Angie Read, who experienced a stroke at the age of 46, found herself grappling with a loss of confidence. However, she has since dedicated herself to assisting fellow stroke survivors in regaining their sense of well-being during the recovery process.
Read is currently in Belfast, Ireland, taking part in a fire walk to raise awareness for stroke. During this event, she will fearlessly walk across a path of scorching hot coals.
Read experienced significant warning signs before her stroke. She woke up unable to get out of bed due to numbness on her left side and immediately sought help from her husband. He noticed her drooping face and promptly dialed 911.
After enduring two months of intensive physical, occupational, and speech therapy, Read successfully regained her skills. Despite recognizing her fortune in experiencing such a remarkable recovery, she acknowledges that it came with sacrifices.
Losing confidence was a significant setback for me. It felt like my self-assurance had completely vanished, reaching rock bottom. At that point, the possibility of returning to work seemed unimaginable. I believed my brain was irreparably damaged, resigning myself to a life on disability. However, it is important to remember that every stroke survivor’s experience is unique and no two strokes are alike.
Today, she is currently working as a life coach for other survivors and has also become a published author, sharing her own experiences and lessons in mental health recovery. In addition to her coaching work, Read also dedicates her time to the American Stroke Foundation, the very organization she is raising funds for through the fire walk event. Her aim is to raise $5,000 to support their cause.
