Sharon Stone, the iconic actress, openly shares her arduous journey of recovery after suffering a near-fatal stroke and brain hemorrhage in 2001. With only a 1% chance of survival, Stone faced overwhelming odds.
The stroke left Stone significantly debilitated. “I walked out of that hospital, 18% of my body mass gone, dragging my right foot, unable to write my own name,” she revealed while hosting the American Heart Association (AHA) Red Dress Collection Concert. The stroke also severely impacted her memory, leaving her unable to recall even simple things.
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Despite the immense challenges, Stone’s determination propelled her forward. She triumphantly declared, “I’m right here hosting this ball on two feet in five-inch heels, and I can do it, and I made it, and you can too.” Her recovery stands as a testament to the power of resilience and the human spirit.
Stone’s recovery was further complicated by the lack of adequate rehabilitation programs. “When it happened to me, there wasn’t a program that would help me walk again. There wasn’t a program that would stop my stuttering,” she explained. She also faced financial hardship due to a lack of insurance coverage and a contentious divorce from her then-husband, Phil Bronstein. Stone found herself destitute, facing an uncertain future.
“I had nothing. I had no money. [No career.],” Stone stated. This difficult period compounded the physical and emotional challenges she was already enduring.
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However, Stone persevered, becoming a staunch advocate for stroke awareness and urging others to fight for survival. She emphasizes the critical importance of recognizing stroke symptoms and seeking immediate medical attention. “If your face starts to fall in any way or has numbness, if your arm feels strange or numb in any way, if your speech is weird…you have no time, call an ambulance,” she warned.
Stone’s personal experience highlights the potentially devastating consequences of delayed treatment. She recounted being alone and helpless for three days after her stroke, emphasizing the urgency of calling 911 at the first sign of symptoms. “Don’t ask your friends. Don’t ask your husband or someone else, ‘What do you think I should do?’ 911, no questions asked,” she implored.
Stone’s message is clear and powerful: recognizing stroke symptoms and taking swift action can be the difference between life and death. Her story serves as a powerful reminder of the importance of self-advocacy and the unwavering spirit of survival.
