BIOS Medical X BrainStorm: Stroke Awareness, Recovery, and Lessons From Survivors

Last year, a conversation on social media sparked a meaningful partnership between BIOS Medical and BrainStorm. 

After commenting on one of our Stroke Awareness Month posts, stroke survivor and BrainStorm co-founder Erika Goreski challenged us to think differently about how stroke symptoms are discussed and represented. That conversation led to an interview, a collaborative blog, and ultimately a shared goal: helping more people understand the realities of stroke prevention, recovery, and life after stroke.

This Stroke Awareness Month, we were proud to partner with BrainStorm once again on a four-part educational series inspired by the experiences of co-founders Erika Goreski and Paul Nash. Together, we explored stroke awareness, recovery, adaptive tools, and the lessons they wish they had known before their strokes.

Who Is BrainStorm?

BrainStorm is a growing community founded by stroke survivors Erika Goreski and Paul Nash. Through personal stories, educational resources, and survivor advocacy, BrainStorm aims to challenge common misconceptions about stroke and provide support to those navigating recovery.

Their website features articles, survivor stories, resources, and discussions about the physical, emotional, and cognitive challenges that can follow a stroke. Their content focuses on one important message: stroke recovery is not one-size-fits-all.

One of the best examples of this message can be found in their article, "Two Brains," where Erika and Paul share their very different paths to the same diagnosis. Erika describes an active lifestyle filled with trail running, outdoor adventures, and healthy habits, while Paul openly discusses years of health struggles and risk factors. Despite their differences, both experienced a life-changing stroke and the challenges that followed.

My Stroke Didn't Look Like FAST

The first post in our collaboration was inspired by BrainStorm's article "The Moment Before FAST: Feeling OFF."

Many Canadians are familiar with the FAST acronym:

• Face Drooping
• Arm Weakness
• Speech Difficulty
• Time to Call 9-1-1

These warning signs remain incredibly important. However, Erika's story reminds us that not every stroke presents with textbook symptoms.

In both "The Moment Before FAST: Feeling OFF" and "Two Brains," Erika shares how her symptoms began while trail running. She experienced tingling in her fingers, followed by weakness and loss of coordination in her leg. She wasn't experiencing facial drooping or slurred speech, making it difficult to recognize what was happening.

To help expand the conversation around stroke awareness, BrainStorm introduced the concept of OFF:

O – Odd or out-of-nowhere symptoms
F – Feeling wrong
F – Function changes

The goal isn't to replace FAST or BE FAST. Instead, it's a reminder that if something suddenly feels wrong, it's worth paying attention.

Awareness saves lives, and sometimes the earliest warning sign is simply recognizing that something isn't normal.

Life After Stroke

Our second collaborative post focused on a reality many people never see: recovery doesn't end when you leave the hospital.

This theme appears throughout several BrainStorm articles, including "Healing While Holding It All Together: A Letter to Moms After Stroke" and "The Cost of Earning a Paycheck: Reflections a Year After Returning to Work."

These articles highlight the invisible side of stroke recovery. While physical rehabilitation is often discussed, survivors frequently continue to face challenges such as:

• Fatigue
• Cognitive overload
• Brain fog
• Anxiety
• Isolation
• Identity changes
• Difficulties returning to work
  

In "The Cost of Earning a Paycheck," Erika reflects on the reality of returning to work while still actively recovering. She describes how recovery once occupied her entire day, but after returning to work, healing had to fit into whatever time and energy remained.

Similarly, "Healing While Holding It All Together" explores the unique challenges of balancing recovery with family responsibilities, caregiving, and everyday life.

One of the most powerful takeaways from BrainStorm's writing is that recovery often becomes invisible. Someone may look healthy on the outside while continuing to navigate significant physical, cognitive, and emotional challenges every day.

Tools That Helped Me Recover

One topic that emerged repeatedly during our conversations with BrainStorm was the importance of adaptive tools during recovery.

Recovery is not simply about regaining function, it's about rebuilding confidence, maintaining independence, and creating safer environments for everyday living.

Inspired by BrainStorm's recommendations, our third collaborative post highlighted products that many stroke survivors find helpful throughout their recovery journey.

Monitoring & Prevention

High blood pressure remains one of the leading risk factors for stroke. Monitoring blood pressure at home can help individuals stay informed and take a proactive role in managing their health.

• Blood Pressure Monitors
• Pulse Oximeters
  

Bathroom Safety

Bathrooms can become one of the highest-risk areas for falls and injury during recovery.

• Transfer Benches
• Bath Stools
• Grab Rails
• Raised Toilet Seats

Mobility Support

Maintaining mobility often plays a key role in preserving independence and confidence.
Products highlighted:

• Canes
• Walkers
• Rollators
  

Daily Living Aids

Simple tools can make everyday activities easier and safer.

• Reachers and Grabbers
• Jar Openers
• Dressing Aids
• Kitchen Helpers

As Erika shared during our previous interview, sometimes the smallest adaptations can make the biggest difference in helping survivors feel like themselves again.

What I Wish I Knew Before My Stroke

Our final collaborative post brought together many of the lessons shared throughout BrainStorm's articles.

One of the strongest themes throughout "Two Brains" is that stroke doesn't discriminate.

It can affect:

• Young adults
• Parents
• Professionals
• Athletes
• Retirees
  

Erika and Paul's stories demonstrate that stroke can impact people from vastly different backgrounds and lifestyles.

Their experiences also highlight lessons many survivors wish they had understood sooner:

• Recovery often takes longer than expected.
• Invisible symptoms are real.
• Self-advocacy matters.
• Health should never be taken for granted.
• Listening to your body can be life-changing.
  

Perhaps most importantly, they remind us that prevention starts with awareness. Understanding stroke symptoms, knowing your risk factors, and regularly monitoring your blood pressure can help people take a more proactive approach to their health.

Explore the BrainStorm Recommended Collection 

As part of our collaboration, BrainStorm helped curate a collection of products designed to support stroke prevention, recovery, safety, and independence.

The BrainStorm Recommended Collection includes:

• Blood Pressure Monitors
• Pulse Oximeters
• Mobility Aids
• Bathroom Safety Products
• Daily Living Aids
  

Whether you're a stroke survivor, caregiver, or someone looking to take a proactive approach to your health, these products are designed to support confidence, comfort, and independence throughout the recovery journey.

To support Stroke Awareness Month and our continued partnership with BrainStorm, enjoy 15% off the BrainStorm Recommended Collection using promo code:

Save 15% with Code BRAINSTORM

BRAINSTORM

Supporting Awareness Together

We are grateful to Erika, Paul, and the entire BrainStorm community for sharing their stories and helping raise awareness about stroke prevention and recovery.

Their writing reminds us that stroke awareness is about more than recognizing symptoms. It's about understanding risk factors, supporting survivors, listening to our bodies, and building communities where people feel understood throughout their recovery journey.

To learn more about BrainStorm and read their articles, visit BrainStormChanges.com and follow their growing community of survivors, advocates, and supporters.

BrainStorm Articles Referenced in This Blog

• Two Brains
• The Moment Before FAST: Feeling OFF
• Healing While Holding It All Together: A Letter to Moms After Stroke
• The Cost of Earning a Paycheck: Reflections a Year After Returning to Work

Awareness. Prevention. Recovery. Hope.

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