Please Help Maja and Branson Blair
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A once-in-a-lifetime experience, a day of memories made...that is what Branson and Maja anticipated on August 21st. However, a scary medical event eclipsed the excitement of that day. Branson shares their story below.
THE STORY
On Monday 8/21, we were in Ninety Six, SC to view the total eclipse. We had been swimming with Ronin our 9 month old and JT our 10 year old as well as many friends and family. During the eclipse, Maja had taken Ronin in to avoid looking at the sun and was watching the eclipse on TV with a few other people while most of us were on the dock.
Around 2PM, I went inside to see what they were doing and Maja was feeding Ronin while watching the eclipse on TV. I noticed she was feeding him with the spoon upside down and asked her what she was doing. When she answered, I thought maybe she was speaking Bosnian but then asked again and nothing made any sense and she was talking like it made sense to her.
I called 911 immediately assuming she was having some kind of stroke. They arrived in 10 minutes and by 2:40pm we were pulling her out of the ambulance just as the eclipse went totally dark. It was completely surreal and unbelievable.
THE DIAGNOSIS
At Self Regional, they confirmed a stroke with a clot in the MCA left hemisphere of the brain. They were able to administer a clot busting drug called tPA, after which they flew her to Columbia, SC where they were able to go in and remove the clot manually.
The cause of the stroke was from a dissection of the Carotid Artery where the inner wall broke and tore off a section which traveled to her brain. It's very rare for someone in their 40's and we may never know the cause of the tear. It could be genetic or possibly because of excessive coughing, as we have both had bronchitis lately.
Today (8/24), the aphasia is very obvious but is improving each day. She I'm is able to talk a little more each day and is starting to get more names right.
THE HELP
When storms turn up, sometimes you don't know what your needs are. You just know you need to keep your head above water. We can help meet their needs as they come by donating a financial gift. Every gift matters and it means so much more than a dollar sign. Your gift also represents hope and encouragement, that Branson, Maja, and the kids are supported and loved. It's LOVE IN ACTION, so let's love them well!
THE STORY
On Monday 8/21, we were in Ninety Six, SC to view the total eclipse. We had been swimming with Ronin our 9 month old and JT our 10 year old as well as many friends and family. During the eclipse, Maja had taken Ronin in to avoid looking at the sun and was watching the eclipse on TV with a few other people while most of us were on the dock.
Around 2PM, I went inside to see what they were doing and Maja was feeding Ronin while watching the eclipse on TV. I noticed she was feeding him with the spoon upside down and asked her what she was doing. When she answered, I thought maybe she was speaking Bosnian but then asked again and nothing made any sense and she was talking like it made sense to her.
I called 911 immediately assuming she was having some kind of stroke. They arrived in 10 minutes and by 2:40pm we were pulling her out of the ambulance just as the eclipse went totally dark. It was completely surreal and unbelievable.
THE DIAGNOSIS
At Self Regional, they confirmed a stroke with a clot in the MCA left hemisphere of the brain. They were able to administer a clot busting drug called tPA, after which they flew her to Columbia, SC where they were able to go in and remove the clot manually.
The cause of the stroke was from a dissection of the Carotid Artery where the inner wall broke and tore off a section which traveled to her brain. It's very rare for someone in their 40's and we may never know the cause of the tear. It could be genetic or possibly because of excessive coughing, as we have both had bronchitis lately.
Today (8/24), the aphasia is very obvious but is improving each day. She I'm is able to talk a little more each day and is starting to get more names right.
THE HELP
When storms turn up, sometimes you don't know what your needs are. You just know you need to keep your head above water. We can help meet their needs as they come by donating a financial gift. Every gift matters and it means so much more than a dollar sign. Your gift also represents hope and encouragement, that Branson, Maja, and the kids are supported and loved. It's LOVE IN ACTION, so let's love them well!
Organizer and beneficiary
Justin Tanner
Organizer
Pendleton, SC
Branson Blair
Beneficiary
