Stroke Sisters: Stories of Strength and Resilience

Dr. Eliza C. Miller (a leading vascular neurologist specializing in women's brain health and volunteer expert with the American Stroke Association) joins Stroke Sisters to explain how stroke differs for women. She breaks down three categories of risk: factors more common in women (like migraine with aura), risk factors that affect women differently (notably blood pressure), and women-only risks (pregnancy and postpartum). Dr. Miller emphasizes the importance of monitoring blood pressure, recognizing stroke symptoms, and offers actionable advice on prevention and when to seek emergency care.

More about Dr. Miller:

Dr. Eliza Miller is an American Stroke Association national volunteer expert and Division Chief of Women’s Neurology at the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center. Dr. Miller has dedicated much of her career to understanding women’s brain health and stroke, particularly cerebrovascular complications during pregnancy and postpartum.

Before joining UPMC, she founded the Mothers Center Neurovascular Clinic at Columbia University, a specialized clinic for people experiencing cerebrovascular complications during pregnancy and postpartum. Today, she leads UPMC’s Division of Women’s Neurology, continuing her work to better understand and address the neurological issues that uniquely or disproportionately affect women.

More about the American Stroke Association's House Calls Meet-Ups

Find strength in community — live! You don’t have to navigate life after stroke alone. Connect with survivors and care partners, share experiences, ask questions and get expert guidance in a supportive space.

• https://www.stroke.org/en/help-and-support/house-calls-stroke-meetups

More about Stroke Sisters:

Founded by two-time stroke survivor Angie Read , Stroke Sisters is a growing ecosystem of support, connection, and resources dedicated to helping women navigate life after stroke. Through a thriving online community, the Stroke Sisters: Stories of Strength and Resilience podcast, and a free mobile app, Stroke Sisters provides encouragement, trusted information, and practical tools to support the physical, mental, and emotional challenges of recovery. Our mission is simple: No woman should have to navigate stroke recovery alone.

Learn more at StrokeSisters.com.

The Stroke Sisters app (also available in both app stores):

• https://strokesisters.app

Books by Angie Read:

• Invisible Scars: Stroke Survival, Recovery, and the Unexpected Mental Health Fallout
• Mental Health Hacks: 10 Easy Hacks to Help Manage Anxiety and Depression
• Identity Crisis: You Are Not Your Career
• RISE: Mastering the Art of Resilience

Tess Siders had an ischemic stroke at 33 and spent months relearning basics—walking, talking, reading, and writing. For years she lived with limited use of her right arm and hand, adapting family roles with husband Aaron as primary caregiver. Nearly a decade later, Tess pursued Vivistim, an implantable vagus nerve stimulator paired with targeted therapy. The device sends neuromodulatory pulses timed to meaningful movements, boosting neuroplasticity. With consistent rehab and home practice, Tess regained functional skills—like holding her son, writing with her right hand, and improved independence—demonstrating recovery can continue long after the first year.

• https://www.vivistim.com/
• https://www.dontmesswithtess.com/

The Stroke Sisters app (also available in both app stores):

• https://strokesisters.app

Books by Angie Read:

• Invisible Scars: Stroke Survival, Recovery, and the Unexpected Mental Health Fallout
• Mental Health Hacks: 10 Easy Hacks to Help Manage Anxiety and Depression
• Identity Crisis: You Are Not Your Career
• RISE: Mastering the Art of Resilience

Chloe Middleton, a 31-year-old PR agency director, recounts how months of unusual thunderclap headaches culminated in a ruptured arteriovenous malformation (AVM) and a hemorrhagic stroke. Transferred to a specialist center, she underwent three brain surgeries, spent weeks in ICU and faced intensive rehab. Chloe describes right-sided ataxia, dysarthria, severe fatigue and relearning basic tasks such as walking, cooking and typing. The episode emphasizes the realities of early recovery and the need for patience, pacing and professional therapy while navigating uncertainty about future risks and long-term outcomes.

80% of strokes are preventable. Get screened today for your risks of stroke and/or cardiovascular diseases.

