Garrett Tyler's Severe TBI Road to Recovery
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$6,880 raised of $80.2K
19 donations
Garrett’s Story
Our son Garrett has always been a kindhearted, easygoing young man who enjoys being with friends and family. As a sophomore at Grand Valley State University, he was studying business and working a summer job with a local landscaping company. He loved being active and outdoors.
On August 1, 2024, our lives changed in an instant when Garrett suffered a severe TBI while wakeboarding.
Garrett was enjoying the day on the lake with his grandparents, siblings, aunts, uncles, and cousins. While attempting a 180 jump on his wakeboard, his head hit the water, causing impact to his brain which resulted in a subdural hematoma.
Garrett began swimming back to the shore before losing consciousness in the water. Family members rescued him and immediately began CPR until paramedics arrived. He was resuscitated and rushed to University of Michigan Hospital in Ann Arbor, MI where surgeons performed an emergency craniectomy that ultimately saved his life.
Garrett was given a Glasgow Coma Scale score of 3 (the lowest possible score) indicating the deepest level of unconsciousness. His condition was critical and the doctors were not sure if he would make it through the night.
Garrett spent five weeks at U of M Hospital. During that time:
- He was eventually removed from a ventilator and received a tracheostomy
- He had a feeding tube surgically placed
- His brain swelling gradually decreased
- He opened both eyes after 19 days!
- He began moving his fingers and toes
- He fought and overcame pneumonia
- He underwent a cranioplasty on August 26
- He started following simple commands and began to move his hands and legs
- He eventually was able to give us his first smile!
Garrett was then transferred to Select Specialty Hospital in Grand Rapids for two weeks as he continued emerging from a minimally conscious state. His breathing strengthened, he was weaned off the tracheostomy, and he was able to begin participating in therapy.
From there, Garrett was admitted to Shirley Ryan AbilityLab in Chicago, IL for the next 6.5 weeks receiving amazing, 24-hour medical and rehabilitative care. He was given three hours of therapy each day, and Garrett made great progress while there:
- He took his first bites of real food
- His feeding tube was removed
- He took his first steps!
- He spoke his first words!
- We began to see Garrett emerge as he was able to interact with us.
After Shirley Ryan, Garrett was transported to Hope Network Neuro Rehabilitation in Grand Rapids, MI where he participated in an intensive inpatient neuro-rehab program for six months, receiving five hours of therapy per day.
On May 2, 2025, Garrett was finally able to come home!
Garrett has continued outpatient therapy at Hope Network; however, due to insurance limitations, his therapy coverage will stop at the end of December 2025. While Medicaid may provide some support, it does not offer therapy at the same intensity or specialization.
We are so thankful that Garrett’s healing potential remains strong.
Research shows that individuals Garrett’s age and health profile can continue to make meaningful neurological improvements for many years - even up to 20 years post-injury. As his parents, we are committed to giving him every opportunity to continue healing and reclaim his independence.
Garrett continues to face significant daily obstacles, including:
- Short-term memory loss
- Post-Traumatic Amnesia (difficulty recalling personal information, family, school, and church)
- Incontinence
- Muscle tone and spasticity (the natural, low-level tension in muscles at rest)
- Extreme physical and mental exhaustion
- Heightened skin sensitivity
- Balance challenges and fall risk
- Frequent “zoning out” episodes
- Slow mental processing
- Daily tasks taking much longer than a typical 21-year-old
- Need for 24-hour care (currently provided by mom)
We are seeking support to cover out of pocket expenses to fund therapies, equipment, and care that will allow Garrett to continue progressing and allow him to gain his independence.
Fundraising Goals:
“Marathon Fund” - $26,200
Long-Term Care & Future Needs for Garrett
Bathroom Upgrade - $10,000
Safety & Ease of Use
Therapy Equipment - $7,000
Home-based Therapy Gym
Functional Neurology - $7,000
Hyperbaric oxygen treatments and neuro-rehabilitation to support neuroplasticity
Intensive Out-of-State Therapy - $12,000
Immersive Rehabilitation Program
Vision Therapy - $4,000
Multisensory Photobiomodulation for TBI
Ongoing Expenses - $6,000
Full-time caregiving, supplements, red-light therapy, massage therapy
Future Exploratory Therapies - $8,000
Emerging and specialized TBI rehabilitation options
Garrett’s journey is a miracle. By Gods grace, we have seen what intensive therapy, expert care, relentless hope and a wonderful community of support can accomplish.
Thank you for walking alongside us, praying for us, and helping Garrett continue his marathon towards independence!
Much love,
Ryan & Shannon