While I don't recommend stroke to anyone as a solution for anything, it isn't all shame and frustration. Stroke recovery can be a magical experience for both the patient and their caregiver. No one chooses to have a stroke, but that doesn't mean that our choices won't lead to stroke. 800,000 people a year suffer a stroke. It's not uncommon, but stroke survivors are still a select few. There is, however, an enormous mechanism for helping stroke survivors. If you've suffered a stroke you are not alone, not even close.