I am no rocket scientist or brain surgeon, but it sure looks like you have undergone a tremendous amount of healing. You will never be a dumb person, and I think you will continue to rewire internally to overcome the worse parts of what happened. Keep your puppies close. They are great for hugs and love. Stay your course Jo.
I'd love to see a chill dog video! Like where your dogs came from, their stories, silly things they've done, that sort of thing. I love hearing people gush about their pets :)
This means a lot to see right now while my system is trying to get out of a bad bout of suicidality that's lasted over a month now. We're not alone, and it can get better. Thank you.
It can get better! Hang on for dear life! My son suffers from severe depression also and we've had talks about what it feels like for her. It's not easy and you need to surround yourself with people who are committed to you and your struggle. If appropriate for you, use hotlines to connect and to get you past the moments when unalive seems like your only option. If you haven't sought counseling, do so. Find a therapist you can relate to and use meds appropriately. Curate a team of people that can carry you when you don't have the strength of will to carry yourself!!! God bless!!
@dragonflies6793 it is very hard sometimes to continue trying to pretend that everything is okay. Find at least 3 people who you can go to at any time when you need help keeping yourself safe. I say 3 because one or two may be busy in the moment but there will almost always be at least one person that can help. I’ve talked to my friends on the phone, gone over to their house and even spent the night with them a time or two because I knew if I was by myself it wouldn’t end up well. Counseling and or medication could both be good, as it works for some people. For me the past few weeks I’ve had nothing left to give and some of my coworkers checked on me. Truthfully I found it disturbing. But I talked to them anyway.
Been there twice in the past year (got the grippy socks to prove it). It can get better. It took me a long time, and the biggest thing that helped was finding community and being around other people, although meds and therapy absolutely laid the groundwork.
Hi internet friend, I’ve been in your shoes and I understand how hard it is to keep pushing forward. I’m sorry it’s so dark right now and the light might not be in sight, but it is there. In April I almost died in a car crash, it put everything into perspective, in an instant I could have lost every potential good thing the universe had in store. You are deserving of the good, beautiful, joyous things the universe has to offer, and I promise you they will find their way to you 💕💕
I’m very happy you are at the point where you don’t just feel like you’re proverbially treading water in life now. I hope one of these days I can get to that point too, but for right now the struggle is real and ever present. Grateful to you for being so open in your life.
I'm there too. Just holding on moment to moment until tomorrow. And then again. But there are moments in between that are nice, where it's not holding on so much as existing in peace or joy or whatnot. Holding on in the meantime for those moments if nothing else.
@@dragonflies6793- Sometimes I wonder if expecting more than those moments is wanting too much. I've become invested in creating more of those moments and trying to live life deliberately.
Jo, I’m very glad you’re alive and doing your best (just like everyone else here!) Right now 4 years ago (no, seriously), I went to sleep…..and I woke up in ICU 2 months later. Long and short of it, I had a seizure, and had a _really_ bad reaction to the anaesthetic. My lungs flooded and I had to go for ECMO (take all the blood out your body, oxygenate it and put it back in). I flatlined 4 times, and woke up unable to move or talk, or think properly due to the drugs and muscle loss. I had several new holes in my body. I had some very extreme out of body/near death experience where I met something that some would call god. I don’t think much about what it is, but what I want to say is like you, I have so much love for life now. My mental health was exactly like how you describe it, and now it feels like how yours is now. You’re so right. One of the things I learned is the thing that held me back is me. Physically I’m back to how I was, fully function and lifting heavy. Mentally, I have no PTSD at all (mostly because I’ve worked in critical care myself I think). The reason I commented on this is I wanted to say I get it. I really get it. And I’m so happy for you. I hope your recovery continues and your 2025 is filled with love, peace and joy
Im glad you're still here! Thriving. Im a stroke survivor, i had a small stroke, did the rehab ect ect ect.. and i really thought i had pulled it off. Yay Me! Till i started realizing all the adaptations i had made to my daily life. It affected everything. Every part of my day some small adaptation to just get through it. Its been 2 years. It still is a daily reminder i will never be who i was again. But that is ok. Im still here. I still make a daily effort to be productive. Not how i was , she is gone. But that is ok. Im still able. Once you accept it is different now you go on. You rock this. Feel all the feelings ask for help if you need it and keep on keepin on
I agree with your comment. I too am a recent stroke survivor. I had my acute stroke on Mon., Feb. 12, 2024. I'm greatful and thankful to be still alive.
@@gigidodson Thank you and may God Bless you and those like us. I do my best to follow the directions of the doctors. Sometimes it's a bit of a challenge to keep at the physio part of it, but I try to keep at it. To be honest, after doing the physio work (the walking part of it), I do feel better and, to some point re-energized.
Thank you for putting in that very important disclaimer about not giving power to things that don't deserve it. The bullying that I was subjected to for several years in childhood moulded me, made me who I am today. Probably made me more emphatic. But no way in hell am I _glad_ that it happened. To end on a positive note, I'm glad to hear you broke through the mental miasma of misery! ❤
Psychedelics are just an exceptional mental health breakthrough. It's quite fascinating how effective they are against depression and anxiety. Saved my life.
Can you help with the reliable source I would really appreciate it. Many people talk about mushrooms and psychedelics but nobody talks about where to get them. Very hard to get a reliable source here in Australia. Really need!
Yes, steve_porss1 I have the same experience with anxiety, depression, PTSD and addiction and Mushrooms definitely made a huge huge difference to why am clean today.
I wish they were readily available in my place. Microdosing was my next plan of care for my husband. He is 59 & has so many mental health issues plus probable CTE & a TBI that left him in a coma 8 days. It's too late now I had to get a TPO as he's 6'6 300+ pound homicidal maniac. He's constantly talking about killing someone. He's violent. Anyone reading this Familiar w/ BPD know if it is common for an obsession with violence.
Another hemiplegic migraine sufferer here. Your point of view right now is so healthy. I know the feeling of being hopelessly in need of help but not wanting to give up hope of your limbs working. Going the toilet is terrifying and needing sippy cups to drink is so demeaning. BUT the good days are a blessing and a choice to continue on ❤ you're amazing, don't forget it!
As a crocheter, I would love to see more of the crochet pieces you've worked on during your healing process. Or even a video talking about what concerts you've been to and artists you'd recommend! The difference between this video and some of the ones coming out closer to when your stroke happen is so clear, and it is so great to see that. You and your outlook on life will always impress me, even if your words don't always wanna cooperate, so keep at it!
I will third this. I was gonna ask if youre still crocheting and if we can have an update! I learned in middle school, took a long break, but have got into it again the last few years and do it decently consistently, and love hearing/seeing what people are working on! Also love the doggos, and will never be upset about them hanging around.
We're just strangers on the internet but believe me when I say the comment section and I are happy that you made it, you're still with us and many thanks for sharing this.
My BFF (who is much older) had a similarly transformative stroke experience. You might be surprised by the degree to which that combination of idgaf and making the most of every precious moment sticks with you. My friend is 6 years post-stroke and still feels that way. Like you, she struggles with some linguistic and cognitive loss, though if you don't know about, you would never guess - also much like you! I am glad you have been able to take positive things away from your struggle.
I think the best part of your content is that you share when you are desperately not ok. Most people only show the glitz and glam, everything is always perfect and beautiful. That is not the reality. Life can be hard and miserable sometimes. The magic happens when you allow yourself to feel all the emotions, acknowledge them and be grateful for each moment that is good. You have grown so much and it is a privilege to see that. Thank you for sharing with us.
