Kelowna Lawyer's Journey: A Stroke Recovery and Advocacy Story

In 2012, Kelowna lawyer Jennifer Monaghan experienced a life-altering event when she suffered a stroke after a routine day. Upon returning home from her daughter’s extracurricular activity, she attempted to speak with her husband but found she could not. Recognizing the signs of a stroke, her husband acted quickly, facilitating her immediate treatment. This moment marked the beginning of a challenging recovery journey that would lead Monaghan to become a passionate advocate for stroke awareness and prevention.

Each year, over 108,000 strokes occur in Canada, translating to approximately one every five minutes. According to the Heart & Stroke Foundation, the incidence of strokes is rising especially among younger adults and women. Monaghan's case underscores this troubling trend, as she was an active 43-year-old mother at the time of her stroke. "There is a growing percentage of young women with stories similar to mine across Canada, and we need to do more research about why this is happening," Monaghan stated, highlighting the disparity in research focus, which predominantly centers on male patients.

During her one-month hospitalization at Kelowna General Hospital (KGH), Monaghan worked diligently to regain her speech and mobility. She described the experience as both frustrating and enlightening, as she grappled with the reality of her condition. "I was quite calm when my husband took me to the hospital, but I had no idea what a stroke actually was, and no clue what was ahead of me," she reflected. It was only after several days of treatment that she started to comprehend the severity of her situation and the long road to recovery that lay ahead.

Monaghan later learned that her stroke resulted from a previously undiagnosed heart condition, which complicated her recovery and necessitated ongoing medication. As part of her rehabilitation, she began working with a speech therapist, which was crucial for regaining her ability to communicate. "The cognitive impairments of recovering from a stroke are really frustrating to deal with... getting used to that new normal is not an easy thing to do," she remarked.

Despite the challenges, Monaghan found a new purpose in advocating for stroke awareness and education. With the encouragement of her neurologist, she began volunteering to share her story and promote the importance of recognizing stroke symptoms and seeking immediate treatment. "Knowing the symptoms and acting quickly to get treatment is important," she asserted.

Monaghan's advocacy efforts coincide with June being recognized as Heart & Stroke Month across Canada, a campaign aimed at educating Canadians about stroke prevention and awareness. She calls for increased funding for stroke research, emphasizing the need for a more equitable focus on women’s health. "The priority of research tends to be focused on men, about two-thirds of it, and I don't think that is good enough and would like to see that change," she stated.

In addition to her advocacy work, Monaghan has developed a support network of friends and family, which she credits as instrumental in her recovery. She has also received recognition for her contributions, including a King Charles Commemorative Medal, which her friends celebrated with a formal tea party in her honor.

Looking ahead, Monaghan is hopeful that her story will inspire others and contribute to a broader understanding of stroke recovery. "I try to live every day to the fullest, and volunteering is a wonderful way to help improve the pathway for the next stroke survivor," she said. As she continues to adjust to her new normal, Monaghan remains steadfast in her commitment to raising awareness about stroke prevention and the importance of timely treatment, emphasizing that every second counts when it comes to stroke care.