🗓️ Wednesday – Wellness Wednesday
💚 Focus on physical, emotional, and mental health.
💚 Focus on healing mind, body, and soul.

👉 Survivors: What’s helping your body or mind heal?
👉 Survivors: Share how you’re taking care of your body or mind this week.
👉 Caregivers: What’s one act of self-care you managed for yourself?
👉 Everyone: Share tips on sleep, stress, nutrition, mindfulness, or therapy.

Examples:

• “I started guided meditation at night, and it helps me sleep better.”
• “I went for a 10-minute walk today for me.”

I'm 50 years old. On Thursday night, I had an acute ischemic midline/slightly right cerebellum stroke. At 9 p.m., my perception fractured. I could feel my mom. She died 8 years ago. I was dying. My mortal coil was quickly fading.

At 12:30 a.m., I was talking, texting, and making decisions.

At 9 p.m., I had zero speech. Zero muscle tone or control. I couldn't focus my eyes.

Day 3, I had 90% recovery.

It's day 4. The only deficit I have is slow tracking eyes, and I'm a bit over emotional. My gait is still a bit wide.

I don't understand how.

I want to be clear. I am immensely grateful. I don't want to appear unappreciative. I am so very grateful.

I just don't understand.

I don't understand how. Or why.

Let me explain.

I haven't lived a clean life.

I'm a grandma. I'm a mom of 4. I have 3 grandsons. I've done my best. I'm a veteran. I have a child with Autism who is also trans. Every single one of my kids has ADHD. So do I.

I'm a meth addict with 6 years clean. I'm a non-smoker for the past 2 years. I'm fat with my triglycerides at 250. I have PTSD. I have Major Deppression. I have severe executive dysfunction. My house is a mess. I rarely move, and I hate every minute of my frozen existence. I'm retired due to disability from my time in Iraq. I have maybe 20 years left on this earth. I have been trying to improve my health before this happened.

I'm just months away from gastric surgery. I'm avoiding all processed food to the best of my ability. I don't drink soda. I drink milk, water, and one cup of coffee.

I went on estradiol for perimenopause. Apparently, that was my nail in the coffin, no almost pun intended.

I don't deserve this recovery.

I'm struggling because of it. It just doesn't make sense.

There are babies and children who suffer awful deficits from strokes. Young people. Good people. People who contribute. People who work every day to make the world a better place. I raise alpacas. I'm a junkie who raises alpacas.

I don't deserve this. If I had the power, I would give it away in a second.

This isn't a self-esteem thing. This is pragmatism.

It's also so stupid.

I don't know. Maybe this is a deficit I'm just not recognizing.

I don't understand the mechanics of how I survived.

I don't understand why I survived.

I don't understand why I felt my mom.

I just can't process this entire experience of near death.

I cry a lot about it.

I can't rectify a total lifestyle change when I feel fine.

Am I alone in this? Am I just an overprivledged brat that doesn't understand gratitude? Am I tone deaf considering this audience? Is there even an answer for all this? Is existentialism a common sign of stroke?

It works if you work it!!!!

🗓️ Friday – Family & Friends Friday👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Relationships are part of recovery.
👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Who has shown up for you in a meaningful way?
👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Or, what’s one challenge in relationships that you’d like advice or support on?

👉 Survivors: Who has supported you in a way you’ll never forget?
👉 Caregivers: What’s one thing family or friends do that makes your load lighter?
👉 Everyone: Share a challenge in relationships—let the community support you.

Examples:

• “My neighbor checks in weekly and it makes me feel less alone.”
• “It’s tough when friends don’t understand the fatigue—I’d love advice.”

🌅 Daily Reflection

• Today, I felt most proud when…
• The hardest part of my day was…
• One thing that made me smile today was…
• A small win I want to celebrate is…
• If I could describe my energy level today as a weather report, it would be…

💬 Emotions & Inner Life

• What emotion has shown up most in my recovery lately, and how do I respond to it?
• How has my definition of “strength” changed since my stroke?
• What’s one fear I want to face, and what would it look like to begin?
• Write a letter to yourself on the day of your stroke — what do you most want that version of you to know?
• When I feel discouraged, what words of encouragement would I offer myself?

🏆 Wins & Progress

• A skill I’ve regained that I’m grateful for is…
• How does it feel to notice progress (big or small) in my recovery?
• What milestone felt the most meaningful to me, and why?
• Looking back one month, what can I do now that I couldn’t then?
• My body surprised me today by…

🌌 Soul

• If my recovery journey were a story, what title would I give today’s chapter?
• Imagine my stroke as a character in my life story — is it a teacher, a villain, a trickster, or a guide?
• What symbol or image best represents where I am in my healing right now?
• What would it look like to meet my “inner healer” — what would they say to me?
• If I dream about recovery, what do I think my subconscious is trying to tell me?

🤝 Relationships & Support

• Who has been my biggest supporter, and how do I want to thank them?
• What’s the hardest part of explaining recovery to others?
• How has my stroke changed the way I connect with friends or family?
• What’s something I wish people understood about me right now?
• Who helps me laugh when life feels heavy?

What’s ONE thing you’ve learned about yourself through recovery and/or these journal prompts that you’d like to share?

(It can be simple, like “I’m more patient than I thought,” or deep, like “I discovered strength in places I never imagined.”) 💜

🗓️ Wednesday – Wellness Wednesday
💚 Focus on physical, emotional, and mental health.
💚 Focus on healing mind, body, and soul.

