Brett's Story: Back to College after a Traumatic Brain Injury

Summary

Brett, a pre-med biology major, faced a life-altering accident in 2016, leaving him unconscious and with minimal chances of survival. Through persistent therapy at Shirley Ryan AbilityLab, he made incredible progress, from regaining speech with a song to walking and driving. His resilience led to a shift in his career goal to Recreational Therapy, aspiring to help others with similar adversities. The script highlights the transformative power of a positive mindset and the supportive role of the AbilityLab's therapists, who have become like family, in Brett's remarkable journey.

Takeaways

• 🤝 The script begins with an encouragement to make a fist, showing the start of a physical therapy session.
• 🗓️ The accident that changed Brett's life occurred on January 4, 2016, during his freshman year in college.
• 🎓 Brett was a biology major with a pre-med focus, aiming to become a doctor.
• 🏂 The accident happened while skiing, resulting in Brett being unconscious and requiring CPR from his father.
• 🚑 Brett was given a 10% chance to live and only a 1% chance to live with functioning abilities.
• 🔄 The therapy for Brett started immediately, even before he was fully conscious, focusing on reviving him.
• 🎵 Music therapy played a crucial role in Brett's recovery, as his first words were the lyrics of a song he sang.
• 💪 Brett's positive attitude and belief in a growth mindset were key factors in his determination to overcome challenges.
• 🚶‍♂️ Initially unable to walk, Brett progressed from having his legs moved by therapists to walking independently.
• 🏥 Brett's recovery was marked by regaining abilities such as breathing, eating, and walking, which were initially lost.
• 🏃‍♂️ Brett's goals shifted from running to becoming a Recreational Therapist, wanting to help others with similar experiences.
• 🎓 Brett's return to Indiana was a testament to his resilience and the impact of the Shirley Ryan AbilityLab's therapy.
• 👨‍⚕️ The therapists at Shirley Ryan AbilityLab became like family to Brett, who continues to exceed expectations in his neuropsych eval exams.
• 🌟 Brett's future is seen as bright and promising, with the potential to do special things and achieve his goals.

Q & A

What did Brett do before the accident?

Brett was a freshman in college, majoring in biology with a pre-med focus. He always wanted to be a doctor.

What happened to Brett during the skiing accident?

Brett went off a jump, landed incorrectly, and knocked himself unconscious. He wasn't breathing, and his father had to perform CPR on him.

What were the initial chances given for Brett's survival and functioning?

Brett was initially given a 10% chance to live and only a 1% chance to live and be functioning.

How did therapy begin for Brett?

Therapy started on day one even when Brett was not conscious, with the aim of bringing him back to life.

What was the first sign of Brett's recovery?

The first sign of Brett's recovery was when he started singing a song during music therapy, which was his first words after the accident.

What was Brett's attitude towards his recovery process?

Brett had an unbelievable attitude and was a true believer in the positive growth mindset, always pushing himself.

How did Brett's physical therapy progress?

Initially, Brett couldn't walk at all. Therapists would move his legs for him in the harness. Eventually, Brett started moving on his own.

What were the significant improvements in Brett's condition after therapy?

After therapy, Brett was able to walk out the door, which was unexpected as he couldn't breathe, eat, or walk when he arrived.

What changes did Brett make in his life after the accident?

Brett changed his major in college to Recreational Therapy, with the goal of becoming a therapist to help patients going through similar problems.

What was the impact of Brett's recovery on his family and therapists?

Brett's recovery was described as awesome, and his determination and progress exceeded everyone's expectations, including his family and therapists.

What did the therapists at Shirley Ryan AbilityLab tell Brett in his last exam?

In his last exam, the therapists told Brett that he could be and do anything he wanted to, acknowledging his progress and achievements.

Outlines

00:00

🤕 A Skiing Accident's Aftermath

The script begins with a personal narrative of a severe accident that occurred on January 4, 2016, during Brett's freshman year in college. Brett, a biology major with aspirations to become a doctor, faced a life-threatening skiing accident that left him unconscious and with a slim chance of survival. His recovery journey started immediately, even before regaining consciousness, with the first words he spoke being lyrics from a song during music therapy. The paragraph highlights Brett's determination and positive attitude, which played a crucial role in his recovery process.

