On this week's show, we chat with Kathi Koll, author of the book “Kick Ass Kinda Girl: A Memoir of Life, Love and Caregiving”. She is also the president and founder of the Kathi Koll Foundation, which offers support for caregivers. In 2005, Kathi’s husband, Don, suffered a major stroke that left him paralyzed from the neck down and on a respirator. Doctors said he would only live for 24 hours, but he went on to live for another 6 1/2 years. In this very poignant interview, Kathi details some of the highs and lows and ups and downs that she experienced as her life as a wife now included taking on the role of caregiver.
Besides all of the wonderful memories that Kathi shares about her life with her husband, topics covered in this episode include:
- how to still find joy in the midst of tragedy
- the guilt and anger that can be felt by a caregiver
- the loss of intimacy a spouse may feel as a caregiver
- the importance for a caregiver to set aside some “me time"and much, much more! This is a “must hear” interview, especially for all caregivers!
Kathi's website:
https://kathikoll.com
"Life After Stroke" is a hit radio show hosted by Emmy Award winning TV host, motivational speaker, and stroke survivor, Christopher Ewing. Join our weekly online stroke support groups! Just go to www.thestrokechannel.tv for more info and to sign up!
“Life After Stroke” is a production of the Hang On To The Dream Foundation, a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization dedicated to helping people reach their goals in life. For more information, or to make a donation, just go to www.hangontothedream.org.
Be sure to download The Stroke Channel TV app, FREE in the Google Play and iTunes App stores! Also, The Stroke Channel is now on television on Roku and Amazon Fire TV! Roku and Amazon Fire TV are the leading television platforms seen in millions of households around the world! So for news, information, therapeutic exercises, entertainment and more, all centered on Stroke, be sure to tune into The Stroke Channel, now on Roku and Amazon Fire TV!

Join stroke survivors from across the country and around the world during the “3rd Annual Life After Stroke Support Group Cruise", November 3 to November 7, 2025 aboard Royal Caribbean’s beautiful Navigator of the Seas ship, leaving round trip from Los Angeles, California, making port stops to Catalina Island and Ensenada, Mexico! Just go to www.thestrokechannel.tv for more info!

Support the show