Impact Beyond

Just to have the opportunity to share my experiences both good and bad, and to be heard and validated gave me the confidence to believe that I had a story worth sharing, and the way Molly listens and picks out sentences, ideas, and themes gave me confidence that we were going to find a story that was really going to resonate. She simultaneously supported me and gave me the freedom to explore. I'm really proud of the story we came up with and I never would have had that without the thoughtful time, patience, and active listening that Molly provides…A great big giant THANK YOU for this opportunity and for the experience.  My whole story is about feeling invisible after stroke and what it takes to feel seen.  Working with Molly and the time she spent with me profoundly moved me. She sees me in the way I’ve always HOPED to be seen.  And for that, I am eternally grateful. - Michael

Meeting with Molly was an incredibly meaningful experience! She is so kind and encouraging, and helped me identify the important things I wanted to say. Even after the first meeting, I felt like I knew Molly and was so comfortable sharing. It was a true honor to work with Molly and gain a deeper insight into myself as a caregiver. I really came to the understanding that I have also been on a recovery journey, separate from my husband’s. I am more able to articulate my “why” for Stroke Awareness Vermont. And I learned that I have important insights to share with other caregivers. - Nikki

Molly and Beyond Stillness: Stories After Stroke are the best.  The conversations are as intimate as therapy.  This opportunity came to me at the right time.  I needed to tell my story.  I hope that this podcast continues to help stroke survivors and their families.  I hope more people share their stories.  Molly is a person that you can easily talk to and she understands.  I thank God who showed me that it wasn't time for me to go and that it was time for me to get up, speak, and help people after He saved me. I hope all stroke survivors find Molly and Beyond Stillness: Stories After Stroke so they can listen to each other’s stories, learn, and know they aren’t alone.  They will know when it’s time to get up, speak, and help people too. - Ricardo

The 1.5 months I spent working with Molly in conducting my story was an absolute invigorating experience. The zeal Molly brings each time we connect makes you feel so special. It’s one thing to get the opportunity to tell your story but she brings your story to life. I can say it gave me so much pleasure to relive the memories of how the stroke occurred.  I’m five years post and have maybe blurted a synopsis a couple umpteenth times , BUT never from an outside perspective bringing these type of details about. I now overstand my purpose even more clear! Molly I cannot Thank you enough for your timeless service in giving my thoughts a home!  - Tracey

When I started working with Molly, I didn't know what to expect. To my delight, I found the process of crafting my stroke story enlightening and creative. Molly helped me so much putting my thoughts and emotions into words that captured the essence of my story. I discovered that by sharing my story, I could encourage other stroke survivors to seize opportunities to find fulfillment in their lives. - Barry

The process and reflective conversations were very enjoyable. They helped me tell my story in a meaningful way. Each week, I shared stories about what and who was helpful throughout recovery.  I would come up with more and more between weekly meetings.  I got to focus on the meaningful and motivating parts of recovery. - Hub

It was so easy to share my story with Molly. Not only is Molly one of the nicest people I know, her deep and spiritual soul helps you not only share your post-stroke changes and challenges, but for me I discovered a deeper meaning to the word HEALING.  I miss our chats. - Ray

Since our podcast, I've gradually told family and friends about it.  The response and touching words have brought me to tears.  It has meant so much to me to receive inspiring comments from my husband, our friends, my siblings, and the women in my Bible Study group.  Initially, I was nervous about it, but I knew how important it was to share my story with others who might need that hope.  I'm also starting to attend a monthly support group at the hospital.  I want to help in any way I can. - Sue

I would highly recommend working with Molly on the Beyond Stillness podcast. The process that Molly takes you through to craft your story is gentle and accessible for all. As a stroke survivor herself, Molly completely gets what you're trying to say and what you want to get across. I loved the whole process of working on this and would recommend going on this podcast. Molly's warmth and kindness shines through in the amazing work she is doing on the podcast to shine a light on survivors and their stories. - Anna

Working with Molly from Beyond Stillness was rough but worth it. It was hard to go back through my early days of stroke recovery but Molly gave me a judgment free space to tell my truth.  If you are ready to tell your stroke story but don't know how, contact Beyond Stillness. You will not regret it. - Greg

If anyone is on the fence about doing it.  I would encourage you.  It will help you expunge any pent up frustrations.  Molly doesn't bite.  She will gently guide you through, never altering the spirit of what you want to say.  And the audience is made up of either people who have lived your experience and can relate, or people who need to hear your experience.  Don't be scared.  You have been through much much much worse. - John

Once I went within, it just flowed out of me and with Molly’s kind encouragement and help with words, it has become a very deep personal story to me and totally my truth.  - Shirley

Meeting Molly Buccola and being a small part of Beyond Stillness was a fantastic journey.  Molly is the most supportive, encouraging, and joyful/grateful person.  I looked forward to our weekly Zoom meetings as I told her of my stroke and health problems.  She asked the right questions, always listening to my heart more than my words. Going through this process and revisiting my stroke all over again strengthened my confidence and purpose.  Molly, you truly are an angel on earth. I can never thank you enough! - Phipps

The process of building the story was both easier and harder than I expected.  Easier because I suffered no writer's block.  Being damned up for 10 years, what I wanted to say came flowing out easily, and fitting it into the allotted time, forced me to focus on what was the singular, most important aspect of my experience.  Harder because going through the life changing events of the stroke, it is impossible to explain using words.  Only someone who themselves has been on that road, can fill in where my words fail to capture.  Harder also because I have one shot at telling the story accurately, and the weight of that was felt.  

The weekly meetings with Molly were a way to take something raw, and get it to fit the format.  She was a gentle editor.  Always positive.  Never dismissive (though at times she probably should have been :-))  By the time we reached a finished product, I was very happy with the final result.  What had been left on the cutting room floor wasn't because it was invalid.  It just wasn't useful for this moment and this time. - Humphrey

I’m so grateful for this opportunity. I think I’ve learned so much just from speaking with Molly and listening to prior podcasts. I wish I’d have known about this earlier in my recovery. I really would have benefitted from more realistic expectations, knowing I’m not alone in this and feeling reassured I’m not the first or only person to be struggling with recovery. I hope Beyond Stillness will please market this to recovery facilities. Such a great tool for patients from people who’ve been in and through the struggle. Legit! - Kristi