💪 Overcoming Adversity Through Rehabilitation

This paragraph details Brett's rehabilitation process, emphasizing his physical and mental progress. Initially, he was unable to walk, and therapists had to move his legs for him. However, through persistent therapy, Brett gradually gained the ability to move independently. The paragraph also mentions his transition from being completely dependent on others to being able to walk out the door by himself, symbolizing a significant milestone in his recovery. It showcases the role of his positive mindset and the support from his family and therapists in overcoming his physical limitations.

🏃‍♂️ Brett's Transformation and Future Aspirations

The narrative shifts to Brett's transformation post-accident, where he not only regained his physical abilities but also found a new passion and purpose in life. His goals, once focused on running, have evolved, and he has started driving and changed his major to Recreational Therapy. Brett aspires to become a therapist to help others facing similar challenges. The paragraph also highlights his return to Indiana and the awe-inspiring progress he has made, turning a tragic accident into a story of resilience and hope.

🌟 Excellence in Rehabilitation and Future Prospects

The final paragraph discusses Brett's ongoing relationship with the Shirley Ryan AbilityLab, where he continues to exceed expectations during his neuropsychological evaluations. The therapists, who have become like family, play a significant role in his life. The narrative concludes with a powerful statement from his last exam, where Brett was told he could be and do anything he wanted, reflecting his proven resilience and determination. The paragraph ends on a hopeful note, suggesting that Brett is destined for greatness.

Keywords

💡Fist

The term 'fist' refers to a hand with the fingers curled tightly against the palm. In the script, making a fist is a physical action that symbolizes Brett's determination and strength in his recovery process. It is a metaphor for his resilience and the physical effort required to regain control over his body.

💡Accident

An 'accident' is an unforeseen and unplanned event, often resulting in injury or damage. In the context of the video, the accident refers to Brett's skiing incident that led to severe injuries and near-death experience. This event is central to the narrative, as it sets the stage for Brett's journey of recovery and transformation.

💡Biology Major

A 'biology major' is a student who is studying biology as their primary field of study, often with a focus on pre-medical studies. Brett was a biology major with a pre-med focus, indicating his initial career goal to become a doctor. This background is significant as it contrasts with his later shift to a major in Recreational Therapy, demonstrating his personal growth and change in aspirations.

💡CPR

CPR stands for Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation, a life-saving emergency procedure performed when someone's breathing or heartbeat has stopped. In the script, Brett's father had to administer CPR after the accident, highlighting the severity of his condition and the immediate life-threatening situation he was in.

💡Therapy

Therapy, in this context, refers to medical or psychological treatment aimed at helping someone recover from an illness or injury. Brett's therapy began even before he was conscious, emphasizing the critical nature of his condition and the proactive approach taken by his medical team. Therapy is a recurring theme in the video, showcasing the gradual yet significant improvements in his physical and cognitive abilities.

💡Music Therapy

Music therapy is a type of therapy that uses music to address physical, emotional, cognitive, and social needs of individuals. In the script, music therapy plays a pivotal role in Brett's recovery, as it helps him to speak again by singing a song. This method not only aids in his physical recovery but also serves as a powerful emotional and motivational tool.

💡Harness

A 'harness' in the context of physical therapy is a device used to support and assist in movement, especially for those with mobility issues. Brett's use of a harness during his therapy sessions illustrates the gradual process of regaining his ability to walk, moving from needing assistance to eventually walking independently.

💡Neurological Recovery

Neurological recovery refers to the process of regaining function and abilities following a neurological injury. Brett's journey showcases a remarkable neurological recovery, as he moves from being unconscious and unable to perform basic functions to walking, talking, and eventually driving. This recovery is central to the video's narrative, highlighting the resilience of the human spirit.

💡Rec Therapy

Recreational Therapy, or 'Rec Therapy', is a therapeutic approach that uses recreational activities to improve physical, cognitive, emotional, and social functioning. Brett's decision to change his major to Recreational Therapy reflects his personal transformation and desire to help others who have experienced similar challenges. This shift in career path is a key element in the video, demonstrating his growth and newfound purpose.

