Today we meet a woman whose life was defined by constant motion—conference to conference, idea to idea, achievement to achievement. She traveled with a car full of plans and a calendar full of purpose, moving through her days on autopilot while her consciousness split between the present moment and endless to-do lists. But her body was already trying to tell her something. When her legs stopped working in her own driveway, everything she'd been running toward suddenly stopped. In the hospital...
Today we meet a woman whose life was defined by constant motion—conference to conference, idea to idea, achievement to achievement. She traveled with a car full of plans and a calendar full of purpose, moving through her days on autopilot while her consciousness split between the present moment and endless to-do lists. But her body was already trying to tell her something. When her legs stopped working in her own driveway, everything she'd been running toward suddenly stopped. In the hospital...
Welcome to Voices of Resilience: A Beyond Stillness Program where our storytellers speak directly to those beginning their recovery journey. What follows is a message from one stroke survivor to another, born from experience, compassion, and hope. After her stroke left her paralyzed on her right side and unable to talk, sing, or walk, Angel James found strength in her daily prayer—"God, make me over again"—and in her husband's unwavering commitment to care for her no matter what. She offers f...
Welcome to Voices of Resilience: A Beyond Stillness Program where our storytellers speak directly to those beginning their recovery journey. What follows is a message from one stroke survivor to another, born from experience, compassion, and hope. After waking from a five-day coma in 1990 with right-sided paralysis and aphasia, Sue Aigner Phipps found her way forward through the unwavering support of family and friends who refused to let her give up—including one friend who simply asked her t...
Welcome to Voices of Resilience: A Beyond Stillness Program where our storytellers speak directly to those beginning their recovery journey. What follows is a message from one stroke survivor to another, born from experience, compassion, and hope. Instead of offering unsolicited advice to stroke survivors in their first year of recovery, Michelle chooses to listen and invites questions, recognizing that each person's journey is unique and their energy is precious. Drawing from her own experi...
Welcome to Voices of Resilience: A Beyond Stillness Program where our storytellers speak directly to those beginning their recovery journey. What follows is a message from one stroke survivor to another, born from experience, compassion, and hope. After a stroke caused by vertebral artery dissection left him unable to move anything below his neck, Eric Anderson found hope in the smallest victory—leaning forward two inches in his wheelchair—and built his recovery on celebrating every increment...
Today we meet Kelly, an Ashtanga yoga student and teacher trained in the practice of holding each posture—observing her thoughts and feelings and learning to simply be present without reaction. Six years ago, Kelly woke up with a strange feeling in her chest. Emergency open heart surgery led to spinal and brain strokes that left her unable to move from the waist down. In the rehab mirror, she saw the details: messy hair, chest glue, swollen feet in white Adidas. And she realized she was doing...
Today we meet Kelly, an Ashtanga yoga student and teacher trained in the practice of holding each posture—observing her thoughts and feelings and learning to simply be present without reaction. Six years ago, Kelly woke up with a strange feeling in her chest. Emergency open heart surgery led to spinal and brain strokes that left her unable to move from the waist down. In the rehab mirror, she saw the details: messy hair, chest glue, swollen feet in white Adidas. And she realized she was doing...
Today we meet Mary, a teacher who knew her calling from childhood—organizing cousins into line while playing school in Lynn, Massachusetts. For twenty-four years, Mary taught with passion until a stroke on January 28th, 2010 changed everything. She couldn't speak at all for three months—only shake her head yes or no. Her first word came spontaneously: "Tailgate!" Mary returned to teaching by applying her own lessons: practice, patience, and "wait time." Now she brings those same tools to the ...
Today we meet Mary, a teacher who knew her calling from childhood—organizing cousins into line while playing school in Lynn, Massachusetts. For twenty-four years, Mary taught with passion until a stroke on January 28th, 2010 changed everything. She couldn't speak at all for three months—only shake her head yes or no. Her first word came spontaneously: "Tailgate!" Mary returned to teaching by applying her own lessons: practice, patience, and "wait time." Now she brings those same tools to the ...
