Retrieval

Post-stroke, it felt as though all the information I tried to retrieve was stored in files in my brain which I couldn't open.

Nature

Niagara Falls

This reminds me of the flood of emotions that occur when you realize you are having a stroke.  Nothing can prepare you for that.

Tree on Beach at Botany Bay

As a young stroke survivor, I felt like I was alone in the wind and waves.  I had a lot of support, but I felt like no one else truly knew what I was going through.  Then I met other survivors and finally felt like I was normal.

Icy Palm Tree

In the beginning, I felt like I was frozen due to my physical and emotional changes and limitations from the stroke.  I felt such relief when I started making small improvements that led to bigger improvements.

Motherhood after Stroke

This is a recent picture of me and my two year old son, who was only 3 months old when I had my massive stroke and I was separated from him for three months while I was hospitalized in inpatient after stroke so at that time it was tough but now I  am appreciative to have these moments with him. Although being a disabled single mother is  difficult, he doesn't know the difference. All he knows is love and I'm grateful for him. Honestly if I didn't have him I know I wouldn't have the strength to push to recover the way I have been. This picture reminds me that in the midst of the storm there's someone I have looming up to me and some positivity through it all. Being a young stroke survivor is different from other or older survivors because most don't have young kids or have lived their young lives already and this hit me in my young 20s. Overall this picture says I can't give up.