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A Q&A with Kamaria T. Richmond
Location: Mitchellville, Maryland
Occupation: Producer and Host of The Stroke Diva Fabulous Show
https://linktr.ee/kamariatrichmond
In 2004, Kamaria had a hemorrhagic stroke on the left side of her brain. It robbed her of her ability to read, write, walk, and talk. With therapy, willpower, and the determination to rebuild her life, the aspiring media personality started an online radio show that is now in its 12th year.
Q: What was life like before the stroke?
K: I worked for Nordstrom for almost 10 years. My last position was the East Coast Assistant Buyer for St. John. And I worked at White House Black Market for three months as a Manager.
I was active in my church, Unity of Washington, D.C., as a lay-leader and in the prayer ministry. I spent time with family, friends, and my sorors of Sigma Gamma Rho, Sorority, Inc. I loved driving, traveling, dining out, dancing, wine tasting, going to the theatre, museum hopping, reading, writing, and more. I had an extremely active lifestyle.
Q: Describe the day that it happened.
K: I had the stroke in November 2004, a few days after Thanksgiving. I had been having horrible headaches for a few days. I was suffering from symptoms of sarcoidosis[1] and a thyroid condition. I was really sick, I could barely walk. Around 3 a.m. or 4 a.m., I tried to send an email to a friend and could not read or write. I thought I was just tired. I went to bed and woke up 18 hours later when emergency medical technicians broke down my door and rushed me to the hospital.
Q: What was your hospital experience like?
K: The first hospital did not have a neurologist on staff. I was transferred to another hospital and waited for what seemed like hours for a doctor to see me. My family was present during the time of the ambulance arrival and hospital visits. I do not remember when I was told I had a stroke. I knew I had a bleed on the left side of my brain. It was a very scary time. I'm told I took it all in stride. I had no idea what was going on in the beginning of this journey. I was 37 and at that time, it was not common for someone so young to have a stroke.
Q: Describe the challenges that it left you with, and how did you deal with them.
K: I learned how to read, write, walk, and talk all over again with cognitive, vision, occupational, physical, and speech therapy. I still have challenges in reading and writing, vision field cuts/deficits, cognitive ability, and short-term and long-term memory loss. I thank God, family and friends that I have made it this far.
Q: How did this experience lead to the creation of The Stroke Diva Fabulous Show?
K: My sorority sister, Ananda Leeke, created the platform for me to get engaged on social media to help me become a part of what was going on in the world. I had become very isolated. My major in college was Radio, Television, and Film with a minor in Afro-American Studies. So a podcast was the perfect fit. And it became, and continues to be, a part of my cognitive therapy.
Q: Describe the show and how it has evolved over the years.
K: My podcast highlights entrepreneurs, authors, educators, leaders, artists, and people from all walks of life. I interview and share their stories; whatever they are working on, with my audience. The show is live and recorded and I post on social media. Since 2011, I've used the platform TalkShoe.com. Now, I also upload to Anchor/Spotify and use Canva for graphics to post the show on social media. It has been a huge learning curve.
Q: What lessons have you learned from the people you interview?
K: I learn something new with every interview. I am inspired by my guests. Almost everyone has something they are overcoming and they want to share it with the world to make themselves and others better. I think we are all looking to live our best life, but sometimes it takes a little longer when you are faced with a devastating life-altering challenge.
Q: Any advice for new stroke survivors about courage, tenacity, following their dreams or even forging a new path?
K: I am short on advice, except to say, stay positive, stay hopeful, stay prayerful, ask for what you need from your doctors, healthcare professionals, therapists, family, and friends. Tell yourself and believe that you will get through it. It will not be easy. It will take time. But, stay the course. It's never too late to accomplish your dream or even have a new dream. All things are possible. Just BE in the present moment. I thank God for my miraculous life lesson and blessing every day.
Q: What would you say has surprised you about having a stroke? What have you learned from it?
K: I was surprised at having a stroke at the age of 37. Life was busy, fun, sometimes stressful. I had so many hopes and dreams for my future and they were cut short, so I thought at the time. But, I have learned you can overcome any challenge with God, family, friends, and great doctors by your side. I've learned that I am stronger than I ever realized. And, each day is a blessing and a chance to move forward to becoming the best version of myself possible.
Q: What’s next?
K: I started writing a book about my journey some years ago. It is about how social media has helped me navigate the digital world we live in. I'd like to finish it and I would like to keep learning, growing, and getting better in every area of my life.
[1] Sarcoidosis is a disease characterized by the growth of tiny collections of inflammatory cells in any part of the body, most commonly the lungs and lymph nodes. It can also affect the eyes, skin, heart, and other organs. There is no cure. Source: Mayo Clinic
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