Beyond Stillness: Stories After Stroke

Today, we welcome guest Joe Malinowski who spent decades standing up for others—as a union leader and advocate for abused children—but after a stroke, he was left questioning his own worth. In this episode, Joe shares how the people around him—his care team, his wife, and fellow survivors—empowered him when he couldn’t see his own strength. Now, he’s giving back, using his story to uplift other stroke survivors. From isolation and paralysis to connection and purpose, Joe reminds us how deeply healing it can be to feel seen, supported, and believed in.

Mentioned Resources:

• Bikers Against Child Abuse (Baca)
• Brigham Mass General Neuro Sciences
• Dr. Kathy Post's Stroke of Inspiration Support Group
• Encompass Rehabilitation Hospital of Western Massachusetts
• Identity Theft: Rediscovering Ourselves After Stroke
• Stroke Onward

Community Conversation Prompt:

How has supporting someone else in their recovery helped you in yours?

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 on Beyond Stillness: Stories After Stroke we offer a Community Special highlighting University of Pittsburgh's Community Aphasia Center Support Group led by Chrisa Kravetz.  They meet monthly to promote social engagement and supportive communication.  Today's conversation highlights the importance of finding a safe and supportive community of understanding individuals.  We hope this conversation reminds you that you are not alone and that there are others who could benefit from your wisdom and companionship too.  Join us as members dive into lessons they’ve learned through recovery.

Community Conversation Prompt:

• What supportive advice did you most need early in your recovery?

Mentioned Resources:

• University of Pittsburgh School of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences
• Homewood Community Engagement Center
• University of Pittsburgh Community Aphasia Center Support Group

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 welcome guest Dr. Simbi Animashaun, who shares her story that begins with a pounding headache during a night class at grad school and unfolds through the heartbreak of miscarriage and the isolation of stroke recovery. Dr. Simbi takes us through the darkness she faced and the moment she chose life. Join us as she reflects on rediscovering her strength, reclaiming her purpose, and embracing her second chance with clarity and conviction.

Community Conversation Prompt:

• What moment in your recovery reminds you of your strength?

Guest's Mentioned Resources:

• Dr. Simbi Animashaun on Instagram and Facebook
• United By Loss Foundation
• The Power of Healing: A Memoir of Loss & Victory
• Horizon Over the Spectrum
• Mama, What Is Autism? A Coloring & Activity Book for Children Ages 2-7 by Dr. Simbi Animashaun
• Spectrum of Love: My Journey Through Autism by Dr. Simbi Animashaun
• Death Taught Us How To Live - AVM Superhero's Youtube Channel
• Greg Graham's Story and Interview
• Sue Phipps' Story and Interview
• Molly Buccola interviewed by Greg Graham

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 welcome guest Dr. Simbi Animashaun, who shares her story that begins with a pounding headache during a night class at grad school and unfolds through the heartbreak of miscarriage and the isolation of stroke recovery. Dr. Simbi takes us through the darkness she faced and the moment she chose life. Join us as she reflects on rediscovering her strength, reclaiming her purpose, and embracing her second chance with clarity and conviction.

Community Conversation Prompt:

• What moment in your recovery reminds you of your strength?

Guest's Mentioned Resources:

• Dr. Simbi Animashaun on Instagram and Facebook
• United By Loss Foundation
• The Power of Healing: A Memoir of Loss & Victory
• Horizon Over the Spectrum
• Mama, What Is Autism? A Coloring & Activity Book for Children Ages 2-7 by Dr. Simbi Animashaun
• Spectrum of Love: My Journey Through Autism by Dr. Simbi Animashaun
• Death Taught Us How To Live - AVM Superhero's Youtube Channel
• Greg Graham's Story and Interview
• Sue Phipps' Story and Interview
• Molly Buccola interviewed by Greg Graham

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

As a way to celebrate Dan rolling through our hometown of Bend, OR again the first week of January, we are reposting Dan Zimmerman's story and interview from September of 2024.

Dan The-Trike-Man Zimmerman suffered a series of strokes due to Hereditary Hemorrhagic Telangiectasia (HHT).  About four years after his last stroke, Dan woke in the middle of the night and vowed to get his life back on track.  And that he did.  Dan found freedom, community, and purpose through trike riding, a passion that has since fueled his recovery and empowered him to help others on similar journeys.

In this episode, we’ll hear how Dan transformed his life, founding the nonprofit ‘Spokes Fighting Strokes’ to share how trike riding can speed recovery and save lives. This is a story of survival, rediscovery, and purpose.

