Each year, when my stroke anniversary comes around, I pause. I look back at the road I’ve walked. I see how much has changed. I realize how much I’ve had to learn. I appreciate how much I’m still learning.

Recovery isn’t just about the body. It’s the heart. It’s the mind. It’s the quiet moments no one sees. The truth is, stroke recovery never really ends—it becomes a part of your life story.

Every year I encourage others to know the signs of a stroke. They don’t always look dramatic. Sometimes it’s just foggy thinking, a sudden change in mood, or a feeling that something is “off.” Those subtle moments matter. They can save a life.

For me, the hardest battles weren’t the ones you could see. They were the invisible ones—finding my words again, fighting through the fog, carrying the weight of trauma. PTSD became part of my journey, and it’s something too many survivors face in silence.

Still, I’m here. Still learning. Still finding strength. And I want you to know—you’re not alone if you’re walking this road too.

Through Rewrite Your Life With Denise, I share the messy parts, the hard parts, and the hopeful parts. Because the scars may not always show, but the lessons they leave behind are powerful.

This is my story—still being written. If you’re on your own path of recovery, I hope these words remind you. If you love someone who is, I hope these words remind you. There is always hope. Healing is never out of reach.