Overview of Solitaire Miles' Story
This Hidden Brain: My Unsung Hero story follows Solitaire Miles, who suffered a sudden stroke shortly after high school and was initially met with disbelief and suspicion by hospital staff. After being misjudged and interrogated instead of treated with urgency and care, she was defended by Sister Maura Smith, her former Catholic high school principal. Maura’s forceful intervention changed the tone of the room, protected Solitaire from further mistreatment, and provided the emotional support that helped her through a terrifying medical crisis.
Key Events
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Solitaire’s early life:
She says people often made assumptions about her because of her name, seeing her as carefree rather than serious or studious. -
Medical emergency:
Not long after graduating high school, Solitaire suddenly lost her vision and had trouble speaking. Her mother rushed her to the emergency room. -
Misdiagnosis and stigma:
Hospital staff assumed she was on drugs and dismissed her mother’s concerns. While they argued, Solitaire collapsed and entered a coma. -
Confirmation of stroke:
After nearly three days unconscious, she woke in the ICU and doctors finally recognized she had suffered a real stroke. -
Further accusation:
Even after a toxicology screen came back clean, the neurologist continued to suggest she had caused it herself, including by taking birth control pills. -
Sister Maura’s intervention:
Sister Maura Smith entered the ICU, confronted the doctor, physically grabbed his coat, and made it clear that Solitaire would not be mistreated. -
Ongoing care:
Sister Maura stayed by Solitaire’s bedside as she drifted in and out of consciousness, offering both protection and comfort.
Main Takeaways
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Bias can delay life-saving care.
Solitaire’s story shows how dangerous assumptions about a patient’s character or behavior can be, especially in emergency settings. -
Advocacy matters.
One strong, trusted person standing up for someone vulnerable can change the entire atmosphere and outcome of a crisis. -
Compassion is powerful.
Sister Maura’s actions went beyond confrontation—she stayed, supported, and helped Solitaire feel seen and safe. -
Heroism isn’t always public.
Sister Maura may not have received widespread recognition, but her actions had a lasting impact on Solitaire’s life.
About the Unsung Hero
Sister Maura Smith
- Former principal of Solitaire’s Catholic high school
- Described as large in stature, deeply commanding, and unmistakably strong
- Protected Solitaire from being blamed or disrespected during a medical emergency
- Remained by her bedside and became a lasting source of strength and inspiration
Lasting Impact
Solitaire says Sister Maura not only helped save her life, but also taught her how to be a strong woman. She stayed in touch with Sister Maura until her passing in 2015, and continues to carry her lessons with her.
Submission Note from the Show
The episode closes with the My Unsung Hero team inviting listeners to share their own stories of someone who helped them in a difficult moment, asking for short audio recordings sent by email.