Neuro Note 1: Brain Stem Stroke

'Having a Stroke as a New Mom Changed Everything, but I'm Treating It Like a Gift'

    Today I am going to be discussing an article I recently read which highlights the life of Katherine Wolf and her experience with undergoing a massive brain stem stroke at 26 years old. Just six months earlier Katherine and her husband, Jay had just become first time parents. While being a new mom was quite the adjustment to their life, Katherine's new prognosis would change their lives forever. The greatest challenge Katherine faced was simply not being there with her newborn to do the typical new mom occupations. She was deeply concerned with how her physical limitations due to the stroke would effect not only her quality of life but also her child's. 

    Although it may have been a time of helplessness and despair, Katherine and Jay began to learn that through their spiritual beliefs they could find strength to carry on. Months of rehabilitation addressed some of Katherine's physical ailments but she was more focused on the mother she could be despite the physical limitations still being present. When she was released from the hospital she was relearning how to do basic ADL's all over again, while her baby was learning many similar tasks alongside her. Seven years later Katherine and Jay were welcoming their second child into the world. 

    I chose this article to write on because it shows just how mindset can have a drastic effect on recovery. Katherine mentions within her interview video how focusing on her neurological disease and it's negative effects would not make the situation any better. The story also represents how having a strong support system can better the individual by providing hope and comfort. This is such an important concept for us occupational therapists to keep in mind when addressing our clients. We should always be a cheerleader for our clients, because some individuals may be lacking a support system outside of their time with us.

Hope Heals is the name of the non-profit ministry that Katherine and Jay created in order to provide others with the support they may be seeking. They also have multiple online resources such as podcasts, as well as books, that can be found at https://www.hopeheals.com/. 

For those who are interested in reading the full story, which I highly suggest, it can be found in the following reference stated below: 

Bryant, K. (2019, July 25). 'Having a Stroke as a New Mom Changed Everything, but I'm Treating It Like a Gift'. Parents. https://www.parents.com/parenting/dynamics/having-a-stroke-as-a-new-mom-changed-everything-but-im-treating-it-like-a-gift/?utm_source=facebook.com&utm_medium=social&utm_campaign=health_health&utm_content=video_internalcrosspromotion9.