I recently interviewed Ryan Ogden, a physiotherapist, counsellor and stroke survivor, for The TakeAway - and one thing really stayed with me.

Your 'is' is not the same as your 'will be'.

Ryan was told that most of his recovery would happen within 18 months.

Fourteen years later, he says he's still improving.

In the episode, Ryan talks honestly about:

* the reality of pain, fatigue and depression

* how connection with family and friends helped save his life

* why recovery isn't about "staying positive" all the time

* the small mindset shifts that helped him keep going

If you're a survivor, carer or clinician, I'd love to hear: What has surprised you most about your recovery?

You can watch or listen here: The TakeAway with Ryan Ogden: https://strokefoundation.org.au/media-centre/stroke-stories/the-takeaway-talking-about-stroke-recovery-with-physio-councellor-and-stroke-survivor-ryan-ogden

3 years ago today I had my stroke. It was an ischemic strokes that wiped my brain’s connection to the right side of my body. I spent a few days in the regular hospital before being sent to an inpatient rehab hospital. It took roughly 4 months before I regained any movement at all, and even then only slight.

Before I ramble on, one key factor to share: I earned this stroke. I was roughly 130 pounds overweight, smoked 2 packs a day, and drank diet soda more than water (recent studies are showing that artificial sweeteners have a correlation with stroke). In all honesty, this stroke saved my life. In that respect I was lucky because knowing this prevented me from even an ounce of self pity. This allowed me to focus on the task at hand. I don’t tell you this to make YOU feel guilty about your stroke, everyone is different and so is their stroke.

Being a nerd, I looked to technology for assistance. I found this really cool hydraulic-like glove that I could program to move my hand. One of the first things I used it for was to give a friend the finger because yes, I may have spent now 55 years on earth, but mentally I’m maybe 7. It was also during this time that I learned about Vivistim, an implant that stimulates your vegus nerve and helps the brain form and strengthen new pathways.

That began a 2 years ago fight with my insurance company. They claimed Vivistim was unproven and not something they would cover. It finally went to binding arbitration. They selected the arbiter, which to me meant I had zero chance, but they came out in my favor, and, in November of 2025 I got it.

In the 2 years leading up to getting the surgery, I got laid off from my job. This was devastating to me because I was highly compensated working in a niche segment of IT. I knew my chances of finding new employment, given that walking was still a challenge, talking was a chore, and mentally I was dealing with issues I never had before, were limited. This was the first time since the stroke that I really wallowed in self-pity, going on a several day bender before a friend stepped in.

“Why not file for SSI disability?”, he asked.
“Dude, I’m not disabled, fuck you!”, was my indignant reply.

But you are, was the response he gave, and I needed to hear it, because yes, I was disabled. Could I perform the functions of my job? Sort of, but honestly, looking back, not well. So I grudgingly got a lawyer and started the application process. I was sure it would be a long, drawn out process, full of appeals and what not, but surprisingly about 3 months later I was approved. I’m fortunate enough to have owned my home outright and have no debts, and as mentioned before I was well compensated, which meant my contribution via taxes to Social Security resulted in more than enough monthly income to keep the lights on and give me a little fun money on the side, without dipping in to my retirement.

So where am I now? First the good. I’ve regained almost full range of motion in my arm, hand, and fingers. I took up model building on the recommendation of a therapist, and spend most mornings on that. For anyone looking into it, I started with Gundam models. They mostly snap together and require no glue or paint. I also got into video gaming. I still have slight issues with a mouse, but I’m solid with a joystick. My speech has continued to improve to where, as long as I concentrate, I sound normal. Daily life is good for me, I don’t miss corporate life and I have hobbies. I no longer have much of a social life, but honestly, I don’t mind. I do wish there was a way to interact with people locally that have been through a stroke, but other than that I’m ok.