Today on Beyond Stillness: Stories After Stroke we're offering another Community Special featuring the Overlake Aphasia Communication & Support Group at Overlake Medical Center in Bellevue, Washington led by Emily Wimberly. This dedicated group meets monthly, creating a space where members connect, practice communication skills, and discover new ways to cope and thrive with aphasia. Join us as group members share the insights they've gained while navigating life with aphasia and the...
Today on Beyond Stillness: Stories After Stroke we're offering another Community Special featuring the Overlake Aphasia Communication & Support Group at Overlake Medical Center in Bellevue, Washington led by Emily Wimberly. This dedicated group meets monthly, creating a space where members connect, practice communication skills, and discover new ways to cope and thrive with aphasia. Join us as group members share the insights they've gained while navigating life with aphasia and the...
Today we meet Kimberley, who persevered through hardships growing up. On Thanksgiving Day 2012, a stroke furthered that storyline—leaving her unable to speak in a hospital hallway despite desperate attempts to call for help. The stroke caused aphasia, affecting her ability to find words. Now Kimberley not only perseveres in her own life, but also advocates for all people with aphasia. She wears "aphasia" t-shirts daily to engage and teach others, and even plans to speak with people in Congres...
Today we meet Kimberley, who persevered through hardships growing up. On Thanksgiving Day 2012, a stroke furthered that storyline—leaving her unable to speak in a hospital hallway despite desperate attempts to call for help. The stroke caused aphasia, affecting her ability to find words. Now Kimberley not only perseveres in her own life, but also advocates for all people with aphasia. She wears "aphasia" t-shirts daily to engage and teach others, and even plans to speak with people in Congres...
Today we meet Virgil, who learned that strength isn't about being untouchable—it's about discovering what you're truly capable of when everything changes. From that confusing June evening in 2018 to becoming a beacon of hope in Pittsburgh's aphasia community, Virgil's story reminds us that sometimes life's greatest purpose emerges not despite our struggles, but because of them. This is a story about lacing up your boots and learning to march forward, not alone, but surrounded by a family that...
Today we meet Trish Hambridge, who discovered that recovery isn't just about rebuilding what was lost—it's about creating something entirely new. Through her journey with aphasia, Trish has become a powerful advocate, founding National Aphasia Synergy, a peer-led organization that proves together, we are greater than the sum of our parts. Community Conversation Prompt: Trish shares that meaningful contributions help her stay healthy and happy. How do you support others in big or small ways?&n...
Today we meet Trish Hambridge, who discovered that recovery isn't just about rebuilding what was lost—it's about creating something entirely new. Through her journey with aphasia, Trish has become a powerful advocate, founding National Aphasia Synergy, a peer-led organization that proves together, we are greater than the sum of our parts. Community Conversation Prompt: Trish shares that meaningful contributions help her stay healthy and happy. How do you support others in big or small ways?&n...
Today, we welcome our guest, Eric Anderson, who discovered his greatest strength in his most vulnerable moment. When a sudden stroke left him completely paralyzed from the neck down, Eric realized he still possessed what he calls his "superpower" – the ability to choose his thoughts, even when everything else was beyond his control. Join us as Eric shares how he transformed a medical crisis into a masterclass in resilience, built a "positivity plan" that changed his recovery trajectory, and l...
Today, we welcome our guest, Eric Anderson, who discovered his greatest strength in his most vulnerable moment. When a sudden stroke left him completely paralyzed from the neck down, Eric realized he still possessed what he calls his "superpower" – the ability to choose his thoughts, even when everything else was beyond his control. Join us as Eric shares how he transformed a medical crisis into a masterclass in resilience, built a "positivity plan" that changed his recovery trajectory, and l...
Today on Beyond Stillness: Stories After Stroke we offer another Community Special highlighting University of Pittsburgh's Community Aphasia Center Support Group led by Chrisa Kravetz. They meet monthly to promote social engagement and supportive communication. Join us as members dive into what they hope others will learn from their journey with aphasia and the connections they've built together. Community Conversation Prompt: What do you hope others learn from your journey? Me...