Indianapolis, IN
The internet has become an endless collection of information and networking that we have all grown familiar with. I credit LinkedIn as the source of my most recent connection – a woman by the name of Jennifer Chapman reached out when she saw the parallel between us.
I’ve had a handful of people on the professional social media site come forward as survivors: sales leaders, marketers, software developers etc.
I look at them beyond the fancy titles to see their humanity. Their fortitude and victories. Their struggles and tears. I empathize and understand how difficult it can be to navigate a corporate space [or entrepreneurship] in the face of a disability.
How Jennifer was able to make a career pivot after experiencing debilitating brain trauma in 2017, is especially encouraging to those who have similar stories; hers began as any other:
“As I was leaving the house after getting ready for work, I felt overwhelmingly dizzy and started to sweat profusely. A couple of minutes later, I called my aunt. My voice was changing, and it felt like my throat was closing. I called 911 and got to the hospital very quickly. The doctors were not able to diagnose my stroke for the first 10-12 hours; the first doctor just thought it was vertigo. They finally acknowledged it was a stroke and I stayed in the ICU at the hospital for a week, acute rehab for 10 days and outpatient therapy for four months.”
She had a clot in three areas of her brain that led to an ischemic stroke. Ischemic strokes are the most common of the stroke types, accounting for over 80% in the U.S. (source).
For some, they are left with physical impairments; ones that are obvious to the eye - crooked smiles, curved arms, a limp walk, delayed speech - for others, it can be difficult to spot at first glance.
“The clot on the right side has affected my left peripheral vision. The spot in the back on my brain affected my voice, ability to swallow for a short time, and paralyzed a vocal cord – this can affect my ability to take deep breaths depending on what I am doing. The spot on the left side of my brain, affected my entire right side, leaving me with sensitives to hot and cold.”
Jennifer’s personal road to recovery plan combined four months of physical, occupational and speech therapy on top of many trips to a neuropsychologist and neuro-ophthalmologist for vision concerns.
She would eventually take a step back from her high intensity, seasoned, often stressful sales career as revelations about her life’s purpose moved to the forefront.
“15 months post-stroke after seeing a couple different therapists, I was still not where I wanted to be mentally and emotionally. I hired a life coach for myself and worked with her for several months. The defining moment of finding my purpose and moving forward came from embracing the new version of me.”
Drawing from her own experience, Jennifer decided to branch out into something more fulfilling. Alongside her new work in home healthcare, she developed “Just Commit Coaching,” in 2020 - a life coaching business. Her credentials are currently in progress under the direction of Master Method Coach, Alyssa Nobriga from The Institute of Coaching Mastery.
I saw a similar revelation – it drove me to establish my own space for advocacy to build a community of support on behalf of survivors, particularly for young people with brain injuries.
What Jennifer has found most useful pursuing her coaching certification, is identifying internal roadblocks, acknowledging them, and realizing that those roadblocks exist to protect us.
“I help people figure out how to move through the roadblocks to be more efficient and productive.”
She finds most of her clientele via social media, local networking groups and often referrals who are looking to regain direction, feel discouraged or ‘stuck.’
Her stroke has been a blessing in disguise.
“It has given me tremendous perspective on life: finding gratitude in the small things, not getting swept up in the things that are outside of our control; filling my cup first is priority so that I can then serve others at my highest self. You have to want change bad enough to find and create change. It is 100% mindset and attitude. Work within yourself to start seeing the results that you want.”
Later this summer, Jennifer will be taking part of a collaboration on inspirational stories and overcoming challenges. She is also a candidate for ‘Impact Woman of the Year’ for the American Heart Association of Indiana – that campaign started in February.
You can find more information on Jennifer and ‘Just Commit Coaching’ on IG @justcommitcoaching.
Fast5 Facts:
Define Success: Freedom
Coffee or Tea of Choice: Chai Tea
Who/What Is Your Motivator: My Mom
What Balances You: Stillness
Favorite Color: Purple