Stroke

So like I remember this one girl that was working at the center I was in who was really friendly. She told me to make a wish and it will come true. I think it might actually be coming true but to be honest I should have made a better wish because my life right now is like I am barely living. It would mean the absolute world to me if I got more wishes that can be granted so I can live a more happy fulfilling life. I have always been a spiritual person and I really need so many more wishes to come true. I hope I do get more wishes from someone that will be granted. I am not telling ya’ll what I wished for haha #CheckInWithMe #Disability #MentalHealth #Depression #MajorDepressiveDisorder #Mania #ComplexPosttraumaticStressDisorder #SchizoaffectiveDisorder #Schizophrenia #Psychosis #Bipolar2 #BipolarDepression #BipolarDisorder #Anxiety #PTSD #BorderlinePersonalityDisorder #GeneralizedAnxietyDisorder #ObsessiveCompulsiveDisorder #PostTraumaticStressDisorder #Selfharm #PostpartumDisorders #SuicidalIdeation #SuicidalThoughts #Suicide #ChronicIllness #ADHD #Addiction #Autism #AutismSpectrumDisorder #AnorexiaNervosa #BingeEatingDisorder #AspergersSyndrome #AnkylosingSpondylitis #ChronicFatigueSyndrome #Arthritis #Cancer #BreastCancer #Caregiving #CerebralPalsy #CrohnsDisease #EhlersDanlosSyndrome #Endometriosis #Epilepsy #Dysautonomia #Grief #Stroke #WarmWishes #MightyTogether #ChronicInflammatoryDemyelinatingPolyneuropathy #Fibromyalgia #Gastroparesis #Loneliness #CongenitalHeartDefectDisease #ChiariMalformation #FunctionalNeurologicalDisorder

Hi everyone :) first post, looking for some direction :) I’ve always known that the way I am , was always a little different from the norm, but aside from meltdowns that first appeared during my early teens I was able to “keep it together” for the most part. After essentially being mostly bed ridden for 10 years (my epilepsy was out of control) in my studio, in a very low stimulus environment, I’ve finally been living again the past 9 months. However, whenever I’m thrust into normal life, I get overwhelmed/overstimulated by certain sounds , smells and crowds, need to rush home (I found that putting on noise cancelling headphones helps a lot before I’m to reach my place) and need to rest for a couple of days as I’m absolutely exhausted/drained and my angst, frustration, sadness, anxiety are turned up to a 100. (Meltdowns are common for me the following days if someone talks to me for too long) I suspect that all of this is due to the stroke I suffered as an infant and due to the brain damage I suffered from my seizures due to my epilepsy, which all hit the emotional centres of my brain). However, I have no idea what specialists to contact to see if they can help me further to help me with a diagnosis and also a specialist that can help me to cope with certain behaviours I have due to what I have (like mitigating those I mentioned above). I’ve been doing CBT over the past 6 years but the therapist is not specialised in neurodivergence. My neurologist is solely focused on the medical aspect of things, that’s it. What do you recommend I should do first? Who should I contact? It’s really overwhelming. Thanks so much in advance :)

Now I’m 60 after a stroke at 51 and being left with chronic pain, I think I’m just exhausted. I’m tired of being bullied. I’m tired of working on my marriage. I’m now retired on Social security disability and tired of pain and day to day life. I see no joy in it. My family is not loving. I feel used and unloved. Everyone takes and no one gives back. I’m spent. Why won’t God just take me now. I have no friends left. And I don’t care. Sooo tired yet no rest.

When I had a stroke, my life changed overnight. I lost my independence, my strength, and, unexpectedly, many of my friends. The people I thought would be there for me slowly disappeared. Some didn’t know how to handle my condition, others got busy with their own lives, and a few just faded away without explanation.

At first, the isolation was unbearable. I was dealing with paralysis on my right side, struggling with everyday tasks, and trying to process the reality of my new life. But what hit me the hardest was the loneliness. The silence. The absence of those I once leaned on.

## Turning to the Internet for Connection

In my lowest moments, I found myself scrolling endlessly through my phone, looking for something—anything—that would make me feel less alone. That’s when I realized that the Internet could be more than just a distraction. It could be my bridge to the world.

I started reading about others who had gone through similar experiences. I found people sharing their journeys through stroke recovery, their struggles with aphasia, and their battles to regain mobility. Seeing them push through their challenges gave me hope. If they could do it, so could I.

That’s when I made the decision: I would start sharing my own story.

## Why I Chose to Post About My Life

1. **To Combat Loneliness** – I had lost many of my friends, but I didn’t have to be alone. By sharing my experiences online, I found a new community—people who understood my struggles and supported me even from a distance.

2. **To Raise Awareness** – Before my stroke, I didn’t know much about stroke recovery, aphasia, or the mental toll it takes. By sharing my journey, I hoped to help others understand what survivors go through and maybe even educate those who still had their health.

3. **To Help Others Like Me** – When I was searching for guidance, the personal stories I found online helped me more than medical articles ever could. I wanted to do the same for someone else—be a source of encouragement for others who felt lost after a stroke.

4. **To Keep My Mental Health in Check** – Writing and sharing became my therapy. It gave me a sense of purpose, a way to express my emotions, and something to look forward to. Instead of dwelling on what I had lost, I focused on what I could build.

## Finding a New Kind of Friendship

The Internet became my friend in ways I never expected. Through my posts, I connected with stroke survivors, caregivers, and even complete strangers who just wanted to offer kind words. I built relationships with people across the world—people who checked in on me, shared their own experiences, and reminded me that I wasn’t alone.

It’s not the same as having friends physically around, but it’s something. And sometimes, that “something” is enough to keep you going.

## Moving Forward

I still miss the friends I lost, but I’ve also gained something new—a sense of community that stretches beyond physical boundaries. If you’re feeling isolated, if life has knocked you down and you feel like no one understands, I encourage you to reach out. Share your story. Someone out there needs to hear it.

I know I did. And I’m grateful that I found voices like mine when I needed them most.

Hi, my name is Ambrose1984. I'm here because because am a stroke survivor

#MightyTogether #Anxiety #Depression #Stroke

Hi, my name is wjudd429. I was misdiagnosed with a disease I didn’t have. I was on high dose steroids and chemo. I lost everything; from hair and bone loss to friends and family. I’m trying to put my life back together and it’s been an emotionally exhausting process and some days I fear things won’t improve. I’m afraid of the healthcare system and and wonder if something else was missed. I had a stroke that was missed while on this treatment. Between all the medications and stroke I deal with memory and processing issues now. sometimes I just don’t know where to start.

#MightyTogether #PTSD #ADHD #Grief