• Lifeline Screening

The Stroke Sisters app (also available in both app stores):

• https://strokesisters.app

Books by Angie Read:

• Invisible Scars: Stroke Survival, Recovery, and the Unexpected Mental Health Fallout
• Mental Health Hacks: 10 Easy Hacks to Help Manage Anxiety and Depression
• Identity Crisis: You Are Not Your Career
• RISE: Mastering the Art of Resilience

Stefannie Rose recounts the night a special date turned into a medical emergency: a sudden collapse in a hotel room, vomiting, and a friend who recognized stroke signs and called 911. Diagnosed with a brain bleed and undergoing surgery, Stefannie spent weeks in ICU and intensive rehabilitation. She describes the shock of seeing 40 stitches and losing half her hair, the painful early deficits—complete left-side paralysis and bladder issues—and the critical role her friend, son, and two sisters played. Her story is a frank, human look at the immediate chaos and the crucial support that saved her life.

80% of strokes are preventable. Get screened today for your risks of stroke and/or cardiovascular diseases.

• Lifeline Screening

The Stroke Sisters app (also available in both app stores):

• https://strokesisters.app

Books by Angie Read:

• Invisible Scars: Stroke Survival, Recovery, and the Unexpected Mental Health Fallout
• Mental Health Hacks: 10 Easy Hacks to Help Manage Anxiety and Depression
• Identity Crisis: You Are Not Your Career
• RISE: Mastering the Art of Resilience

At 41, Megan Goodrich's life changed forever when she suffered a massive stroke. In this episode, she shares the warning signs she experienced, the terrifying day her stroke struck, and how her brave 8-year-old son helped save her life.

Megan opens up about waking from a medically induced coma, enduring months of rehabilitation, and grieving the loss of the nursing career she loved. But she also shares how volunteering became a powerful part of her recovery—helping her rediscover her purpose, rebuild her confidence, and realize she could still make a meaningful impact on others.

Megan's story is a moving reminder that while stroke may change your life, it doesn't define your future.

80% of strokes are preventable. Get screened today for your risks of stroke and/or cardiovascular diseases.

• Lifeline Screening

The Stroke Sisters app (also available in both app stores):

• https://strokesisters.app

Books by Angie Read:

• Invisible Scars: Stroke Survival, Recovery, and the Unexpected Mental Health Fallout
• Mental Health Hacks: 10 Easy Hacks to Help Manage Anxiety and Depression
• Identity Crisis: You Are Not Your Career
• RISE: Mastering the Art of Resilience

In this episode of Stroke Sisters: Stories of Strength and Resilience, host Angie Read welcomes stroke survivor Lola White and Nicole Goldstein from Vivistim for a heartfelt conversation about redefining life after stroke. Lola shares her journey from surviving to thriving, opening up about how she navigated changes in identity, rediscovered her purpose, and learned to balance ambition with recovery. She also reflects on the powerful role prayer, faith, and personal values played in her healing journey. Nicole discusses the unique challenges many women face after stroke and explains how Vivistim’s vagus nerve stimulation therapy is helping survivors improve hand and arm function by supporting neuroplasticity and recovery.

Vivistim is an FDA-approved therapy designed for chronic ischemic stroke survivors who continue to experience hand and arm impairment months or even years after stroke. The therapy combines vagus nerve stimulation with rehabilitation exercises to help strengthen the brain’s motor pathways and improve function. To learn more about whether Vivistim might be a good fit for you, take Vivistim's survey or talk with your neurologist, occupational therapist, or rehabilitation team about eligibility and next steps.

The Stroke Sisters app (also available in both app stores):

• https://strokesisters.app

Books by Angie Read:

• Invisible Scars: Stroke Survival, Recovery, and the Unexpected Mental Health Fallout
• Mental Health Hacks: 10 Easy Hacks to Help Manage Anxiety and Depression
• Identity Crisis: You Are Not Your Career
• RISE: Mastering the Art of Resilience

Emely Kadoko, a mother of four from Zimbabwe, shares her transformative journey of recovery after suffering a severe stroke in 2020. What began as a severe headache quickly escalated, leaving Emily unconscious and hospitalized for weeks. Despite the severe impact on her mobility, she fought her way back with the unwavering support of her family, particularly her sister. Emily's story highlights the significant role of family strength, determination, and a positive mindset in overcoming adversity. With her inspiring recovery, she hopes to advocate for stroke awareness and support children with disabilities in Zimbabwe.

