A message from Jordann: I developed the idea for the Stroke Wellness Center after volunteering at an outpatient rehab facility that specializes in non-traumatic brain injuries. Like many who have seen someone go through the grueling recovery process, I noticed how important support systems are to stroke survivors. Many patients confided in me during my time in the OT department that they lost the will to live after they had their strokes. Their lives changed in an instant and they began a long journey to recovery with no guarantee that they would return to the lifestyles that they had before their stroke. The only reason they kept going was because they looked forward to seeing their OTs, PTs, therapists, and other medical professionals every week. If people with access to both healthcare services and friends/family to fall back on and keep them motivated had these scary thought patterns, what about those who don’t have this sense of community? Thinking about these people being forced to go through the recovery process alone spurred me into creating a program that combined physical wellness exercises and integrated support systems to provide survivors with motivation to continue their recovery journeys. I have met entirely too many survivors who lost their motivation to live while adapting to their new limitations, so I sincerely hope the Stroke Wellness Center can give resources and strength to those who need it. If even one person uses the center and decides that their life is worth living, then I have done my job.