National Stroke Awareness Month gives local women a chance to remind women of stroke risks

Author and stroke survivor Vivian L. King and physician Bridgett Moss invite you to an important conversation about strokes

National Stroke Awareness Month gives author Vivian L. King and Dr. Bridgett Moss a chance to warn women of a risk factor that can strike when you least expect it. King knows first-hand that a stroke can happen to anyone at anytime. Her book, “When the Words Suddenly Stopped: Finding My Voice Again After a Massive Stroke,” details the day she collapsed at a local event. She suffered a seizure, later learning that it was a stroke caused by a blood clot over the part of the brain that manages speech. The clot began bleeding, killing her brain cells, which left her mute for three-and-a half weeks.

“The entire episode was a shock to me and everyone around me,” King said. “I don’t have high blood pressure. I don’t have a history of stroke in my family. I am relatively active, and I don’t smoke. Doctors say taking birth control pills over the age of 40 is what led to a blood clot and, ultimately, my stroke.”

“I was surprised that Vivian doesn’t remember any of her doctors verbally sharing this risk with her before her stroke,” said Dr. Moss. “However, her testimony is powerful, and I hope together we can help women and others think about their health holistically and become partners with their health care professionals.”

African American women are twice as likely to suffer a stroke compared to white women, and they are more likely to have more severe strokes and at younger ages. Most people worry about the more common stroke causes: high blood pressure, obesity, physical inactivity, heavy drinking, use of illicit drugs, smoking, high cholesterol, diabetes, and family history. Birth control pills are the last risk factor on many lists King found when doing her research.

“Half the women I talk to are wide-eyed when I share that I was 49, taking birth control pills and that caused my stroke,” said King. “I wrote this book to start a dialogue that urges women to talk with their doctors if they are still taking birth control pills. I want to prevent this from happening to any other women.”

King and Dr. Bridgett Moss will be talking about what you need to know about strokes at The Collective at Bayshore Mall on Thursday, May 19 from 3 – 5 p.m. It is located at 5700 N. Bayshore Drive in Glendale, formerly Brooks Brothers. If you miss that, King will also be at the Wisconsin Black Historical Society on Saturday, May 21 from 1 – 3 p.m. It is located at 2620 W. Center Street. King’s book, “When the Words Suddenly Stopped: Finding My Voice Again After a Massive Stroke” will be available for purchase. For more information or to reserve your spot, call (414) 899-3027.

About Vivian L. King

Vivian King is an award-winning author, speaker, communications expert and connector who helps you find and share your voice by leveraging the media, moderating with confidence, and motivating you to boldly share your world-changing messages with the communities that need to hear them. She founded Vivian L. King Connections LLC in the same year she wrote her book, “When the Words Suddenly Stopped: Finding My Voice Again After a Massive Stroke,” which was an Amazon bestseller in three categories, and received first place in the 2021 global Author Elite Awards and first and second place in two categories of the 2022 National Bookfest Awards. King is also a professionally trained voice actor and moderator and often participates in workshops and forums. Before founding her business, King enjoyed an extensive career in broadcast journalism, public relations and community relations. She grew up in University City, Missouri and earned a Bachelor of Journalism degree from the University of Missouri – Columbia.

About Dr. Bridgett Moss, DO, FAAFP, ABIOM

Dr. Bridgett Moss, is a native of Milwaukee, Wisconsin with more than 15 years of healthcare expertise. She is dually certified within Family and Integrative Medicine. She attended North Division High School and participated in the medical specialty program. She received her Bachelor of Science degree in Biology with a minor in Chemistry from the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater. She received her medical degree from the Des Moines University School of Osteopathic Medicine. She attended the University of South Florida residency program in Internal Medicine & Pediatrics. Her medical residency training was completed at Aurora’s St. Luke’s in Family Medicine. She was the Chief Resident at the central city site (Aurora Sinai) caring for the underserved/underrepresented patient populations. In 2019, Dr. Moss completed the Andrew Weil Center of Integrative Medicine Program in Tucson, Arizona. She received her Integrative Medicine Board Certification in 2021. Her continued success is fostered by her husband and their two daughters.