Beyond Stillness: Stories After Stroke

As a way to celebrate Dan rolling through our hometown of Bend, OR this week, we are reposting Dan Zimmerman's story and interview from September of 2024.

Today we welcome Dan The-Trike-Man Zimmerman who suffered a series of strokes due to Hereditary Hemorrhagic Telangiectasia (HHT).

About four years after his last stroke, Dan woke in the middle of the night and vowed to get his life back on track. And that he did. Dan found freedom, community, and purpose through trike riding, a passion that has since fueled his recovery and empowered him to help others on similar journeys.

In this episode, we’ll hear how Dan transformed his life, founding the nonprofit ‘Spokes Fighting Strokes’ to share how trike riding can speed recovery and save lives. This is a story of survival, rediscovery, and purpose.

Dan’s Suggested Resources:

• Azub Trikes
• Catrike Recumbent Bikes
• Cycle Con
• Dan Zimmerman Facebook
• Spokes Adaptive Cycling Facebook
• Spoke Fighting Strokes - 501c3
• Spokes Fighting Strokes Facebook

Beyond Stillness: Stories After Stroke is a nonprofit organization whose mission is to empower stroke survivors to articulate and publicly share their stories of wisdom, purpose, connection, and hope.

To learn more about our programs and services, or to sponsor a guest on their reflective story crafting journey, please visit www.beyondstillness.org.

Join us on Instagram and Facebook

Today, we welcome guest Natalie Shao to share her story that begins with a surprise diagnosis just weeks before college and unfolds across two decades of life-altering transitions. From the shock of discovering a cerebral AVM at seventeen to navigating the aftermath of brain surgery, hemiparesis, and epilepsy, Natalie’s journey is one of heartbreak, resilience, and self-discovery.

Join us as she reflects on the emotional tools, hard-won insights, and quiet triumphs that have carried her through—from regaining independence to mentoring fellow survivors—and how she now draws on those lessons to face each new chapter with courage and purpose.

Natalie's Transition Techniques:

1. Double your time
2. Focus on your breath
3. Prepare ahead
4. Honor your own pace
5. Know your rights
6. Cultivate confidence
7. Use your support network

Community Conversation Prompt:

• What helps you shift from “managing” life to “living” life?

Guest Mentioned Resources:

• Shirley Ryan Ability Lab Life Center

Beyond Stillness: Stories After Stroke is a nonprofit organization whose mission is to empower stroke survivors to articulate and publicly share their stories of wisdom, purpose, connection, and hope.

To learn more about our programs and services, or to sponsor a guest on their reflective story crafting journey, please visit www.beyondstillness.org.

Join us on Instagram and Facebook

Today, we welcome guest Natalie Shao to share her story that begins with a surprise diagnosis just weeks before college and unfolds across two decades of life-altering transitions. From the shock of discovering a cerebral AVM at seventeen to navigating the aftermath of brain surgery, hemiparesis, and epilepsy, Natalie’s journey is one of heartbreak, resilience, and self-discovery.

Join us as she reflects on the emotional tools, hard-won insights, and quiet triumphs that have carried her through—from regaining independence to mentoring fellow survivors—and how she now draws on those lessons to face each new chapter with courage and purpose.

Natalie's Transition Techniques:

1. Double your time
2. Focus on your breath
3. Prepare ahead
4. Honor your own pace
5. Know your rights
6. Cultivate confidence
7. Use your support network

Community Conversation Prompt:

• What helps you shift from “managing” life to “living” life?

Guest Mentioned Resources:

• Shirley Ryan Ability Lab Life Center

Beyond Stillness: Stories After Stroke is a nonprofit organization whose mission is to empower stroke survivors to articulate and publicly share their stories of wisdom, purpose, connection, and hope.

To learn more about our programs and services, or to sponsor a guest on their reflective story crafting journey, please visit www.beyondstillness.org.

Join us on Instagram and Facebook

This week on Beyond Stillness: Stories After Stroke, we welcome Dan The-Trike-Man Zimmerman who suffered a series of strokes due to Hereditary Hemorrhagic Telangiectasia (HHT).

About four years after his last stroke, Dan woke in the middle of the night and vowed to get his life back on track. And that he did. Dan found freedom, community, and purpose through trike riding, a passion that has since fueled his recovery and empowered him to help others on similar journeys.

In this episode, we’ll hear how Dan transformed his life, founding the nonprofit ‘Spokes Fighting Strokes’ to share how trike riding can speed recovery and save lives. This is a story of survival, rediscovery, and purpose.

Dan’s Suggested Resources:

Azub Trikes

Catrike Recumbent Bikes

Cycle Con

Dan Zimmerman Facebook

Spokes Adaptive Cycling Facebook

Spoke Fighting Strokes - 501c3

Spokes Fighting Strokes Facebook

Beyond Stillness: Stories After Stroke is a nonprofit organization whose mission is to empower stroke survivors to articulate and publicly share their stories of wisdom, purpose, connection, and hope.

To learn more about our programs and services, or to sponsor a guest on their reflective story crafting journey, please visit www.beyondstillness.org.

Join us on Instagram and Facebook

This week on Beyond Stillness: Stories After Stroke we spotlight guest Chris Wilder from Los Gatos, CA. Chris learned to play the guitar in his teens. In addition to his passion and diligent work ethic, he credits his fellow musicians as teachers and co-creators. He learned at a young age what it feels like to work with others toward a common goal. Chris has dedicated much of his professional life to non-profit organizations and was the Executive Director of the Valley Health Foundation in Silicon Valley when he suffered a stroke in 2021. He now applies his life-lessons to stroke recovery. Throughout his story, Chris discusses the importance of facing difficulties, connecting with supportive friends, and dedicating time to a purpose. His story is entitled, “Part of Something Greater.”
Chris' Suggested Resources:
Stroke Awareness Foundation
Valley Medical Foundation
Valley Medical Center
Legally Blue
San Jose State University Occupational Therapy Program
Golf 4 Life: Balancing Life After Stroke
Headspace Meditation App

Beyond Stillness: Stories After Stroke is a nonprofit organization whose mission is to empower stroke survivors to articulate and publicly share their stories of wisdom, purpose, connection, and hope.

To learn more about our programs and services, or to sponsor a guest on their reflective story crafting journey, please visit www.beyondstillness.org.

Join us on Instagram and Facebook