For two years after I suffered my last stroke, I could not even make myself say the word “stroke.”

I was in denial about what had happened to me and didn’t want to face what it meant for me, my family and my future, not to mention all the changes it had caused in my life.

But ignoring it didn’t make it go away. It only made me feel more isolated and alone and depressed. I recovered from my stroke much faster physically than I did emotionally. Had I taken the opportunity to speak to other survivors and talk about my fears and challenges and about the death of my “old” self, I think the emotional strain would have been eased. It might even have helped to save my marriage.

As I began to accept my stroke and face my fears, I found it necessary to talk about my process. That ultimately led to the formation of Hope After Stroke, a support group for stroke survivors that meets monthly to give stroke survivors a place to share and support each other and to learn to accept our “new” selves.

Sharing my story has helped my own healing process. I am reminded of how far I have come, and that reminder pushes me to keep moving forward. And I am always inspired by those who have shared their stories with me – giving me hope and determination to fight on and enjoy the blessing of life. Sharing is healing.

May is National Stroke Awareness Month, and the National Stroke Association is looking for stroke survivors, their caregivers and members of the healthcare community to share their stories for their Faces of Stroke campaign.

Sharing your stroke story will help the association put a human face on stroke, raise awareness and save lives. Your stories can drive home the importance of doing everything we can to prevent stroke and mitigate its effects. I invite you to share your story. Sharing is healing!