Kim Zolciak-Biermann Reflects on How Having a Stroke Changed Her Life
The former "Dancing With The Stars" contestant opened up one year later.
— -- One year after Kim Zolciak-Biermann suffered a stroke, the former "Dancing With the Stars" contestant is opening up about what she's learned from the health scare.
While flying home from Los Angeles to Atlanta after a rehearsal with her professional partner, Tony Dovolani, Zolciak-Biermann suffered a transient ischemic attack, also known as a mini-stroke, on Sept. 23, 2015.
It forced the reality star to drop out of the ABC reality competition. Zolciak-Biermann tried to return to the ballroom, evenlaunching a petition to be reinstated, to no avail.
On Instagram, Zolciak-Biermann, 38, shared a throwback photo of her with Dovolani competing on the ballroom floor and another photo of her in the hospital following the stroke.
"1 year ago today my life changed. Having a stroke has changed me in so many ways. At 37 I thought I was invincible ..boy was I wrong," she started in a caption.
"I thank God everyday that I'm still here on this planet," Zolciak-Biermann continued. "I didn't know that would be my last dance however I wasn't feeling that good that day, even @tonydovolani noticed something was off but rather than listen to myself I pushed through. Not smart."
The mother of six then opened up about what she learned from the health incident.
"We have to listen to ourselves, especially us women," she said. "We put our husband and children before us often times and we need to really listen to our bodies. There is (usually) warning signs."
Zolciak-Biermann concluded, "[L]isten to your body, it can happen at any age. Love you guys and appreciate all your support! Maybe someday Tony & I will make it back to an All Star [edition]."