This is a difficult step to take, to come before you and invite you into our struggle, into our pain. My precious daughter, Karlyn, and her husband Brett Cornelison need help. Brett’s parents and I are reaching out because we need you to help us help them.

As you hear our story, please know that we are asking for help because the workers’ compensation system has failed us. Medical mistakes and unjust practices have led us to this place. It will be a minimum of 4-6 months before we will be able to be heard in court. Meanwhile, he receives no income, no medical coverage for his treatment.

This sweet family has done everything they can and their families and friends have stepped up in so many ways, but it just isn’t enough. So here we are.

On June 10, 2025, our lives changed forever in a single moment. My son-in-law, Brett Cornelison, had been in a work accident. He was hit in the head by an excavator bucket while at work. At the hospital, the scans of his brain showed no bleeding, fractures, or visible structural damage. Thankfully, Brett was wearing his hard hat and this saved his life. However, we would soon learn that not all injuries can be seen on a scan.

The medical providers initially involved in Brett’s care made mistakes and misdiagnoses. After nearly a month of confusion, tears, and desperation, we finally found the right help. Brett was referred to a wonderful specialist and that appointment changed everything. That same day, she ordered detailed imaging and referred him to multiple specialists — Ophthalmology, Speech Therapy, and Occupational Therapy. Through these appointments, we began to uncover the full picture of his injuries, including a traumatic brain injury (TBI), cranial nerve palsies in both eyes, acquired motor speech disorder, cognitive communication deficit, significant impairment with cognitive functioning, and a C5-C6 disc herniation causing cervical myelopathy which requires surgery. Each new diagnosis was both devastating and validating. Finally, there were answers — but there was also the realization that the road ahead would be long, painful, and uncertain.

On September 22nd, a judge ruled that the opinion of one physician hired by the workers’ compensation company was enough to overturn the hundreds of pages of medical documentation and opinions from Brett’s occupational therapist, speech therapist, neurosurgeon, ophthalmologist, occupational medicine physician, and the pain management and rehabilitation physician.

This means Brett receives no wage benefits, no medical coverage for his treatments, no surgery that is needed.

Brett’s journey is far from over, but every day he keeps fighting — for his recovery, for his family, and for the life he’s determined to reclaim. We are asking that you will help with this fight. With Karlyn’s income alone, the monthly bills and other expenses will be beyond what we can all cover. In the end, we hope for justice, but as we battle, we need your help.

We are forever grateful for your consideration in donating. We also ask for prayers, which we need more than ever. We are so blessed to have Brett with us and we have seen light in the darkness. Thank you.