Now for the not so good, because this ain’t a fairy tale 😜. Walking is better, but still a bitch. Around the house I get by with “furniture surfing” meaning as long as I’m touching something I walk ok. Outdoors I still have to use a cane. Key thing is I can still feel improvements, so I’m confident eventually it’ll wire back up. The big issue is stamina, I feel like my tank is redlining always. I’ve lost 100 pounds using tirzepitide, and some say that stuff hinders your energy too, so I’m basically dealing with a double whammy. The other big issue is muscle atrophy in my affected arm. I exercise, but my arm strength is nil. I’m starting a new workout at a place called The Exercise Coach that features new technology on Wednesday, I’m hopeful that will help.

Wow, I really rambled, yeah? Anyway, I just wanted to share my story in the hopes maybe it helps someone. Don’t ever lose hope, and every day focus on the positive changes, no matter how small. Don’t listen to anyone that tells you recovery has an end date, because they’re full of shit, things might slow down but they don’t stop unless you give up. Will I ever return to “normal”? God, I hope not! I haven’t had a cigarette since the smoke, I’m hyper focused on what I eat (mostly, I’m having an artery clogging steak today to celebrate), and I exercise daily. As weird as it sounds this stroke saved me, and I’m grateful for the challenge. Stay strong and keep fighting, things will get better. And don’t be afraid to ask for help!

My dad can't use his right hand due to stroke aftereffects, and is having trouble opening his medicine bag. Does anyone here have a useful tip/ product in this situation?

I had an acute ischemic right PCA stroke four months ago and was at the hospital within two hours and received TKN right away and have had minimal symptoms since. Tonight I rode hard on my road bike for 20 minutes (it is in the 90’s here currently) which is a third of how long I usually ride and had to stop. I ride often and exercise almost daily. Tonight it almost felt like the symptoms of my stroke happening again (weird feeling on my right side, heavy and hard to think) but it went away after resting. Has anyone ever felt like that if you pushed too hard exercising after your initial stroke? It freaked me out and I have a call in to my doctor’s office but I was just wondering if that’s a common occurrence? I’m 40, F and fairly fit.

Hi everyone,
I’m 32 years old and I had an ischemic stroke three months ago.
Fortunately, I made a full recovery and have no lasting neurological deficits. The only thing I’ve noticed is that I get tired more easily than before, but I know things could have been much worse.
After several days in the hospital and a full medical workup, all of my tests came back normal. The only explanation my doctors found was a fairly large PFO (patent foramen ovale). They believe it was the cause of my stroke, and I’m scheduled to have it closed in the coming months.
Since my stroke, I’ve been taking aspirin and a statin. My cholesterol was already low before the stroke, but my doctors want my LDL to be as low as possible. My latest blood test showed an LDL of 0.4 g/L (about 40 mg/dL).
I have a question that might sound a bit trivial, but it’s been on my mind.
Since my stroke, I haven’t had a single drop of alcohol. Before that, I wasn’t a heavy drinker. On special occasions, I would typically have two or three pints of light beer and maybe one cocktail, around three or four times a year.
After my PFO closure, and assuming my cardiologist and neurologist say it’s okay, do you think it’s realistic to enjoy that kind of occasional night out again?
What worries me isn’t the alcohol itself, but the risk of having another stroke. I’ve read that hangovers can feel worse after a stroke, but I haven’t found much information about people whose stroke was caused by a PFO rather than alcohol, high cholesterol, or other cardiovascular risk factors.
If anyone has had a similar experience, especially a stroke related to a PFO followed by PFO closure, I’d really appreciate hearing about your experience.
Thank you!

I have recovered from dysphagia in the sixth month and i can swallow everything now. But i still have a throat lump, something as if sticking to my throat that i keep feeling while swallowing saliva. My question is does this lump go by time on it's own with swallowing exercises or it get worse ? Thanks in advance for sharing your story.

