Angie Read is a passionate advocate, life coach, and entrepreneur dedicated to empowering female stroke survivors. After experiencing two life-altering strokes in her 40s, Angie turned her personal recovery journey into a mission to help others. With nearly 30 years of experience in public relations, including leadership roles at renowned organizations like FleishmanHillard. Sprint, and H&R Block, Angie brings a wealth of expertise in communication and strategy to her work.

Following her strokes, Angie pivoted her career to focus on supporting women navigating the challenges of stroke recovery. She became a certified life coach and authored four books, creating tools and resources to inspire confidence and resilience. Angie’s groundbreaking initiative, Stroke Sisters, is a digital platform designed to provide female stroke survivors with trusted resources, a supportive global community, and tools to rebuild their confidence and reclaim their futures.

Angie’s work is fueled by her belief that every stroke survivor deserves hope, empowerment, and a chance to thrive. Through her coaching, speaking engagements, and innovative projects like Stroke Sisters, Angie is transforming the future of recovery for women worldwide.

You have spent nearly 30 years in public relations and leadership roles. Tell us when you had a life-altering experience. 

My life changed forever when I had two strokes at the ages of 46 and 47. At the time, I was thriving in my career, but suddenly, everything was stolen from me. The strokes forced me into two months of intense physical, occupational, and speech therapy to regain what I’d lost on my left side. But the physical challenges were only part of the struggle. I battled post-stroke depression and anxiety so severe that it nearly cost me my life. I lost my confidence, questioned my identity, and wondered if I’d ever feel ‘normal’ again.

Though I eventually regained my physical abilities and returned to work, something was missing. The passion and drive I once had weren’t there anymore. In 2023, I was laid off from my job. What could have been devastating turned out to be a blessing in disguise. It gave me the chance to reflect on my journey, heal on a deeper level, and discover my true purpose. Today, I dedicate my life to empowering female stroke survivors to rebuild their confidence, reclaim their identity, and find hope for the future.

Looking back, were there any warning signs? 

I can’t say I had clear warning signs, but I did experience a migraine with aura a few days before my stroke. Migraines with aura—where a blind spot appears about 30 minutes before the headache—weren’t unusual for me; I’ve had them since I was 16. However, this time felt different. The migraine lasted for two days, and I went to the ER because my blind spot was much larger than ever before. They did a CT scan, but it came back clear, so I went home.

Two days later, I had two clots in my brain. The medical team didn’t think my migraine and stroke were directly connected, but I’ve always believed otherwise—especially since migraines with aura are a known risk factor for stroke. Looking back, it’s a reminder of how subtle and easily overlooked the signs of a stroke can be.

Stroke Sisters is a platform currently in development, designed to serve as a lifeline for female stroke survivors by offering a holistic approach to recovery. When it launches, users will be welcomed by Ava, our animated stroke-survivor avatar, who will guide them through the app and ensure they feel supported and understood from the start.

You have launched Stroke Sisters, a platform to provide female stroke survivors with trusted resources and support. Take us through the app. 

The app will feature key sections, including:

• Community Support: A global network where users can connect with other female stroke survivors, share experiences, and find encouragement.

• Resources: Easy access to the most trusted stroke recovery resources, tools, and information, curated from leading stroke experts and organizations.

• Confidence Coaching: Programs designed to help users rebuild their confidence and redefine their sense of self, featuring mindset exercises, video lessons, and progress tracking.

• Daily Inspiration: Uplifting messages, survivor stories, and motivational content to keep users engaged and optimistic about their recovery journey.

• Progress Tracking:Tools to help users set goals and monitor improvements across their mental, emotional, and physical recovery.

The platform will offer free and premium versions, ensuring accessibility while providing advanced features for those seeking a deeper dive. Although it’s still in development, Stroke Sisters is being created to be a comprehensive support system for women rebuilding their lives after a stroke, filling the gaps that traditional recovery often overlooks.

You have also launched a Crowdfunding Campaign. What is your goal?

Our Kickstarter campaign aims to raise $73,000, which is actually half the amount we need to build the full Stroke Sisters platform, but it will provide us with a solid foundation to get started. This funding will allow us to develop the core features of the app, such as the supportive community, trusted resources, and confidence-building tools that are essential for female stroke survivors.

Our mission is to empower women to take charge of their recovery journeys, providing the emotional, mental, and social support often missing in traditional stroke care. This campaign is the first step in bringing that vision to life, and every contribution gets us closer to creating a transformative resource for women rebuilding their lives after a stroke.

How can we support the campaign? 

There are several meaningful ways you can support our Kickstarter campaign and help bring Stroke Sisters to life:

• Make a Contribution: Every donation, no matter the size, helps us reach our goal of raising $73,000 to develop the platform.

• Spread the Word: Share the campaign link with friends, family, and social networks. Awareness is key, and your voice can help us reach people who believe in empowering female stroke survivors.

• Engage on Social Media: Follow our updates, like, comment, and share our posts to help amplify the message.

Your support will help create a life-changing platform for the women who need it most, providing them with the tools and community to rebuild their lives after a stroke.

• Kickstarter campaign: https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/strokesisters/stroke-sisters-helping-women-find-strength-after-stroke
• Website: https://strokesisters.com/
• Stroke Sisters on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61571318672213

While we build the Stroke Sisters app, survivors can get inspiration and support from women who’ve been in their shoes by joining our private Facebook group for female stroke survivors: https://www.facebook.com/groups/863606961939170