Rise Again Stronger

July 9th 2025 started like any other day but things changed suddenly in the afternoon. Up to that point, a normal day of work, writing emails, phone calls, talking with clients, zoom calls, staring at my oversized monitor and later in the day treating myself to popcorn, an afternoon treat.

Around 2:30, my life and world changed without a major warning sign. After getting up from my chair, I fell flat on my face, on the carpeted floor, unable to move or get up, left on the floor calling for help. I knew something was serious , but having a stroke not entering my mind, I could never have a stroke, not me. My call for help growing more desperate, faint and weak by the minute hoping someone would hear before my voice was gone and empty . My voice the only thing I had left. Fortunately help arrived and I’m here today to write and share my story “Rise Again Stronger”

Being strong is for others

Being stronger is for oneself

The word stronger in the “Rise Again Stronger” title is significant and with important context. After the stroke and being out of the ICU a few days, I was determined to send positive updates to my family , like an athlete coming back from injury, I was going to put in the work , 100% all in, whatever it takes. As a former college level athlete, this was my engrained and empowered mindset. Thinking back , sending those positive messages was my way of trying to alleviate concern and worry among my family , you could say putting on a strong face for others. Inside I was scared, and didn’t know what would become of me.

Welcome to my story “Rise Again Stronger” and 8 months later.. Rise Again Stronger is to chronicle my story, memories, developments, progress and thoughts related to my post stroke recovery journey. The intended reader is one recovering from a stroke, family members or anybody struggling with physical or mental health issues . The premise of the story is not about being strong, or putting on a strong face for others , but becoming stronger for oneself and the capacity to find new meaning and purpose in what may seem the darkest times

Since the stroke I feel I’ve become stronger – emotionally, and now seeing life in new possibilities, colors, melodies and meaning.. Maybe not all the way with my left side affected area in terms of physically/mobility as before (we will see) but to use my experience to help others who may fallen or battling and struggling through issues to rise again and become stronger than before. By being stronger I mean becoming stronger and growing in new meaningful areas and capacities.

Laying in my hospital bed and as I began my in-patient rehab therapy sessions in July, I kept repeating the same line over and over in my head, my story is not over, I’m not done, my story is not over, I’m not done my story is not over, I’m not done

Paramount to my story is the concept being strong is for others, but being “stronger for oneself., about the person and what we’re capable of.

It may be a strange thing to say about a stroke, a serious medical condition, but my stroke represents an opportunity. As the saying goes – never waste a good opportunity. In many respects, I feel this opportunity is like a gateway or place to explore and find new meaning and purpose.

It is my hope my story may inspire and connect with others to rise again stronger.

My journey to recovery is far from over, and realize everyone has their own battles and struggles, and pace and outlook for recovery, but I’ve learned in this daily battle, fight, and struggle, we have resilience and strength embodied within us. From the depths of pain, sadness, doubt, and fear eg. our greatest struggles and vulnerabilities, we can become stronger in the end. By stronger it may be connecting to a new place of meaning and purpose.

Yes an optimistic viewpoint and believe it’s not just an aspirational take but firmly believe we become stronger by overcoming our deepest struggles

Community bonds and connection

I’m also a firm believer of power coming from community support groups and the connection of shared vibes and aura passed through one another (power vibes) . If I was to craft an unified anthem for the stroke community with the right positive vibes and message it would be “together we rise, never alone, we become stronger” –Rise Again Stronger

Stay tuned for the following post , “Gratitude,and fate on a dial”