Living With An AVM

stroke survivor takes on the scrunchie 🤪🧠

5 years ago, I never could have imagined where I’d be today 🧠

If you’re a stroke survivor and you’re wondering, “Will I ever feel like myself again?” or “What will my life look like in 5 years?”, keep going 💪🏼

One day, you’ll look back and realize just how far you’ve come.

I’m so proud of myself…and I hope one day you’ll be able to say the same 💗

🧠 When I woke up after my stroke, I wanted answers. I wanted to know how long recovery would take, when life would feel “normal” again, and if I’d ever be myself again.

Looking back, these are the five things I wish someone had told me:

🤍 Healing is a rollercoaster. Some days you’ll feel unstoppable. Other days, getting out of bed is the victory. Both are part of healing.

🤍 Rest is productive. Your brain is doing incredible work behind the scenes. Rest isn’t giving up, it’s part of recovery.

🤍 Celebrate every small win. The first step. The first word. The first time you tie your shoe or hold a fork again. Those moments matter.

🤍 Ask for help. You don’t have to carry everything alone. Lean on the people who love you.

🤍 Your life isn’t over!! It’s just different. Different doesn’t mean less meaningful. Sometimes it leads you somewhere you never imagined.

If you’re in the middle of your recovery, keep going. Progress isn’t always obvious, but every step forward counts. One day, you’ll look back and realize just how far you’ve come 💪🏼💗

You survived for a reason 💗💪🏼

There were moments when I didn’t know what my future would look like after my AVM and stroke. But every challenge, every setback, and every small victory has led me here.

If you’re in the middle of your healing journey, don’t give up. Your story isn’t over. There is still purpose, hope, and so much life waiting for you.

Keep going. One day at a time ✨

🧠 After my stroke, using my affected hand for something as ordinary as eating felt impossible. Every bite took patience, practice, and determination.

Now, every meal is another chance to keep challenging my brain, strengthening my body, and celebrating how far I’ve come.

Recovery isn’t just about the big milestones. It’s built in moments like these 🥹💗

Five years ago, everything changed 🧠

I could have let my stroke define me. I could have believed every limitation, every setback, every “you’ll never…”

But I didn’t 💪🏼

I kept showing up. I kept fighting. I kept believing there was more waiting for me.

Five years later, here I am 🥹

Not because it was easy.
Not because I was fearless.
But because I refused to give up.

If you’re in the middle of your hardest chapter, keep going. You have no idea where your persistence might take you ❤️‍🩹✨

Eating a steak isn’t something I take for granted anymore 🤪

After my stroke, something as simple as cutting food became a challenge. My right hand doesn’t work the way it used to, so every meal takes patience, focus, and determination.

What looks like an ordinary dinner is actually another reminder of how far I’ve come 🥹

Recovery isn’t always about the big milestones. Sometimes it’s about the quiet victories, like being able to enjoy a steak on your own.

I’ll never stop celebrating those moments 💗🥩