I’m relieved you are doing better. I wanted to hop in to say that I use your ending statement in my yoga classes, but with my own twist, because when I first heard you say it, it rang so much truth inside me that it brought me to tears. So the way I say it at the end of class is this: “make sure you thank yourself for coming in today. You could have chosen to be anywhere else in the world today. You chose to come in to share your practice with me and your fellow yogis. For that I am truly grateful for your time and energy. Life is good food, good company, and good sleep. Namaste” I’ve had many students approach me to tell me they love my ending speech and I give you all the credit… and then tell them to watch you, of course! ❤
Well my beautiful internet friend you have now also brought me to tears. I really can’t tell you how much that means to me or how much I treasure that you shared that with me. 💜 Thank you so much!
I had that boring, quiet near-death realization moment during my incident too. I want to avoid many details but it was a high speed multiple rollover car accident. I remember looking through windshield as I rolled, thinking to myself, quite calmly, "Well this is it I guess. This is how it's happening. This is how I'm dying. It's different from all the ways I already imagined my whole life. Welp." That's the last thing in my memory before I regained consciousness and began to understand the situation and that i was still alive.
I had the exact experience while being in a car accident too. This calm and collected thought " I guess this is it. This is how I die." I wouldn't say it was boring. I definately felt little bit angry and sad, mostly because my baby boy was with me in the car, and my whole life now was about protecting him. We are both fine now, he suffered only minor bone fracture. Me - I had to have a surgery and couldn't walk for couple of months, and the worst part for me was not being able to take care of my child. I definately wish the accident didn't happen, it gave me PTSD, but I don't want it to define me. I'm doing my best with what I have and who I am now. It wasn't my first trauma, and possibly not the last.
January 2024 I suffered from an intercrainial brain hemorrhage, I had turned 39 just 2 months prior. They also call it a Stroke 5 to make it easier to say. I understand your journey. There was no definitive explanation to the cause. Could have been from an old injury from when I was 6 months old, I fell down a flight of stairs. I lived all those years with a "cool" scar and a dark spot in my imagery, but nothing came of it. I hear your story. It speaks to me.
❤️ I was literally thinking about my NDE today (2016) and what it truly felt like while currently cooking dinner and thought, “let’s listen to UA-cam so it’s not so quiet in here” and your video was the first to pop up & I felt like someone else understood ❤️ cheers to new beginnings ❤️
I had a stroke in March of 2022. It was the scariest thing I’d ever experienced. Everything you said in this video I can totally relate to. I’m sorry you had a stroke at such a young age, but it’s nice for me to hear someone who has gone through the exact same thoughts and feelings! God bless and keep in keeping on🤗
I've missed you! I have been wondering how you are. Its crazy to think it's been 9 months honestly though. Im glad things are going well. And congrats on 1 million subs!
I love the dogs going from wanting to play to slowing down and lying down to go to sleep over the video. Also in theme of what Jo is talking about, a couple of POVs from other YT channels: The Magnus Archives: Jonathan Sims: [sobbing uncontrollably] "NOTHING MATTERS!!!!" Welcome To Night Vale: Cecil: [huge grin, big thumbs up] "NOTHING MATTERS!!!!"
After nearly dying in a very bad car crash, I was inches from being pinned/crushed in the drivers seat of my car and had to crawl out the window after wiggling my legs out from around the steering column in my lap… there was a major shit. “I was inches from death, for whatever reason I didn’t, and I WANT TO BE ALIVE.”
I'm glad to see you're feeling better! I'd love to have a script for talking about disability with kids. I am not disabled, but I have a tripawd dog and I wasn't prepared for the number of people coming up and saying how sad he is and how nice I must be to take this poor dog in. He's a normal poop head puppy who gets tired a little faster. My usual response to "oh how sad" was "he's fine, he uses his short arm to punch his sister" but when I said that to a kid their parent looked horrified.
Consciously being aware in random moments that we are at least at a somewhat more healed/ grown point in our lives is one of the best silver linings of the roughness that life has. Im glad to hear that you've had the experience! Keep on loving your life. You got this!
If you feel up for it, I’d love to hear how you maintain a social life when your health is unpredictable. I’m struggling with that myself. Glad to hear from you and hope you are continuing to heal!
Jo- you’re such a breath of fresh air- real, smart, kind, beautiful & so open- your sharing of your life experiences & thoughts about them are so helpful & inspirational… those of us with severe medical challenges are not alone in our perspectives & experiences (that need to change! Medical trauma & gaslighting is real and continues to need a light shone on it!) Also, as far as a video subject I’d like to see…..should you feel ok sharing-- (1) how did you come across (mental health) therapy, (2)find a therapist that worked for you (3) did you “have to kiss a lot of frogs?” to find a good one? (4) what kind of therapy works/worked for you? (5) Did you find gaslighting in that field? (6) Are there resources you found helpful (books, authors, therapists, videos, talks, practices, mental exercises,etc) you have found helpful in your life or are looking forward to explore? Keep visiting with us in your videos🥰
10:10 This one is weird... I want to see how many different things you could turn your stump into with makeup. You could collab with a makeup artist, or try it yourself!! Everyone's amputation is slightly different, so it would be cool to see how you could turn yours into art!
It's lovely seeing you again. ❤ I'm a fellow crocheter and it would be fun to see a normal length video about your projects and using crafting as a form of rehabilitation. I loved the short video you made about it.
Having had a near death experience where I had kind of resigned myself to it, there is an odd catharsis to living after that happens. I still deal with a lot of darkness and confusion from it, but I have gone out of my way to really enjoy the time I get with the people I care about. These are moments I could have missed. Moments they could have missed.
Thanks for sharing. My 48 yr old son died in June from a massive midbrain stroke- totally nonsymptomatic up to a few hours before. I wish I knew and paid more attention to the risks of stroke in younger people. I hope you stay healthy.
This video really spoke to me Jo. Earlier this year I had pneumonia for two months, had a cancer scare, and my chronic illness was on a repeat cycle and I just hit a wall. Is this all I had to look forward to? Endless pain and a cycle of sickness? For the first time, in a really long time, I didn't want to keep going. And something happened in that moment, being so sick, for so long and not knowing if I would get better, something shifted. A part of me died that day and I have never looked back. I recently got Covid for the first time and it's been a month of it kicking my ass but I have never been mentally more clear, happy, and grounded. Near death experiences of any kind really can shift things. I am happy you are here Jo and I am happy to be here as well.
I know how you feel about working with a brain that doesn’t always cooperate. I’m not anywhere like you but I have been affected by a health challenge. I have chemo brain and I cannot remember many things. I’m like Dory, “I have short-term memory loss”. I can’t work without notepads and post it notes. Thanks for sharing this video! It’s beautiful. I’m so glad you are with us.
I am so glad to know that you want to be around for as long as you can, the world is a better place with you in it. As long as you make videos, I'll be here to watch. Thanks, Jo!
There’s something called ‘post traumatic growth’ that some people (not all) experience after a traumatic event! Healing from something like this can definitely be transformative. It doesn’t mean you’re minimizing the stroke, or saying you’re glad it happened. Its just a thing about human brains- when huge events shake them up, they change, and sometimes parts of that change can be really positive.
