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Welcome to maddistrokeofluck

Sharing stories and strategies of success in recovery.

Check out my new book – Fast Fwd: The Fully Recovered Mindset

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    One small step for man

    March 23, 2022 by

    “Ugh,” I groan as I drop the block from my rather tenuous left-handed grasp. I’ve been struggling for the better part of the hour-long therapy session with a weak hand that won’t cooperate. How long will it take to accomplish such a simple task? How many more repetitions stand between me and and regaining a… Read more

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    The End of an Era // New Beginnings

    June 27, 2021 by

    I realize it’s been some time since I updated my blog. In my defense, the past few months have been CRAZY. Tomorrow I’ll be beginning a new job, and I just signed the lease for my first apartment. That’s right, I’m finally moving out! Big changes involving my career and independence are happening and I… Read more

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    The Long and Winding Road

    November 30, 2020 by

    There’s a first time for everything, right? Ever since my stroke, I have faced a lot of firsts:  my first time standing up from a wheelchair, my first steps, my first time moving my left arm. The list goes on.  A couple of months ago I found myself facing yet another first: my first foray… Read more

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    Let’s Talk Stroke!

    August 28, 2020 by

    I recently had the pleasure of sharing my stroke rehabilitation journey on the show, Let’s Talk Stroke. In the interview, Jerry and I discussed all things recovery and my new book, Fast Fwd: The Fully Recovered Mindset. Click the link below to watch the episode, and don’t forget to order your copy of Fast Fwd!… Read more

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    It’s not just for wrinkles

    August 21, 2020 by

    This week I am thrilled, practically bouncing off the walls at my doctors´office. “Christmas came early this year,” I joyfully exclaim to my doctor. “I’m getting my Botox injections!” ___________________________________________________________________ For all the skeptics out there, let me explain. Every three months, I go see my doctor, a specialist in brain injury medicine, for injections… Read more

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    Mother Knows Best

    July 8, 2020 by

    As much as I hate to admit it, my mom is (almost) always right. Since I had my stroke, I’ve been living back home with my parents, undergoing all sorts of intense rehab and taking baby steps towards independence. My ultimate goal is to reach a point where I can move out and live successfully… Read more

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    Fast Fwd publication!

    April 13, 2020 by

    And just like that, my newest book, Fast Fwd: The Fully Recovered Mindset, is published and out there in the world. April 9th was my 25th birthday, and what a way to celebrate with the publication of my latest book! I have spent the past nine months working on a book about my experience with… Read more

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    Four weeks or four years?

    April 4, 2020 by

    It’s absolutely crazy to think that the last blog post I wrote was right before s$!t hit the fan in mid-March. The last time I published a post, I had gone out to a brewery in Brooklyn to celebrate my friend’s birthday. Then I went to a Celine Dion concert. So much has changed since… Read more

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    What a time to be alive!

    March 8, 2020 by

    This weekend has been a whirlwind of unexpected yet worthwhile festivities. My original plan was to go visit my dad out in Seattle this past weekend, but with the recent developments with the coronavirus, I decided to just stay home so I wouldn’t have to self-quarantine. Although I was upset that I would not be… Read more

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    Go Bulldogs!

    February 13, 2020 by

    I thought that by heading down to Georgia for the weekend I would be escaping the cold weather and snow in the Northeast, but turns out I was just ditching my mild Northeast winter for snow in the south. On February 7, I flew out of Newark to Atlanta to enjoy a weekend with one… Read more

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    2019: The Year in Review (and new 2020 goals!)

    December 28, 2019 by

    As the year 2019 draws to a close, I have been taking some time to reflect on the major milestones of the year. There was the trip to Miami in February, where I had the pleasure of seeing Greg successfully finish the World Marathon Challenge (7 marathons in 7 days on 7 continents), and where… Read more

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    Fast Fwd: The Fully Recovered Mindset

    December 9, 2019 by

    “Are you ready? It will just be a little prick,” my physiatrist warned. “Thanks for the heads up,” I joked. Prick, and the needle penetrated my left trapezius. My doctor turned the switch on the funny little contraption sitting in front of us, which started to hum faintly. “This is how we figure out where… Read more

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    A new Thanksgiving tradition

    November 30, 2019 by

    Thanksgiving has always been one of my favorite holidays. My mom’s side of the family drives up to our house in Chatham from Maryland, and we all celebrate Thanksgiving together. I love spending time with my family and enjoying a delicious meal. My dad fries a turkey outside and smokes another (and it’s delicious!). My… Read more

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    Mind the gap

    November 3, 2019 by

    This past weekend, I hit another major milestone. I took the subway by myself for the first time post-stroke. Which may not seem like a huge deal, but trust me, it is. And, in retrospect, is probably still not the safest thing for me to do, but I needed to prove to myself that it… Read more

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    London calling

    October 22, 2019 by

    I woke up in a cold sweat the night before my flight to London. There was a lot on my mind: what if I couldn’t manage traveling on my own? What if I got lost in the city and couldn’t find my way back? Since having a stroke, I had never traveled anywhere without my… Read more

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    They tied the knot!

    October 8, 2019 by

    The 5th of October, 2019 began for me like any typical Saturday morning as of late: breakfast, weight bearing, get dressed, chug some coffee. Except it wasn’t any typical Saturday morning, because today one of my very dearest friends was getting married. It felt like Christmas; I was so excited for this day, and couldn’t… Read more

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    Use it or lose it!

    September 23, 2019 by

    The huge bucket of ice water sits across from me, filled to the brim. It’s my first of three weeks at the Taub Clinic at the University of Alabama at Birmingham, and I have no idea what I’ve gotten myself into. My occupational therapist for the next few weeks returns with what appears to be… Read more

  • Featured

    My Story: Part 1

    September 7, 2019 by

    Sometimes life is great, everything is going your way, and you feel on top of the world. When I graduated from Georgetown University in May of 2017, I felt like I could do anything. I walked down Healy Lawn the morning of May 20th to receive my diploma and reap the fruits of a rigorous… Read more

  • Featured

    Welcome to maddistrokeofluck

    September 7, 2019 by

    Hi, my name is Maddi. In this journal I share my journey with stroke rehabilitation, in the hopes that by sharing my experience I can empower and inspire others to find ways to repurpose their lives in the face of hardship. I hope that by sharing my biggest takeaways and learnings with you, I am… Read more

  • Another year in the books

    December 31, 2022 by

    As we are heading into a new year, I’m reflecting on all the highs and lows. In the spirit of reflection, I put together this list of 5 things I wish I learned sooner from my stroke recovery journey. 5 things I wish I learned sooner from stroke recovery1. Recovery is a marathon, not a… Read more

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