Diagnosis: AVM rupture

Date of Diagnosis: 2/12/2018

VVF Scholarship: Recovery Training Sessions

What are you Facing, Embracing, Defying and Conquering? I had an Arteriovenous Malformation that rupture on my cerebellum and hit my brain stem. The event caused me to lose every ability possible and landed me in a two week coma. The ICU doctors didn’t believe I would recover and never offered hope to my parents. They suggested turning off the life support because it was what was fair to my family. My surgeon was the only one who had faith. I ended up completely lucid and in the process of learning to walk again all in just two years! I strive to re-learn to walk to prove the people who doubted wrong and show how with faith and motivation anything can be accomplished no matter how impossible it may seem. 

How do you FACE it. I accepted my situation because there was no way to change it.

How do you EMBRACE it. I speak openly about what happened to me.

How do you DEFY it. By working hard in therapy. I accomplished what was thought to be impossible in 2 ½ years.

How do you CONQUER it. By not stopping until I am completely independent again.

What does this scholarship from VVF mean to you? I make the most progress in therapy and this scholarship is giving me the opportunity to continue making the impossible possible.