"I get to make it whatever I want it to be"... YES! you ARE - we all are - the masters of our own universes. The shift you're speaking of is so clear. Your very speaking is lighter, more energetic and joyful, less heavy and ponderous, and this is a joy to see. I absolutely love your brutal willingness to sort of step outside yourself and look *at* yourself, gain understanding, and then speak about it. Way to go girl. so glad this is what's happening for you in spite of, err, or maybe because of, the physical, mental, and emotional challenges. And don't underestimate the spirit guides you have in your doggos. They are healers. ❤️ I'm glad you're here. Bravo.
As someone whos followed you for YEARS i am so happy seeing this Video. You may not notice it, but youve changed in character. You were always so chipper, so happy with how you showed yourself online. Now you seem calmer, happier too. Id say thats healing. Well done, i hope you start up with more videos again too, im sure everyone used to love them!
The way you described your injury symptoms and deficits remind me of my symptoms and deficits from my TBI after a car accident years ago. If I can tell you one or two things from experience, the first is let yourself feel your feelings and grieve your life before the stroke, and the second is that it does get better as your brain heals and builds new pathways. It might take years and you might not be back to full form, but it DOES get better. I’m so glad you’re feeling emotionally better. It’s not talked about enough how passively suicidal a lot of people are so you getting better and feeling happy to be alive is huge. Hold onto that feeling 💙
I was diagnosed with cancer this year. Yes, it changed my brain and how I look at life. Life is finite and one needs to live each day as if it could be their last. You are an inspiration to us. Wish you well each and every day.
I’ve been following you for like two or three years now and had no idea you were in CO. I hope you’re staying warm through our first snow dump of the season. I’m happy you’re here. 😊
You truly are an amazing human being, Jo, sweetheart. I've not followed your channel for quite some time (this is the problem with every YT creator wanting us to 'like and subscribe' - I now have too many to keep up with! 😄). But I saw this video crop up in my feed so I wanted to see what's what in Jo's world these days. I cannot believe the amount of hurdles you have had to overcome (and I know there's still more), but you really prove to the testament of the triumph of the human spirit to prevail when all seems seemingly lost. I've always thought you were a beautiful soul inside and out, incredibly articulate, highly empathetic and whip-smart. And your stroke etc hasn't diminished ANY of it as far as I'm concerned! Keep on keeping on, brave lady and I wish you nothing but all the best that this life can bring you. You so deserve it! 🙂🥰🤗✊
Hi Jo, oh wow, this video was a lot. Firstly, I am sooooo glad and happy to hear that you are experiencing a new sense of being able to take life by the reigns and go after those things that your innermost self yearns for. That you've also learnt a bit more to be kind to yourself and love yourself is fantastic. On the flip size, wow did this hit so many notes on my own journey, plenty of them still a bit rough in places. Just know wonderful internet frjend, that this community that you've built around you cares deeply for you and we ain't going anywhere.
This video arrived at the perfect moment for me. There have been so many positive/good things that have happened to me in the last year after a mess and a half of a breakup... though I still feel empty, like nothing really matters and I find myself questioning why am I still here. Embracing the thought of *don't worry, you WILL die one day, so do something else while that happens* is so incredibly freeing that I can't believe it's that easy.
I wish you had shared long ago more about your painful depression. Every day is incredibly painful for me. I also have COMPLEX PTSD, that sucks for me.I want to know more about your mental health from long ago. I love you Jo.
I hope you realise how strong you are and how much of a positive influence you are to many. Your strength through all the changes, struggles and adversity in your life are an inspiration. You are an amazingly strong woman Jo.
Honestly anything and everything you feel like showing us is fine by me! I've truly missed your presence and just seeing you thriving makes me so happy! So so so so glad you're still killing it!🧡🧡🧡
I wanna start by saying, I've been following your channel for a couple years now every since a random UA-cam short appeared. Ever since then, I have learned quite a bit of how someone with a disability live day to day. I rarely engage with any video I watch but with this one I felt like I had to. You remind me of an old friend I once had and whenever I see an old Short or video pop, I always wonder how you're doing. I always hope you are doing well. I'm glad to see that you have recovered from your stroke and look forward to more of your videos! Thank you for being you!!
I recently had life changing spinal surgery and am still doing rehab for it. Although there are still things that will never ,work the same again (my left hand), my neck and head are now upright again. What a delight to really see people again! Back in May, my heart stopped right when paramedics arrived, which saved me from instant death, but man, it sure took a toll on my body. I now feel like my mind has recovered but my body still has a long way to go. I love and believe in you, and I'm glad you've had a shift. Isn't it amazing to smile AND REALLY FEEL IT, rather than going through the motions? I love FEELING it these days!
You were pretty eloquent for someone who says they are not. As a life-long migraine sufferer, I think I understand a little of the altered state of mind you experience. At 65, the migraines have not gone away and have spent hours throughout my life in this agonizing useless state. I am glad to hear from you and look forward to hearing your thoughts.
It’s almost 3 a.m. here and I can’t sleep once again, but I am so happy I got to watch this video. It’s great to see you again Jo. I couldn’t agree more with what you said in the video. You are amazing!
I've seen a pattern in many recovery groups. (Especially in people who grew up operating under the Toxic Positivity paradigm, which represses/denies our natural, so-called "negative" emotions.) Often, the freedom to be a "negative Nelly" and get in touch with their healthy anger, grief, disappointment, etc. for a few years lets people process their backed-up repressed emotions. And after that grace period to connect with their "negative" emotions, often there's emotional space for a more balanced mental mindset which naturally emerges. One that doesn't deny the negative, but is now free to focus on the positive as well. 🌈 Love that you share your inner journey with us, thank you. Your authenticity allows others to be more authentic about their own journeys too. All stages are valid. 🥰
There is so much truth to how healing it can be to get to the place where you can genuinely experience the depths of grief and anger and despair so that you can also experience all the depth of joy and delight and contentment. I've been there, by a wildly different path, but I recognise this realisation and this wisdom so viscerally, and I remember vividly the difference it makes.
I'm pretty happy for you. I have bipolar disorder and spent all of my 20's struggling with su1c1dal thoughts. Life doesn't need to be perfect to be beautiful, and being able to really appreciate this beauty is just a relief.
I have always loved your closing comment. So happy that you are back and doing better. You are such a talented speaker, I could listen to you for hours.Thank you for sharing your life with us.
This is totally true for me also. I thank you so much for sharing this! Two years ago, I had a serious concussion. From that moment to this day, my severe and seemingly incurable depression was gone. So I am actually grateful to whoever put those boxes where nobody could see them at the grocery store. I survived two years of them lying about what happened, but somehow made it through with hope and the desire to keep going. I finally got a settlement right about the two year mark, and I'm doing the "wise" thing like putting away for retirement and paying back all my debts I accrued over the time when I couldn't work. Previously, I'd have thought, "Oh I'll never be able to retire," and "why bother?" but not any more. Thanks for your insight, it's really helpful!
I'm really happy for you, and that your back, being disabled myself I use the words of Clint Eastwood sums us up, from the film Heartbreak Ridge, we "Improvise, Adapt & Overcome" No matter what our disabilities are, we improvise, adapt and overcome, just to get through life, and Jo, you're winning that one. Keep it up kid. 🇬🇧
Aww congratulations! Often times near death experiences change a persons life (perspective) forever. You're already forging and then strengthening new positive neural pathways everyday. I'm so happy for you.
