Stroke Support Association

🧠 Stroke recovery is about more than physical healing.

Anxiety and depression affect up to half of all stroke survivors. These challenges can result from changes in the brain caused by stroke, as well as the emotional impact of adjusting to a new normal.

The good news? Both are highly treatable.

If you or a loved one has experienced persistent sadness, loss of interest in activities, excessive worry, or feelings of hopelessness for more than two weeks, talk with your healthcare provider.

Recovery includes caring for your mental health. Support groups, counseling, medication, exercise (when medically cleared), and strong social connections can all make a difference.

If you're in crisis, call or text 988 for free, confidential support 24/7.

REGISTER TODAY

Every 40 seconds, someone in the United States has a stroke. During Stroke Awareness Month, we’re reminding our community that knowing the signs of stroke can save a life.
Remember: BE FAST
🧠 Balance loss
👀 Eyesight changes
🙂 Face drooping
💪 Arm weakness
🗣️ Speech difficulty
⏰ Time to call 911
At Stroke Support Association, we are committed to empowering stroke survivors and their families with resources to recover, reclaim, and rebuild their lives.
Your support helps us provide education, support groups, community outreach, and hope to stroke survivors and caregivers.
❤️ Please consider making a donation today:
Donate Here

🧠 May is Stroke Awareness Month 🧠

Stroke can happen to anyone—at any age. Knowing the signs can save a life.

Remember BE FAST:
🅱️ Balance | 👀 Eyes | 🙂 Face | 💪 Arms | 🗣️ Speech | ⏱️ Time (Call 911)

At Stroke Support Association, we’re empowering survivors and families every day.

💙 Learn the signs. Share this post. Save a life.

👉 Donate today: https://strokesupportassoc.org/get-involved/donate/

Make a Donation - Stroke Support Association How Your Donation Helps Stroke Survivors, Their Family and Caregivers Those living with the significant changes and losses that come with stroke, almost without exception, find social isolation, financial and health challenges, changes in relationships and other issues which compromise the quality o...

Stroke Recovery Is a Journey—Celebrate Every Step Forward 💙

Recovery after stroke doesn’t happen all at once. It happens in moments—taking a first step, saying a word more clearly, preparing a meal, returning to a favorite hobby, or simply getting through a hard day with courage.

Progress may feel slow at times, but every gain matters. Every small victory is worth celebrating.

Recovery is not just physical—it’s emotional, mental, and social too. Support, encouragement, rehabilitation, and connection can make all the difference.
If you or a loved one is navigating stroke recovery, know this: healing takes time, and hope belongs in the process.

✨ What is one “small victory” you’ve celebrated in recovery? Share in the comments—we’d love to hear and encourage one another.

Our next 12-week session of support groups will start on Tuesday, May 5 (in-person) and Wednesday, May 6 (Zoom).

Connection. Support. Community. 💙

Our March 24th Stroke Support Groups brought together new and longtime members for meaningful conversation, shared experiences, and a warm, welcoming lunch.

Thank you to El Pollo Loco for the delicious meal, and to our guest speakers from Disabled Resources Center for sharing valuable resources that empower individuals to live independently.

These moments remind us how powerful it is to come together.

📅 We’ll be back after our April break—May 5th (in-person) & May 6th (online)!

Did you know living with afib increases your risk for stroke? Here are foods to eat and avoid if you have .

Atrial Fibrillation Diet Tips: 2 Foods To Eat and 3 To Avoid | MyHeartDiseaseTeam Making healthy lifestyle changes is an important part of disease management for people living with atrial fibrillation (AFib). A heart-healthy diet may hel

🌿 ANOTHER SSA OUTDOOR ADVENTURE! 🌿
Join us for a refreshing morning outdoors as spring comes into bloom! 🌸
📅 Tuesday, April 14
⏰ 10:00 AM
📍 Veterans Administration Garden
Come explore the beautiful VA Garden and enjoy a guided tour led by Tom Hood, who will share how this peaceful space provides relaxation and respite for VA employees and veterans alike.
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🚗 Getting There Made Easy
For directions, please see the Mailchimp sent on 4/1/26.
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☀️ What to Bring
• Water
• Sunscreen
• Comfortable walking shoes
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🚘 After the Tour
We’ll help guide you back for easy pick-up and exit.
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We look forward to seeing you for a relaxing and enjoyable morning! 🌼
Tom & Gretchen
📞 562-761-6350

Stroke may change your story—but it doesn’t end it.
At a recent Stroke Support Association talk, Tsgoyna Tanzman reminded us: we can’t go backward—we can only move forward. And in that space, we begin rewriting our next chapter.
💡 Focus on small steps:
• Breathe (4-6-8)
• Practice gratitude & self-compassion
• Create simple daily rituals
• Notice progress—not just challenges
💬 “You can’t change your past, but you can reclaim authorship of your future.”

A full article will appear on our blog soon.

📚 Hope After Stroke for Caregivers and Survivors is FREE on Kindle March 30–31—don’t miss it! https://www.amazon.com/Hope-After-Stroke-Caregivers-Survivors-ebook/dp/B07NSYR3NT

🧠 Could you recognize the signs of a stroke?
Stroke symptoms can appear suddenly—and every minute matters. That’s why Stroke Support Association recently visited the Los Altos Family YMCA to share life-saving stroke education with the community.
One of the most important things people can learn is F.A.S.T.:
F – Face drooping
A – Arm weakness
S – Speech difficulty
T – Time to call 911
Knowing these signs and acting quickly can save a life and dramatically improve recovery.
We are proud to partner with community organizations like the YMCA to help spread awareness and empower people with the knowledge to act in an emergency.
📩 Interested in hosting a stroke education presentation for your organization?
Contact us at [email protected].
Please consider sharing this post—you could help someone recognize a stroke and get help in time.