“You only have three choices in life: give up…give in…or give it all you’ve got.” When a hemorrhagic stroke brought Karen Speed to a crossroads, she chose to give it her all and never looked back.
2018 changed everything. A self-described workaholic, Karen often worked over 70 hours a week. Add to that a fast-food diet and caring for an aging family member, she knew it was a matter of time before something had to give. “I talked with my company about leaving, but they strongly encouraged me to stay. I was their only HR employee and had been with them for 10 years. They needed me, and I decided to stay.” Just a week later, Karen’s son rushed her to the ER after she experienced tingling and weakness on her right side. She had suffered a stroke.
Recovery was challenging. “I couldn’t lift my arm or use my right hand. I had drop foot which affected my ability to walk,” Karen recalled. “I went from being the dependable one to being the dependent. My 90-year-old mother had to care for me like she did when I was a child. I was so grateful for her, but I knew I had to fight to get my life back.”
At REHAB, Karen worked with physical therapists and occupational therapists to regain as much function as possible. “I wanted to write, type and cook again. I knew there would be limitations, but I refused to let them stop me.” Through electrical stimulation, exercise bikes and resistance bands, she began to see steady progress—physically and emotionally.
“I started creating art again. I built deep connections with other patients, got back into Bible study, and even began exploring public speaking. The passions I had buried for years started coming back. My stroke turned out to be a blessing in disguise.”
Today, Karen is living life with renewed purpose. She participates in REHAB’s Stroke Support Group, where she finds connection and inspiration among fellow survivors. Most recently, she was featured in REHAB’s art exhibition The Journey Forward: Stroke Survivors Healing Through Art. “I graduated from UH Manoa with a degree in Fashion Design and Art almost 40 years ago. Somewhere along the way I lost touch with my creative side, but since my stroke, my artistic joy has come back to me. I paint with my left hand now, but at least I am painting again.”
Now an advocate for stroke survivors and rehabilitation, Karen continues to share her story and inspire others. “Life happens for us, not to us. Every stroke is different, but I decided to give my recovery my all, and life has been even more beautiful since.”
For more information about REHAB’s services for stroke survivors, visit our website rehabhospital.org or give us a call at 808.566.3741.