One of your best, and most inspiring, connecting videos I've heard. Great job. Thank you for demonstrating how to be vulnerable and injured and flawed and weak, yet strong and determined and getting better everyday. How to be Human. And know that there are others out there struggling too. And know that there are dark days, and there are good or great days. And you don't know which one is today. But we won't know if we're not alive to experience it.
Big love to you! I’m so glad you saw your dogs in your “vision”, I think they were there because they’re a comforting presence for you. My prayers will be with you that you remain healthy. Your change in perspective is interesting and good, in my opinion; one shouldn’t put up with things that aren’t good for them. Sadly, most of us don’t get that realization until late in life, so you’re lucky you have that ahead of time! ❤😊
I'm so happy to see you're doing better! No problem with a self-indulgent video, life keeps throwing difficult times to you and you really deserve more peace and happiness, you're so incredibly strong but it must be tiring to be that strong for so long. My mother in law had a stroke several years ago and it was a slow process but now you can't even tell that happened once, I really hope it will be your case too and your life will get easier. And unrelated but the dogs are so adorable
I am so happy for you, obviously not happy that you had a stroke, but definitely happy that you had this shift in mindset. You seem so much more at peace in your own mind.
Things recently have become incredibly dark for myself and a lot of people in the past view days and I cannot tel you how much it means to me to hear you share how you've gained this new perspective and live life allowing yourself to experience that joy, even in hard times. Your presence on the internet continues to be a safe and healing place for me and so many other people, and I'm so thrilled to hear your healing is going well. Also fun sidenote: I was at the movies and saw a comercial for migraine medication and I literally said outloud: "oh my god it's footless joe!!! Thats so cool"!
I feel like some light hearted videos could be good. I know that's pretty vague but I figure something in that category could be a way to be easy on yourself but also not challenge your limits. I'll give some examples below: - a tour of your Crocheted items, or other related crochet things to show your progress. It could even show when and where you used new techniques to aid with your fine motor skills (or for a specific items you wanted to make) - doing online quizzes that are light hearted in nature. so like "which character are you" quizzes, really fun but odd personality quizzes, "how well do you know this show", etc. I would find it more funny if you did quizzes for franchises / shows you know nothing about. I am not suggesting types like "Myer Brigs 16 personalities" or "do i have ____ disorder"; those are often too heavy and too long. - going through a list of things you want to try or do now with this new perspective, it can be as deep as you want. it could even just be stuff that's not "exciting", like wanting to try to find your favorite type of fork or trying to do mall walking like many elder adults do. Hopefully that all makes sense. If you need any help with understanding what I said or meant, please just ask! I'll admit I'm not the fastest at responding on this site but I'll try my best to get to you in a timely manner.
You look more centered in yourself than you ever have before. I had a similar experience with a traumatic brain injury and subsequent reinvention of myself. It's still an injury that costs me to this day, but I'm glad it made me who I am. I hope you have that same gladness.
You are talking some serious sense on mental health, life perspective, etc. Over the past few years Ive come to the realization that I won't die before I'm 18. I won't even die before 21 or 25. My life WILL exist, and it matters. I'm saving for a 401k, I'm going to all the doctors to improve my chronic health management, etc. I value life, I expect life, perhaps for the first time in my life on both of those things. Its so great. I mean, still sucks, my mental and physical health is better but still not anywhere close to "normal", but I'm living life, and Im glad you are too.
I have always thought of you as being a strong person just for dealing with all the anxiety etc. BEFORE your stroke. Also, always sharing in an open & honest way that so many of us can relate to & even take to heart as something we can learn to deal better with our own disAbilities. I love my life but I also deal with free floating anxiety, it can be fleeting or last for weeks, I've learned to mask incredibly well. Meds can only do so much when dealing with pain & anxiety issues the rest we have to learn to use our greatest tool, our minds. It's like a hammer, we can seriously hurt ourselves with it or make something fantastic or even helpful with that same hammer. I look forward to seeing you more often again!
I clicked as soon as I saw it come up on my screen ! I have had similar realizations with my own stroke I went through in June on the 2nd and I have some weird things as well. But primarily my perspective towards like you said patience in things that are unnecessary in your life is minimal to none and I have become confident in cutting them out when I know and see it isn’t doing me good. I was on an anti depressant for 4 years prior to the stroke for my own mental health journey and trauma journey and after the stroke it did I think correct issues and I haven’t needed it in months. You aren’t crazy. It’s actually a thing. I’m glad you are doing well
You’re such a gem and saved your own life- hemiplegic migraine can certainly be a serious situation- Thankful that God kept you here for what he intends for you to fulfill your purpose here on earth - You are a blessing to me and others, my friend
I have a spine condition that has recently started to severely impact my day-to-day life. Thank you for sharing your thoughts. I found them reassuring and relatable. With gratitude from the Midwest.
I hope you continue to get better. I’m glad to see you made a new video! You made my day. With all the craziness going on you are a positive person to listen to.
migraines with stroke symptoms are scary. thank you for sharing your story and how it felt. i have POTS and faint sometimes and i could relate to your hospital feelings. ❤
Damn, your words brought a grown ass man to tears. The things you said about how dying felt hit me hard. Thank you for being so insperational. Yeah, that sh*t hit me pretty hard and its got me thinking about a lot of things myself. You know I think it would be cool to see you do more outdoor video's. Like on a porch, bench, park, a mountain -- Denver has those right? 😅 Just somewhere with more naturual lighting. Besides that, I enjoy listening to your stories and how you've overcome challenge after challenge after challenge. Most people would have given up ... glad you haven't and get to share your story with us.
![Walking into a hospital & leaving as an amputee: my amputation story [CC]](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/x9EEbrs4oWc/mqdefault.jpg)
oooh I made it in! I'm cool and sexy!
Though were not as cool 😎 and sexy as her dogs, hanging out around her. 🐕🐕 ❤❤🎉🎉🎉
I’m not and still made it in so there is hope for all! 😂
As soon as she said that, I hit the thumbs up 😂
No matter what God loves you no matter what adversity hits you just left your arms higher
I'll take it. Me too!!🎉
I am no rocket scientist or brain surgeon, but it sure looks like you have undergone a tremendous amount of healing. You will never be a dumb person, and I think you will continue to rewire internally to overcome the worse parts of what happened. Keep your puppies close. They are great for hugs and love. Stay your course Jo.
And fast it was a small
@@mrkeiths48 I’m a rocket surgeon. Can I help?
“getting past the darkness enough to function” is the most relatable sentence I’ve ever heard spoken in English
I’m stuck in this darkness now and at the point I’m ready to move on.
"Even when I'm desperately not okay, I'm okay" THIS.
I'd love to see a chill dog video! Like where your dogs came from, their stories, silly things they've done, that sort of thing. I love hearing people gush about their pets :)
Me too. Dogs butting into your video isn't a mistake. It's a blessing.
@@Vitaee13 I was thinking that too
Yes. I so enjoy the puppy cameos. Must love dogs.
This.
I think anything doggos related will make all participating parties happy 🥰
You might enjoy my content. Walking my 3 dogs and some cute shorts featuring my dogs. Check it out if you want 👍🙏
This means a lot to see right now while my system is trying to get out of a bad bout of suicidality that's lasted over a month now. We're not alone, and it can get better. Thank you.
It can get better! Hang on for dear life! My son suffers from severe depression also and we've had talks about what it feels like for her. It's not easy and you need to surround yourself with people who are committed to you and your struggle. If appropriate for you, use hotlines to connect and to get you past the moments when unalive seems like your only option. If you haven't sought counseling, do so. Find a therapist you can relate to and use meds appropriately. Curate a team of people that can carry you when you don't have the strength of will to carry yourself!!! God bless!!
