Stroke Sisters: Stories of Strength and Resilience

Dr. Eliza C. Miller (a leading vascular neurologist specializing in women's brain health and volunteer expert with the American Stroke Association) joins Stroke Sisters to explain how stroke differs for women. She breaks down three categories of risk: factors more common in women (like migraine with aura), risk factors that affect women differently (notably blood pressure), and women-only risks (p...

Tess Siders had an ischemic stroke at 33 and spent months relearning basics—walking, talking, reading, and writing. For years she lived with limited use of her right arm and hand, adapting family roles with husband Aaron as primary caregiver. Nearly a decade later, Tess pursued Vivistim, an implantable vagus nerve stimulator paired with targeted therapy. The device sends neuromodulatory pulses tim...

Chloe Middleton, a 31-year-old PR agency director, recounts how months of unusual thunderclap headaches culminated in a ruptured arteriovenous malformation (AVM) and a hemorrhagic stroke. Transferred to a specialist center, she underwent three brain surgeries, spent weeks in ICU and faced intensive rehab. Chloe describes right-sided ataxia, dysarthria, severe fatigue and relearning basic tasks suc...

Stefannie Rose recounts the night a special date turned into a medical emergency: a sudden collapse in a hotel room, vomiting, and a friend who recognized stroke signs and called 911. Diagnosed with a brain bleed and undergoing surgery, Stefannie spent weeks in ICU and intensive rehabilitation. She describes the shock of seeing 40 stitches and losing half her hair, the painful early deficits—compl...

At 41, Megan Goodrich's life changed forever when she suffered a massive stroke. In this episode, she shares the warning signs she experienced, the terrifying day her stroke struck, and how her brave 8-year-old son helped save her life. Megan opens up about waking from a medically induced coma, enduring months of rehabilitation, and grieving the loss of the nursing career she loved. But she also s...

In this episode of Stroke Sisters: Stories of Strength and Resilience , host Angie Read welcomes stroke survivor Lola White and Nicole Goldstein from Vivistim for a heartfelt conversation about redefining life after stroke. Lola shares her journey from surviving to thriving, opening up about how she navigated changes in identity, rediscovered her purpose, and learned to balance ambition with recov...

Emely Kadoko, a mother of four from Zimbabwe, shares her transformative journey of recovery after suffering a severe stroke in 2020. What began as a severe headache quickly escalated, leaving Emily unconscious and hospitalized for weeks. Despite the severe impact on her mobility, she fought her way back with the unwavering support of her family, particularly her sister. Emily's story highlights th...

Dr. Christine Cosby-Gaither shares her inspiring journey as a stroke survivor. At 35, she experienced a life-changing stroke, leading to extensive physical challenges, including paralysis and blindness. Her husband recognized the emergency, allowing her to receive timely medical help. Through perseverance and various therapies, Christine gradually regained her abilities. During the COVID-19 pandem...

In this episode of Stroke Sisters, host Angie Read explores the inspiring recovery journey of Shanan Ballam, a poet and educator who survived a massive stroke at 46. With her ability to speak and write paralyzed, Shannon faced the challenge of rediscovering her voice. Her journey involved relearning basic skills, like writing with the aid of speech therapists, and producing poetry that became pivo...

In this episode of 'Stroke Sisters: Stories of Strength and Resilience,' host Angie Read talks with Bridget Chisadza, a young stroke survivor whose life changed forever after a brain hemorrhage while pregnant. At only 27, Bridget faced the unimaginable, a life-threatening arteriovenous malformation (AVM). She bravely shares the details of waking up with a thunderclap headache, the emergency surger...

Kathy Wienrank’s story is a powerful reminder of how easily strokes—especially in women—can be missed. At 46, Kathy had an ischemic stroke that was initially dismissed as a complex migraine, despite clear warning signs like trouble with coordination and speech. Sent home without answers, she knew something wasn’t right and made the difficult decision to seek help again. In this episode, Kathy shar...

In this emotional episode, Briena Shaner talks about having a stroke at 24 weeks pregnant and how quick action by a friend helped save both her life and her baby’s. She shares what came next—living with post-stroke depression, being diagnosed with epilepsy, and figuring out how to be a new mom while still recovering herself. Briena’s story is an honest look at how much life can change after stroke...

