You're speaking my language! T4 complete from a lady's wrong left turn also gave me a brain injury. They told my wife I would be a vegetable. And that was with a helmet. After a couple months, a CT scan showed my brain hemorrhage was healed. Even the physician was surprised. I guess my two boys needed there dad to teach them about life! Good video Brian, well spoken.
+Butch Vegas Thanks for the feedback. I too had some bleeding on my brain but it cleared up fairly quickly. Glad you are still able to be a father to your children!
i don't ride a bike i just want to say that you are truly blessed. I was hit by a car and had an incomplete spinal cord injury. Having a lil weight on me saved my life. The impact should've killed me. I have no brain injury and I'm in a walking program. You showed me how to get dressed in a bed. Your truly an inspiration. I have a son and it was hard not knowing if I would be able to take care of him.
Thanks for your story. It's really cool hearing someone who wasn't born paralyzed say life is worth living and breaking the misconceptions people have of us wheelchair users.
You are quite right about the helmet. I am a paraplegic following an accident that took place on the 6th of January 1991 when I was only pushbike and I was knocked down by a car that was overtaking me on a country road. The result of this was that I went spinning through the air and when I landed I sustained not only a spinal cord injury but also a severe head injury because I didn't have a helmet. My head hit the ground so violently that it caused a coma that lasted for three weeks! And when I did regain consciousness I couldn't remember what had happened during this accident but also I couldn't remember the events that had taken place during the years, yes years prior to the accident. And also I, who had always been the sort of guy who found life a big joke and who laughed a lot became sullen and moody. It took me several years to appreciate life once more and to start laughing again.
Just subscribed, you are an amazing positive human being. Most people would think you are asking for a death wish for taking up riding and extreme sports again. But no, you are living life to it's fullest and not letting your disability stop you from doing what you love. Just stay safe out there, I'm sure you are 10 times more aware of what you are doing out there now than anyone else. You developed a 6th sense for life! Keep the videos going, it's so important to keep everyone educated on riding and traffic safety! :)
Wow. Great info to share. I was in a motorcycle accident one year ago June. I am a T4 complete with no brain injury. i was extremely lucky because i was not wearing a helmet. I was a cop and have many brothers that ride. I have kept my mouth shut at giving my opinion in general because I don't feel it is my place. I'm literally writing this comment in tears because your video is about to be shared with many of my friends. You are right, this may save many cops, brothers, sons, husband's and friends. Thank you from the bottom of my heart.
+Jonathan Rekash Thank you so much for leaving this comment! I'm sorry you got sucked into this too but at this point all we can do is make the best of it. Thanks for spreading the word!
I´m a guy with no spinal injuries. I´ve been a subscriber for a long time, and it never ceases to amaze me how well you managed to adapt to your "new life". On the other hand, I´ve thought about buying a motorcycle a gazillion times, and whenever I´m about to pull the trigger, I remember your videos, and I "resist it", time and again, simply because even the possibility of something like that happening to me is just too much for me to handle. Believe me if I tell you I´m not trying to bust your balls here, quite the contrary, I admire your inner strength. It´s just that I´m convinced I´d been much more likely to pull that other non-metaphorical trigger, than manage to become a remotely happy person, ever again. Maybe it´s a stupid thing for me to say, and I truly hope it doesn´t bother you, because it´s certainly not my intention, but in a way, I think your videos have conditioned my (non) riding life more than any other thing in the entire world. Odd. Just a couple of honest thoughts, anyway.
+1650million Wow, thanks for sharing this. Riding is fun, don't get me wrong but the risk outweighs the benefits. If I had it to do over again I would just stick to 4 wheels. Hind sights 20/20. Glad my vids could keep you off a bike.
