In a powerful episode of “Mind Over Moment,” Julian Reddish spoke with former jazz instructor Kenya Robinson about her journey after suffering a hemorrhagic stroke. Kenya, who was teaching a Jazzercise class when the event occurred, recalled feeling a premonition that the day would be “different but you’ll be okay”.
Diagnosed with a stroke on the left side of her brain, which caused hemiparesis and severely slurred speech, doctors predicted she would only achieve a “70% back” recovery. Kenya immediately rejected this prognosis, committing to doing “whatever it took to get better”.
Creating a Better Life Through Pacing
A crucial lesson Kenya learned was the need for rest and sleep, realizing her pre-stroke life—juggling two businesses and late nights—was highly unsustainable. Recovery became a chance to create a better life. Now, Kenya prioritizes listening to her body, pacing herself, and stopping before exhaustion forces a shutdown. She affirmed that life is different after a stroke, noting that the struggle has tested and strengthened her faith, leading her to value life in a way she never had before.
Movement and Healing
Movement remains a challenge, yet repetition has been key to her healing process. A significant turning point in managing her post-stroke pain was discovering aerial yoga, as being inverted in the hammock drastically reduced the severe pain she experienced. She estimates she is now 92–94% recovered and refuses to accept that any movement may not return, viewing acceptance as “giving up”.
Community and Next Steps
Kenya has a deep passion for helping others in the stroke community, aiming to bridge the gap between survivors and the medical community. Her key advice for those at the start of their recovery is to:
- Give yourself grace.
- Prioritise rest.
- Maintain positive thinking.
- Find fellow stroke survivors who “speak the same language” and understand the unique challenge of “stroke fatigue”.
Kenya’s story is a profound motivation for anyone facing a major life challenge. You can follow her journey on Instagram at @Kenyadrob.
to listen to the full episode watch here:
Recent Comments