Rebuilding After Stroke with Vivistim: Lola's Story

In this episode of Stroke Sisters: Stories of Strength and Resilience, host Angie Read welcomes stroke survivor Lola White and Nicole Goldstein from Vivistim for a heartfelt conversation about redefining life after stroke. Lola shares her journey from surviving to thriving, opening up about how she navigated changes in identity, rediscovered her purpose, and learned to balance ambition with recovery. She also reflects on the powerful role prayer, faith, and personal values played in her healing journey. Nicole discusses the unique challenges many women face after stroke and explains how Vivistim’s vagus nerve stimulation therapy is helping survivors improve hand and arm function by supporting neuroplasticity and recovery.

Vivistim is an FDA-approved therapy designed for chronic ischemic stroke survivors who continue to experience hand and arm impairment months or even years after stroke. The therapy combines vagus nerve stimulation with rehabilitation exercises to help strengthen the brain’s motor pathways and improve function. To learn more about whether Vivistim might be a good fit for you, take Vivistim's survey or talk with your neurologist, occupational therapist, or rehabilitation team about eligibility and next steps.

The Stroke Sisters app (also available in both app stores):

• https://strokesisters.app

Books by Angie Read:

• Invisible Scars: Stroke Survival, Recovery, and the Unexpected Mental Health Fallout
• Mental Health Hacks: 10 Easy Hacks to Help Manage Anxiety and Depression
• Identity Crisis: You Are Not Your Career
• RISE: Mastering the Art of Resilience