Tania Saiz

she/her/ella - New York

LYB Mindset Facilitator

About me: I am an ischemic stroke survivor who experienced a hemorrhagic conversion (fancy words for brain bleed) less than a week later. Despite my stroke being misdiagnosed and not benefiting from any medical intervention, I've had miraculous outcomes. Since August 2020, I've spent the better part of my time in physical and occupational therapies- along with cognitive remediation and vision therapy. In May of 2023, a mild concussion opened a doorway to creative play and a new career as an artist.

Why LYB: I was lucky to connect with other survivors shortly after coming out of the hospital and learned about LYB programs. I've been thankful to be a part of this community and learned so much through the Mindset, Yoga, and retreat programs. As I’ve healed and settled a bit into life with a brain injury, my heart wants to give back. My hope as an ambassador and facilitator is to join together to hold space for us to share our experiences – to learn, laugh, cry, inspire, and be inspired.

Superhero: My brother Alan is my superhero. He passed away in 2017 from a glioblastoma brain tumor. While he was battling cancer, he survived multiple strokes that impacted him cognitively, his speech, and shifted his personality. Alan never once complained about the deficits, the impact, or the treatments, and I remember he leaned into mindfulness. I wish I'd known as much about the brain at that time. He’s a part of my healing, I trust in his energy, and am inspired to work hard in my recovery.

Resources: Thanks to my experiences with LYB, the door has opened to living life as a neurodivergent artist. My work is all about setbacks and the act of embracing the perfection of imperfection. You can find me on instagram @stroke_maven. I celebrate my journey, resources that support me, and the courageous vulnerability of others on my blog, A Stroke of Luck.