A stroke named Manni

Sometimes one's most valuable gifts arrive in the most unpleasant packaging, as in my case ... an ischemic pontine stroke. It paralyzed my right arm and leg. It slurred my speech. It hospitalized me for three weeks, followed by months, perhaps years of recovery (spoiler alert; I'm still recovering). It also brought with it some much needed lessons and a new understanding of the power of gratitude. I named it Manni, and this is the story of how we met.