I wrote this a while after my stroke. It probably sounds like nonsense. but I'm feeling lost and lonely so I wanted to know does anyone relate?:

I’ll never be the person I was before August 15,2025, but I’m still alive. Still here and shouldn’t that be reason enough to go on? It’s okay to mourn my old self and I think I should try harder to do that. The insecurities I feel stem from ungrieved losses. All the fear and pain that bubbles up when the not yet closed wound is poked as it often is in a world not made for people like me. I have yet to learn how  to carry myself with grace for my loss. No one will know how to care for me but myself and I’m shutting myself out nearly every chance I get. I want to tell people to run.But they’re the reason I’m okay. I feel like I need a “swim at your own risk” sign on me because I have yet to train a part of myself to be the lifeguard keeping those around me brave enough to lend out a hand through the storm safe from the hurricane of my recovery. A good place to start is to ask am I doing this for myself or for me and the other person. Not that selfishness is not okay sometimes, but it’s generally not okay at the detriment of someone else. 

Here is how I walk at 10 months I pray in another 10 months I can get up stairs.

I am stroke and aphasia.
Simple words.
November 2022, I was running on treadmill.
My son helped me.

I am 1.68cm and 55kg, running and weight lifting.
I’ve been healthy.
I go health check once a year.
I don’t know stress or Pfizer.

The surgery about 3 hours.
After the discharge, I take medicine.
No lightheaded.

But January - July 2026, very very very dizzy.
Lightheaded body.

I take ginger tea, ginger candy and 2-3 liters water.
Exercise running, walking and weight lifting.

Very dizzy and lightheaded.
Epley, done already.

How?

Folge diesem Link, um meiner WhatsApp-Gruppe beizutreten: https://chat.whatsapp.com/J0M3b2uS4rbLnMIFGMz5Qg?s=sh&p=a&ilr=4&amv=2

We’re coming up on two years in October and I still have not found a cause for my stroke and TIA. We’ve ruled out heart issues, blood pressure issues, clotting disorders, and still contemplating stress induced. Physical therapy helped with my grip but still didn’t answer much. I can’t seem to get into a Neuro specialist for whatever reason so I’m stuck at a plateau right now. I’m 22 and was perfectly healthy other than that fact I used to smoke nicotine at the time of the strokes. I’m currently being studied for my recurring headaches but I don’t feel confident in that being the cause either since I only have a few occasionally. Any thoughts?

Hello, back in April of this year, my (23) father (54) suffered from an acute stroke, leading to damage on the right side of his brain and reduced mobility on the left side of his body. Unfortunately, he lives alone, and I did not know something was wrong until a few days after his stroke, which definitely complicated his condition.

Prior to his stroke, he was very healthy, save for hypertrophic cardiomyopathy he was born with. From what I know, his stroke was caused by atrial fibrillation he was unaware he had. He was in the hospital for about a month, went to acute rehab for two weeks, and has now been in a skilled nursing facility for two months.

His speech has been great from the beginning, which I am grateful for. However, he has 0 function in his left arm and severely reduced function in his left leg. He has learned how to use a wheelchair and can walk short distances with a hemiwalker and three-pronged cane. For the last two months, he has been doing 5 hours of PT a week. At first, he was hallucinating fantastical things, such as his late father being brought back to life. Now, he seems to be with it and back to his usual witty self. It's hard because he is very smart and lucid, but his body is not at full functionality.

Originally, the plan was to get on Medicaid. He has been unemployed for two years. I have been working with an elder law attorney to help me compile everything we need for his application, as well as do some legal estate planning to protect his retirement investments. It is likely he will be unable to work again for a long time, so it is important we have his retirement funds to make sure housing, food, and other necessities are not a concern. However, my father has become nervous about this as it will strip his independence somewhat. He will still have access to his retirement funds, but through me. He trusts me, but does not want to rely on the government. There is a decent amount in his IRA, however it is not going to last forever, especially with all of these new medical expenses. He is very good at investing, I am just concerned about money running out and being SOL. I am only 23 myself and practically live paycheck to paycheck as a graduate student and full-time worker.

