Author Archives: Harshada Rajani

Last Monday marked thirteen years since my stroke. Thirteen. No one ever really recognizes the day except for me, but I don’t know if I would even want them to. Waterworks here would not be able to handle it. Is it a celebratory day? Is it a sad day? Do I want to remember it?Continue reading “All Too Well”

I’m in a “Young Stroke Survivors” group on Facebook and I saw a post the other day that said, “Today is the 19th anniversary of my stroke. It’s taken me awhile but I can say I’m happy to be alive!” It made me pause. I thought it was such a beautiful sentiment, and must beContinue reading “I Fall Apart”

When I was in the ICU, the one question I couldn’t get away from, the one that terrified me more than “Am I dying?” was “Am I going to become a burden at home?” I didn’t die. I didn’t stay a frozen vegetable. I broke out. I found my get-out-of-jail-free card and I started improving.Continue reading “Simply the Best”

I get so confused when people say they are better people because of their accident. Or that they’re so thankful for their illness. There is something in those statements that feels inauthentic, or performative in some way. It’s what people want to hear to soothe their own fears about something bad happening to their ownContinue reading “this is me trying”

(Just a quick update, but I wanted to include this song lol) I heard Rafa was coming to play a tournament in D.C. for the first time and normally I wouldn’t think twice about it (too much effort, hard to get accessible tickets, etc). But because of yes year and all that, my brother, sister-in-lawContinue reading “Heat Waves”

How am I still an optimist? You would think that the world would have beaten every last bit of positivity out of me. But no, it’s still there, sticking it’s annoying head out at every opportune moment – whispering it’s affirmations, as naive and bright-eyed as ever. These corny whispers totally ruin my street credContinue reading “Mr. Brightside”

“Your best days are not behind you,” said Nik, my good friend from college a few weeks ago. We were at our friend Ankur’s wedding, catching up and reminiscing like we always do. We had way too much fun in college and we know my memory is creepy-good, so it’s always wildly entertaining. But this time,Continue reading “Waiting on the World to Change”

Taking Back My HappinessRead on the Huffington Post!

My Love/Hate Relationship With the BrainRead on the Huffington Post!

I Found My Voice in a Hopeless Place Read!