@dragonflies6793 it is very hard sometimes to continue trying to pretend that everything is okay. Find at least 3 people who you can go to at any time when you need help keeping yourself safe. I say 3 because one or two may be busy in the moment but there will almost always be at least one person that can help. I’ve talked to my friends on the phone, gone over to their house and even spent the night with them a time or two because I knew if I was by myself it wouldn’t end up well. Counseling and or medication could both be good, as it works for some people. For me the past few weeks I’ve had nothing left to give and some of my coworkers checked on me. Truthfully I found it disturbing. But I talked to them anyway.
Been there twice in the past year (got the grippy socks to prove it). It can get better. It took me a long time, and the biggest thing that helped was finding community and being around other people, although meds and therapy absolutely laid the groundwork.
Hi internet friend, I’ve been in your shoes and I understand how hard it is to keep pushing forward. I’m sorry it’s so dark right now and the light might not be in sight, but it is there. In April I almost died in a car crash, it put everything into perspective, in an instant I could have lost every potential good thing the universe had in store. You are deserving of the good, beautiful, joyous things the universe has to offer, and I promise you they will find their way to you 💕💕
@@sneaks6635Your son and her..? Does she use she/her pronouns?
I’m very happy you are at the point where you don’t just feel like you’re proverbially treading water in life now. I hope one of these days I can get to that point too, but for right now the struggle is real and ever present. Grateful to you for being so open in your life.
I'm there too. Just holding on moment to moment until tomorrow. And then again. But there are moments in between that are nice, where it's not holding on so much as existing in peace or joy or whatnot. Holding on in the meantime for those moments if nothing else.
@@dragonflies6793- Sometimes I wonder if expecting more than those moments is wanting too much. I've become invested in creating more of those moments and trying to live life deliberately.
❤ your not alone on the struggle bus, hugs x
@@Lucy-Wilkinsonthanks ❤
Jo, I’m very glad you’re alive and doing your best (just like everyone else here!)
Right now 4 years ago (no, seriously), I went to sleep…..and I woke up in ICU 2 months later.
Long and short of it, I had a seizure, and had a _really_ bad reaction to the anaesthetic. My lungs flooded and I had to go for ECMO (take all the blood out your body, oxygenate it and put it back in).
I flatlined 4 times, and woke up unable to move or talk, or think properly due to the drugs and muscle loss. I had several new holes in my body.
I had some very extreme out of body/near death experience where I met something that some would call god. I don’t think much about what it is, but what I want to say is like you, I have so much love for life now. My mental health was exactly like how you describe it, and now it feels like how yours is now.
You’re so right. One of the things I learned is the thing that held me back is me. Physically I’m back to how I was, fully function and lifting heavy. Mentally, I have no PTSD at all (mostly because I’ve worked in critical care myself I think).
The reason I commented on this is I wanted to say I get it. I really get it. And I’m so happy for you. I hope your recovery continues and your 2025 is filled with love, peace and joy
Im glad you're still here!
Thriving.
Im a stroke survivor, i had a small stroke, did the rehab ect ect ect.. and i really thought i had pulled it off. Yay Me! Till i started realizing all the adaptations i had made to my daily life. It affected everything. Every part of my day some small adaptation to just get through it.
Its been 2 years. It still is a daily reminder i will never be who i was again. But that is ok. Im still here. I still make a daily effort to be productive. Not how i was , she is gone. But that is ok. Im still able.
Once you accept it is different now you go on.
You rock this. Feel all the feelings ask for help if you need it and keep on keepin on
I agree with your comment. I too am a recent stroke survivor. I had my acute stroke on Mon., Feb. 12, 2024. I'm greatful and thankful to be still alive.
@@kalvinnoble488 God bless. Keep on doing what the Dr's tell you to do.
@@gigidodson Thank you and may God Bless you and those like us. I do my best to follow the directions of the doctors. Sometimes it's a bit of a challenge to keep at the physio part of it, but I try to keep at it. To be honest, after doing the physio work (the walking part of it), I do feel better and, to some point re-energized.
You never have to apologize for your doggo!
3:49 I was in a coma in 2011 and had post ICU depression. I'm so glad that you are having a different experience!
However, like you, I'm no longer afraid of dying. I am only concerned about the people that I'm leaving behind.
Thank you for putting in that very important disclaimer about not giving power to things that don't deserve it.
The bullying that I was subjected to for several years in childhood moulded me, made me who I am today. Probably made me more emphatic. But no way in hell am I _glad_ that it happened.
To end on a positive note, I'm glad to hear you broke through the mental miasma of misery! ❤
0:15, yes that really was necessary.
100%
Your dogs chewing and sleeping gave me a feeling of peace during this video ❤
Psychedelics are just an exceptional mental health breakthrough. It's quite fascinating how effective they are against depression and anxiety. Saved my life.
Can you help with the reliable source I would really appreciate it. Many people talk about mushrooms and psychedelics but nobody talks about where to get them. Very hard to get a reliable source here in Australia. Really need!
Yes, steve_porss1 I have the same experience with anxiety, depression, PTSD and addiction and Mushrooms definitely made a huge huge difference to why am clean today.
I wish they were readily available in my place.
Microdosing was my next plan of care for my husband. He is 59 & has so many mental health issues plus probable CTE & a TBI that left him in a coma 8 days. It's too late now I had to get a TPO as he's 6'6 300+ pound homicidal maniac.
He's constantly talking about killing someone.
He's violent. Anyone reading this
Familiar w/ BPD know if it is common for an obsession with violence.
On Instagram?
Steve_porss1 is the man
Another hemiplegic migraine sufferer here. Your point of view right now is so healthy. I know the feeling of being hopelessly in need of help but not wanting to give up hope of your limbs working. Going the toilet is terrifying and needing sippy cups to drink is so demeaning. BUT the good days are a blessing and a choice to continue on ❤ you're amazing, don't forget it!
You seem lighter! Like a weight has been lifted. I'm so happy you're making videos and feeling (mentally) better.
As a crocheter, I would love to see more of the crochet pieces you've worked on during your healing process. Or even a video talking about what concerts you've been to and artists you'd recommend! The difference between this video and some of the ones coming out closer to when your stroke happen is so clear, and it is so great to see that. You and your outlook on life will always impress me, even if your words don't always wanna cooperate, so keep at it!
I'd love to see this too!
I will third this. I was gonna ask if youre still crocheting and if we can have an update! I learned in middle school, took a long break, but have got into it again the last few years and do it decently consistently, and love hearing/seeing what people are working on! Also love the doggos, and will never be upset about them hanging around.
Um, excuse you. I actually had my viewing preferences set to "persistent, amazing people", so it's YOU who made the cut.
D'awww! That was super cute and sweet.
Your sweatshirt matching your surroundings is giving me life and I love it.
We're just strangers on the internet but believe me when I say the comment section and I are happy that you made it, you're still with us and many thanks for sharing this.
glad you are back, congrats on the million subs
My BFF (who is much older) had a similarly transformative stroke experience. You might be surprised by the degree to which that combination of idgaf and making the most of every precious moment sticks with you. My friend is 6 years post-stroke and still feels that way. Like you, she struggles with some linguistic and cognitive loss, though if you don't know about, you would never guess - also much like you! I am glad you have been able to take positive things away from your struggle.
