Beyond Stillness: Stories After Stroke

Helping My Community - Pina Sullivan's Story - Part One

"I always knew I was put in this world to help others." Pina knew this as an office manager, a caregiver, a grandmother. A stroke taught her what it really means. Pina's story is about trying — one step, one word, one breath at a time — and the family, faith, and fellow survivors who made that possible. Now Pina is the one sitting with others when the words won't come, saying what someone once said to her: take your time, try again. If you've ever had to learn your own name all over again, this one is for you. Community Conversation Prompt How have you found a new sense of purpose post stroke? Mentioned Resources * Cabrillo College Stroke and Disability Center [https://www.cabrillo.edu/stroke-disability-learning-center/] * Santa Clara Valley Medical Center [https://scvmc.scvh.org/home] Beyond Stillness collaborated with Brandi Dickinson’s Storytelling Class at Cabrillo College’s Stroke and Disability Center for Pina’s episode. This episode was presented in partnership with Santa Clara County’s Stroke Awareness Foundation — because through education and awareness, we can save lives and improve the health of our diverse community. Visit strokeinfo.org [http://strokeinfo.org/] Click here to sponsor a stroke survivor on their seven week reflective story crafting journey. [https://www.beyondstillness.org/donate] Join us on Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/stories_after_stroke/] and Facebook [https://www.facebook.com/storiesafterstroke] and Youtube [https://www.youtube.com/@StoriesAfterStroke]. Beyond Stillness: Stories After Stroke [https://www.beyondstillness.org] is a nonprofit organization whose mission is to empower stroke survivors to articulate and publicly share their stories of wisdom, purpose, connection, and hope.  To learn more about our programs and services, please visit www.beyondstillness.org [https://www.beyondstillness.org].  #BeyondStillness #StrokeRecovery #StrokeSurvivor #StrokeStories #StrokeAwareness #Storytelling #StrokeSupport #Recovery #Resilience #Hope #Transformation #LifeAfterStroke #Inspiration #NarrativeIdentity #StorytellingHeals #RewritingMyStory #IdentityAfterStroke #PostTraumaticGrowth

Helping My Community - Pina Sullivan's Interview - Part Two

"I always knew I was put in this world to help others." Pina knew this as an office manager, a caregiver, a grandmother. A stroke taught her what it really means. Pina's story is about trying — one step, one word, one breath at a time — and the family, faith, and fellow survivors who made that possible. Now Pina is the one sitting with others when the words won't come, saying what someone once said to her: take your time, try again. If you've ever had to learn your own name all over again, this one is for you. Community Conversation Prompt How have you found a new sense of purpose post stroke? Mentioned Resources * Cabrillo College Stroke and Disability Center [https://www.cabrillo.edu/stroke-disability-learning-center/] * Santa Clara Valley Medical Center [https://scvmc.scvh.org/home] Beyond Stillness collaborated with Brandi Dickinson’s Storytelling Class at Cabrillo College’s Stroke and Disability Center for Pina’s episode. This episode was presented in partnership with Santa Clara County’s Stroke Awareness Foundation — because through education and awareness, we can save lives and improve the health of our diverse community. Visit strokeinfo.org [http://strokeinfo.org/] Click here to sponsor a stroke survivor on their seven week reflective story crafting journey. [https://www.beyondstillness.org/donate] Join us on Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/stories_after_stroke/] and Facebook [https://www.facebook.com/storiesafterstroke] and Youtube [https://www.youtube.com/@StoriesAfterStroke]. Beyond Stillness: Stories After Stroke [https://www.beyondstillness.org] is a nonprofit organization whose mission is to empower stroke survivors to articulate and publicly share their stories of wisdom, purpose, connection, and hope.  To learn more about our programs and services, please visit www.beyondstillness.org [https://www.beyondstillness.org].  #BeyondStillness #StrokeRecovery #StrokeSurvivor #StrokeStories #StrokeAwareness #Storytelling #StrokeSupport #Recovery #Resilience #Hope #Transformation #LifeAfterStroke #Inspiration #NarrativeIdentity #StorytellingHeals #RewritingMyStory #IdentityAfterStroke #PostTraumaticGrowth