In this episode, former teacher Stacey Amore recounts her powerful story of resilience following a sudden stroke in her 40s. Leading an active life, Stacey's outlook changed dramatically after an aggressive chiropractic neck adjustment caused a vertebral artery dissection (VAD) and resulted in several cerebellar strokes. Her path to recovery involved intense physical and occupational therapies and...

In this episode of Stroke Sisters: Stories of Strength and Resilience , Stacy Piedrahita, a former oncology nurse, shares her unexpected journey of surviving an ischemic stroke. Initially dismissed by healthcare professionals, Stacy faced challenges that left her unable to perform daily tasks. Her nursing background proved vital in navigating the system and advocating for her care. After almost gi...

Kristin McKenzie shares her remarkable journey from working in sports entertainment and Apple to navigating life after a massive stroke. With a bleak 2% chance of survival, Kristin fought against the odds and began the grueling process of recovery. Her story highlights the emotional and physical challenges of finding new meaning in life after facing life-altering experiences, including time in a s...

In this episode of Stroke Sisters, Christina Fletcher shares her transformative journey from a health-conscious single mom to a stroke survivor. Despite being in peak physical condition, she experienced sudden, unexpected changes, including vision loss and mobility issues, due to a stroke. Christina discusses her initial shock, the ensuing challenges, and how the discovery of an undiagnosed heart...

In this episode of Stroke Sisters, Tracy Hazelwood shares her remarkable journey of recovery following a massive stroke at the age of 51. A medical procedure intended to prevent a stroke ironically led to one. Tracy discusses her intense rehab, the emotional toll of losing close family members during this period, and how her humor and supportive network aided in her recovery. She also highlights t...

Erin McLaughlin Hartney's life took a dramatic turn when she experienced seven strokes mid-flight at the age of 35. Leaving behind her career as a financial controller, Erin faced numerous challenges, from relearning to speak and walk to finding new purpose. Through determination, therapy, and community engagement, including volunteering and moving to Ireland, she created a life beyond her strokes...

Carrieann Holzworth's story is an extraordinary one, marked by a surprising discovery of multiple strokes at just 39 without any hospital stay. Initially noticing a stutter and difficulty writing, her symptoms led to an MRI revealing numerous strokes. Despite facing comprehension, physical, and spatial difficulties, she not only managed to continue her job at the Federal Railroad Administration bu...

Janice Johnson, a retired tech industry pioneer and Black woman, shares her incredible story of resilience after surviving a bilateral stroke during the COVID-19 pandemic. Faced with paralysis and the inability to speak, Janice’s recovery journey was challenging. Her husband and daughter played crucial roles in her rehabilitation. Janice’s husband, a social worker, secured necessary services to ai...

In this podcast episode, Angie and former physical therapist Allie Patton Levine discuss the critical steps involved in preparing for discharge after a stroke. Allie highlights the importance of establishing a strong relationship with your case manager, as they play a pivotal role in aligning patient goals with those of the healthcare facility and insurance companies. She shares her personal exper...

In this engaging "Part One" episode, Allie Levine shares her compelling journey from being a physical therapist and cheerleading coach to becoming a stroke survivor and advocate. At the age of 49, Allie's life took an unexpected turn with a stroke following a complicated surgery. She offers a unique perspective, blending her professional background with personal experiences, to support other strok...

After experiencing a stroke at 64 while maintaining a healthy lifestyle, Dr. Caroline Alexis-Thomas, a wellness expert, used her expertise to aid her recovery. With limited resources in Grenada, she employed online resources and her wellness expertise to create her own rehabilitation program. Caroline emphasizes the importance of distinguishing between health and wellness, advocating for a holisti...

Deidra McLaughlin, a mother of two young boys and special education teacher, faced a life-altering event at 36 when she suffered a stroke on her way back from a funeral. Despite initially attributing her discomfort to a hangover, she found herself in a coma shortly after arriving home. Her recovery journey included battling meningitis and adapting to life with paralysis on her left side. The exper...

In this episode, Nikki Epperson shares her intense journey of surviving a stroke at the young age of 33. She describes waking up with a severe headache and later realizing she was experiencing a stroke. Despite being paralyzed on her left side, Nikki's faith and determination drive her rehabilitation. Through consistent exercises and lifestyle changes, including improving her diet and quitting alc...