorytellingHeals #RewritingMyStory #IdentityAfterStroke #PostTraumaticGrowth