+Paralyzed Living Good to know about your sticking to 4 wheels, since when I saw your adapted bike video it gave me the impression you were a truly hardcore biker... :) I still manage to get a bit "sad" about being fearful enough not to buy a motorbike, since there´s obviously people out there who manage to ride for decades without any major issue. I even know a guy who toured around the world for 2 years straight through some of shittiest countries you can drive in the entire planet, without even twisting an ankle, quite literally. And there are those who are dead in the first month of riding, of course. Too unpredictable for my taste, these damned toys. Anyway, I don´t think I´m "glad" your vids are keeping off a bike: I prefer to think your vids are keeping off a wheelchair, and that could end up being the ultimate favor anyone can do for me, for sure. And as such, I´ll stay around, since other than learning about your challenges, I also happen to think you´re a genuinely great guy. See you around, mate. :)
You're right, it is all complete bullshit! Your attitude is awesome and your quality of life shows it! Your life is what you make it and you need to make the best of what you 'can' do. I too am in a chair and have kept the same attitude and determination as you have. That alone has gotten me through the past 20 years and I've had a great life. Still do the things I want to, but differently and they take a bit more time! Great video Brian! Larry
Brian, thank you for your continued videos. After an accident 11 months ago, your videos helped sustain me while I was going through rehab, and helped me realize that while life in a wheelchair is definitely not what I had planned, it's still very fulfilling and rewarding. Life is far, far from easy, and I still hurt every single day, but I've learned to appreciate the good things, love my friends and family more than ever, and have a new outlook on life. Fortunately for me, as you, my injuries are only physical. Thanks, and keep at it! - Matt
+Sandal Scout Thanks for the comment. I agree that it's not easy but what choice do we have at this point? Deal with it and be happy or cry about it and be miserable.
My boyfriend is a T6 complete paraplegic, also from a motorcycle accident. He was injured when he was 17 and is now 43. We really like your videos, and for me they have been very insightful. I know how he does things, but its neat to see how someone else does things :-)
Hey Brian, I got a C6 injury from Jan 2016 in a snowboarding accident. I've been watching your videos through rehab and it's helped me so much in showing me whats still possible. I'm glad I wore a helmet during my fall, I feel like being tbi is much worse. Thanks for putting out this PSA, I really hope more people can wear helmets, especially all my friends who longboard. Cheers, Ran
Hi Bryan, I want to thank you from the bottom of my heart for simply being the man you are, and sharing with people that a disability is all mental and that with a good heart and soul anything is possible and everything is still possible. My name is Sebastian, I am a twenty years old, and I am from New York. I first came across your channel 4 years ago when I was 16 since I was searching RU-vid for G35's since that's what I wanted as a first car. I then watched how you rode your modified motorcycle and thought it was simply amazing (even showed my grandfather) haha. December of 2015, 5 months ago. I was hit by a car turning left head on while riding my motorcycle, the outcome was that I was sent flying off the bike at 60mph and ended up losing my right leg below the knee, and shattering my tibia and fibula, and snapping my femur in half, along with other multiple fractures, lacerations, and road rash despite being in full gear. I came out alive, and with zero brain injury.
The message of this video is great and hits home. One year ago I was involved in a single vehicle crash that changed my life forever. I sustained an SCI at C567 and a brain injury myself. I can definitely tell a difference in my thinking ability and staying on track. Thanks for making this and I'm going to share it!
So inspirational.. I’m an 19yr old para and I crashed my mountain bike doing jumps and trails over 6 months ago. Too see you living how you do, talking how you do gives me so much hope I can’t put it into words. What you are doing is amazing! Keep it up dude,m🤙🏼 where there’s a wheel there’s a way
I have always wanted to ride a motorcycle, but my parents prevented me from doing so. After Listening to your story, reading peoples motorcycle accidents and how they ended up being paralyzed, I'm glad I listened to my parents
Hey Brian! Thanks for uploading a video that explains how much you're still living and loving life despite the obstacle! you really are an inspiration to everyone!
I have to say your life is better than many of us who are not disabled It's great to see the group of people you work with. Having a partner, a wife someone that you can build your life around is important too.
