“My name is Kassidy Brewer from Murrieta, California. I’m currently 28 years old. On August 4th of 2008 after losing consciousness, I was intubated to keep me breathing when an MRI revealed a major bleed in my brain located near the brainstem. At this point our hospital was not equipped to deal with this type of case, so I was then airlifted to Rady Children’s Hospital in San Diego. The attending doctor told my family that we should prepare for the worst, and possibly even discuss donating my organs. But they stood strong in their faith and politely told the doctors and social workers that God had other plans for Kass. But I’m a fighter and although I have no recollection of this, I knew that God was with me. It was determined that I was born with a rare birth defect called an Arterial Venous Malformation, otherwise known as an “AVM.” I remained on life support and lay in a coma for over 3 1/2 months. The progress was very slow, and after 3 1/2 months in the hospital, it was decided that I should go home and get strong enough to come back to Rady for in-patient rehabilitation. My family brought me home weighing about 78 pounds as a 14-year-old. I had a feeding tube in my stomach, and I had to begin to relearn everything. I put in the work, and after 16 weeks in rehab, I was sent home to begin my “new normal.”
I suffered a stroke during one of the surgeries that left me with severe ataxia on my left side. Between the stroke and the AVM rupture, I was left with challenges in my balance, left-side ataxia, double vision, and hearing impairment. I had a shunt placed in my brain to drain excess cerebral fluid, and sadly that has failed 7-8 times. Other than the challenges that I just mentioned above, I’m healthy and active! I since went on to get my drivers license and graduate from high school, on time and with my class! From there I decided to pursue my Associates Degree at Mount San Jacinto Community College. I was so excited to push my walker across that stage as a proud college graduate. Additionally I went on to the American College of Healthcare Sciences earning a Certificate in Holistic Wellness Coaching as well as an additional Certificate in Christian Health mentoring. If my story can help to inspire just one person to overcome whatever their situation is, it’s been worth it!”
