My Journey of Overcoming
Greetings! Thanks for joining me on the re-launch of my web site! I’m excited to begin sharing interviews of courageous women who have faced some of life’s toughest challenges and decided to be overcomers!
I know I’m asking these women to be vulnerable as they share their individual struggles, so I’ll be vulnerable first.
Overcoming Early Challenges
My first stroke occurred a month after my second birthday. The neurologist shared with my parents that a congenital birth defect caused the right carotid artery not to develop at the same rate as the rest of my body. As a result, my stroke occurred when blood clotted in my right carotid artery, causing paralysis to the left side of my body.
As tough as it was to see their only child struggle, my parents are responsible for laying the solid foundation of my overcomer’s attitude. A strong belief that my stroke is part of who I am but should never limit me from pursuing my goals was instilled at an early age. During my youth, they challenged me with purposeful activities: being involved in sports to strengthen my left side and learning to ride a bicycle to improve my balance.
The only exemption my parents ever requested was a required typing class in high school. The lack of fine motor skills in my left hand makes typing with two hands impossible. My desire to be self-sufficient drove me to accommodate and become a one-handed typing bandit!
Triumphing Over Limitations
Because of the location of the stroke attack to my brain, the neurologist cautioned my parents that I may never graduate from high school. As graduation day approached, I made a decision I would overcome his negative prognosis. I went on to earn a Master’s degree in special education for two reasons: to gain more knowledge in my chosen profession AND to prove that limiting beliefs will never be a part of my beliefs.
I have faced challenges throughout my life because of the lingering effects of my stroke. I still experience neuropathy, a condition that is a result of the stroke’s damage to the nerves in my left arm and leg.
Just a few months shy of my fortieth birthday, I awoke to discover my neuropathy was significantly worse. I also had difficulty putting thoughts together. After a complete neurological workup, the news I’d suffered a transient ischemic attack (TIA) or mini stroke was given. I had a choice to make. Should I just give up after all these years? Or would I continue to fight to be an overcomer?
In my darkest moments, I honestly wanted to throw in the towel.
Love Gives Strength
During my months of recovery, it was the tribe of people who walked alongside me that determined the choice I made. Their love and encouragement showed me it is still worth the fight!
To learn more about ways to prevent stroke, visit the National Stroke Association. If you or a loved one have suffered a stroke, an online support community can be found on the “Stroke Talk for Facebook” page.
Share with me: What are the character traits you would use to describe an overcomer?
I love this! Your testimony is amazing and God-glorifying.
Leah,
Thanks for designing my website so I can share stories of women who are OVERCOMERS! I love it! I can only hope my testimony offers hope and encouragement!
Wow! I didn’t know this about you Melony. I admire your perseverance!
Gail,
Thanks for visiting my site and subscribing! Your words are very encouraging. I hope you’ll also post encouraging words for the courageous women who are brave enough to share their OVERCOMER stories. I’ll be posting them in the next few months. Take care!
I didn’t know this about you either, Melony. My mom had a stroke in 2007, at the age of 75. I was with her when it happened. I knew nothing about strokes. I was her caregiver and learned a tremendous amount them. I would have loved a better support system from people who had experienced one. I plan to check out the Facebook page you posted. Perhaps I could be of help to someone else.
Your blog is wonderful! Best wishes with it and I will be sure to subscribe.
Jennifer,
Thanks for subscribing! You’ll definitely be inspired by the upcoming blog posts. I’m sorry to hear about your mom’s stroke. Being the caregiver is a journey in itself. The Stroke Talk facebook page is very helpful. Take care!
I love hearing your amazing story again, Melony! You are definitely on a special assignment from the Lord to encourage the Body. Thank you for your faithfulness!
Love your new site!
Vonda,
You have always been such an encourager! Please feel free to post encouraging comments on the upcoming blog posts. These women are AMAZING!
Congrats on your website Melony! It looks great and I loved reading your uplifting story. Thanks for sharing! 🙂
Cori,
So glad to reconnect with you! I hope you’ll come back and be inspired by the stories I’ll be sharing.
Amazing, I had no idea….but am now anxious to continue to follow your blog and read all about other overcomers.
Other character traits I might use to describe an overcomer would be determined, stubborn and persistent.
Thanks, Jill! I’m excited about sharing these women’s AMAZING stories. I’m so glad you will be a part of this community!
I love the descriptive words you used to describe OVERCOMERS!
Congratulations on your website, Melony. You are so talented and I am so proud of you! I remember when you had your stroke and how worried we all were. Some times I forget you even had it, or the TIA you had later. That is proof how well you have over come your obstacles. I also loved seeing your precious birthday picture. You were such a cutie!!! Keep up the good work. Love, Aunt Gail
Aunt Gail,
Your support and encouragement throughout my life has meant so much to me! Thanks for your continued interest in my passion for writing. I love you!
Melony,
So glad you are continuing the courageous path your parents helped you find so many years ago! I can see now and I can remember when we were kids how they impacted your life – you were/are one of the most caring girls/lady I have crossed paths with. You are an amazing overcomer to say the least. Keep the stories coming…one day at a time, one step at a time and one story at a time!
Genette,
Thank you so much for your kind words! Thanks for subscribing . . . my upcoming blogs of courageous women who have overcome will truly inspire you!
Wow! The things that we don’t know about the people we encounter on a day to day basis! Until Friday, I didn’t even know that you had a”nother”life. My only perception of you was that of a new face in the corridors of ECS. Congratulations on your new endeavor and thank you for sharing your inspirational story. May the Lord continue to “renew a right, persevering and steadfast spirit within you”. Carol B.
Carol,
Thanks so much for your encouraging words.
Another cool thing we have in common. Together we would be a great fully functional motor competent mess!! You with your left side damage, me with my right side damage. The only other person who understands this journey is you (Shane does after living and watching me over the past 25 years). Part of the reason why Cross Fit is so huge for me-that motor, coordination, balance, neurological thing. And ditto-they told my parents I would die, not wake up, be mentally retarded, never talk, never walk, etc. And I kept doing the things they didn’t think I would. And now I too have a Masters degree. SOUL SISTA!! LOVE YOU.