Beyond Stillness: Stories After Stroke

This week on Beyond Stillness: Stories After Stroke, we welcome guest Amy K.  After illness in 2009, she began navigating a confusing fog of fatigue, memory loss, and a long road to recovery following a subarachnoid hemorrhage. Once a high-achieving professional with boundless energy, she slowly rebuilt her life and reclaimed her sense of self. In this episode, Amy shares how she transformed pain into purpose through curiosity, community, and fierce determination.

Community Conversation Prompts:

• In your recovery, what small victories have offered you hope?
• When you encountered setbacks, what strategies help you keep moving forward?

Suggested Resources:

• Beyond Stillness: Stories After Stroke
• Stroke Awareness Foundation of Santa Clara County, CA
  • Sign up for the Fight Stroke Walk on May 4th
  • Find the Nearest Stroke Center App

Know the Signs, Save a Life - BEFAST

B – Balance: Sudden loss of balance or coordination

E – Eyes: Sudden trouble seeing in one or both eyes

F – Face: Facial drooping or uneven smile

A – Arms: Weakness or numbness in one arm

S – Speech: Slurred speech or difficulty speaking

T – Time: Time to call 911 immediately

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 Amy K.  After illness in 2009, she began navigating a confusing fog of fatigue, memory loss, and a long road to recovery following a subarachnoid hemorrhage. Once a high-achieving professional with boundless energy, she slowly rebuilt her life and reclaimed her sense of self. In this episode, Amy shares how she transformed pain into purpose through curiosity, community, and fierce determination.

Community Conversation Prompts:

• In your recovery, what small victories have offered you hope?
• When you encountered setbacks, what strategies help you keep moving forward?

Suggested Resources:

• Beyond Stillness: Stories After Stroke
• Stroke Awareness Foundation of Santa Clara County, CA
  • Sign up for the Fight Stroke Walk on May 4th
  • Find the Nearest Stroke Center App

Know the Signs, Save a Life - BEFAST

B – Balance: Sudden loss of balance or coordination

E – Eyes: Sudden trouble seeing in one or both eyes

F – Face: Facial drooping or uneven smile

A – Arms: Weakness or numbness in one arm

S – Speech: Slurred speech or difficulty speaking

T – Time: Time to call 911 immediately

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 Karla Bigornia who shares a story of recovery and rediscovery. Growing up in Cebu City, Philippines, today’s guest found joy through singing and dancing with her family. But a stroke at age 30 changed everything—leaving her to fight for her health, memory, and speech.

In this episode, Karla shares her journey from the depths of struggle to a breakthrough moment of singing that reignited her spirit. Tune in for a story of faith, resilience, family, and the power of expression and connection through music. 

Community Conversation Prompts:

• What traditions or activities help you feel connected to others and yourself?
• How do you share your strengths and talents in a meaningful way?

Guests Suggested Resources:

• Carmelite Monastery of Cebu
• Emergency Rescue Unit Foundation - Cebu City, Philippines
• Duoling Language Learning
• Hands Down by Dashboard Confessional
• StoryBots on YouTube
• Lumosity Brain Training
• One Day by Matisyahu

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 Karla Bigornia who shares a story of recovery and rediscovery. Growing up in Cebu City, Philippines, today’s guest found joy through singing and dancing with her family. But a stroke at age 30 changed everything—leaving her to fight for her health, memory, and speech.

In this episode, Karla shares her journey from the depths of struggle to a breakthrough moment of singing that reignited her spirit. Tune in for a story of faith, resilience, family, and the power of expression and connection through music. 

Community Conversation Prompts:

• What traditions or activities help you feel connected to others and yourself?
• How do you share your strengths and talents in a meaningful way?

Guests Suggested Resources:

• Carmelite Monastery of Cebu
• Emergency Rescue Unit Foundation - Cebu City, Philippines
• Duoling Language Learning
• Hands Down by Dashboard Confessional
• StoryBots on YouTube
• Lumosity Brain Training
• One Day by Matisyahu

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 turn the tables.  Have you ever wondered about Molly Buccola—the founder, facilitator, and host behind our organization? Guests and listeners often ask about her journey: What led her to this work? How her own experiences shape the stories we share? And why this mission so personal to her?

In this special episode, we’re sharing a 2024 interview from Recovery After Stroke, where host Bill Gasiamis spoke with Molly about her path, offering a deeper look into her life. She opened up about loss, rediscovery, and the power of storytelling—giving you a glimpse behind the mic into the heart and purpose that drive this organization.

Suggested Resources:

• Beyond Stillness: Stories After Stroke with Molly Buccola
• Beyond Stillness: Stories After Stroke on Instagram and Facebook
• Bill Gasiamis' Story and Interview on Beyond Stillness
• Molly Buccola's Original Interview on Recovery After Stroke
• Recovery After Stroke with Bill Gasiamis
• Recovery After Stroke on Instagram and 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

This week on Beyond Stillness: Stories After Stroke, we turn the tables.  Have you ever wondered about Molly Buccola—the founder, facilitator, and host behind our organization? Guests and listeners often ask about her journey: What led her to this work? How her own experiences shape the stories we share? And why this mission so personal to her?