Soon I will be undergoing some more procedures since my left leg isn't healing, but if Gods willing if I can heal up my bones and get my ankle back to normal. I want to run in the Paralympics for you, and everyone else that is "disabled". Thank you for all you have done Bryan. I can only hope to be the man you are.
i read a particular dark memoir of a paraplegic who happened to be into "philosophy" and i am sure you have heard of the story and he choose the other path, i just want to say you are a great source of inspiration and i wish i had 1/10 the strength that you do, been a subscriber for a while, keep up the great work and thanks for the honesty
I just rank across your youtube videos by accident. I grew up with a father in a wheelchair (I am 55 so his first accident was probably in the 1940's which was a motorcycle accident, then a few years later a train wreck (yea don't ask but thankfully no brain injury with either although a steel plate in his head). He met my mother while recovering from the train wreck. By this point walking (one leg shorter than the other and other orthopedic issues). In the 1970's he was in an auto accident that put him into the wheelchair. It wasn't a bad accident but with the preexisting issues there was not much they could do. I am thinking the two of you had the same attitude nothing ever stopped him. He coached little league, took us on outdoor adventures, had a garden to die for and danced with me at my wedding. Life was not "normal" but it was a good life!
I am a recent C3-C4 incomplete spinal cord injury with no brain injury, mine was also from a motorcycle. The difference is I was doing about 100 miles an hour. I've learned that it's just all about the roll of the dice with these things some people with the exact same injury have crazy different outcomes. I am almost 5 months in, I am walking in therapy five days a week but I have a lot less arm and hand movement then I do leg movement. Thank you for your videos brother you are truly help me get through this!
My motorcycle accident was in June of ‘07 and because of my stupidity no helmet 😖 like you said; us bikers are very hard headed and normally very very stubborn. 🤨 My TBI (traumatic brain injury) is to my cerebellum (very back, very low, almost where your head meets your neck) and I had to relearn everything from the major motor skills like brushing my teeth or washing my face; too the finer motor skills like eating and swallowing without choking, even speaking and writing. And yes, I was engaged at the time of the wreck (he was actually driving and literally walked away from the accident with a bit poison ivy, we apparently landed in a patch of the stuff when we were thrown from the bike, luckily by the time I came out of my coma it wasn’t itching any longer and nearly healed!! and some road burn on his arm. Nothing more) amazing! We broke up on the one full year into my recovery; he just wasn’t able to handle the guilt... and exactly 3 years and 3 days after the accident committed suicide himself. Again, I contribute that to guilt. Then again do the survivors ever really know? 🤔 Thankfully my mum took me back in. So here I am 33 and living with my mum. 🤦🏻♀️ I still have a few complications with slurred speech (dysarthria) and my writing looks like a grade school child. However, it’s the ataxia that stems from the cerebellum injury that really limits my life. I do have other spine stuff, not fully paralyzed (L1-L4 is fused together) and I like to believe that it’s the cerebellum NOT the lower back that keeps me and my wheelchair ‘close’. Depression is definitely a constant struggle post wreck and suicide has absolutely crossed my mind ... more than I’d like to admit. Truly now, I can hardly believe I’m admitting that to you I’ve not told anyone... EVER, if I’m totally honest 🤭🤫🤐 Something that I never once considered pre-wreck. I was lucky to not lose my memory, personality or any kind of cognitive ability really. The brain 🧠 is so incredibly mysterious though. I can remember people in therapy that were completely fine physically, able to walk unassisted and everything yet, when reading an article couldn’t remember what it was about just 15 mins later. Craziness 🤯😜🤷🏻♀️ heartbreaking and just crazy. I believe I got the better end of the stick with that one. That said, if I could have a mulligan; I’d definitely wear the helmet. *hindsight is always 20/20* 🤓 You have no idea how very much I appreciate your channel. I first stumbled across you while looking for the best way to start driving again. Now, I’m even looking at getting myself an Infinity!!! Your candor is refreshing and your talking about and explaining everything is just brilliant, thank you so very much; honestly ❤️
Wow, thanks so much for sharing. Brain injuries are no joke but it sounds like you have made VAST improvements so that's something to be thankful for. I really appreciate the feedback and hope those dark thoughts well get fewer and farther between. Much love to you. :)
Dope video man i was also in a motorcycle accident about 5 months ago now im a T3 T4 SCI. i was just looking through some of your videos good stuff man. just wanted to say that good helmets do save lifes man i feel like mine took a good beating i flew off a 44ft Bridge and this sci sucks but im blessed to be alive with no head injurey.
