47. Getting Back on Stage—Hemorrhagic Stroke Recovery Healing Out Loud with Jackie Shea

Maggie Whittum, actress, stroke survivor, activist

Show Notes:

Maggie Whittum's (www.thegreatnowwhat.com) entire (charmed) life changed after she suffered a massive hemorrhagic stroke at age 33, leaving her with many disabilities and challenges, including extreme visual impairments, intense chronic nerve pain, a paralyzed face, and a weak and uncoordinated left side. She is in the process of creating  "The Great Now What", a documentary film about her story, which she hopes will be a beautiful and life-affirming film for stroke survivors, people with chronic pain and chronic illness, and people with disabilities.  Join us in this episode as we discuss the complex layers of Maggie's hemorrhagic stroke recovery.



Discussed in this Episode:



Maggie's life before her hemorrhagic stroke

Hemorrhagic stroke symptoms

Maggie's story

Brain surgery

Cavernous Angioma

What happens to your brain during a stroke

Stroke facts and stats

How to prevent stroke

Hemorrhagic stroke recovery

How to recover from a shattered identity

Depression/ shame/ self-worth

Creativity as a healing tool—Maggie's photo project and doc film

Documentary film inspiration

Self-love

Box breathing



Weekly Challenge:

This one is simple and can be done anywhere/ anytime! Maggie challenges us to practice Box Breathing: Inhale four counts, hold four counts, exhale four counts, hold four counts, repeat as many times as you'd like. This is an awesome way to introduce slowing down and meditation into your daily routine.  No need to jump right to a silent meditation retreat... just start breathing. This practice was instrumental in keeping Maggie calm through her hemorrhagic stroke recovery process.



Remember to stay accountable on Instagram by using the #healingoutloud hashtag or tagging me @sheajackie

Resources Listed in this Episode:



Phamaly Theatre company

The Crash Reel

The Great Now What crowdfunding and trailer



Support This Podcast:



Become a patron

Follow me on IG @sheajackie

subscribe/rate/review on itunes or any other platform

Follow me at www.jackieshea.com

Join the Healing Out Loud with Jackie Shea Facebook group 



Other Episodes Like This:



Life After Paralysis

Self-love and dating after a double Mastectomy



Happy Listening, friends!



With fun and love,



Jackie