Around Halloween 2018, just before my 31st birthday, I had a surprise stroke that left me unable to move the entire left side of my body.

I had to relearn how to swallow, walk, & just about everything else. I was lucky enough to regain just about all of my mobility back, & am now able to do just about everything I could before the stroke. What I wasn’t prepared for were the mental side effects that would come from it.

By mid-January, less than three months after my stroke, I returned to work. By October, however, everything would change again.

After nine months of struggling with my mental health at work and being gaslighted, I decided to formally speak up.

I was fired the very next day.

This began a quick downward spiral where I blamed myself, doubted reality, and was paranoid about everything/everyone around me - all of which ultimately led me to research different methods of suicide.

What ended up saving me was, simply put, myself.

There was an unwavering belief in myself that wouldn’t go away and refused to give in to the dark thoughts and actions. I’ve always had a high level of confidence in myself and who I am as a person. 2019 was the biggest test of this belief and confidence.

Through conversations with therapists, lawyers, friends, & family, I found a passion for talking about my mental health - a passion that also made me feel better.

This is how Stroke of Idiocy was born.

Talking.

It helped me. I hope it helps you.