Wow, you’re a true inspiration! I’m 31 and I’ve been riding since I was a kid. I have a Harley Sportster now, and love riding myself. I definitely know what you’re talking about when it comes to drivers being on their phone and not paying attention. I’m glad you’re at a spot in your life where you can accept your injury and can cope with life on life’s terms. Love your channel, good luck with everything and God bless!
It's been a year since my bike accidend and it's funny how many similiarities there are. From what i though it'll happen while riding to how my helmet saved me, i'm still me and that's something to appreciate. Your videos have helped a lot , just sending cheers and a thank you. Keep it up!
I want to thank you for all your videos. I walked into the hospital with a headache and woke up paralyzed two months later. it's been hard to find something or someone in my same paralysis. thanks for helping me look forward to being me again.
Hey man that is crazy hearing your story!! You are very strong person!! Same thing happened to me a year ago and I am now paralyzed from my chest down!! I am 24 years old still struggling with my life,still in so much pain every day all cuz a driver supposedly didn't see me n ended up crashing me on my way to work!! 4 months after my accident my wife left me and took my 2 yr old son!! I thought of just killing my self plenty of times n actually tried it!! But what stops me now is like you said I have my son that I love so much and he needs his dad!! And after watching your videos your a big inspiration to me!! Watching you is showing me that my life is not over yet and I can still do stuff with my life even though I'm on a wheelchair!!
I also had a motorcycle accident. Fortunately, I was all geared up. Unlike you, I don't remember what happened. My family told me that I slammed into a utility pole and had to be air lifted to the hospital. I was riding for 8 years. It was my 2nd bikes d first ever accident. Keep up the positive attitude.
+Tin Nguyen Yikes, that's scary. I was knocked out cold in my accident but I can still recall the bike tipping. It was the strangest feeling too because I felt like I should be able to control it but it felt like a force was pulling me down in a way. I know that's probably crazy.
All thanks to my black Shoei helmet, which I had the one with an internal sun visor, which caved in and almost made me blind from my left eye. After coming home after about a month, I was wheel chair bound and could only get on it if my family, or the device that pulls you up was used. During one of my darkest nights, I came across one of your videos again, and seen your strength and said to myself if Bryan can do it, I can too. You inspired me so much that day and still do.
+Sebastian Trinidad Wow, thanks so much for sharing your story! I hate that you had to come back in this way but I am glad I gave you the encouragement to not get sucked into the "dark side." You still got this dude. I'm part of the black Shoei helmet club too. :)
Good video about your story and what life can be like after sci. I am also a youtuber and I just started over a year ago and it has brightened my outlook on life in many different ways . I was injured in a car accident 7 years ago but the love for my son kept me strong and I understand 100% what you said about raising your kids. Stay strong brother and you got a new sub too 👍🏽
I don't believe any experience is by chance alone, there is always an important good that can come from every event in our lives so I know randomly finding your channel had a purpose for me. It's inspiring to me to see examples of that noblest instinct of the human spirit which seeks to overcome not only personal tragedies in a way that makes our soul stronger and better, but also uses personal tragedies to reach out to heal others, to uplift others. I've had heroes who exemplify this desire to overcome, to triumph and to serve others. Helen Keller, Christopher Reeve, Terri Hall (look her up, she is amazing). Now I have another inspiration - you. Thanks for your service to others, whoever they are! Thanks also, for reminding me that the human spirit at its best, is INDOMITABLE. Your niece and nephew are so fortunate to grow up with you as their example. Greetings from Germany!
