Brynn's Lupus Fund
Donation protected
Welcome to Brynn Newman's Lupus Fund. If you have already contributed to this campaign, we deeply thank you. As most of you know by now, my niece, Brynn is 14 years old and has recently been diagnosed with Systemic Lupus Erythematosus. Her parents are Ryan and Janna Newman. Ryan and Janna have had ups and downs like everyone else has in life but I think it is time to hear their story (from my perspective) because although they have always risen to the challenges, the illness of their daughter has been financially and emotionally draining and they really do need help.
Here is their story:
Ryan and Janna met near Belton, TX in July 2000. Janna had taken a position as an elementary school teacher and Ryan was posted at a nearby Army base. Ryan was a city boy from Orange County, CA and Janna was a farm girl from North Central Kansas. Yes. You're right. I don't know what they had in common but it was not for me to question (insert laughter here). I believe we considered Ryan as "a keeper" when he visited the farm and, despite his fear, entered the cow lot with my dad to work cattle. The city boy proved himself and inherited our large family through marriage in 2002.
Ryan and Janna moved to Kansas in January 2003. Ryan was stationed at an Army base nearby and Janna continued to teach. In April 2003, Ryan started his first year long deployment to Iraq. Brynn was born during his absence in 2003. Ryan returned in April 2004 and tried to adjust to life back in the states. This was difficult and Janna said she felt like he wasn't even home.
He was deployed again in February of 2005 and returned in March of 2006. Ryan was medically discharged from the Army in October 2006. He adamantly insisted to Janna that he did not want to live "anywhere where it was hot" so they moved (of course) to Arizona (obviously too many IED explosions around him rattled his brain and he must have been holding the map upside down....I'm kidding people) . Ryan moved in February 2007 followed by Brynn and Janna in May.
Adjusting to civilian life was difficult the first time but Ryan experienced severe PTSD upon his return. The VA diagnosed him with TBI traumatic brain, spine and neck injuries. His shoulders, knees, and feet all had injuries and both eardrums were blown out. He is classified at over 100% disabled from the VA. At one point, Ryan was taking almost 20 pills a day. Knowing he needed additional help to be the husband and father he wanted to be, Ryan reached out to support systems put in place for veterans. He spent 30 days traveling with the Wounded Warriors and attended the PTSD in-clinic in Tucson while Janna supported him by continuing to teach elementary school and raising their four children. His biggest success was when he discovered The American Service Animal Society. He and Janna tell it best:
https://azpbs.org/horizon/2018/02/american-service-animal-society/
Ryan and his service dog, Gus, had made remarkable progress until September 2016 when Ryan was involved in a serious traffic accident in Mesa. Rather than drive over the small car in front of him, Ryan chose to take the concrete wall with his Silverado. At first, emergency personnel thought he was fine but as time passed and Ryan became more confused, it was necessary to have him transported to the hospital. Here is the initial report of that accident:
https://www.abc15.com/news/region-southeast-valley/mesa/2-people-suffered-serious-injuries-during-car-crash-on-us-60-in-mesa
Ryan's progress had been compromised. He was diagnosed with a concussion which was an injury that set him back emotionally and physically. Further, an existing shoulder injury was compounded by this accident and Ryan underwent surgery and physical therapy for it January 2018. The accident investigation itself, took so long that his vehicle was impounded for almost a year before the situation was settled which resulted in more financial (hiring a lawyer) and emotional stress.
Now it's 2018. Brynn, their beautiful 14 year old red head, has been diagnosed with Lupus. At first, no one really noticed what was happening. The lack of energy, the attitude, and the lack of communication screamed "teenager" but after a family get together in Texas in June, a few of us noticed things that didn't seem right. Upon their return to Arizona, Ryan and Janna sought medical treatment for Brynn when the fever did not seem to subside for any notable amount of time. The blisters on her feet and in her mouth could have easily been misdiagnosed. But with the doctors at Phoenix Children's Hospital never giving up on trying to get to the bottom of what her malady was, Brynn is now at home.
Since her second release from Phoenix Children's Hospital, the air conditioning unit to her room has broken resulting in water damage and the need for her to relocate in the house. The disease and rash are agitated by the heat. Ty (her older brother) was in an accident the day they released her from the hospital. During a monsoon rain, a woman just stopped on the freeway and Ty hit her from behind. She thought she was on the shoulder, but was not. The claims, however, are against the insurance of the one who hit from behind which is yet another stress on Ryan and Janna. I jokingly proposed installing roll bars on each of them but they did not think I was very funny.
The bottom line is...they need the help. It really does put into perspective one week that I thought was particularly bad.....my car broke down....my AC in my house did not work....and my dog died. That is nothing compared to what they have dealt with and will continue dealing with. All of them. This disease is sneaky. This disease is not obvious. This disease is easily misdiagnosed. We feel blessed to still have Brynn with us. As all of you know, Brynn is currently undergoing treatment . I am posting Janna's latest update and once again asking for prayers and if you can spare it, a few dollars in donations. Read the latest update from Janna to see how Brynn is doing ( I will be posting it shortly). It will fill you with hope and joy.