In this special episode, we’re sharing a 2024 interview from Recovery After Stroke, where host Bill Gasiamis spoke with Molly about her path, offering a deeper look into her life. She opened up about loss, rediscovery, and the power of storytelling—giving you a glimpse behind the mic into the heart and purpose that drive this organization.

Suggested Resources:

• Beyond Stillness: Stories After Stroke with Molly Buccola
• Beyond Stillness: Stories After Stroke on Instagram and Facebook
• Bill Gasiamis' Story and Interview on Beyond Stillness
• Molly Buccola's Original Interview on Recovery After Stroke
• Recovery After Stroke with Bill Gasiamis
• Recovery After Stroke on Instagram and 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

This week on Beyond Stillness: Stories After Stroke, we welcome guest Will Schmierer. In December of 2019, a small leg wound led to an unexpected diagnosis—AFib. Days later, a stroke left his entire right side paralyzed. Then came another blow: multiple sclerosis. At that point, Will was 37 and weighed 530 lbs.  Recovery was slow, but he has always been one to do things 1000%, and so goes his recovery.  

A book on nasal breathing changed his outlook and life.  He became a biker, then runner, and ultimately a resource for other survivors.  Now, as the founder of Survivor Science, Will is dedicated to sharing his journey and empowering others to reclaim their strength and resilience.

Community Conversation Prompts:

• What new passion or interest have you discovered since your stroke?
• How has your journey inspired others?

Guest's Mentioned Resources:

Survivor Science - Will Schmierer

AVM Superhero - Greg Graham

Breath: The New Science of a Lost Art

Brooks Rehabilitation - Jacksonville, FL

Legend the Lion Heart - Jason Lopes

Oxygen Advantage - Patrick McKeown

Recovery After Stroke - Bill Gasiamis

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 Will Schmierer. In December of 2019, a small leg wound led to an unexpected diagnosis—AFib. Days later, a stroke left his entire right side paralyzed. Then came another blow: multiple sclerosis. At that point, Will was 37 and weighed 530 lbs.  Recovery was slow, but he has always been one to do things 1000%, and so goes his recovery.  

A book on nasal breathing changed his outlook and life.  He became a biker, then runner, and ultimately a resource for other survivors.  Now, as the founder of Survivor Science, Will is dedicated to sharing his journey and empowering others to reclaim their strength and resilience.

Community Conversation Prompts:

• What new passion or interest have you discovered since your stroke?
• How has your journey inspired others?

Guest's Mentioned Resources:

Survivor Science - Will Schmierer

AVM Superhero - Greg Graham

Breath: The New Science of a Lost Art

Brooks Rehabilitation - Jacksonville, FL

Legend the Lion Heart - Jason Lopes

Oxygen Advantage - Patrick McKeown

Recovery After Stroke - Bill Gasiamis

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 Todd Berreth who shares his story of perseverance, determination, and grit.  He takes us through the challenges of rebuilding speech, the resilience required to reclaim his passions, and the deep lessons he’s learned along the way.  Join me as we dive into his story that proves that perseverance isn’t just about surviving, but about finding new ways to thrive. 

This episode is contributed by Abbe Simon, speech language pathologist, integrative health coach, and yoga teacher.  Abbe‘s private practice , iCommunicare, offers individuals impacted by a stroke ways to regain communication and connection. 

Todd Berreth is an artist, designer, architect and technologist, and an assistant teaching professor in the Media Art, Design and Technology department at North Carolina State University. He is a member of the Chancellor’s Visual Narrative faculty cluster.  He has presented artwork locally, nationally and internationally, including ACM SIGGRAPH, Leonardo Art Journal among other venues.

Guest's Mentioned Resources:

• iCommunicare
• Studio Berreth
• Strong Story Lab

Community Conversation Prompts:

• In what ways have you adapted and shifted while remaining focused on your passions?
• What helps you persevere through challenges?

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 Todd Berreth who shares his story of perseverance, determination, and grit.  He takes us through the challenges of rebuilding speech, the resilience required to reclaim his passions, and the deep lessons he’s learned along the way.  Join me as we dive into his story that proves that perseverance isn’t just about surviving, but about finding new ways to thrive. 

This episode is contributed by Abbe Simon, speech language pathologist, integrative health coach, and yoga teacher.  Abbe‘s private practice , iCommunicare, offers individuals impacted by a stroke ways to regain communication and connection. 

Todd Berreth is an artist, designer, architect and technologist, and an assistant teaching professor in the Media Art, Design and Technology department at North Carolina State University. He is a member of the Chancellor’s Visual Narrative faculty cluster.  He has presented artwork locally, nationally and internationally, including ACM SIGGRAPH, Leonardo Art Journal among other venues.

Guest's Mentioned Resources:

• iCommunicare
• Studio Berreth
• Strong Story Lab

Community Conversation Prompts:

• In what ways have you adapted and shifted while remaining focused on your passions?
• What helps you persevere through challenges?

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