Tragedy to Triumph

In April 1995, my 11-month old son, Ryan, suffered a traumatic brain injury.
The accident left him hospitalized for six months. I must admit, I was quite naive about brain injuries at the time. I thought his injuries would eventually heal and life would resume as normal. That never happened. Reality hit. I was faced with the fact that my child would never be the same – the brain injury had transformed him into someone I didn’t recognize.

Before his accident, I thought I knew how to love. I thought I possessed courage
and strength. I thought I knew how to fight for what I believed in. I thought I knew
how to encourage and inspire others. I thought I knew what mattered most in life.
Without this devastating pivot in my life, chances are I would still have everything
all wrong. My special needs son possesses all of these qualities. It took years for him to teach me. Ryan has taught me more than I ever thought I needed to know. Day by day, I stand in awe of him.

Fourteen years have passed since Ryan’s accident. The time has come for me to share my knowledge, resources, strength, passion and encouragement with families that are left feeling distraught and alone in the midst of hardship. It is time for our experience to help others find the blessings hidden in tragedy.

Debbie Sahlin
Founder & Executive Director

Discover Love. Build Faith. Give Hope.