Stephanie: A Story of Loss, Recovery and Resilience
In the very first episode of The Conversation Today, I talk with Stephanie, who grew up in a small town in California. Stephanie shares the heartbreaking story of losing her 15-year-old sister in a car accident when she was just six years old, before she was even old enough to fully understand what death meant. She also opens up about some of the other challenges she has faced throughout her life, including depression, anxiety, an abusive relationship, and a devastating accident in her twenties when she was struck by a car. The accident left Stephanie with a brain injury affecting her memory, cognition and executive functioning. She talks honestly about the physical and psychological therapy she went through during her recovery and the strategies she now uses to manage everyday life, including lists and other practical workarounds. Despite everything she has experienced, Stephanie's warmth, determination and resilience shine through in this remarkable conversation. This is a story of loss, grief, recovery and resilience and of what the human mind, body and spirit can endure. Jason Devonshire