“Every time my neck stiffens,

I’m terrified it could be another stroke.”

Hyvelle Ferguson-Davis.

”I’m Hyvelle, a mother, a fighter, and I’ve faced the void that stroke threatens to trap you in.”

As one of the increasing number of younger stroke victims, Hyvelle, 41, found herself facing the void after a stroke stripped her of movement, speech, and control.

Trapped in nothingness, she thought of her children and mustered up the strength to rediscover herself and her independence.

The day she rose up from her wheelchair marked a major milestone, not only in rebuilding her life, but also in her mission to spark hope in others.

She now uses the voice she once lost to empower survivors and educate people on stroke prevention. Yet, in the quiet moments, the fear remains – the fear that the nothingness could return without warning, pulling her back into the void she fought so hard to escape.

What memory from your stroke has left the strongest impression on you?

“I was a person [who] was always kind of in control of everything, and I felt a loss of control. That was something that really stuck with me. A stroke is like a veil – it's silence. There are no words to truly fathom or [express] what to say, but it left me with a void.”

What milestones have stood out to you along your recovery journey?

“When I came home, I was in a wheelchair. It was a constant reminder of the reality that I faced. The day I got rid of the wheelchair, it showed me that I had [regained] some independence, that it's not so bad, there is still life [ahead].”

How does it feel to make your story visible through this campaign?

“I saw that people around me didn't really understand what a stroke was or what it involved. And as I went through my journey, I felt that I had to tell my story in the hope of saving someone.”

What emotions or thoughts come up when you think about the possibility of a second stroke?

“A stroke can be the only warning, and it leaves a lot of people devastated. It's not just a person who is suffering. The entire family is collateral damage. How do you come back from that? [If] a reoccurrence can be avoided I think that's a step in the right direction.”

What are your hopes for the future?

“I feel like I'm in the trenches, and to be honest, the system is fragmented. I think it's going to take a collaborative effort, with everyone coming aboard. The fact is, a stroke can be prevented, or a reoccurrence can be prevented.”

Making the invisible visible: Unveiling the unseen struggles of stroke survivors

Every stroke survivor has a story. It’s often one of trauma, resilience, and unwavering determination. But while survivors try to endure and rebuild, the fear of another stroke lingers. It’s a burden shared by their care partners, a quiet fight against the unpredictable.

Six brave stroke survivors, alongside their care partners, have opened their hearts and lives to share their journeys. Their stories reveal not just the weight of uncertainty, but also the hope and humanity that keeps them moving forward. Their experiences and emotions were transformed by visual artists into six works of art. Each piece tells a highly personal story.

“Making the Invisible Visible” invites us to recognize what’s hidden and take action to prevent what’s preventable. Because secondary stroke deserves a second look.