Stroke Onward

Stroke Onward was founded on a deeply personal journey of resilience and transformation. Debra Meyerson, a Stanford professor specializing in gender, diversity, and identity, was at the peak of her academic career when a severe stroke drastically altered her life. Overnight, she went from being a vibrant, active individual to facing paralysis and speech impairment, unable to fulfill her roles as a teacher, wife, and mother.

For three years, Debra pursued every therapy and rehabilitation option available, fiercely determined to regain her former life. Despite significant progress in mobility, her speech remained severely affected. Ultimately, Stanford's medical leave policy forced her to confront a devastating reality: she could no longer continue her beloved career. This forced transition led Debra to question her identity and purpose anew, a journey she documented in her book "Identity Theft - Rediscovering Ourselves after Stroke." Co-written with her son and supported by her husband Steve Zuckerman and others, the book not only chronicled her personal struggle but also highlighted the emotional upheaval experienced by stroke survivors worldwide.

Through this process, Debra and Steve identified a critical gap in stroke recovery: the lack of comprehensive support for emotional and identity rebuilding post-stroke. They founded Stroke Onward to address this need, aiming to catalyze a systemic change in stroke care.

Stroke Onward strives to redefine recovery beyond physical rehabilitation, emphasizing the importance of emotional well-being and identity reconstruction. By advocating for a holistic approach to stroke care, they envision a future where survivors not only recover functionally but also reclaim purpose and pleasure in their lives. Through education, advocacy, and support services, Stroke Onward continues to make strides in transforming the landscape of stroke recovery, empowering survivors to live fulfilling and dignified lives post-stroke.

What You Can Expect from Us

• A diverse team that is passionate about advancing our mission to ensure that the systems of care effectively support every life that has been impacted by stroke. Our focus is specifically on the often overlooked emotional journey to rebuild identity and a rewarding life of meaning, purpose, and pleasure

• Co-founders and a board of directors fully committed to a professionally run, entrepreneurial and growth-focused nonprofit

• A team of collaborators with a healthy understanding of prudent risk

• A culture of learning and inspiration to collectively develop ourselves and our work

Mission: To ensure that all who have experienced stroke are not alone, and can engage with systems of post acute care that integrate the rebuilding of identity and rewarding lives, into lifelong recovery processes.

Stroke Onward envisions a world where the stroke systems of care fully support the emotional journey in recovery.

At Stroke Onward, all are welcome within our virtual space and in person gatherings and events, and we will actively work with individuals to accommodate needs. We are committed to taking the actions necessary to ensure equal employment opportunities in accordance with all applicable federal, state, and local laws.

In order to live out our principles, we may require team members to participate in training, such as anti-racism, gender bias, and or disability justice, so that there is a shared knowledge and understanding of how to be a productive member of an inclusive community. In particular, SO strives to honor the lived experience of stroke on our professional team and extended community.