Greetings! Thanks for joining me on the re-launch of my web site! I’m excited to begin sharing interviews of courageous women who have faced some of life’s toughest challenges and decided to be overcomers!

I know I’m asking these women to be vulnerable as they share their individual struggles, so I’ll be vulnerable first.

Overcoming Early Challenges

My first stroke occurred a month after my second birthday. The neurologist shared with my parents that a congenital birth defect caused the right carotid artery not to develop at the same rate as the rest of my body. As a result, my stroke occurred when blood clotted in my right carotid artery, causing paralysis to the left side of my body.

As tough as it was to see their only child struggle, my parents are responsible for laying the solid foundation of my overcomer’s attitude. A strong belief that my stroke is part of who I am but should never limit me from pursuing my goals was instilled at an early age. During my youth, they challenged me with purposeful activities: being involved in sports to strengthen my left side and learning to ride a bicycle to improve my balance.

The only exemption my parents ever requested was a required typing class in high school. The lack of fine motor skills in my left hand makes typing with two hands impossible. My desire to be self-sufficient drove me to accommodate and become a one-handed typing bandit!

Triumphing Over Limitations

Because of the location of the stroke attack to my brain, the neurologist cautioned my parents that I may never graduate from high school. As graduation day approached, I made a decision I would overcome his negative prognosis. I went on to earn a Master’s degree in special education for two reasons: to gain more knowledge in my chosen profession AND to prove that limiting beliefs will never be a part of my beliefs.

I have faced challenges throughout my life because of the lingering effects of my stroke. I still experience neuropathy, a condition that is a result of the stroke’s damage to the nerves in my left arm and leg.

Just a few months shy of my fortieth birthday, I awoke to discover my neuropathy was significantly worse. I also had difficulty putting thoughts together. After a complete neurological workup, the news I’d suffered a transient ischemic attack (TIA) or mini stroke was given. I had a choice to make. Should I just give up after all these years? Or would I continue to fight to be an overcomer?

In my darkest moments, I honestly wanted to throw in the towel.

Love Gives Strength

During my months of recovery, it was the tribe of people who walked alongside me that determined the choice I made. Their love and encouragement showed me it is still worth the fight!

To learn more about ways to prevent stroke, visit the National Stroke Association. If you or a loved one have suffered a stroke, an online support community can be found on the “Stroke Talk for Facebook” page.

Share with me: What are the character traits you would use to describe an overcomer?