💡Shirley Ryan AbilityLab

The Shirley Ryan AbilityLab is a research hospital focused on physical medicine and rehabilitation. Mentioned in the script, it is where Brett undergoes his therapy and makes significant progress. The institution represents a place of healing and transformation, playing a crucial role in Brett's recovery and his family's emotional journey.

💡Neuropsych Eval

A 'neuropsychological evaluation' is a comprehensive assessment of cognitive, behavioral, and emotional functioning, often used to identify and understand the impact of neurological conditions. In the script, Brett's neuropsych eval exams are mentioned as a measure of his progress, indicating his exceeding of expectations and his ongoing cognitive recovery.

Highlights

Brett's accident occurred during his freshman year in college while skiing, resulting in unconsciousness and CPR.

Brett was a biology major with a pre-med focus, aspiring to become a doctor.

Initially, Brett was given a 10% chance to live and only a 1% chance to live with full functionality.

Therapy for Brett began immediately, even before he was conscious, aiming to revive him.

Music therapy played a crucial role in Brett's recovery, as he sang his first words during a session.

Brett's positive attitude and growth mindset were key factors in his determination to overcome challenges.

Physical therapy helped Brett regain the ability to walk, starting with therapists moving his legs and eventually walking independently.

Brett's recovery included regaining the ability to breathe, eat, and perform basic functions.

Brett's progress was so remarkable that he was able to walk out the door when he left the rehabilitation center.

Brett's goals included running, an activity he loved and aimed to return to post-accident.

Brett has recently started driving, indicating significant progress in his recovery.

Brett changed his major in college to Recreational Therapy, aspiring to help others with similar experiences.

Brett's return to Indiana was met with awe and admiration for his resilience and determination.

Therapists at Shirley Ryan AbilityLab became like family to Brett, providing ongoing support and evaluation.

Brett exceeded all expectations in his neuropsych eval exams, demonstrating his remarkable progress.

Brett's future is now seen as bright and promising, with the potential to achieve anything he sets his mind to.

In his last exam, Brett was told he could be and do anything he wanted, a testament to his resilience and recovery.

Transcripts

Come on, make a fist.

Yeah!

Now, can you do me a favor?

Brett, can you open it up?

Open up your fist.

Open it up.

The accident was January 4, 2016.

It was Brett's freshman year in college.

He was a biology major with the pre-med focus.

Brett always wanted to be a doctor.

I was skiing one day with my dad,

and I went off a jump and I

landed past landing like ten feet

and knocked myself unconscious.

I actually wasn't breathing.

My dad had to give me CPR.

I was only given a 10% chance to live

and only given a 1% chance

to live and be functioning.

They started therapy day one with Brett not even being conscious.

They started bringing him back to life.

Brett couldn't speak and we kept trying to get him to talk

and they would ask,

"What music does Brett like?"

“Keep your eyes on the road”

As soon as he started singing

Brett just belted it out.

So it was that was Brett's first words.

Was that song during music therapy here.

He's always pushing himself.

He's got an unbelievable attitude.

He's of the true believer of the positive, you know, like the growth mindset.

Like if you think you can do it, you can do it.

At first, he couldn't walk at all.

The first time they put Brett in the harness,

the therapist would actually sit on the side and move his legs for him.

So they would do it again

and again and again.

Then, all of a sudden,

Brett was able to start moving on his own.

Brett was not able to breathe

when he came here, He wasn't able to eat, walk.

He couldn't do anything.

So when we left here that day, Brett

walked out the door, and we never thought he'd walk again.

My goals were running.

I love running to this day.

I just started driving.

I just changed my major in college to Rec Therapy.

He wants to be a therapist and work with patients that have gone through

and are going through similar problems with what he has.

When Brett went back to Indiana

it was, it was awesome.

I mean, you know, we had this kid that,

you know, we had no idea, like, what his future was.

I know.

To see him like push

and...and

fight through such a silly accident

that almost took his life.

It was awesome.

You know, here at the Shirley Ryan AbilityLab, the therapists, like, they're family.

He comes back here for neuropsych eval exams

and he exceeds everything that they've expected.

You know, now I look at Brett.

I think he's going to end up he's going to do special things.

In his last exam, they told him, "Brett,

you can be and do anything that you want to be.

You're doing it and you're proving it."