GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. (WOOD) — Tonia Saffore of Grand Rapids was climbing the ladder of success in the hip-hop world. Then the career-focused, otherwise healthy woman experienced a stroke, bringing everything to a screeching halt.
It was July 2021. She was in her mid-40s.
“I had worked so hard in my music career to get where I was at. For that to just happen like that, I thought I was dreaming, for real, but it was reality,” Saffore, known professionally as Tye Da CEO, said.
The stroke happened while she was in Atlanta, visiting family and meeting with music executives. The stroke took her mobility and the one thing her hip-hop career hung on: her voice. What came next was depression, anxiety and debilitating panic attacks that landed her back in the hospital.
“I had no idea what was going on. It was scary because your body reacts a different way than you’re used to your body reacting,” Saffore said.
She fought for months to regain control of her body through physical and occupational therapy. At the same time, she fought for her mental health.
“It’s been a long journey. It’s been some ups and downs,” Saffore said.
Counseling, therapy, and medication helped her come out on the other side.
“They say I’m a rare stroke patient. A lot of people don’t come back to where I’m at from a stroke,” Saffore said.
From rising hip-hop star to clothing designer and entrepreneur, these days Saffore’s life looks different. As she continues her recovery, she started a clothing line called Promyss Jeanz in honor of late goddaughter.
“I feel good today,” she said. “That stroke opened up a lot of different avenues in my life.”