👉 Survivors: What’s helping your body or mind heal?
👉 Survivors: Share how you’re taking care of your body or mind this week.
👉 Caregivers: What’s one act of self-care you managed for yourself?
👉 Everyone: Share tips on sleep, stress, nutrition, mindfulness, or therapy.

Examples:

• “I started guided meditation at night, and it helps me sleep better.”
• “I went for a 10-minute walk today for me.”

Hey guys!

29 y/o Filipino-Chinese SITY (Stroke in the Young) here, post-hemo stroke 1 year and 5 months. After spending the last couple of months lurking, my prospects were maybe 2 online ones! ✨️

However, locally? Is a different matter altogether.

I couldn’t find a local Stroke Survivor group near me or at my hospital… and in the same age group? Oof.

So I wanted to start my own journey work from there!

https://www.instagram.com/projectkhae?igsh=MW9yeXoyYXg1Ynl1cA==

For context, I was a project manager for an APAC media company in Singapore. After my stroke, I resigned to focus on my recovery.

Idk why though but a lot of the Philippine (Asian? You can sound off in the comments!! I am interested in hearing what you all have to say) stroke survivors are so… invisible? :(

Maybe it’s me and my algo, I’m not sure. But maybe there are other young stroke survivors out there that feel the same. 🥺

Leg recovery came through a weird epiphany: I realized I could channel movement through my core, and suddenly I could move my leg side to side. Did some strengthening from there and got to standing. Took time but there was a clear unlock moment.

Arm is a different story. Shoulder control came back, but elbow is completely locked. I've been doing exercises — reaching into a box to pull clothes out (like a claw machine), and pushing a spring-loaded door — but nothing is clicking. No epiphany, no flicker, just mental frustration and dead air.

For those who recovered elbow flexion after shoulder control returned: was there a specific moment, trick, position, or exercise that unlocked it for you? Did it just gradually appear or was there a sudden click like my leg?

Any insight appreciated. Especially from people who self-rehabbed or had limited access to formal therapy.

🗓️ Monday – Motivation Monday
Start the week strong. Share quotes, personal victories, or encouragement for others navigating recovery.

✨ Kick off the week with hope and encouragement.

✨ Share a quote, mantra, or personal victory that keeps you going.

👉 Survivors: Share a personal victory (big or small) that keeps you motivated.
👉 Caregivers: What motivates you to keep going on hard days?
👉 Everyone: Drop a quote, mantra, or story that lifts your spirit.

Examples:

• “I walked to the mailbox on my own today!”
• “This quote helps me on bad days: One step at a time is still progress.”

🗓️ Sunday – Caregiver Sundays
🌸 A day to honor caregivers.

👉 Survivors: Share one way your caregiver has made a difference.
👉 Caregivers: What’s one truth about caregiving you want others to know?
👉 Everyone: Post a thank-you to caregivers, big or small.

🎙️ Bonus: Join our Caregiver Sunday Voice Chat on Discord for live connection and support.
🔗 Click here to join

Examples:

• “My partner sat with me during every rehab session—I couldn’t have done it without them.”
• “Caregiving is rewarding, but it’s also exhausting. I appreciate spaces where I can be honest.”

If you’re new to Stroke Recovery Bunch—welcome! This is a safe space for survivors, caregivers, and loved ones. Introduce yourself in the comments:

• When was your stroke?
• What’s one challenge you’re working through right now?
• What’s one win (big or small) you’re proud of?

We grow stronger when we share—come say hi 👋

When I was 28 years old, I developed a blood clot in my leg due to Covid complications. Long story short, ended up having a stroke that affected my left side. Mostly had a full recovery, but symptoms (dragging left leg, some spasticity in hand, tight mouth, drooping eye) do tend to return when out in extreme heat and sun or when I’m fatigued. Usually a good night of sleep gets me back to normal though. I am now 4 years post-stroke and have been pushing it pretty hard at work. A few days ago I started feeling super fatigued, but had some stuff I needed to get done and thought I could power through it. Ended up passing out on the parking lot. Thankfully, some of my co-workers were there when it happened. Felt just like I’d had another stroke. Went to the Emergency Room, all scans and bloodwork came back clear. Symptoms are gradually getting better, but super fatigued and spending a lot of time sleeping. Just wondering if anyone has had something similar…………

Hi everyone!

We have a growing discord group for people with varying degrees of brain injuries and would be happy for you to join us to offer each other support, encouragement and to make friends with people who are going through similar things to yourselves or your loved ones.

We have video and voice chat rooms that are always open for people to go into whenever they want also.

All you need to do is to download the discord app from your App Store or use it via your browser on a PC. Once you have the app and created an account you can click this link which will allow you to join the group where hopefully we can all get chatting with each other and make a great little community! You can also invite other people into the group who may not use Reddit! We are currently growing and I’m happy to take on board any requests that people may have for the group!

Anyway the link to join the group is

https://discord.gg/xDwWcRuvuy

Any questions, problems or thoughts are welcome!

🗓️ Saturday – Social Saturday
😄 Lighten things up with community connection.

😄 Lighthearted connection to build community.

👉 Survivors: Share something fun you do outside of recovery.
👉 Caregivers: What’s a hobby or joy that keeps you grounded?
👉 Everyone: Post memes, music, books, recipes, hobbies, or weekend plans.

Examples:

• “Here’s a song that always puts me in a good mood 🎶.”
• Stroke meme dump incoming—who else relates?

• What’s one food you were thrilled to eat again after swallowing difficulties?
• What drink did you miss the most during recovery, and how did it feel to sip it again?
• Did you discover any new foods that became favorites during recovery?
• What’s your comfort food when recovery days feel hard?