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Julie J.  Julie Survivor At age 43 (2003), I had a hemorrhagic stroke. As the mother of three sons, this greatly affected the dynamics in my family. Much of my identity at the time had to do with my career as a trauma nurse in the emergency center at a local hospital. Recovery took a long time, and I still live with left-side neuro deficits today. Because I could no longer be a bedside nurse, I returned to school and earned my masters degree in nursing education in 2009. Currently, I work part-time in a small college of nursing and teach anatomy and physiology to the new nursing students. Although I walk slowly and have limited left hand function, I have found meaningful work once again. I participate in our local stroke support group and have made some valued friends there. Had I not had a stroke, I would never had met Tami, our facilitator, nor would I have learned so much about physical therapy, occupational therapy, and other orthotics services. I am the face of a stroke survivor. |
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