Eric, I have to say that out of thousands of comments received this was one that really struck me in a positive way. Your words are appreciated more than you know! To be in the same boat of "inspiration" with the others you mentioned is an honor in itself. Thanks for taking the time to write this note. I really appreciate it!! Greetings from USA. :)
man, i dont even know what it felt like being a complete. even me that is already walking sometimes hate that i cant just be a normal person. u have great mentality, i hope stem cell treatment will be around soon and we'll all live a better live.
Very encouraging, I was born with cerebral palsy. I can walk but I do struggle, so to help with balance I use a cane and these handicap tools are no joke! I have had less falls since I started using the cane. I know it's hard for you, I can't even imagine what you have to do everyday but you inspired me and I thought, if you can do all this stuff in the situation that you are in, I am sure that I can do it! Keep up the good work 😀
What's happening man. Good to see ya man. I've seen a bunch of your vids since you've been on here. Positivity is so key bro. I've been a para for almost 20 yrs now. Life rocks dude. Ever think about any adaptive sports like softball etc? I'm from the east coast out on the Cape south of Boston. We've have a team, the Rollin Red Sox for the past 16 yrs. Gimme a holler if you want man. I'm on Facebook too, at capecodmetal. Be well man. We're all warriors in life. Glad you made it.
Its not only the helmet but the type and quality of helmet. Of course and everything that Shoei puts out is high quality and certifications like SNELL and other have a pretty high standard for helmets. Purchasing a quality Shoei helmet was a great decision on your part. Great vid as always. Keep up the great work.
Just came across this, helmets are so effing important. My dad is a firefighter and one of the only times I saw him visibly shaken by a call was when a 15 year old kid slammed through his garage door on a motorcycle, no helmet, my dad's said his head was so badly split open that blood was covering most of the garage and his head was visibly misshapen
I love how you adapted your bike. I originally came across your channel because I am getting a ti lite aero x, then I started watching your other videos.
I'm very lucky not to be paralyzed or worse from a motorcycle accident. We're not sure how or why but as I was driving all of a sudden the bike slide and it flipped over and landed ontop of me and I slide about 1/4 a block down the street with it. I by some miracle was able to get up and walk away. I was only doing about 25-30mph. Besides the obvious, I'm lucky that I put on a helmet that night and for the first time ever I took my mom's bike gloves because it was a cold November day. I cracked my helmet and scrapped a big chunk out of the face cover. I shredded my mom's leather gloves. Without the helmet I don't know if I could properly function everyday. Without the gloves I don't want to imagine what my hands would have been. The denim jeans looked like a fashion trends because I took off the knee area and a good bit of my skin with it. Beyond that, I was fine. I was coughing up blood for a bit, but surprisingly no injuries. I haven't ridden a bike since then, although I want to buy another one, but I would NEVER go without a helmet again. Even when it's "too hot" (a common excuse of mine). Nope.
Great insight on wearing a helmet. I agree 100% that wearing a helmet doing anything whether on a motorcycle or car is the smart thing to do. Anything can happen! always be prepared!
I see so many people riding motorcycles w/out wearing a helmet it's horrible. Thank you for spreading awareness and bringing your story to RU-vid I hope that this video will reach the friends and family members of those who who ride and those who are considering a lifestyle of riding In Jesus name.
You have a great personality too. You're so strong and patient and resourceful and giving and such and honestly I think that one could face an injury like yours with more equanimity thanks to your example. But isn't riding a motorcycle really really difficult for anyone (chair or no)?
Thanks! I can say riding was MUCH easier (and more fun) pre-injury but I wouldn't recommend it. It's like doing crack...before you know it you're addicted and the pros don't outweigh the cons.
