Jenn Keeley: Finding Strength Through the Unexpected

By the age of 27, Jenn Keeley had already survived two ischemic strokes.

Today, at 44, she continues to navigate the lasting effects of those strokes, along with a seizure disorder and other health challenges. Yet despite the obstacles she has faced, Jenn’s story is ultimately one of determination, resilience, and rediscovering joy.

Jenn’s first stroke occurred in October 2009. Just weeks later, in November, she suffered a second stroke. An underlying blood-clotting disorder known as Factor V Leiden contributed to the events. At the time, Jenn was also experiencing severe seizures, including one that lasted for several days.

Before her strokes, Jenn was pursuing a master’s degree in social work and had a clear vision for her future. She loved writing and had already published several poems by the time she graduated from high school.

Everything changed after a seizure that occurred while she was with her mother and stepfather. Unlike after her previous seizures, she did not wake up for four or five days. The situation became so critical that Last Rites were read.

When Jenn finally regained consciousness, she had no memory of who she was.

She carried a note with her that read: “My name is Jenn. I had a stroke.”

The strokes left Jenn with significant memory deficits and language difficulties. Although she could understand the meaning of words, she often struggled to retrieve and say them—one condition of several that are known as aphasia. She would become lost in the hallways of her own home and relied on notes placed throughout the house to help her navigate daily life. There were reminders everywhere: notes on her bedroom door, bathroom mirror, kitchen cabinets, and a ribbon tied to her chair at the dining room table. One note reminded her to brush her teeth and how. Another reminded her to feed the dogs. Simple tasks that once required no thought now demanded careful planning and structure.

The strokes occurred on the right side of Jenn’s brain, leaving the left side of her body weaker, although she did not experience paralysis.

Adjusting to this new reality was emotionally devastating.

“I had my life planned out,” Jenn recalls. “Suddenly I couldn’t do what I used to do.”

Like many stroke survivors, she experienced anger, frustration, grief, and depression. Yet even in those difficult days, her determination never disappeared. She created systems, adapted, and found ways to move forward.

A major turning point came when Jenn began volunteering with children in art programs. For the first time since her strokes, she was spending time outside the home without family members by her side. The experience helped rebuild her confidence and sense of purpose.

In October 2025, Jenn began volunteering at a local food pantry.

“I love it,” she says. “I work with a great group of people.”

The position provides something equally valuable: independence. While Jenn lives with her mother, who serves as her primary caregiver, volunteering gives her opportunities to make decisions, contribute to her community, and enjoy a sense of freedom.

Managing her seizure disorder remains an ongoing challenge. In 2024, Jenn made the difficult decision to undergo surgery to have a Vagus Nerve Stimulator (VNS) implanted. The device helps reduce seizure activity by sending electrical signals through the vagus nerve. The decision was not easy. Doctors recommended the procedure, but Jenn viewed it as an invasive intervention with no guarantees. Ultimately, she decided the potential benefits outweighed the risks.

For the most part, the device has helped significantly.

However, on April 6 of this year, Jenn experienced a frightening seizure that left her family deeply concerned. She remained unconscious for an extended period and was unusually confused when she woke up. After taking a week to recover, she returned to the food pantry.

“I was worried they wouldn’t want me back,” she says.

Instead, Jenn explained her condition and the VNS device to her supervisor and was welcomed back.

Through it all, Jenn has developed practical ways to cope with uncertainty. She relies on structure, detailed notes, and a carefully maintained schedule. Most importantly, she relies on humor. “Mostly with humor,” she says. “You can’t just lie down in fear.”

One of the proudest moments in her recovery came when she realized pieces of her old self were returning. “I didn’t think I’d ever find joy again.”

Today, Jenn continues to balance her desire for independence with her need for support. Her mother understandably worries about her safety, particularly when Jenn is away from home. Over time, however, both have worked to find a balance that allows Jenn to pursue meaningful activities while remaining safe.

Whenever Jenn spends time independently with friends, coworkers, or fellow volunteers, she makes sure they understand her medical conditions and know what to do in an emergency.

Looking ahead, Jenn hopes to move closer to her father and extended family in her hometown. Being surrounded by familiar people, places, and memories would provide both comfort and support.

Despite everything she has endured, Jenn continues to write poetry, care for her dog, spend time with friends and family, and volunteer in her community.

Her perspective on life has been forever changed. “Don’t take anything for granted,” she says. “Appreciate what you have.”

Jenn also believes that difficult circumstances reveal strengths we never knew we possessed. “I believe there’s a source of strength within each one of us that will be found in the toughest situations. I have held onto that piece because it has made all the difference through the unexpected.”

For stroke survivors and caregivers alike, Jenn’s journey serves as a powerful reminder that recovery is not simply about regaining lost abilities. It is about adapting, persevering, finding purpose again, and discovering that joy is still possible, even after life takes an unexpected turn.

Finding Community Through Stroke Support Association

One piece of advice Jenn’s doctor gave her was simple: find other young stroke survivors.

Most of the stroke survivors she encountered were decades older than she was, and her doctor believed she would benefit from connecting with people facing similar challenges at a similar stage of life. He provided a list of support groups, but Jenn wasn’t particularly optimistic. She wasn’t sure anyone would truly understand what she was experiencing.

Not realizing that Stroke Support Association was based in California, Jenn reached out and learned that its online support groups were open to stroke survivors nationwide.

When she logged into her first meeting, she came prepared with a pencil and paper, ready to take constant notes to compensate for her memory difficulties.

Her first thought was, “Why am I doing this?”

The answer became clear almost immediately.

For the first time, Jenn found herself surrounded by people who truly understood life after stroke. She connected with survivors whose experiences mirrored her own struggles and triumphs. One member, Adele, was the first person Jenn had ever met who was living with both seizures and the long-term effects of stroke. Their conversations about seizures, treatments, and coping strategies became an invaluable source of support.

She also found comfort in talking with other survivors facing similar family dynamics. Members like Ali, who also lived with her mother as a primary caregiver, understood the complicated balance between maintaining independence as an adult while accepting the help that recovery sometimes requires.

Unlike many support groups that meet monthly and combine survivors and caregivers, Stroke Support Association offers separate weekly groups for stroke survivors and caregivers. The frequent meetings allow relationships to develop naturally, creating a close-knit community of people who genuinely care about one another.

Over time, many of the people Jenn met in the online meetings became friends. They now stay connected through phone calls, emails, and regular conversations outside the group.

When asked what she would say to a stroke survivor who is hesitant to join a support group, Jenn doesn’t hesitate. “I’d tell them, ‘Who’s it going to hurt? At worst, you lose one hour of your life. You need to make that choice to do it for yourself.'”

Jenn never expected a support group to make such a difference in her life. Today, she not only benefits from the encouragement and understanding she receives from fellow survivors, but also finds purpose in supporting others who are navigating similar journeys.

QUICK QUESTIONS, FAST ANSWERS

Support groups help me realize…
“I’m not alone.”

Setting boundaries taught me…
“That it’s okay to stand up for yourself.”

Stroke took some things from me, but it also taught me…
“Gratitude—and a deeper understanding of who I am.”

Coming Soon: Jenn’s story doesn’t end here. Watch for an upcoming post featuring two of her original poems—powerful reflections on resilience, hope, and finding strength through life’s unexpected challenges.

Categorized in: Stories