Stroke Maven

03/13/2026

POV: your earplug falls out… and you literally can’t feel it.
One of my non-visible disabilities is the lack of sensation on my left side — from my ear all the way down to my foot.
I’ve regained some pressure sensation, but light touch is still mostly gone.
Which means things like earplugs and AirPods quietly fall out…
and I don’t even notice.
Today was one of those days.
So instead of frustration, we’re doing a little earplug math
and choosing a positive mindset. 😄
Invisible disabilities show up in unexpected ways.

03/04/2026

The 2026 Stroke Hero Voters’ Choice finalists are here! 🗳️

I’m casting my vote for Beyond Stillness — and I’m especially proud to serve as a story steward for this powerful initiative amplifying life after stroke.

If you believe stories heal and connect us, I invite you to vote too. 💫



https://www.stroke.org/en/help-and-support/stroke-heroes/stroke-hero-awards/vote-2026/finalists/beyond-stillness-community

03/04/2026

The 2026 Stroke Hero Voters’ Choice finalists are here! 🗳️

I’m casting my vote for Beyond Stillness — and I’m especially proud to serve as a story steward for this powerful initiative amplifying life after stroke.

If you believe stories heal and connect us, I invite you to vote too. 💫

2026 Voters’ Choice Stroke Hero Award finalist. Learn about the contributions Beyond Stillness is making in the stroke community and place your vote.

02/15/2026

Thank you for this thoughtful series. Yesterday was a beautiful restore class with CeCe. This time I told my story from the mat I had just been practicing on. This might be my Yoga era 🧘🏻🙆🏻‍♀️. We’ve raised over $600 for the American Heart Association right here in Westchester County! Thank you for helping me share my story. Donate today for a surprise piece of art raiseyourwayforaha.funraise.org/fundraiser/selfcareflow

02/14/2026

Healing doesn’t only happen in hospitals.

It happens on a yoga mat.
In breath work.
In spaces where your nervous system can finally soften.

Joining the event has been incredible — we’ve already passed our Go Red goal! 💖 Community members are investing in women’s health, movement, and self-love.

This is about more than exercise.
It’s self-care as self-love.
It’s heart health.
It’s advocacy in action.

Heart health = brain health. Caring for yourself matters.

Join us today at noon, or donate here for a surprise watercolor: https://raiseyourwayforaha.funraise.org/fundraiser/selfcareflow

Move.
Breathe.
Give.

That’s the work. ❤️

02/14/2026

Valentine’s Day can feel tender.

If today feels heavy, lonely, complicated, or quiet — you are not outside of love.

What if this day isn’t about who chooses you…
but about how you choose love?

Love is not just roses and reservations.
It’s the friend who checks in.
The person who sits beside you in the hard.
The body that keeps trying.
The breath that returns — again and again.
The courage to rebuild.

Choose to send the text.
Choose to soften toward yourself.
Choose five minutes of sunlight on your face.
Choose to believe you are not forgotten.

For the grievers.
For the survivors.
For the ones rebuilding capacity.
For the ones finding their way back to themselves.

Love doesn’t shrink when shared.
It expands.

Today, may we widen the definition.
And remember — being here is an act of love. 💗

02/01/2026

I'm very excited and nervous as I get closer to attending the International Stroke Conference in New Orleans next week. As I think ahead to everything I hope to accomplish, I remind myself that symptoms will flare and fatigue will hit. Everything will be okay if I skip posting and/or responding. It's okay for me to resume when I'm ready and there's no “catch-up” required. Visibility doesn’t have to be constant to be meaningful. These are the rules I’m carrying with me this week.

01/29/2026

Early flight out to next week by way of Denver to help the kiddo move. Travel tools: earplugs, my sunflower lanyard to signal a non-visible disability, and an ID card I can show if I need extra support. It clearly states that I have a brain injury—hopefully creating a pause and inviting a little more patience along the way. “Please be patient and give me time to think. I can easily lose concentration and can become confused in unfamiliar or crowded places.” Let the adventure begin.

01/08/2026

Kicking off the year with an intention to live more in my body and less in my head — to notice, to feel, to respond instead of overthink.
Wishing you all a grounded, gentle, and present New Year. 💫

01/07/2026

Unboxing a belated Christmas gift from Rob — a framed reminder that maternal health is lifelong health.
🔘Pregnancy complications can increase cardiovascular risk years later, and too many women are never told.
🔘Knowledge is power. Stories save lives.




womenshearthealth

11/29/2025

Holy smokes the article is in print! I’m overwhelmed, a little shaky, and really grateful. I’m usually ok with vulnerability but wow, this feels very different. What a gift to be heard.

11/12/2025

I'm proud to be a Mindset Facilitator. Join me for a FREE online 6-week LoveYourBrain Mindset program for people with brain injury and caregivers! Connect with peers and expert facilitators to cultivate emotional well-being and resilience with research-backed tools for brain health! My session starts on Monday, January 5th.

If we have not yet met, you can view my profile here: https://www.loveyourbrain.com/program-leader-bios/tania-saiz

Register here https://www.loveyourbrain.com/mindset and look for my name when you select your program.