Blurred Vision, Clear Purpose: My Stroke Survival Story
- simbianimashaun83
- Jun 15
- 2 min read
There are moments in life that split everything into before and after. For me, that moment was surviving a stroke. This is my stroke survival story!
At the time, I was juggling graduate school, a career, advocacy, and the many hats I wore as as an educator. I never imagined that my world would go still in an instant—leaving me with blurred vision, slurred speech, and questions that had no answers.
But what I’ve learned is that even in the stillness, purpose speaks.
I recently had the opportunity to share my stroke story with Molly Buccola on the Beyond Stillness: Stories After Stroke podcast. This two-part interview was more than a conversation—it was a healing space. A chance to give voice to the trauma I lived through, the resilience it took to recover, and the purpose that was born out of the pain.
In Part 1, I talk about the day my life changed, the initial signs, and the reality of navigating recovery as an educator.
In Part 2, I go deeper—sharing what clarity means to me now, how my faith carried me, and how this experience shaped the heart behind United By Loss Foundation and Horizon Over the Spectrum.
Why This Story Matters
My stroke didn’t just interrupt my life—it refined my mission. It reminded me that behind every title, every nonprofit, every social media post… there is a real human being learning to live again.
And that’s exactly what HOTS is about: real families, real healing, and real hope.
This story is for anyone who’s ever had to start over. For the mother rebuilding her life. For the advocate who sometimes forgets to advocate for herself. For the survivor who needs to hear, “You are not alone.”
Take a Moment to Listen + Share
I invite you to listen to both episodes and share them with someone who might need a reminder that healing is possible—even when the journey feels uncertain.
Visit the full podcast page here. You can also listen to the story and interview on most podcast platforms, such as Audible, Spotify, etc.
Let me know your thoughts, or drop a comment to tell me how my story resonated with you. And if you or someone you know is navigating life after stroke or diagnosis, Horizon Over the Spectrum is here to walk with you.
Because sometimes, when vision is blurred—purpose becomes clear. Thank you to everyone who helped me through this journey: diagnosing doctors and hospital staff at Cleveland Clinic, my grandmother, Maurice Payne, CSU classmates and professor, school community, faith community, United By Loss Foundation community, HOTS community, and most importantly, Greg Graham for nominating me for this story-crafting program.
With love and gratitude,
Dr. Simbi Animashaun
Co-Founder, Horizon Over the Spectrum
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