Brian Boyle
It was a horrific car crash. On the way home from swim practice in 2004, eighteen-year old Brian Boyle's future changed in an instant when a dump truck plowed into his vehicle. He was airlifted to a shock-trauma hospital. He had lost sixty percent of his blood, his heart had moved across his chest, and his organs and pelvis were pulverized. He was placed in a medically-induced coma where he had to be brought back to life eight times throughout his many operations.
When Brian finally emerged from the coma two months later, he had no memory of the accident. He could see and hear, but not move or talk. Unable to communicate to his doctors, nurses, or frantic parents, he heard words like "vegetable" and "nursing home." If he lived, doctors predicted he might not be able to walk again, and certainly not swim. Then, miraculously, Brian clawed his way back to the living. First blinking his eyelids, then squeezing a hand, then smiling, he gradually emerged from his locked-in state. The former swimmer and bodybuilder had lost one hundred pounds.
In 2007 Brian Boyle staged what many consider to be one of the greatest comebacks in sports history when he crossed the finish line at the Hawaii Ironman just three years after leaving the Intensive Care Unit.
In 2008, he competed in the 2008 Foster Grant Ironman70.3 World Championship in Clearwater, Florida and Men's Health magazine named Boyle one of its twenty heroes. In 2009, he published his first book, Iron Heart, and he was presented the spokesperson of the year award from the American Red Cross for his contributions. In 2010, he graduated Cum Laude from St. Mary's College of Maryland, and also made his very first blood donation at the hospital that brought him back to life.
In 2011, he received the Presidential Award for Excellence by the President of the American Red Cross, Mrs. Gail McGovern. In 2012, he was honored at the White House in Washington D.C. and presented with the "Champion of Change" award for his volunteer work with the Red Cross on a national level.
Brian is a professional speaker that has given over one hundred keynote presentations throughout the country during his career. He is currently in grad school for a M.A. in Health Communications at Johns Hopkins University.
His story has been featured on the Ellen DeGeneres Show, NBC's Today Show, ESPN, and several other programs throughout the country that have earned Emmy nominations and awards. His journey of courage and determination has touched the hearts of many and his story and the message it carries has been celebrated around the world.
It was a horrific car crash. On the way home from swim practice in 2004, eighteen-year old Brian Boyle's future changed in an instant when a dump truck plowed into his vehicle. He was airlifted to a shock-trauma hospital. He had lost sixty percent of his blood, his heart had moved across his chest, and his organs and pelvis were pulverized. He was placed in a medically-induced coma where he had to be brought back to life eight times throughout his many operations.
When Brian finally emerged from the coma two months later, he had no memory of the accident. He could see and hear, but not move or talk. Unable to communicate to his doctors, nurses, or frantic parents, he heard words like "vegetable" and "nursing home." If he lived, doctors predicted he might not be able to walk again, and certainly not swim. Then, miraculously, Brian clawed his way back to the living. First blinking his eyelids, then squeezing a hand, then smiling, he gradually emerged from his locked-in state. The former swimmer and bodybuilder had lost one hundred pounds.
In 2007 Brian Boyle staged what many consider to be one of the greatest comebacks in sports history when he crossed the finish line at the Hawaii Ironman just three years after leaving the Intensive Care Unit.
In 2008, he competed in the 2008 Foster Grant Ironman70.3 World Championship in Clearwater, Florida and Men's Health magazine named Boyle one of its twenty heroes. In 2009, he published his first book, Iron Heart, and he was presented the spokesperson of the year award from the American Red Cross for his contributions. In 2010, he graduated Cum Laude from St. Mary's College of Maryland, and also made his very first blood donation at the hospital that brought him back to life.
In 2011, he received the Presidential Award for Excellence by the President of the American Red Cross, Mrs. Gail McGovern. In 2012, he was honored at the White House in Washington D.C. and presented with the "Champion of Change" award for his volunteer work with the Red Cross on a national level.
Brian is a professional speaker that has given over one hundred keynote presentations throughout the country during his career. He is currently in grad school for a M.A. in Health Communications at Johns Hopkins University.
His story has been featured on the Ellen DeGeneres Show, NBC's Today Show, ESPN, and several other programs throughout the country that have earned Emmy nominations and awards. His journey of courage and determination has touched the hearts of many and his story and the message it carries has been celebrated around the world.
Through the Eyes of the Patient: The Brian Boyle Story
Join Brian Boyle in this session as he tells his personal story of his fight back from near death after a horrific automobile accident. He will focus on his experience as a patient who, upon emerging from a medically induced coma, was unable to move or talk, yet could hear, see, and feel pain. Mr. Boyle will provide vital information from the patient's perspective to help participants gain insight about how to provide care to patients who are aware yet unable to communicate. - See more at:...
