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A survivor’s story – a stroke of genius

Hey there, time traveller!
This article was published 13/12/2019 (2156 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

In 2016, while swimming laps at Pan Am Pool, Dianna Rasing suffered a stroke. She made it to the end of her lane, but quickly realized no matter the amount of air she tried to take in, she couldn’t catch her breath.

As a young, fit person, Dianna was having trouble comprehending what was happening to her. “I worked out quite regularly. I swam three times per week. I ate well.”

Rasing, a mother of two little boys, knew she was in trouble.

“I had no idea what was going on with my body, but I knew I had to find a way out of the pool.” A lifeguard helped her get onto the pool deck.

“She said, ‘I think you’re having a stroke,’ but all I could think was I’m too young for that. I’m fit, I don’t smoke, and I can carry on a conversation, that can’t be.”

What Rasing didn’t know is that heart disease and stroke is the #1 cause of premature death for women. After the alarm rang, the EMS team came on site and evacuated the pool. Despite the life-threatening emergency, Rasing now says that her first thoughts is that she wished she had been fully clothed to face what was happening to her.

As many women do, Rasing’s thoughts travelled from her well-being to that of those around her. Unable to speak, Rasing used her skills as a sign language interpreter to communicate her symptoms, to the paramedics, signing, ‘I can’t feel my left arm.’

On the ambulance ride to St. Boniface, Rasing’s positive personality still shone through as she tried to bring levity to the situation.

Dianna spent two weeks in hospital and another eight weeks in Riverview recovering. Unfortunately, the majority of programming and services weren’t designed for younger, active people, otherwise in good health.

And even though her stroke would change the course of her life, she insists, “There’s always a bright side.”

Rasing began to journal her progress, trying to find humour in new situations. She began to meditate, took her yoga teacher training course and started performing in a comedic theatre group entitled ‘Strokes of Genius,’ with a friend of hers who also had a stroke that same year.

“It’s really important to stay connected, laugh and lean on those around you,” she says. “I’m slower now, more tired, more often. But you have to keep going – stay positive, and please, don’t ignore the signs.”

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