Brynn Brothers is the one-year-old daughter of Taylor Smithers and Ryan Brothers, and little sister to her best friend, Addy. Brynn has got to be one of the happiest little girls that I have laid eyes on! She’s always smiling, laughing, always just genuinely happy! You would never guess she would be going through what she is going through. Brynn had been experiencing concerning symptoms that Taylor noticed before her first seizure in March of 2025. The doctors believed this seizure was a febrile seizure due to Brynn testing positive for a virus. Although, the doctors decided to do an MRI due to Brynn experiencing Todd’s paralysis of her left side. They claimed it came back fine, just showing a seizure had occurred. Taylor had a feeling that there was more going on considering Brynn started to show increasing signs of developmental delay. Taylor started questioning, asking for testing, advocating the way that any mother would do! With the help of their amazing pediatrician, referrals started being sent out. Brynn was referred to Vermont to see the neurologist there. She was scheduled for an EEG which came back inconclusive due to Brynn having a hard time with the test. She was scheduled for a sedated MRI to happen this month (September), as well as genetic testing to be done at the end of the month. Unfortunately, on August 5th Brynn had another seizure. This one lasting approximately 20 minutes. Brynn was taken to the local hospital where they decided to send her to Syracuse Golisano Children’s Hospital by flight as they are better equipped to handle this situation. On the flight to Syracuse, Brynn had another seizure. After she was admitted to the hospital, she was prescribed a daily anti-seizure medicine. Brynn also had to go through a variety of testing while she was there. EEG (this came back abnormal), sedated MRI (also abnormal), and at that point they had also started the first set of genetic testing. However, in order to do the second set, Brynn would have to be discharged from the hospital and get the remaining set of genetic testing done outpatient for insurance purposes. Brynn had to stay in Syracuse until August 8th. The morning of August 8th Brynn had another appointment with the geneticist where they were able to perform the second set of genetic testing. Since starting the anti-seizure medication Brynn has not had any seizure activity and we hope and pray that it continues this way.

However, on Tuesday, September 2nd, Taylor received a phone call from Syracuse to set up a Telehealth visit for the next day. At this point, Taylor knew that Brynn’s genetic test results were in.

Wednesday, at approximately 8:30, I received a message from Taylor that read “it’s not good.” A picture and description to follow which read:

“Alexander disease (AxD) is a rare, progressive, and usually fatal neurological disorder that damages the central nervous system's white matter. It's a type of leukodystrophy, a group of conditions that affect the brain's white matter and myelin, the fatty covering that insulates nerve fibers.” With Brynn’s case starting before the age of 2, it is considered infantile which is a severe form of this disease.

Brynn has been diagnosed with this absolutely devastating disease. The family is crushed and devastated. They are the most wonderful family I have had the pleasure of working with for the last 7 years. Taylor and I have grown very close over the last couple of years as well. One thing I can tell you is, she is the absolute best mom to her kids! She has the biggest heart, she’s a listening ear, she is tough, strong, resilient, and as her friend, I could not be more PROUD of her for how she has handled herself through all of this! When I tell you this family is the most wonderful family, I mean it. They won’t ask for anything, not for help, not to be a shoulder to lean on, nothing. They always try to handle everything on their own. While I admire that more than anything, I knew when Brynn was in the hospital back in August I had to do something. We are currently working on putting together a benefit for this sweet girl and her family as well, and there will be postings of that as well to follow. Please check here for ANY updates about Brynn, we will try to keep everyone as updated as we can!

Unfortunately, this area does not have adequate services for Brynn. The family will have to travel multiple hours to specialists that have knowledge of this disease. Brynn will have ongoing weekly therapies to ensure she has the best quality of life, as well as other appointments. This GoFundMe has been created for medical expenses for Brynn, traveling expenses, copays, and truthfully just to make sure that this little girl is given the very best life. I have no doubt in my mind that as a community, we can make this happen for her! If you can’t donate that is okay, please just share and send all of your love and prayers to this sweet little girl and her loving family! They all need us now more than ever! We love you Brynn!

ALL proceeds and donations will go directly to Taylor and the family!

#TeamBrynn

#FightForBrynn