# @strokeonward on Instagram

- **Type:** Image
- **Original URL:** https://www.instagram.com/p/DQ-IFccF47V
- **Gondola URL:** https://gondola.cc/posts/36870169-strokeonward-instagram
- **Thumbnail:** https://img.gondola.cc/tr:w-,h-,fo-auto/postThumbnails/4072d1ac84.jpg
- **Posted:** 2025-11-12T21:00:42.000+00:00
- **Account Owner:** Stroke Onward (@StrokeOnward) — https://gondola.cc/StrokeOnward

## Caption

When Matthew had a stroke at 39, his life as a clinical psychologist and musician changed in an instant.

“I wanted to sing ‘Happy Birthday’ to my son,” he recalls, “but I couldn’t remember the words, the melody, or even when to move the notes. I thought, ‘If I can’t even sing Happy Birthday, am I still a musician?’”

That question became a turning point. Through the Stroke Onward Community Circle, Matthew found connection, understanding, and the space to explore what recovery really means.

“SOCC helped me realize I don’t have to choose between being a survivor and being a musician—I can be both, in my own way.”

Read Matthew’s full story on circle.strokeonward.org/c/so-well-said-and-read

#StrokeOnward #StrokeRecovery #RebuildingIdentity #StrokeCommunity #StrokeSurvivors #CarePartners #EmotionalRecovery #SOCC #FindingConnection #IdentityAfterStroke

## Stats

- **Views:** 0
- **Likes:** 18
- **Shares:** 0
- **Comments:** 0

## Tags

findingconnection, strokerecovery, strokeonward, socc, rebuildingidentity, identityafterstroke, strokesurvivors, strokecommunity, emotionalrecovery, carepartners

---
Copyright (c) Gondola