I think the best part of your content is that you share when you are desperately not ok. Most people only show the glitz and glam, everything is always perfect and beautiful. That is not the reality. Life can be hard and miserable sometimes. The magic happens when you allow yourself to feel all the emotions, acknowledge them and be grateful for each moment that is good.
You have grown so much and it is a privilege to see that. Thank you for sharing with us.
I’m relieved you are doing better. I wanted to hop in to say that I use your ending statement in my yoga classes, but with my own twist, because when I first heard you say it, it rang so much truth inside me that it brought me to tears.
So the way I say it at the end of class is this: “make sure you thank yourself for coming in today. You could have chosen to be anywhere else in the world today. You chose to come in to share your practice with me and your fellow yogis. For that I am truly grateful for your time and energy. Life is good food, good company, and good sleep. Namaste”
I’ve had many students approach me to tell me they love my ending speech and I give you all the credit… and then tell them to watch you, of course! ❤
Well my beautiful internet friend you have now also brought me to tears. I really can’t tell you how much that means to me or how much I treasure that you shared that with me. 💜 Thank you so much!
I had that boring, quiet near-death realization moment during my incident too. I want to avoid many details but it was a high speed multiple rollover car accident. I remember looking through windshield as I rolled, thinking to myself, quite calmly, "Well this is it I guess. This is how it's happening. This is how I'm dying. It's different from all the ways I already imagined my whole life. Welp." That's the last thing in my memory before I regained consciousness and began to understand the situation and that i was still alive.
I had the exact experience while being in a car accident too. This calm and collected thought " I guess this is it. This is how I die." I wouldn't say it was boring. I definately felt little bit angry and sad, mostly because my baby boy was with me in the car, and my whole life now was about protecting him. We are both fine now, he suffered only minor bone fracture. Me - I had to have a surgery and couldn't walk for couple of months, and the worst part for me was not being able to take care of my child. I definately wish the accident didn't happen, it gave me PTSD, but I don't want it to define me. I'm doing my best with what I have and who I am now. It wasn't my first trauma, and possibly not the last.
January 2024 I suffered from an intercrainial brain hemorrhage, I had turned 39 just 2 months prior. They also call it a Stroke 5 to make it easier to say. I understand your journey. There was no definitive explanation to the cause. Could have been from an old injury from when I was 6 months old, I fell down a flight of stairs. I lived all those years with a "cool" scar and a dark spot in my imagery, but nothing came of it. I hear your story. It speaks to me.
❤️ I was literally thinking about my NDE today (2016) and what it truly felt like while currently cooking dinner and thought, “let’s listen to UA-cam so it’s not so quiet in here” and your video was the first to pop up & I felt like someone else understood ❤️
cheers to new beginnings ❤️
I had a stroke in March of 2022. It was the scariest thing I’d ever experienced. Everything you said in this video I can totally relate to. I’m sorry you had a stroke at such a young age, but it’s nice for me to hear someone who has gone through the exact same thoughts and feelings!
God bless and keep in keeping on🤗
That phrase "but in the meantime..." Thank you Jo
I've missed you! I have been wondering how you are. Its crazy to think it's been 9 months honestly though. Im glad things are going well. And congrats on 1 million subs!
I love the dogs going from wanting to play to slowing down and lying down to go to sleep over the video.
Also in theme of what Jo is talking about, a couple of POVs from other YT channels:
The Magnus Archives: Jonathan Sims: [sobbing uncontrollably] "NOTHING MATTERS!!!!"
Welcome To Night Vale: Cecil: [huge grin, big thumbs up] "NOTHING MATTERS!!!!"
After nearly dying in a very bad car crash, I was inches from being pinned/crushed in the drivers seat of my car and had to crawl out the window after wiggling my legs out from around the steering column in my lap… there was a major shit. “I was inches from death, for whatever reason I didn’t, and I WANT TO BE ALIVE.”
It's good to see you again and being so positive from what has happened. Enjoy life because we never know when life ends . It's great to see you
I'm glad to see you're feeling better! I'd love to have a script for talking about disability with kids. I am not disabled, but I have a tripawd dog and I wasn't prepared for the number of people coming up and saying how sad he is and how nice I must be to take this poor dog in. He's a normal poop head puppy who gets tired a little faster.
My usual response to "oh how sad" was "he's fine, he uses his short arm to punch his sister" but when I said that to a kid their parent looked horrified.
Consciously being aware in random moments that we are at least at a somewhat more healed/ grown point in our lives is one of the best silver linings of the roughness that life has. Im glad to hear that you've had the experience! Keep on loving your life. You got this!
If you feel up for it, I’d love to hear how you maintain a social life when your health is unpredictable. I’m struggling with that myself. Glad to hear from you and hope you are continuing to heal!
Jo- you’re such a breath of fresh air- real, smart, kind, beautiful & so open- your sharing of your life experiences & thoughts about them are so helpful & inspirational… those of us with severe medical challenges are not alone in our perspectives & experiences (that need to change! Medical trauma & gaslighting is real and continues to need a light shone on it!)
Also, as far as a video subject I’d like to see…..should you feel ok sharing-- (1) how did you come across (mental health) therapy, (2)find a therapist that worked for you (3) did you “have to kiss a lot of frogs?” to find a good one? (4) what kind of therapy works/worked for you? (5) Did you find gaslighting in that field? (6) Are there resources you found helpful (books, authors, therapists, videos, talks, practices, mental exercises,etc) you have found helpful in your life or are looking forward to explore?
Keep visiting with us in your videos🥰
10:10 This one is weird... I want to see how many different things you could turn your stump into with makeup. You could collab with a makeup artist, or try it yourself!! Everyone's amputation is slightly different, so it would be cool to see how you could turn yours into art!
You're a wonderful person Footless Jo, live ya best life! And we enjoy you sharing it
It's lovely seeing you again. ❤
I'm a fellow crocheter and it would be fun to see a normal length video about your projects and using crafting as a form of rehabilitation.
I loved the short video you made about it.
Having had a near death experience where I had kind of resigned myself to it, there is an odd catharsis to living after that happens. I still deal with a lot of darkness and confusion from it, but I have gone out of my way to really enjoy the time I get with the people I care about. These are moments I could have missed. Moments they could have missed.
It’s the overwhelming sense of calmness that over came me. Never in my entire life have I felt that. And after a lot of things changed
Thanks for sharing. My 48 yr old son died in June from a massive midbrain stroke- totally nonsymptomatic up to a few hours before. I wish I knew and paid more attention to the risks of stroke in younger people. I hope you stay healthy.
This video really spoke to me Jo. Earlier this year I had pneumonia for two months, had a cancer scare, and my chronic illness was on a repeat cycle and I just hit a wall. Is this all I had to look forward to? Endless pain and a cycle of sickness? For the first time, in a really long time, I didn't want to keep going. And something happened in that moment, being so sick, for so long and not knowing if I would get better, something shifted. A part of me died that day and I have never looked back. I recently got Covid for the first time and it's been a month of it kicking my ass but I have never been mentally more clear, happy, and grounded. Near death experiences of any kind really can shift things. I am happy you are here Jo and I am happy to be here as well.
I know how you feel about working with a brain that doesn’t always cooperate. I’m not anywhere like you but I have been affected by a health challenge. I have chemo brain and I cannot remember many things. I’m like Dory, “I have short-term memory loss”. I can’t work without notepads and post it notes. Thanks for sharing this video! It’s beautiful. I’m so glad you are with us.
it's so good to see you back!