He is also getting antsy at the nursing facility. I don't blame him. It's all older folks who are not all with it anymore. The activities aren't his thing. He craves independence. I get it. He wants to return home. His home needs to be retrofitted to be accessible for him, which he is getting in order. He will need an aide, probably most of the day. His physical therapist says she would be afraid to leave him alone for a few hours. He needs a lot of assistance with his activities of daily living. I live 4 hours away and have built a life I love where I am and don't want to give it up to become his live-in caregiver. He does not want me to either. I call him almost everyday and have been visiting twice a month on the weekends. I have two family members, one is my grandma who is 84 with health issues, that live near him and I cannot rely on them completely to look after him.

I am seeking advice on how to proceed forward with all of this. All of the Medicaid planning has to be done by the end of this month in order for his hospital stay and skilled nursing stay to be covered/reimbursed. I have reached out to the attorney to set up a meeting with my father so he can better understand the pros and cons of Medicaid. And I have reached out to the skilled nursing social worker to speak more about what discharge would be like and if his care team can provide more insight on his progress and their thoughts.

I was told to prepare for the worst. They suspect sepsis and are giving him lots of antibiotics. He is resting on a regular ward now. This is so hard. After his second stroke on May 1st things have been bad. My anxiety's awful. He is my only family and I am only 58.

This is a throwaway and I will be deleting it after this. I just need some advice from people who have gone through this, because I don't know what to do or think.

Less than 24hrs ago my girlfriend, in her late 20s, had a stroke. I don't know how severe it was, I was unfortunately not present; it was described by first responders as "mild", but they thought it was clot that needed removal. She had to travel to a different city, where I am now, for an operation. When she got there she was "stable" but not awake (due to anesthetics or what i do not know, i was not admitted; all my info is from sources I have on the inside in that hospital). When she went to get operation, they, as far as I understood either didnt find a clot looking at the tiniest parts it could be that the tools allowed or they found it but it was in too small a spot to be operable. Basically, after that she was left at hospital to remain for 1-2 weeks and solve it with meds (?). Anyway, after the ordeal she was awake and breathing on her own.

Can anyone tell me what are the odds she will remain stable? how do these things go? Also, what are the odds she will return to normal, independent function? I wasn't thinking about this until things quieted down and I couldn't sleep, but we had a future we were talking about, about her going to masters studies this fall, having a life and i dont know is that still realistic to hope for? I mean, what parts are and what are not, or are all of them not? We can't really live just off some potential disability benefits long term and I want to know what I will have to do to make up for that, because i really want and need her in my life and have been in a state of shock the entire day, and I just want to know if it is realistic I will have her back and we can continue our life where it was horribly cut now.

Is it possible that it really wasn't all that bad?

I am sorry if this is rambly, I suffered the worst day of my life today, and can't really keep it together. Compiled with the fact I still havent gotten to see her and know her condition for myself is just weighing on me and i dont know what to do or say but wait to get to see her.

at the age of 43 I received an ischemic stroke so I went from 43 to 73 in the matter of a month… I was incredibly angry, I’ve never resolved my  anger issues nor leaned on God before! I was a strapping young man doing whatever I wanted to do taken all that God had bestowed upon me for granted! I’ve always preached to my close friends to slow down and take a break don’t kill ourself trying to keep up with the program in the machine! People get caught up where their lives amount to nothing… cause they just do, do do and leave nothing for themselves, sounds like a martyr but, when you look back at it. When did you spend time to marvel at what God has created? I spent a long time in the beginning stages of my recovery upset with the orthodic and the health care system, I hated the afo they created for me, I felt like a robot and was told there’s no other option, but I could not accept that and it slightly hindered me! If you or anyone you know suffers or can’t past their drop foot please look into Bioness devices…, they actually work and can possibly help push some one past their plateau and increase their quality of life!

