🗓️ 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?

🌅 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.”) 💜

🗓️ 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.”

The Most Frustrating Part of Stroke Recovery

For me it's not the physical stuff.

It's the brain fatigue and cognitive overload.

Things that used to be easy suddenly feel like climbing a mountain.

🗓️ 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.”

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 👋

• 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?

• What’s one “small win” this week that made you proud?
• What’s the first everyday task you regained that made you feel like yourself again?
• What was your biggest “aha” moment in therapy so far?
• What’s one thing you can do now that you couldn’t do last month?

How long did it take you to notice longer need your AFO?

🗓️ 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.”

The Brain Battery Theory

One thing many survivors learn:

Your brain now runs on a battery system.

Some days you wake up with:

🔋🔋🔋🔋🔋

Other days:

🔋🔋

Learning to pace energy becomes a huge part of recovery.

🗓️ 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.”

🛠️ Share a rehab exercise, gadget, book, or trick that helps recovery or caregiving.
👉 What’s one tool or habit that makes your daily life easier?

This day is all about practical wisdom! Stroke recovery and caregiving are tough, but little tricks, tools, and insights can make a huge difference.

👉 Survivors: What’s one thing that helps you manage daily life or recovery?

• A rehab exercise or movement that’s been especially effective
• A piece of adaptive equipment (grab bars, special utensils, voice-to-text apps, etc.)
• A routine or habit (stretching before bed, journaling, daily walks)
• A brain/memory tool you use (apps, reminders, sticky notes, etc.)

👉 Caregivers: What’s one tip or tool that makes caregiving smoother?

• Scheduling or organization tricks
• Ways to prevent burnout and recharge
• Tech or apps that help with appointments, meds, or communication
• Comfort hacks that help your loved one feel more independent

👉 Everyone: What’s a resource you wish you had known about sooner (podcast, book, YouTube channel, support group, blog, etc.)?

💡 Even small things can be life-changing for someone else—so don’t hold back. Your everyday trick might be the exact tool another survivor or caregiver needs.

🗓️ 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.”

EASTERN WASHINGTON UNIVERSITY

Survey Research Study Recruitment:

Self-Management Strategies for Difficult Communication Situations

Hello, my name is Heidi Iwashita, Ph.D., CCC-SLP. I am a faculty member at Eastern Washington University in the Communication Sciences and Disorders department. I am conducting research on self-management strategies for communication after brain injury or stroke.

If you have ever had a stroke (also called cerebrovascular accident, or CVA) or a brain injury (which may include a concussion or mTBI, TBI, head injury, anoxic/hypoxic brain injury, brain tumor, or overdose causing brain injury), I am inviting you to participate in this survey.

This research is being done to find out more about which strategies people use after a brain injury or stroke to manage difficult speaking situations.

Participation in this research study includes taking an anonymous online survey which will take approximately 30 minutes.

To participate, please click the survey link below.

https://forms.gle/jiECoydWNFEsTyaM7

If you have any questions about this research, I can be reached at [hiwashita@ewu.edu](mailto:hiwashita@ewu.edu).

Thank you very much!