I am so glad to know that you want to be around for as long as you can, the world is a better place with you in it. As long as you make videos, I'll be here to watch. Thanks, Jo!
There’s something called ‘post traumatic growth’ that some people (not all) experience after a traumatic event! Healing from something like this can definitely be transformative. It doesn’t mean you’re minimizing the stroke, or saying you’re glad it happened. Its just a thing about human brains- when huge events shake them up, they change, and sometimes parts of that change can be really positive.
I am very glad you're still with us.
I too am a young stroke survivor, and I too found a new love for life thereby. I completely understand what you're saying here.
Lots of hugs Jo! Glad you're on the upswing of this healing post stroke journey
My pupper and new kitten enjoyed watching you and your puppers! We're looking forward to more videos!
"I get to make it whatever I want it to be"... YES!
you ARE - we all are - the masters of our own universes. The shift you're speaking of is so clear. Your very speaking is lighter, more energetic and joyful, less heavy and ponderous, and this is a joy to see. I absolutely love your brutal willingness to sort of step outside yourself and look *at* yourself, gain understanding, and then speak about it. Way to go girl. so glad this is what's happening for you in spite of, err, or maybe because of, the physical, mental, and emotional challenges. And don't underestimate the spirit guides you have in your doggos. They are healers. ❤️ I'm glad you're here. Bravo.
I'm glad to see you looking so much better! 😊 I'm also glad you're seeing the positives.
As someone whos followed you for YEARS i am so happy seeing this Video. You may not notice it, but youve changed in character. You were always so chipper, so happy with how you showed yourself online. Now you seem calmer, happier too. Id say thats healing. Well done, i hope you start up with more videos again too, im sure everyone used to love them!
The way you described your injury symptoms and deficits remind me of my symptoms and deficits from my TBI after a car accident years ago. If I can tell you one or two things from experience, the first is let yourself feel your feelings and grieve your life before the stroke, and the second is that it does get better as your brain heals and builds new pathways. It might take years and you might not be back to full form, but it DOES get better.
I’m so glad you’re feeling emotionally better. It’s not talked about enough how passively suicidal a lot of people are so you getting better and feeling happy to be alive is huge. Hold onto that feeling 💙
I was diagnosed with cancer this year. Yes, it changed my brain and how I look at life. Life is finite and one needs to live each day as if it could be their last. You are an inspiration to us. Wish you well each and every day.
I’ve been following you for like two or three years now and had no idea you were in CO. I hope you’re staying warm through our first snow dump of the season. I’m happy you’re here. 😊
You truly are an amazing human being, Jo, sweetheart. I've not followed your channel for quite some time (this is the problem with every YT creator wanting us to 'like and subscribe' - I now have too many to keep up with! 😄). But I saw this video crop up in my feed so I wanted to see what's what in Jo's world these days. I cannot believe the amount of hurdles you have had to overcome (and I know there's still more), but you really prove to the testament of the triumph of the human spirit to prevail when all seems seemingly lost. I've always thought you were a beautiful soul inside and out, incredibly articulate, highly empathetic and whip-smart. And your stroke etc hasn't diminished ANY of it as far as I'm concerned! Keep on keeping on, brave lady and I wish you nothing but all the best that this life can bring you. You so deserve it! 🙂🥰🤗✊
Hi Jo, oh wow, this video was a lot. Firstly, I am sooooo glad and happy to hear that you are experiencing a new sense of being able to take life by the reigns and go after those things that your innermost self yearns for. That you've also learnt a bit more to be kind to yourself and love yourself is fantastic.
On the flip size, wow did this hit so many notes on my own journey, plenty of them still a bit rough in places.
Just know wonderful internet frjend, that this community that you've built around you cares deeply for you and we ain't going anywhere.
This video arrived at the perfect moment for me. There have been so many positive/good things that have happened to me in the last year after a mess and a half of a breakup... though I still feel empty, like nothing really matters and I find myself questioning why am I still here.
Embracing the thought of *don't worry, you WILL die one day, so do something else while that happens* is so incredibly freeing that I can't believe it's that easy.
I wish you had shared long ago more about your painful depression. Every day is incredibly painful for me. I also have COMPLEX PTSD, that sucks for me.I want to know more about your mental health from long ago. I love you Jo.
I hope you realise how strong you are and how much of a positive influence you are to many. Your strength through all the changes, struggles and adversity in your life are an inspiration. You are an amazingly strong woman Jo.
Honestly anything and everything you feel like showing us is fine by me! I've truly missed your presence and just seeing you thriving makes me so happy! So so so so glad you're still killing it!🧡🧡🧡
You are still an awesome woman. Thank you. I hope we have been as encouraging to you as you have been to us.
I wanna start by saying, I've been following your channel for a couple years now every since a random UA-cam short appeared. Ever since then, I have learned quite a bit of how someone with a disability live day to day.
I rarely engage with any video I watch but with this one I felt like I had to. You remind me of an old friend I once had and whenever I see an old Short or video pop, I always wonder how you're doing. I always hope you are doing well. I'm glad to see that you have recovered from your stroke and look forward to more of your videos!
Thank you for being you!!
I recently had life changing spinal surgery and am still doing rehab for it. Although there are still things that will never ,work the same again (my left hand), my neck and head are now upright again. What a delight to really see people again! Back in May, my heart stopped right when paramedics arrived, which saved me from instant death, but man, it sure took a toll on my body. I now feel like my mind has recovered but my body still has a long way to go. I love and believe in you, and I'm glad you've had a shift. Isn't it amazing to smile AND REALLY FEEL IT, rather than going through the motions? I love FEELING it these days!
You were pretty eloquent for someone who says they are not. As a life-long migraine sufferer, I think I understand a little of the altered state of mind you experience. At 65, the migraines have not gone away and have spent hours throughout my life in this agonizing useless state. I am glad to hear from you and look forward to hearing your thoughts.
It’s almost 3 a.m. here and I can’t sleep once again, but I am so happy I got to watch this video. It’s great to see you again Jo. I couldn’t agree more with what you said in the video. You are amazing!
Good morning 🌞!
~1140 pm yesterday.
I've seen a pattern in many recovery groups. (Especially in people who grew up operating under the Toxic Positivity paradigm, which represses/denies our natural, so-called "negative" emotions.) Often, the freedom to be a "negative Nelly" and get in touch with their healthy anger, grief, disappointment, etc. for a few years lets people process their backed-up repressed emotions. And after that grace period to connect with their "negative" emotions, often there's emotional space for a more balanced mental mindset which naturally emerges. One that doesn't deny the negative, but is now free to focus on the positive as well. 🌈
Love that you share your inner journey with us, thank you. Your authenticity allows others to be more authentic about their own journeys too. All stages are valid. 🥰
There is so much truth to how healing it can be to get to the place where you can genuinely experience the depths of grief and anger and despair so that you can also experience all the depth of joy and delight and contentment. I've been there, by a wildly different path, but I recognise this realisation and this wisdom so viscerally, and I remember vividly the difference it makes.
Glad to see you're back! I would love to see a video on what your daily routine is like during recovery!
I'm pretty happy for you. I have bipolar disorder and spent all of my 20's struggling with su1c1dal thoughts. Life doesn't need to be perfect to be beautiful, and being able to really appreciate this beauty is just a relief.
I have always loved your closing comment. So happy that you are back and doing better. You are such a talented speaker, I could listen to you for hours.Thank you for sharing your life with us.