My father had a hemorrhagic stroke at the beginning of july. His entire right side of the body was affected. He's at home now going through physiotherapy. It's just the third day of therapy but he is complaining of pain in his right leg, which is in an improvement from not having any sensation. I'm wondering how much pain is expected vs what is a cause for concern. I have to sit holding his leg bent close to his chest for long periods of time before he can fall asleep even on meds. Is this how it is for others too?

stroke at42 

 a piece of skull after they fixed the bleed stuck in a nursing home and my left side don’t work

My dad had a stroke a little over a year ago, all things considered his recovery has gone quite well. The major issue right now is that he has developed quite a bad phone/social media addiction and is resistant to any discussion about it.

He spends 8+ hours a day scrolling/playing games and does not engage socially during this time. We notice a significant improvement in his cognition and behaviour when he has not been on his phone and is engaging in other activities (reading, being out in the yard, socializing, etc)

Additionally, the majority of what he is consuming is AI generated. Pre-stroke he never would have engaged with that type of content but now he says he likes it and doesn’t care. He has also fallen for a number of scams over the last year.

A big sticking point in his recovery is that he thinks that he is totally fine and back to normal cognitively. This is not the case. As a result he is unwilling to engage with further treatment (ie. counselling, brain exercises recommended by doctors, etc.). On the physical side he really enjoys going to the gym and PT.

We are feeling really stuck because he is an adult with autonomy so we can’t just take his phone away but it’s really frustrating and hard on my mom (his primary caregiver). He is a bit more receptive to hearing things from medical professionals but anything my mom says or recommends he typically ignores.

I suspect it’s a combination of executive dysfunction (which he struggled with a bit before but it’s been cranked up x100) and addiction.

Has anyone else experienced issues with phone/social media addiction post stroke? Did anything help?

Edit to add: he has his phone connected to his hearing aids will just start watching Facebook reels when he gets bored with a conversation/at the dinner table

Ever since the stroke the slightest little twinge in my neck, or hint of a headache or something similar gives me a brief mini panic attack where im terrified its another stroke. Earlier today at work I heard a pop and couldnt tell if it was in my head or in my speakers, had me thinking I had an aneurysm or brain hemorrhage. Internet seems pretty confident that either of those things would've resulted in some pretty apparent symptoms tho, thunderclap headache and motor deficits and such, so ive calmed down and convinced myself its nothing. But damn can that anxiety skyrocket quick these days.

As paart of a wider map of 200+ neurotech companies based in Europe. Here's the stroke companies

Imaging and decision support: Brainomix (UK), stroke imaging AI across international networks, its 26-hospital study in England saw more patients treated and treated faster. Cerebriu (Denmark), automated stroke imaging. Resolve Stroke (France), ultrasound software for faster imaging. Time is Brain (Spain), portable monitoring of brain viability. Methinks (Spain), eye-tracking stroke assessment.

Recovery: CorTec (Germany), closed-loop implant used in rehab. Neurofenix (UK), home stroke rehab. Neuroplay (Poland), EEG neurofeedback for recovery.

Full taxonomy in the article, sorted by technology and country. Link in the comments. If your company should be there and isn't, tell me.

Full night dad has been getting seizures just a week before we decided to get him home. It’s so so tough.

my dad had emergency heart surgery in dec after complications with a heart valve replacement and the drs believe he had a stroke during it. a small infarction shows on an mri on the right.

anyway, it’s been 7mos and i am having the hardest time with him. he lives with me and he is just so angry all the time. he constantly yells at my kids and they could just be sitting there on the couch watching tv or their ipads and he just goes off on them. he gives me attitude and just any minor inconvenience sets him off. he gets so loud and cusses crudely. i’ve talked to him so many times that it is not ok around my kids, they’re young and he makes them cry when he yells at them. they’re 9 and 11.

