Recovery After Stroke
Recovery After Stroke
From Locked-In to Lit Up: Harshada’s Story of Reclaiming Her Voice, Body, and Future
From Locked-In to Lit Up: Harshada’s Story of Reclaiming Her Voice, Body, and Future
From Locked-In to Lit Up: Harshada’s Story of Reclaiming Her Voice, Body, and Future
Monday 7th July 2025
Explore Harshada's inspiring journey from stroke survivor to disability advocate and creative writer, overcoming challenges and reclaiming her unique voice.
63 minutes
hopeful
challenging
empowering
inspirational
reflective
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Empowering Recovery Journeys
Recovery Reimagined
Creative Recovery Journeys
Financial Health in Recovery
Innovative Treatments & Recovery Paths
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Get the buttons here!Harshada's Transformative Recovery Journey
Episode Overview
- Harshada's journey from high-achieving med student to stroke survivor.
- Transformation from locked-in syndrome to vocal disability advocate.
- The role of creative writing in Harshada's emotional recovery.
- Bill Gasiamis' insights on stroke recovery and personal growth.
- Breaking cultural taboos around stroke and disability.
Recovery isn't about going back. It's about becoming.
In this enlightening episode, we delve into the inspiring story of Harshada Rajani, a former medical student who faced an unexpected and life-altering stroke. Before her stroke, Harshada was on a clear path, pursuing a career as a pediatric oncologist at Duke University, and living a picture-perfect life with a close-knit family and a future South Asian doctor as her partner.
However, her life took a dramatic turn when she experienced a stroke, leaving her locked inside her body, fully aware but unable to communicate as she once did. Harshada's recovery journey is nothing short of extraordinary, as she worked meticulously to reclaim her voice, identity, and sense of control. Her story is a powerful testament to the resilience of the human spirit, illustrating that recovery is not about returning to the past but embracing a new version of oneself.
Harshada's transformation is not only physical but also emotional, spiritual, and creative. Throughout the episode, host Bill Gasiamis, a stroke survivor himself, shares his insights and experiences, offering support and guidance to those who may feel stuck or uncertain about their own recovery paths. Bill emphasizes that overcoming the silence, fear, and unknown that accompany a stroke is possible, and Harshada's journey serves as proof that growth is always available.
Harshada has become a vocal advocate for disability rights, using her experience to educate others and challenge societal assumptions surrounding physical and cognitive disabilities. Her creative writing, pursued through an MFA program at Randolph College, has been instrumental in her empowerment, allowing her to express her thoughts and experiences eloquently and demonstrate her cognitive intactness. The conversation also touches on the cultural aspects of stroke, particularly within immigrant families, where academic success is prioritized.
Harshada discusses unlearning cultural narratives that can stigmatize disability, and the importance of confronting ignorance with education and dialogue. Ultimately, Harshada's story is a beacon of hope for those in the thick of recovery, facing setbacks or feeling exhausted. Her journey underscores the importance of trying new things, even when fearful, and allowing oneself to achieve the seemingly impossible.