This is totally true for me also. I thank you so much for sharing this!
Two years ago, I had a serious concussion. From that moment to this day, my severe and seemingly incurable depression was gone. So I am actually grateful to whoever put those boxes where nobody could see them at the grocery store. I survived two years of them lying about what happened, but somehow made it through with hope and the desire to keep going. I finally got a settlement right about the two year mark, and I'm doing the "wise" thing like putting away for retirement and paying back all my debts I accrued over the time when I couldn't work. Previously, I'd have thought, "Oh I'll never be able to retire," and "why bother?" but not any more. Thanks for your insight, it's really helpful!
So glad you are doing better!! Would love to see a video about how you care for your Doggos! It clear that you love them a lot
I'm really happy for you, and that your back, being disabled myself I use the words of Clint Eastwood sums us up, from the film Heartbreak Ridge, we "Improvise, Adapt & Overcome" No matter what our disabilities are, we improvise, adapt and overcome, just to get through life, and Jo, you're winning that one. Keep it up kid. 🇬🇧
Aww congratulations! Often times near death experiences change a persons life (perspective) forever. You're already forging and then strengthening new positive neural pathways everyday. I'm so happy for you.
You couldn’t have describe the way I felt after I had two heart attacks in Las Vegas. calm acceptance and a tad thankful for not dying
One of your best, and most inspiring, connecting videos I've heard.
Great job. Thank you for demonstrating how to be vulnerable and injured and flawed and weak, yet strong and determined and getting better everyday. How to be Human. And know that there are others out there struggling too.
And know that there are dark days, and there are good or great days. And you don't know which one is today. But we won't know if we're not alive to experience it.
Big love to you! I’m so glad you saw your dogs in your “vision”, I think they were there because they’re a comforting presence for you. My prayers will be with you that you remain healthy. Your change in perspective is interesting and good, in my opinion; one shouldn’t put up with things that aren’t good for them. Sadly, most of us don’t get that realization until late in life, so you’re lucky you have that ahead of time! ❤😊
I'm so happy to see you're doing better! No problem with a self-indulgent video, life keeps throwing difficult times to you and you really deserve more peace and happiness, you're so incredibly strong but it must be tiring to be that strong for so long. My mother in law had a stroke several years ago and it was a slow process but now you can't even tell that happened once, I really hope it will be your case too and your life will get easier.
And unrelated but the dogs are so adorable
I am so happy for you, obviously not happy that you had a stroke, but definitely happy that you had this shift in mindset. You seem so much more at peace in your own mind.
Things recently have become incredibly dark for myself and a lot of people in the past view days and I cannot tel you how much it means to me to hear you share how you've gained this new perspective and live life allowing yourself to experience that joy, even in hard times. Your presence on the internet continues to be a safe and healing place for me and so many other people, and I'm so thrilled to hear your healing is going well.
Also fun sidenote: I was at the movies and saw a comercial for migraine medication and I literally said outloud: "oh my god it's footless joe!!! Thats so cool"!
I feel like some light hearted videos could be good. I know that's pretty vague but I figure something in that category could be a way to be easy on yourself but also not challenge your limits.
I'll give some examples below:
- a tour of your Crocheted items, or other related crochet things to show your progress. It could even show when and where you used new techniques to aid with your fine motor skills (or for a specific items you wanted to make)
- doing online quizzes that are light hearted in nature. so like "which character are you" quizzes, really fun but odd personality quizzes, "how well do you know this show", etc. I would find it more funny if you did quizzes for franchises / shows you know nothing about. I am not suggesting types like "Myer Brigs 16 personalities" or "do i have ____ disorder"; those are often too heavy and too long.
- going through a list of things you want to try or do now with this new perspective, it can be as deep as you want. it could even just be stuff that's not "exciting", like wanting to try to find your favorite type of fork or trying to do mall walking like many elder adults do.
Hopefully that all makes sense. If you need any help with understanding what I said or meant, please just ask! I'll admit I'm not the fastest at responding on this site but I'll try my best to get to you in a timely manner.
You look more centered in yourself than you ever have before. I had a similar experience with a traumatic brain injury and subsequent reinvention of myself. It's still an injury that costs me to this day, but I'm glad it made me who I am. I hope you have that same gladness.
I can’t properly explain how much I appreciate this video today. This week has been awful and it is so nice to see an update ❤
You are talking some serious sense on mental health, life perspective, etc.
Over the past few years Ive come to the realization that I won't die before I'm 18. I won't even die before 21 or 25. My life WILL exist, and it matters.
I'm saving for a 401k, I'm going to all the doctors to improve my chronic health management, etc. I value life, I expect life, perhaps for the first time in my life on both of those things. Its so great.
I mean, still sucks, my mental and physical health is better but still not anywhere close to "normal", but I'm living life, and Im glad you are too.
Hopefully you can just let loose and enjoy life !
I have always thought of you as being a strong person just for dealing with all the anxiety etc. BEFORE your stroke. Also, always sharing in an open & honest way that so many of us can relate to & even take to heart as something we can learn to deal better with our own disAbilities. I love my life but I also deal with free floating anxiety, it can be fleeting or last for weeks, I've learned to mask incredibly well. Meds can only do so much when dealing with pain & anxiety issues the rest we have to learn to use our greatest tool, our minds. It's like a hammer, we can seriously hurt ourselves with it or make something fantastic or even helpful with that same hammer. I look forward to seeing you more often again!
Glad to see you in a good place, I’m so glad I found you this year
I have also felt that way throughout my life. Thank you for everything you are and for sharing yourself with us. Much love!
There is so much freedom in knowing that eventually it will happen. The new life can be amazing!
I clicked as soon as I saw it come up on my screen ! I have had similar realizations with my own stroke I went through in June on the 2nd and I have some weird things as well. But primarily my perspective towards like you said patience in things that are unnecessary in your life is minimal to none and I have become confident in cutting them out when I know and see it isn’t doing me good. I was on an anti depressant for 4 years prior to the stroke for my own mental health journey and trauma journey and after the stroke it did I think correct issues and I haven’t needed it in months. You aren’t crazy. It’s actually a thing. I’m glad you are doing well
You’re such a gem and saved your own life- hemiplegic migraine can certainly be a serious situation- Thankful that God kept you here for what he intends for you to fulfill your purpose here on earth - You are a blessing to me and others, my friend
I have a spine condition that has recently started to severely impact my day-to-day life. Thank you for sharing your thoughts. I found them reassuring and relatable. With gratitude from the Midwest.
I hope you continue to get better. I’m glad to see you made a new video! You made my day. With all the craziness going on you are a positive person to listen to.
migraines with stroke symptoms are scary. thank you for sharing your story and how it felt. i have POTS and faint sometimes and i could relate to your hospital feelings. ❤
Good for you, Jo! You helped me out of the darkness, I am so glad you found light!
Congrats on 1 million subs are you going to do something for 1 million subs and I'm glad you're doing a lot better now
Damn, your words brought a grown ass man to tears. The things you said about how dying felt hit me hard. Thank you for being so insperational. Yeah, that sh*t hit me pretty hard and its got me thinking about a lot of things myself. You know I think it would be cool to see you do more outdoor video's. Like on a porch, bench, park, a mountain -- Denver has those right? 😅 Just somewhere with more naturual lighting. Besides that, I enjoy listening to your stories and how you've overcome challenge after challenge after challenge. Most people would have given up ... glad you haven't and get to share your story with us.