Lisa Deck was just 21 when she had her first stroke. She would go on to have three more, as well as face a rare diagnosis of moyamoya disease. For World Stroke Day, we’re sharing her incredible story of survival and living with a chronic illness.

Fact: 60% of Americans live with at least one long-term health condition—and many of them face daily pain. We asked some of these very patients to share reality-tested ways they’ve learned to take control of their lives.

Living with a life-altering disease is undeniably challenging. But it can also be full of triumphs if you embrace one simple mantra: It’s just a bad day, not a bad life.

When the first cases were reported 35 years ago, it meant certain death. But thanks to advances in science, people with HIV can now lead healthy lives. People like activist Kevin Maloney, who’s on a mission to ensure others like him get that chance.

In just three years, HealtheVoices has had a big impact on the online health advocate and patient blogger community. Here’s how it came to be—and where it’s headed.