Help Merredith raise money

In 2017, I had my first stroke. At the time, I was unaware of my pre-existing condition. I now understand that I had several new aneurysms forming in the blood vessels directly beneath my brain.  As a result, blood clots began to form and I had three strokes from 2017 to 2020; a thalamus, pontine brainstem, and bilateral cerebellum stroke. Specialists continue to examine the reasons for the strokes.  There are some possible thoughts, but my condition is very rare and the ultimate cause of the condition is unknown. 

    Many stroke survivors will never know the exact cause of their stroke.  It is difficult to find ways to live a fulfilling daily life in the midst of uncertainty of another potential stroke or in the aftermath of previous trauma from the suffered brain injury.  The Brain Injury Association of Massachusetts (BIA-MA) is a community group for all survivors of brain injury that was recommended to me by a former coworker and friend.  To this day, I find that it is a loving, supportive community and that the members continue to help me live life as a survivor of brain injury.          

    It was important to me to create a clear definition of “stroke survivor,” and I was able to do so with the help of this community.  I’m not a survivor because I experienced a sudden rebound after each stroke.  I’m a survivor because each day I promise to be the best version of my current self, despite the strokes.   It is a difficult reality where I choose to manage this challenging new self affected by brain injury and disability, and also choose a life where I am mindful of the presence of the people in my life who still need me.  BIA-MA that reminds me of the importance of community, and how this community fosters the continued growth and recovery of those with brain injury. 

    I am a mother of a 6-year-old daughter.  I love my husband, and we are celebrating our tenth wedding anniversary this year.  I love my parents who are still living.  I love my siblings who are close.  My lifelong friends have supported me. I am a Nurse Practitioner. While I’ve had to change jobs multiple times in the past 3 years because of strokes, my former colleagues have been fully supportive.  I am lucky in many ways.  In addition to close friends, family, and colleagues, I have found a new community of people in brain injury survivors.  Friends, family and colleagues were there for me during difficult times, but the onset of brain injury and stroke was too challenging for any of us to understand alone.  After my last stroke I felt a tremendous amount of grief and the additional support of BIA-MA helped me join a collective voice in understanding the disabilities I had sustained as a result of brain injury.        

    Today I ask you to donate to Cere-Bration Walk to support Brain Injury Association of MA for people who can use ongoing community support in their recovery from brain trauma.