Striving to “Do Better Be Better” After Stroke
Categories: ACBIS Insider
By Jamie Smith
Our lives were completely rocked and forever changed in October 2013. At the age of 32 and 15 weeks pregnant with our fourth daughter, Myah, I suffered a stroke in the Pons of my brain stem. It was determined two months later that my stroke was caused by a cavernous malformation cavernoma located in the Pons. Unfortunately, I had another stroke in February 2016 caused by the same cavernous malformation. In March 2016 I underwent ponteen brain surgery at the Barrow Brain Institute in Phoenix, AZ, conducted by the renowned Dr. Robert Spetzler.
After my first stroke, I took to Facebook to journal updates about my condition and recovery to help my friends and family stay up to date. My first post was a simple thank you to all who had prayed for us and stepped up to help us in our time of need. I mentioned in my post that everyone who had helped us had motivated me to “Do Better. Be Better.” After a few Facebook posts, family and friends started to encourage me to write a book or a blog to share my story and my positive outlook and resilience.
After much consideration, I decided to begin a blog. It was the perfect way to express my thoughts, keep a journal that my family and I would have forever, and possibly reach others who have a condition like mine. My blog chronicles my entire recovery and many personal journal entries about my struggles and celebrations during that time.
I am convinced that the prayers and support from our community helped save my life during all three of my brain injuries and recoveries. The amount of generosity and hope that surrounded us kept me focused on all of my blessings and gave me a clearer understanding of my true purpose in life. It is my goal to pay it forward and to offer hope to families that are struggling the same way that we did.
Patrick and I created the Do Better. Be Better. Foundation in June 2016, three months after I had surgery. Our foundation raises funds for families suffering from medical emergencies. We have helped 253 families since 2016, receiving most of our funds through our annual golf outing and apparel orders. We encourage community members to nominate families experiencing medical emergencies through our website.
Patrick and I have also created scholarship funds at my alma mater and the school where I teach. We host a color run 5k every year to raise funds for those scholarships. Students are required to write an essay detailing how they have overcome personal adversity or how they make a significant positive impact on their community through volunteerism.
My stroke survivor story is a rollercoaster ride. Physically, I have had to relearn how to walk, use my left hand, blink my eyes, and endure two strabismus surgeries. I have spent numerous grueling hours in physical, occupational, and recreational therapy. I have fought to regain all functioning to the point that the naked eye would never know I had been sick.
None of that compares to the mental, emotional, and spiritual battle that I have fought. It is truly impossible to describe the amount of fear, doubt, worry, and anguish that has overwhelmed me over the last nine years. These feelings can be debilitating and completely derail recovery.
I made a choice early on to be a fighter. To be positive. To focus on my improvements. To live for the future instead of unpack in the past. To focus only on what I could control. To be an example for all those who came after me. Without my brain injuries, I am not sure I would have ever gained this perspective. I have been changed at my core and taught life lessons that I am incredibly grateful for.
Our work with our foundation has helped to turn my journey into one bursting with overwhelming joy and purpose. I am overcome with memories and emotions as I read stories of families that are nominated for our foundation’s help. I am often left to navigate intense survivor’s guilt, but ultimately know that I was saved for a reason outside of my understanding. I am devoted to living without fear and trusting the plan for my life.
I can write my own story. I can write it with purpose. I can Do Better. I can Be Better.
Learn more about the Do Better. Be Better. Foundation online, on our blog, or on our Facebook page.
About the Author: My name is Jamie Smith and I am from the beautiful state of Iowa. I am blessed to have an amazing husband, Patrick, and four beautiful daughters; Seeri (14), Jaelyn (12), Linden (10), and Myah (8). Crew, our mini goldendoodle joined our family in 2021. I am a PE teacher at the local high school and love being active.