Attitude is Truly Everything - Brendan's Story

The date was October 5th, 2024. I had made plans with a friend to go pick them up and drive them back to my house so we could hang out. I needed a willing driver to make this happen, and my most caring sister—who would do anything for me—offered to take the drive.

On the way back from picking up my friend, disaster struck. A semi-truck collided head-on with my sister’s car, which I didn’t learn until later tragically took her life. My friend and I both experienced severe injuries. The worst of mine was a traumatic brain injury, along with two broken arms and broken femurs.

Shortly after the accident, two separate helicopters arrived at the scene, and my friend and I were airlifted out—my friend conscious, and me unconscious in a coma. The helicopter crew had to work extremely hard just to keep me alive during the trip to Chicago. Eventually, thanks to their incredible efforts, I made it to Chicago alive, but still unconscious.

The first of the three hospitals I was treated at was the University of Chicago, where it was determined that I had suffered a traumatic brain injury. At that time, it was unknown whether I would ever be able to return home to live with my family. I was experiencing neurostorms, and my future was very uncertain.

After a couple of months in the University of Chicago ICU, it was determined that I should be transferred to Comer Children’s Hospital. It was there that I began to raise my arm and make other movements, which filled my parents with hope. After a few months at Comer’s, doctors decided I was ready for the next step, and I was sent to Shirley Ryan AbilityLab to begin intensive therapies to relearn how to do almost everything after coming out of my coma.

I don’t remember my early time at Shirley Ryan, but I do know how hard I worked in therapy—relearning basic motor movements and eventually relearning how to walk. Throughout all of this, I held onto one main motivator: “Gotta have the grit.” That mindset pushed me forward and helped me progress far faster than doctors ever expected.

Before I knew it, through grit and dedication, I was walking, talking, and doing so much again—almost as well as before. While this accident brought unimaginable pain, loss, and tragedy, my determination and positive attitude led me to a turning point. I promised myself I would never, ever take my life for granted again.

After graduating from Shirley Ryan, I continued—and still continue—to work toward becoming a better version of myself every single day. I also developed a passion for using my story to help motivate others, whether they are facing similar challenges or simply need encouragement to push through difficult moments.

Attitude is truly everything!