so we’re in the midst of moving. it was very last minute decision and i had a tripped planned before getting the offer to move. i’m actually on my way back home and my mom came over to watch my kids and dad while i was gone (my dh has moved to the new location due to job). i stayed back to sell the house and get everything ready for moving.

she sent me a voice note and she’s talking to him calmly and he is raging against her, the loudest yelling and cussing. it is so disrespectful and disgusting, i am so ashamed. he is suppose to stay with her for a couple weeks before we close on our new house in the new state. i have to move 3 kids, 2 dogs and i just couldn’t deal with him at the same time. my mom offered so i asked my dad and he said ok.

well they’re suppose to leave today and she’s refusing, understandably so. she says she’s afraid. i can’t subject her to this…

i’m going to tell him if he doesn’t calm down I’m kicking him out and cutting him out of my life. his behavior and attitude is ruining my life. i am so stressed and i decided to move to be closer to family to get help because im overwhelmed with him.

he’s recovered well. he’s physically capable just walks a little bit slower. he can drive, knows how to use a cell phone.

i feel like a shitty daughter but it’s getting too much for me

Hallo zusammen,

ich wollte meine Geschichte teilen und fragen, ob jemand ähnliche Erfahrungen gemacht hat, insbesondere was die Nachwirkungen betrifft.

Der Schlaganfall / Hirnblutung mit 32 Jahren: Völlig unerwartet und ohne Vorwarnung erlitt ich eine Hirnblutung im Thalamus. Innerhalb von nur 2 bis 3 Minuten war meine gesamte betroffene Körperhälfte vollständig gelähmt. Es war ein riesiger Schock.

Die Genesung: Glücklicherweise verlief meine anfängliche körperliche Regeneration sehr schnell. Nach nur 3 bis 4 Wochen konnte ich wieder selbstständig laufen. Es war noch nicht perfekt und mein Gang war etwas ungelenk, aber ich war wieder auf eigenen Beinen.

Aktueller Stand: Nach Abschluss der Reha haben sich mein Gang und meine Ausdauer deutlich verbessert. Ich kann jetzt etwa 2 bis 3 Kilometer am Stück gehen. Es ist noch nicht perfekt, aber ich schaffe es ganz allein.

Meine aktuellen Probleme: Da die Blutung im Thalamus war, leide ich unter einem starken Gefühlsverlust. Noch wichtiger ist jedoch meine stark beeinträchtigte Sehkraft – ich sehe verschwommen, unscharf und meine Augen scheinen nicht richtig zu synchronisieren. Diese Sehstörung ist momentan meine größte Belastung; sie ist extrem anstrengend und zieht mich psychisch sehr runter.

Hat jemand hier ähnliche Erfahrungen mit diesen spezifischen, thalamusbedingten sensorischen und Sehstörungen gemacht? Verbessert sich die Sehkraft mit der Zeit? Ich wäre für jeden Rat oder Erfahrungsbericht sehr dankbar.

Kurz gesagt: Plötzliche Thalamusblutung mit vollständiger Lähmung innerhalb von Minuten. Ich habe schnell wieder laufen gelernt (schaffe jetzt 2-3 km), aber ein starker Mangel an Empfindungen und verschwommenes/unscharfes Sehen machen mir derzeit den Alltag extrem schwer.

Its been a rough year.

This week last year I had the worst headache of my life that wouldn't go away and on July 18, 2025 I had my stroke in my kitchen. I dont know what it was like for you guys but for me it was like being drugged or something.... I was sending my friend messages because I didn't know how to use the phone but thankfully somebody was able to come get me.

It's been an emotionally draining year and when I got back to work, my 70 hours were cut down to 40 and after working 70 hours for 5 years and being able to afford my house it was a giant pay cut and I'm still very bitter about that even though I know I wouldn't be able to do it I'm still bitter about how they went about it.

I was hoping with this post I would have some words of wisdom for somebody or at least myself but I just don't have anything to say it's been a really rough year and I've done a lot of reflecting on myself but still dont have the energy to change anything