I used to think strokes only happened to “old” people. You know—gray hair, retirement, a lot of health problems. I certainly didn’t think it would happen to me, in my 40s, while laughing and running my mouth at my husband’s farewell party as we were preparing to PCS across country for his next Naval assignment.
Surrounded by people. Looking cute. Chatting. Laughing.
Then… nothing.
I don’t remember collapsing. I don’t remember being taken to the hospital. I don’t remember any of it.
Because I was unconscious.
I woke up in a hospital bed, confused, groggy, and terrified. The word “stroke” came at me like a freight train. A stroke? ME?! I didn’t have high blood pressure. I wasn’t overweight. I wasn’t even on medication for anything.
Turns out, my stroke was caused by a rare condition called carotid webbing. (Never heard of it? Yeah… me either.) It’s a condition that mostly affects African American women, and can go completely undetected until it doesn’t.
Stroke Doesn’t Care How Old You Are
Since my stroke, I’ve met survivors in their 30s. Their 20s. Even kids. That’s when I realized…
🧠 Stroke doesn’t care about your age.
🧠 It doesn’t care about your job, your plans, or your Pinterest board.
🧠 It strikes. Without warning. To anyone. At any time.
Too many people still believe strokes only happen to older adults. That stroke awareness is something they’ll need later. But I’m here to tell you: stroke doesn’t discriminate by age.
If you or someone you love suddenly:
- Slurs their words
- Can’t move one side of their body
- Becomes confused or unresponsive
BE FAST:
- Balance: Sudden loss of balance?
- Eyes: Trouble seeing?
- Face: One side drooping?
- Arms: Can’t lift one arm?
- Speech: Slurred or strange?
- Time: Call 911 immediately.
Time is brain. Every minute matters.
My Mission Now? Talk About What No One Thinks Will Happen to Them
I share my story not to scare you, but to prepare you.
Stroke is not just an “older person’s” issue. It’s a human issue. A life issue.
I’m still here. I survived. And now I talk about strokes, about recovery, about the hidden scars. I talk about what it’s like when your life flips upside down in the middle of a celebration. I talk about the invisible things people don’t see when they look at me.
Because this is real life. This is my life. And if sharing it helps one person recognize the signs or speak up when something feels “off”—then I’ve done what I set out to do.
So I’ll keep talking. Cause I have the gift of gab and realize I could’ve lost that gift on April 17, 2021.
Because strokes can happen to anyone. Even someone who thought they were too young.
Even someone like me.
👉 Let’s keep the conversation going
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