I'm Sybil Jones, the voice behind Mamas and Coffee® — where we empower women through REAL and RELATABLE conversations about ALL aspects of life. You'll also find me talking about stroke (I am a stroke warrior)to raise life-saving awareness and a light sprinkle of MilSpouse Conversations because, well, I'm also a military spouse.
Stroke Talks Weekly Newsletter - World Stroke Day Was Yesterday… But Stroke Awareness Doesn't Expire!
|
Hey FABulous Reader! Well, yesterday was World Stroke Day, and guess who didn't get her newsletter out on time? ME! 🙋🏽♀️ SMH Now, how am I going to talk about stroke awareness all year long and then be a day late for World Stroke Day? SMH But here's the thing. Stroke awareness doesn't begin and end on October 29. And that's exactly why I decided to send this newsletter today instead of skipping it altogether. Because when it comes to stroke, the conversation is ALWAYS worth having. Why World Stroke Day MattersEvery year on October 29, people around the world recognize World Stroke Day. Established by the World Stroke Organization in 2006, the observance is celebrating its 20th anniversary this year! The purpose is to bring attention to stroke prevention, recognizing the warning signs, the importance of timely treatment, and supporting people living with the effects of stroke. And here's something I want you to remember: Stroke can happen to anyone, at any age. I'm living proof of that. On April 17, 2021, my life changed when I experienced an ischemic stroke caused by a rare condition known as carotid webbing. I certainly wasn't expecting it, and I had no idea how much my life would change afterward. But here I am, more than five years later, still learning, still growing, and still sharing my story. Not because I want stroke to define who I am, but because I know sharing my experience might help someone else. Want to learn more about the history and purpose of World Stroke Day? Visit the World Stroke Organization. Every M1nute Counts!This year's World Stroke Day campaign continues the theme Every M1nute Counts, encouraging people around the world to recognize stroke symptoms and act quickly. And let me tell you, those minutes matter! According to the American Stroke Association, an estimated 1.9 million brain cells die every minute that a stroke goes untreated. That's why I talk about B.E. F.A.S.T. so often. Knowing the warning signs could save your life or the life of someone you love. Here's your reminder:
And please don't wait around to see if someone feels better. Even if the symptoms disappear, call 911. A stroke is a medical emergency. I always say, know the signs because you never know when you might need to recognize them in yourself, a loved one, or even a complete stranger. Know the signs. Save a life. You can learn more about recognizing stroke symptoms through the American Stroke Association's B.E. F.A.S.T. resources. And check out the 2026 World Stroke Day campaign to learn more about Every M1nute Counts. At Stroke Talks, Awareness Happens EVERY DayWorld Stroke Day may be one day on the calendar, but at Stroke Talks, we're having these conversations throughout the year. We're sharing survivor stories, discussing the realities of life after stroke, talking about the challenges people don't always see, and creating opportunities for survivors, caregivers, and loved ones to connect. Because recovery isn't always about what you can see on the outside. Sometimes it's the fatigue, the emotional changes, the frustration, or the adjustments you never imagined having to make. Sometimes it's learning to navigate a body that doesn't always feel the way it once did. And sometimes it's simply wanting to talk with somebody who understands. That's one reason Stroke Talks is so important to me. I want people to know they're not alone in their experiences, and I want those who have never experienced a stroke to better understand what life afterward can look like. We can educate, encourage, share a few laughs, and have some REAL conversations along the way. And speaking of conversations… ☕️ Let's Sip & Yap in November! Virtual and always FREEWe're getting together for TWO Stroke Talks Sip & Yap gatherings in November, and I'd love for you to join us! Monday, November 2 | 1–2 PM ETGrab your coffee, tea, water, or whatever you're sipping, and come hang out! No formal topic. No pressure to have the perfect thing to say. Just an opportunity for stroke survivors, caregivers, and loved ones to connect and enjoy some conversation. Sometimes you just want to YAP! 😂 Thursday, November 19 | 7–8 PM ETWe're getting together again, and since Thanksgiving is right around the corner, let's have a little fun! Come prepared to tell us about your FAVORITE Thanksgiving dish. Or better yet, tell us about the WORST Thanksgiving dish you've ever cooked or eaten! Because listen… we all know somebody who needs to stop bringing that ONE dish to the family gathering! 