"Brynspiration" after Brain Aneurysm

On May 20, 2019, Bryn, 26, collapsed while on her afternoon run in Anchorage, Alaska, where she and her boyfriend, Derek, were working as critical care nurses. Bryn sustained a ruptured brain aneurysm, traumatic brain injury and subarachnoid hemorrhages, requiring life saving surgery. She spent 30 days as a patient in the very ICU where she had been caring for others. While there, she endured many complications, including a second brain hemorrhage, requiring yet another life saving surgery. A nurse friend who was caring for Bryn in the ICU created the term "Brynspiration" to describe Bryn's tenacity to keep going, despite statistics and set backs. Bryn was transported by LifeMed to Craig Hospital in Denver where she began her rehabilitation journey that continues today. After 5 neurosurgeries (in 7 weeks!), Bryn continues to tackle brain injury with the same "all in" passion and hard work that she has always approached life with. There is so much to be thankful for. Bryn's fight for her life has turned into a fight for words and the return of the use of her right hand and arm. We are committed to stand by Bryn as she battles through apraxia, aphasia and hemiplegia. Intensive language therapy programs will give Bryn the best chance at partial or full recovery of language. Costly and not covered by insurance, there are only a handful of these programs in the U.S. We hope to see Bryn attend two intensive sessions in 2020. We will travel to The University of Michigan Aphasia Program in January and Craig Hospital Aphasia Program later in 2020. JB (dad) and Robyn (mom) have begun this GoFundMe campaign to help with extensive language therapy that is not covered by insurance. Our hearts full of gratitude as we have been sustained by the prayers, love and support of our friends since May 20. Please continue to pray with us for Bryn’s full recovery.