God Bless All of You!
Beth
Here is their story:
Ryan and Janna met near Belton, TX in July 2000. Janna had taken a position as an elementary school teacher and Ryan was posted at a nearby Army base. Ryan was a city boy from Orange County, CA and Janna was a farm girl from North Central Kansas. Yes. You're right. I don't know what they had in common but it was not for me to question (insert laughter here). I believe we considered Ryan as "a keeper" when he visited the farm and, despite his fear, entered the cow lot with my dad to work cattle. The city boy proved himself and inherited our large family through marriage in 2002.
Ryan and Janna moved to Kansas in January 2003. Ryan was stationed at an Army base nearby and Janna continued to teach. In April 2003, Ryan started his first year long deployment to Iraq. Brynn was born during his absence in 2003. Ryan returned in April 2004 and tried to adjust to life back in the states. This was difficult and Janna said she felt like he wasn't even home.
He was deployed again in February of 2005 and returned in March of 2006. Ryan was medically discharged from the Army in October 2006. He adamantly insisted to Janna that he did not want to live "anywhere where it was hot" so they moved (of course) to Arizona (obviously too many IED explosions around him rattled his brain and he must have been holding the map upside down....I'm kidding people) . Ryan moved in February 2007 followed by Brynn and Janna in May.
Adjusting to civilian life was difficult the first time but Ryan experienced severe PTSD upon his return. The VA diagnosed him with TBI traumatic brain, spine and neck injuries. His shoulders, knees, and feet all had injuries and both eardrums were blown out. He is classified at over 100% disabled from the VA. At one point, Ryan was taking almost 20 pills a day. Knowing he needed additional help to be the husband and father he wanted to be, Ryan reached out to support systems put in place for veterans. He spent 30 days traveling with the Wounded Warriors and attended the PTSD in-clinic in Tucson while Janna supported him by continuing to teach elementary school and raising their four children. His biggest success was when he discovered The American Service Animal Society. He and Janna tell it best:
https://azpbs.org/horizon/2018/02/american-service-animal-society/
Ryan and his service dog, Gus, had made remarkable progress until September 2016 when Ryan was involved in a serious traffic accident in Mesa. Rather than drive over the small car in front of him, Ryan chose to take the concrete wall with his Silverado. At first, emergency personnel thought he was fine but as time passed and Ryan became more confused, it was necessary to have him transported to the hospital. Here is the initial report of that accident:
https://www.abc15.com/news/region-southeast-valley/mesa/2-people-suffered-serious-injuries-during-car-crash-on-us-60-in-mesa
Ryan's progress had been compromised. He was diagnosed with a concussion which was an injury that set him back emotionally and physically. Further, an existing shoulder injury was compounded by this accident and Ryan underwent surgery and physical therapy for it January 2018. The accident investigation itself, took so long that his vehicle was impounded for almost a year before the situation was settled which resulted in more financial (hiring a lawyer) and emotional stress.
Now it's 2018. Brynn, their beautiful 14 year old red head, has been diagnosed with Lupus. At first, no one really noticed what was happening. The lack of energy, the attitude, and the lack of communication screamed "teenager" but after a family get together in Texas in June, a few of us noticed things that didn't seem right. Upon their return to Arizona, Ryan and Janna sought medical treatment for Brynn when the fever did not seem to subside for any notable amount of time. The blisters on her feet and in her mouth could have easily been misdiagnosed. But with the doctors at Phoenix Children's Hospital never giving up on trying to get to the bottom of what her malady was, Brynn is now at home.
Since her second release from Phoenix Children's Hospital, the air conditioning unit to her room has broken resulting in water damage and the need for her to relocate in the house. The disease and rash are agitated by the heat. Ty (her older brother) was in an accident the day they released her from the hospital. During a monsoon rain, a woman just stopped on the freeway and Ty hit her from behind. She thought she was on the shoulder, but was not. The claims, however, are against the insurance of the one who hit from behind which is yet another stress on Ryan and Janna. I jokingly proposed installing roll bars on each of them but they did not think I was very funny.
The bottom line is...they need the help. It really does put into perspective one week that I thought was particularly bad.....my car broke down....my AC in my house did not work....and my dog died. That is nothing compared to what they have dealt with and will continue dealing with. All of them. This disease is sneaky. This disease is not obvious. This disease is easily misdiagnosed. We feel blessed to still have Brynn with us. As all of you know, Brynn is currently undergoing treatment . I am posting Janna's latest update and once again asking for prayers and if you can spare it, a few dollars in donations. Read the latest update from Janna to see how Brynn is doing ( I will be posting it shortly). It will fill you with hope and joy.
God Bless All of You!
Beth
Organizer and beneficiary
Beth Merklein
Organizer
Oregon, MO
Janna Newman
Beneficiary