When A Vacation Becomes A Fight For Life: One Woman's Stroke Journey

Death Taught Us How To Live

What happens when life changes in an instant? At just 34 years old, Rashmi Delva faced this question head-on when she suffered an ischemic stroke while vacationing in California. Despite being healthy, active, and having no obvious risk factors, her world transformed in moments. From collapsing on her friend's floor to waking up in the ICU fighting for her future.
Rashmi's story shatters the myth that strokes only happen to older adults. With remarkable candor, she walks us through those terrifying first moments when her body wouldn't respond, the quick thinking of friends who recognized the symptoms, and her journey from wheelchair to walking again. The only potential cause doctors could identify? Her birth control pills. This is a sobering reminder of hidden risks many young women face without realizing it.
Beyond the physical challenges, Rashmi reveals the profound psychological transformation that follows a life-altering health crisis. "There's the person before the stroke and the person after," she explains, detailing how her priorities, relationships, and self-perception all shifted dramatically. Some friends disappeared after the initial crisis, while others formed an unshakeable support network that continues to sustain her three years later.
What makes this conversation so powerful is Rashmi's unflinching honesty about both the struggles and unexpected gifts of her journey. From relearning basic skills to discovering who truly stands by you when everything changes, her experience offers profound insights for anyone facing adversity. Her message to fellow survivors rings clear: "Give yourself grace. This is a marathon, not a race."
Whether you've experienced a health crisis yourself or love someone who has, this episode provides rare insight into the invisible aspects of recovery that most never see. The next time you encounter someone with an invisible disability, remember Rashmi's words: "Don't have conversations around me. Have conversations with me."
Ready to understand what it truly means to rebuild a life? Listen now and be forever changed by this remarkable story of resilience, community, and finding purpose in life's most challenging moments. What would you do if tomorrow wasn't promised?

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Chapters

1. Show Introduction (00:00:00)

2. Rashmi's Story Begins (00:02:05)

3. The Moment It Happened (00:05:43)

4. FAST Response Saves Lives (00:09:45)

5. The Invisible Effects of Stroke (00:16:22)

6. Support Systems and Recovery (00:27:16)

7. Dating and Relationships Post-Stroke (00:36:10)

8. Hot Seat Questions and Closing Thoughts (00:49:23)