Shoei saved his life but I totally swear on AGV helmets and visors. It saved my life on 5 occasions. The first was worst as a brake servo from an articulated lorry (12 wheel Semi) fell off and struck my Fireblade. I hit the curb side and the helmet came off due to the g force of the impact, but I lived. The bike and the helmet were written off but I survived with minor concussion.
Great message. I plan on sharing this video with my e-mail list since I run a website about beginner motorcycles. If you ever want a larger platform for your story, please feel free to message me!
Have seen two of your videos and I have to say that I am impressed by the way you handle your injury! Keep it up :D I have one question. Considering the fact that you modified your bike and got back to riding, do you ever regret riding a motorcycle in the first place? Regret taking the chance of something like your accident (or worse) happend?
Do they have mandatory helmet laws where you live? Florida doesn't. They require 10,000 in insurance if you don't wear a helmet which can be used up in an hour in the ER with a head injury. Glad you were wearing a helmet. Even though our injuries are vastly different, you have helped me and I appreciate them and your efforts. Todd
Very late, but just a little tid bit of Information, here in New Zealand it is illegal not to wear a helmet on any form of bike. That includes a push bike/moped and moter bike. For not wearing a helmet with a push bike the fine is $150. Also wearing the helmet correctly ie not pushed back helps too!
Wow! Speaking as an x-ray technologist, I’ve got to say that is one of the worst spinal fractures I’ve ever seen in my 20 year career! You are Superman! I seen fractures a lot less major than that, and the person did not survive. I’m not sure if the doctors told you how much for sure hit that tree with,But the reason your spy and broke is because several tons of pressure was put on it when you hit the tree straight on with that helmet. As far as making this video, you should be the poster child for where your helmet campaigns everywhere! If you didn’t have that helmet you wouldn’t be here, and I just rams home the reasons why you must wear a helmet, especially cyclists, many of whom think because it’s not a motorized vehicle they don’t need to wear one. I can’t tell you how many paraplegics I met that were paralyzed because of a bike accident, as in pedal bicycle, not motor cycle. I had something very similar happened to me, at one point I was working two full-time jobs at two different hospitals, and I cycled home because driving took too long with the traffic in downtown Toronto. Once my tire got stuck in the streetcar tracks, and I went flying into the sidewalk had first. The second time I was run off the road by a taxi, who was pulling over to let his passengers out, even though I had five lights brightly flashing on my bike, he still knocked me right off my bike, and I went headfirst into a concrete curb. Both times my helmet saved my life. The first time they helmet was dented, the second time the helmet broke in half. The first one wasn’t too bad, just a lot of road burn, but the second one, after the helmet split into my head made contact with the caveman, causing a major concussion and a huge gash that took 20 staples to close. So be at either a motorcycle or bicycle, please never forget to wear a helmet, it might be a little uncomfortable, but what’s more uncomfortable, being in a wheelchair for the rest of your life, Or having your hair messed up? Pretty simple isn’t it?
TJ Devereaux Thanks for the comment! I too know the helmet saved me for sure. It’s not pleasant being paralyzed but I’m still happy to be alive. Glad you didn’t end up in the same boat from your bike accidents.
Your attitude is inspiring, thank you. It's coming up to four years since my car accident, and I am still doing the woe is me thing. I cannot find that spark inside to get out of bed and try to live my life differently. I will re- watch some of your videos again, and try to find what it is that I am lacking.
I hope you can find a way to pull yourself out of the funk. It's really draining. Life is so much better if you can just come to terms with the injury and live the best you can. I wish you all the best! You can do this!
Holy crikey! How is the man sitting here and talking and functioning and using his brain etc. after a Helmet like that?!? :D :o Wowsers. If ever I've seen a more truer RU-vid Title, it's that right there. Haha you just started talking about all the things you can still do with your Brain two seconds after I wrote this! : )
i was riding my bike without a helmet and hit a parked car fliped over and cracked the cars headlight and windsheld but only needed stiches on my chin which i hit prety hard when fliped over, but this all was caused from looking behind me for 2 seconds