Community Conversation Prompt:

 If you made a vow to yourself to make positive change, what would your vow be?

Dan’s Suggested Resources:

• Azub Trikes 
• Catrike Recumbent Bikes
• Cycle Con 
• Dan Zimmerman Facebook 
• Spokes Adaptive Cycling Facebook 
• Spoke Fighting Strokes - 501c3
• Spokes Fighting Strokes Facebook

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

As a way to celebrate Dan rolling through our hometown of Bend, OR this week, we are reposting Dan Zimmerman's story and interview from September of 2024.

Today we welcome Dan The-Trike-Man Zimmerman who suffered a series of strokes due to Hereditary Hemorrhagic Telangiectasia (HHT).

About four years after his last stroke, Dan woke in the middle of the night and vowed to get his life back on track.  And that he did.  Dan found freedom, community, and purpose through trike riding, a passion that has since fueled his recovery and empowered him to help others on similar journeys.

In this episode, we’ll hear how Dan transformed his life, founding the nonprofit ‘Spokes Fighting Strokes’ to share how trike riding can speed recovery and save lives. This is a story of survival, rediscovery, and purpose.

Dan’s Suggested Resources:

• Azub Trikes 
• Catrike Recumbent Bikes
• Cycle Con 
• Dan Zimmerman Facebook 
• Spokes Adaptive Cycling Facebook 
• Spoke Fighting Strokes - 501c3
• Spokes Fighting Strokes Facebook

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 welcome guest Natalie Shao to share her story that begins with a surprise diagnosis just weeks before college and unfolds across two decades of life-altering transitions. From the shock of discovering a cerebral AVM at seventeen to navigating the aftermath of brain surgery, hemiparesis, and epilepsy, Natalie’s journey is one of heartbreak, resilience, and self-discovery.

Join us as she reflects on the emotional tools, hard-won insights, and quiet triumphs that have carried her through—from regaining independence to mentoring fellow survivors—and how she now draws on those lessons to face each new chapter with courage and purpose.

Natalie's Transition Techniques:

1. Double your time
2. Focus on your breath
3. Prepare ahead
4. Honor your own pace
5. Know your rights
6. Cultivate confidence
7. Use your support network

Community Conversation Prompt:

• What helps you shift from “managing” life to “living” life?

Guest Mentioned Resources:

• Shirley Ryan Ability Lab Life Center

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 welcome guest Natalie Shao to share her story that begins with a surprise diagnosis just weeks before college and unfolds across two decades of life-altering transitions. From the shock of discovering a cerebral AVM at seventeen to navigating the aftermath of brain surgery, hemiparesis, and epilepsy, Natalie’s journey is one of heartbreak, resilience, and self-discovery.

Join us as she reflects on the emotional tools, hard-won insights, and quiet triumphs that have carried her through—from regaining independence to mentoring fellow survivors—and how she now draws on those lessons to face each new chapter with courage and purpose.

Natalie's Transition Techniques:

1. Double your time
2. Focus on your breath
3. Prepare ahead
4. Honor your own pace
5. Know your rights
6. Cultivate confidence
7. Use your support network

Community Conversation Prompt:

• What helps you shift from “managing” life to “living” life?

Guest Mentioned Resources:

• Shirley Ryan Ability Lab Life Center

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

This week on Beyond Stillness: Stories After Stroke, we welcome guest Brad McKenzie to share his powerful and vivid stroke recovery story filled with life-threatening urgency, deep peace, resilience, and the pursuit of connection and purpose. We dive into ways small acts of kindness illuminate unique paths toward trust and create a foundation for strength to move forward.

Join us as Brad shares how these quiet moments of connection became turning points on the journey.

Community Conversation Prompts:

• What moment of peace has surprised you in recovery?  And how do you reconnect with it?
• What helps you find your voice again?

Guest's Mentioned Resources:

• Sarah Bellum's Bakery and Workshop
• ResilientSeed Healing Farm

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

This week on Beyond Stillness: Stories After Stroke, we welcome guest Brad McKenzie to share his powerful and vivid stroke recovery story filled with life-threatening urgency, deep peace, resilience, and the pursuit of connection and purpose. We dive into ways small acts of kindness illuminate unique paths toward trust and create a foundation for strength to move forward.

Join us as Brad shares how these quiet moments of connection became turning points on the journey.

Community Conversation Prompts:

• What moment of peace has surprised you in recovery?  And how do you reconnect with it?
• What helps you find your voice again?

Guest's Mentioned Resources:

• Sarah Bellum's Bakery and Workshop
• ResilientSeed Healing Farm

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