Mindfulness and the long road to stroke recovery
KALAMAZOO, Mich—Dr. Lori Gray, associate professor and program director in Holistic Health and Contemplative Well-Being, recently had a guest column published that she wrote for the American Stroke Association, incorporating her own personal journey to highlight the power of mindfulness in stroke recovery. As a stroke survivor and mindfulness professor, Dr. Gray shares her personal journey of recovery following a life-altering stroke in 2017. Despite initial severe impairments and discouraging medical predictions, she made significant progress through persistence, rehabilitation, and mindfulness practices. Lori emphasizes the importance of taking a “long view” of stroke recovery—recognizing it as a nonlinear, ongoing process. She highlights how mindfulness has helped her cope with grief, foster neuroplasticity and cultivate self-compassion. Her story advocates for a more holistic, presence-based approach to healing and encourages others to remain hopeful and kind to themselves throughout their recovery.