The Office of Sen. Megan Dahle announces that Dahle recently presented Senate Resolution 40 on the Senate floor‚ officially recognizing May as Stroke Awareness Month in California. The resolution carries personal significance for Dahle and her family, as she recently experienced a stroke herself.
In December 2023‚ Dahle said she was hospitalized for heart complications. While she was in the hospital‚ a blood clot formed and led to a stroke that was quickly remediated. “That quick response made all the difference in my recovery,” said Dahle. “The truth is‚ strokes happen far too often — nearly 1 in 4 adults will experience a stroke in their lifetime‚ and more than 795‚000 people in the United States suffer a stroke each year.”
In the immediate aftermath‚ Dahle said she leaned on an intensive rehabilitation regimen. Physical‚ speech and occupational therapists worked alongside her daily‚ guiding exercises to rebuild strength in her right side and retrain neural pathways critical for language and speech. By early February 2024‚ only weeks into therapy‚ she was back in constant contact with her legislative team‚ monitoring bills and district issues.
Dahle said she is still currently navigating both apraxia and aphasia — language disorders that often follow a stroke. While these conditions affect speech and the ability to communicate‚ they do not affect intelligence, Dahle points out. “People with aphasia still have their thoughts‚ ideas and opinions. They are still the same people‚ with the same minds and hearts. I know this firsthand.”
Dahle said her experience has reshaped her perspective and strengthened her resolve. “Raising awareness about stroke‚ recovery and the realities of aphasia and apraxia is now part of my mission — both as a legislator and as a survivor,” she said.
One of the most important ways people can protect ourselves and their loved ones is by learning to recognize the signs of a stroke. A simple acronym — FAST — can help:
- Face drooping
- Arm weakness
- Speech difficulty
- Time to call 911
Quick action can save lives and improve outcomes, said Dahle. She encourages everyone to take a moment to learn more about strokes and how to respond.