😂😂 Seriously, though, these gatherings are about building connections, sharing experiences, and making room for a little laughter. One Last Thing Before You Go…If you take nothing else away from this newsletter, please remember that stroke awareness isn't just for stroke survivors. It's for EVERYBODY. Learn the warning signs. Share them with your family. Talk to your friends. And don't dismiss symptoms because someone seems too young or too healthy to have a stroke. You never know when that knowledge might make all the difference. And to my fellow stroke warriors, caregivers, and families navigating life after stroke, I see you. ❤️ We're all on different journeys, but there's so much we can learn from one another. So yes, I was a day late with this newsletter. But I think we can agree that a message about saving lives is always worth sharing. Well… unless somebody is showing stroke symptoms. Then we need you to move FAST and call 911! No waiting until tomorrow like I did with this newsletter! Until next time, keep learning, keep sharing, and keep being FABulous! Much love, Sybil aka MomJonz P.S. Know someone who could benefit from this message? Forward this newsletter to them. You never know whose life you might help save by sharing a little knowledge. ❤️ While you're there, leave us a comment, give the video a thumbs-up, and subscribe to the Stroke Talks YouTube channel. 🏆 A Little Shameless Self-Promotion! Can I Ask You a Favor?Alright, Stroke Talks family, I'm about to ask y'all for a little favor! And yes, I'm shamelessly asking (cause I really do struggle with making the ask for support). The American Stroke Association is accepting nominations for its Stroke Hero Awards, and I would love your support! Since experiencing my stroke in April 2021, I've made it part of my mission to help bring more awareness to stroke, including lesser-known causes like carotid webbing and the challenges survivors face that aren't always visible. Through Stroke Talks, I share real conversations with fellow survivors about their experiences, recovery, and navigating life after stroke. With Mingle Mondays, I'm creating a welcoming space where survivors can connect with people who understand. I don't do this work for recognition, but if there's an opportunity to shine a little light on what we're building here, why not? If you believe in the work I'm doing, I'd be honored if you'd nominate me, Sybil Jones/Stroke Talks, for a Stroke Hero Award. There are two categories you might consider: ❤️ Survivor Hero: Recognizes stroke survivors who use their personal experiences to educate, inspire, and raise awareness about stroke. ❤️ Community Impact Hero: Recognizes individuals or groups making a difference through stroke education, awareness, community engagement, and efforts to improve stroke-related health opportunities. Choose whichever category you feel best represents my work. Here's my nominee information to make completing the form a little easier:
🏆 NOMINATE ME FOR A STROKE HERO AWARD Nomination deadline: November 4, 2026, at 8 p.m. Central Time. 🎙️ Got a Stroke Story to Share? Let's Talk!I want to hear YOUR story! Whether you want to sit down and yap with me LIVE, write a guest blog post, or record a short video to share on Stroke Talks social media, I'd love to hear from you! We all have different experiences, and you never know who might need to hear yours. Interested? Head over to StrokeTalks.com and submit your information. I'll reach out to discuss next steps and scheduling. Let's get your story out there! ❤️ Thank you for being part of Stroke Talks, sharing these conversations, and helping me continue to spread stroke awareness. I appreciate every one of you! AND keep an eye out for my next virtual Mingle Monday. |
Mamas and Coffee®
I'm Sybil Jones, the voice behind Mamas and Coffee® — where we empower women through REAL and RELATABLE conversations about ALL aspects of life. You'll also find me talking about stroke (I am a stroke warrior)to raise life-saving awareness and a light sprinkle of MilSpouse Conversations because, well, I'm also a military spouse.
Hey FABulous Reader! I came across an article about younger people having strokes, I can't help but think about my own experience. Because if someone had told me years ago that I would have a stroke at 43, I probably would've looked at them like they had lost their mind. A stroke? ME? At 43? But here I am, five years later, a stroke survivor. I recently came across an article in The Washington Post discussing how strokes are becoming more common among adults under 55. One study found that...
Mamas and Coffee® October 27, 2026 ☕The Weekly Brew Hey, FABulous Reader, I'm late, but I'm here!!!! What's brewing with you this week? I've been thinking about friendships, celebrating our accomplishments, and how sometimes we make ourselves smaller just to keep other people comfortable. Girl...WHAAATTT?! We're going to get into that this week, along with some upcoming opportunities to connect, a new Coffee Chat, and a little favor I'd love to ask you. Grab your coffee, tea, wine, or...
The Mamas and Coffee® Newsletter ☕ THE WEEKEND BREW Empowering Women One Sip At A Time Happy Saturday, , Grab your coffee, tea, or whatever you're sipping on this morning, and let's yap for a minute. I've been thinking about friendships lately. Not necessarily those ride-or-die, we've-been-friends-since-the-third-grade friendships, but just having people in your life you can enjoy. Somebody you can call up and say, "Girl, you wanna grab lunch?" Or somebody you can sit around with, laugh about...