Every Try Counts - Mariella Alberdi's Interview - Part Two

Mariella's stroke taught her that the little moments are the big moments. From standing up in a rehab hallway to finding her people in a water cup relay, Mariella shows us what it looks like to trust the process even when progress isn't always visible. Her story is about consistency, community, and discovering you're more resilient than you ever knew. Community Conversation Prompt * Mariella kept trying different forms of therapy — the pool, weights, acupuncture, golf. What unexpected piece of your recovery has made the biggest difference? Mentioned Resources * Champion the Challenges - Golf4Life [https://www.championthechallenges.org] * Hope Neuro Acupuncture Rehabilitation [https://www.neuroacupuncturerehab.com/] * REACH - Ability Path's Stroke and Brain Injury Services [https://abilitypath.org/services/adult-services/stroke-and-brain-injury-services/] This episode was presented in partnership with Santa Clara County’s Stroke Awareness Foundation — because through education and awareness, we can save lives and improve the health of our diverse community. Visit strokeinfo.org [http://strokeinfo.org/] Click here to sponsor a stroke survivor on their seven week reflective story crafting journey. [https://www.beyondstillness.org/donate] Join us on Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/stories_after_stroke/] and Facebook [https://www.facebook.com/storiesafterstroke] and Youtube [https://www.youtube.com/@StoriesAfterStroke]. Beyond Stillness: Stories After Stroke [https://www.beyondstillness.org] is a nonprofit organization whose mission is to empower stroke survivors to articulate and publicly share their stories of wisdom, purpose, connection, and hope.  To learn more about our programs and services, please visit www.beyondstillness.org [https://www.beyondstillness.org].  #BeyondStillness #StrokeRecovery #StrokeSurvivor #StrokeStories #StrokeAwareness #Storytelling #StrokeSupport #Recovery #Resilience #Hope #Transformation #LifeAfterStroke #Inspiration #NarrativeIdentity #StorytellingHeals #RewritingMyStory #IdentityAfterStroke #PostTraumaticGrowth

Every Try Counts - Mariella Alberdi's Story - Part One

Mariella's stroke taught her that the little moments are the big moments. From standing up in a rehab hallway to finding her people in a water cup relay, Mariella shows us what it looks like to trust the process even when progress isn't always visible. Her story is about consistency, community, and discovering you're more resilient than you ever knew. Community Conversation Prompt * Mariella kept trying different forms of therapy — the pool, weights, acupuncture, golf. What unexpected piece of your recovery has made the biggest difference? Mentioned Resources * Champion the Challenges - Golf4Life [https://www.championthechallenges.org/] * Hope Neuro Acupuncture Rehabilitation [https://www.neuroacupuncturerehab.com/] * REACH - Ability Path's Stroke and Brain Injury Services [https://abilitypath.org/services/adult-services/stroke-and-brain-injury-services/] This episode was presented in partnership with Santa Clara County’s Stroke Awareness Foundation — because through education and awareness, we can save lives and improve the health of our diverse community. Visit strokeinfo.org [http://strokeinfo.org/] Click here to sponsor a stroke survivor on their seven week reflective story crafting journey. [https://www.beyondstillness.org/donate] Join us on Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/stories_after_stroke/] and Facebook [https://www.facebook.com/storiesafterstroke] and Youtube [https://www.youtube.com/@StoriesAfterStroke]. Beyond Stillness: Stories After Stroke [https://www.beyondstillness.org] is a nonprofit organization whose mission is to empower stroke survivors to articulate and publicly share their stories of wisdom, purpose, connection, and hope.  To learn more about our programs and services, please visit www.beyondstillness.org [https://www.beyondstillness.org].  #BeyondStillness #StrokeRecovery #StrokeSurvivor #StrokeStories #StrokeAwareness #Storytelling #StrokeSupport #Recovery #Resilience #Hope #Transformation #LifeAfterStroke #Inspiration #NarrativeIdentity #StorytellingHeals #RewritingMyStory #IdentityAfterStroke #PostTraumaticGrowth

Work Hard. Believe. Pass It On. - Gary Lewis' Interview - Part Two

"When we let each other in, we help each other." Gary knew this as a runner and a coach. A stroke in 2020 taught him what it really means. Gary's story is about connection — neighbors, coaches, roommates, therapists, and fellow survivors who showed up. Now Gary is the one showing up for others, sitting with fellow stroke survivors, and passing on exactly what was given to him.  Community Conversation Prompt: Who believed in you before you believed in yourself?  How are you passing that on now? Guest's Mentioned Resources: * Champion the Challenges - Golf4Life [https://www.championthechallenges.org/] * O'Connor Hospital Therapy Services [https://och.scvh.org/healthcare-services/therapy-services] * Santa Clara Valley Medical Center [https://scvmc.scvh.org/home]  * San Jose State University's Occupational Therapy Clinic [https://www.sjsu.edu/occupationaltherapy/ot-clinics.php] This episode was presented in partnership with Santa Clara County’s Stroke Awareness Foundation — because through education and awareness, we can save lives and improve the health of our diverse community. Visit strokeinfo.org [http://strokeinfo.org/] Click here to sponsor a stroke survivor on their seven week reflective story crafting journey. [https://www.beyondstillness.org/donate] Join us on Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/stories_after_stroke/] and Facebook [https://www.facebook.com/storiesafterstroke] and Youtube [https://www.youtube.com/@StoriesAfterStroke]. Beyond Stillness: Stories After Stroke [https://www.beyondstillness.org] is a nonprofit organization whose mission is to empower stroke survivors to articulate and publicly share their stories of wisdom, purpose, connection, and hope.  To learn more about our programs and services, please visit www.beyondstillness.org [https://www.beyondstillness.org].  #BeyondStillness #StrokeRecovery #StrokeSurvivor #StrokeStories #StrokeAwareness #Storytelling #StrokeSupport #Recovery #Resilience #Hope #Transformation #LifeAfterStroke #Inspiration #NarrativeIdentity #StorytellingHeals #RewritingMyStory #IdentityAfterStroke #PostTraumaticGrowth