On October 29, World Stroke Day, Nicolab welcomed Stacie Broek—author, speaker, advocate and stroke survivor—to our Amsterdam office. Her journey is a testament to resilience and recovery, underscoring the importance of awareness, early intervention, and ongoing support for stroke survivors everywhere.

Stacie’s Remarkable Journey of Recovery

Five years ago, at 46, Stacie suffered a stroke. Luckily her husband was with her when it happened and within 90 minutes, she was at the hospital, where doctors prepared her for a Mechanical Thrombectomy—a complex procedure to remove a blood clot. However the shape of her artery made the usual methods challenging, with a rare tortuous carotid artery. Stacie was the 10th patient to have the surgery in Japan. Eleven hours later, doctors successfully fit a stent in her carotid artery. Yet, the stroke had taken its toll—Stacie could no longer talk, walk, or even recall her children’s names.

Her recovery has been a journey of determination. When her doctor told her after her first year of recovery, “You can walk, you can talk—why not just be happy with that?” she refused to settle. Instead, Stacie’s passion for writing helped transform her challenges into a new strength. Three years later, she published her book. She believes stroke survivors to have a 2.0 version of themselves, ready to emerge. Ultimately, her story reminds us that life after a stroke is about more than just survival—it’s about thriving with purpose.

The Challenges of Rehabilitation

Stroke rehabilitation deserves as much attention as the acute phase of treatment. While most funding today goes to immediate, acute care, yet the aftermath requires just as much focus. Stacie’s story highlights the need to support stroke survivors every step of the way, ensuring that those in recovery are empowered and not left feeling forgotten.

Stacie’s story is a powerful journey of resilience. She was living a successful career in marketing, enjoying a fit and fulfilling life abroad with her three kids. However, in an instant, everything changed. She had to relearn how to speak, walk, and perform basic daily tasks. Today she advocates for stroke survivors everywhere. Every recovery deserves meaningful support and action, and Stacie exemplifies this truth. “This marks a journey of Nicolab’s commitment to using stories as a catalyst for innovation. Stories have a way of making us see beyond the data to the real human being that is in need of the right information at the right moment” – Stacie Broek.

A Catalyst for Innovation

At Nicolab, our mission is to enhance stroke care and drive innovation to improve outcomes for people affected by stroke. This year, World Stroke Day’s theme—#GreaterThanStroke—resonates deeply with us. More than ever, we understand the crucial need for rapid diagnosis and intervention, and we are committed to advancing the tools and technology that make a difference.

“Having Stacie with us today is incredibly meaningful. We’re all familiar with the statistics […], and we have a dashboard in the office that displays real-time data on stroke cases that pass through our system. Nevertheless, focusing solely on numbers can create distance from the reality behind them. Each number represents someone like Stacie—a life dramatically altered by stroke. Thus, hearing her story brings the human side of our mission into sharp focus.” – Merel Boers

Today, we honor Stacie’s courage and reaffirm Nicolab’s commitment to making a difference in stroke care. We are greater than stroke, and together, we will continue to support every life affected by it.

Want to know more about Stacie’s journey and activities within the community of stroke? Read more on her website

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