80% of strokes are preventable. Get screened today for your risks of stroke and/or cardiovascular diseases.

• Lifeline Screening

The Stroke Sisters app (also available in both app stores):

• https://strokesisters.app

Books by Angie Read:

• Invisible Scars: Stroke Survival, Recovery, and the Unexpected Mental Health Fallout
• Mental Health Hacks: 10 Easy Hacks to Help Manage Anxiety and Depression
• Identity Crisis: You Are Not Your Career
• RISE: Mastering the Art of Resilience

Dr. Christine Cosby-Gaither shares her inspiring journey as a stroke survivor. At 35, she experienced a life-changing stroke, leading to extensive physical challenges, including paralysis and blindness. Her husband recognized the emergency, allowing her to receive timely medical help.

Through perseverance and various therapies, Christine gradually regained her abilities. During the COVID-19 pandemic, she founded 'A Stroke of Grace,' focusing on supporting Black stroke survivors by fostering a community of shared experiences and hope. Her story reflects resilience and the transformation of adversity into a mission to uplift and empower others facing similar hurdles.

Visit AStrokeofGrace.org. And help spread the word about National Black Stroke Awareness Day, May 18, 2026.

80% of strokes are preventable. Get screened today for your risks of stroke and/or cardiovascular diseases.

• Lifeline Screening

The Stroke Sisters app (also available in both app stores):

• https://strokesisters.app

Books by Angie Read:

• Invisible Scars: Stroke Survival, Recovery, and the Unexpected Mental Health Fallout
• Mental Health Hacks: 10 Easy Hacks to Help Manage Anxiety and Depression
• Identity Crisis: You Are Not Your Career
• RISE: Mastering the Art of Resilience

In this episode of Stroke Sisters, host Angie Read explores the inspiring recovery journey of Shanan Ballam, a poet and educator who survived a massive stroke at 46. With her ability to speak and write paralyzed, Shannon faced the challenge of rediscovering her voice. Her journey involved relearning basic skills, like writing with the aid of speech therapists, and producing poetry that became pivotal in her recovery. Nature also played a key role in her rehabilitation, as seen in her poems inspired by walks and experiences in the outdoors. Shanan’s story is one of incredible resilience, creativity, and the healing power of words.

Find Shanan's books. poetry, and more at https://www.shananballam.org

• You can see more content via a laptop or computer than on a mobile phone.

80% of strokes are preventable. Get screened today for your risks of stroke and/or cardiovascular diseases.

• Lifeline Screening

The Stroke Sisters app (also available in both app stores):

• https://strokesisters.app

Books by Angie Read:

• Invisible Scars: Stroke Survival, Recovery, and the Unexpected Mental Health Fallout
• Mental Health Hacks: 10 Easy Hacks to Help Manage Anxiety and Depression
• Identity Crisis: You Are Not Your Career
• RISE: Mastering the Art of Resilience

In this episode of 'Stroke Sisters: Stories of Strength and Resilience,' host Angie Read talks with Bridget Chisadza, a young stroke survivor whose life changed forever after a brain hemorrhage while pregnant. At only 27, Bridget faced the unimaginable, a life-threatening arteriovenous malformation (AVM). She bravely shares the details of waking up with a thunderclap headache, the emergency surgery that followed, and how she emerged from a seven-day coma.

Bridget went on to give birth to a healthy baby girl, even after her brain and body "betrayed her." Bridget offers insights into adjusting to new physical limitations while giving herself grace, accepting what happened, and adapting to life after stroke.

80% of strokes are preventable. Get screened today for your risks of stroke and/or cardiovascular diseases.

• Lifeline Screening

The Stroke Sisters app (also available in both app stores:

• https://strokesisters.app

Books by Angie Read:

• Invisible Scars: Stroke Survival, Recovery, and the Unexpected Mental Health Fallout
• Mental Health Hacks: 10 Easy Hacks to Help Manage Anxiety and Depression
• Identity Crisis: You Are Not Your Career
• RISE: Mastering the Art of Resilience