People who change your life

You have probably heard me, from time to time, talk about the fact that we are looking for interns. We have had many talented, funny, and creative interns pass through our building. They work on projects, learn hands on about what we do here behind the scenes, and then many move on. We have been very lucky that some interns decide to stay and have become valuable, what-would-we-do-without-them members of our work family. I wasn't expecting anything different or unusual for this Spring Semester of Interns. What is it that they say, "When you least expect it..."

I met Ryan Lynne on the very first day, orientation as a matter of fact, she was eager and ready to go, always had a smile. When it came time for her to do one of the projects, where interns must interview a manager, she chose me. I am grateful that she did, because as we sat in my office I learned of her story which was and is more powerful than anything about me.

You see, Ryan is a TBI(traumatic brain injury) survivor. She told me of the accident during her freshman year while attending Marist College, her parents receiving the call that she may not make it, the surgeries, a doctor telling her parents that she probably wouldn't be able to walk without a walker and would be limited with what she could do for the rest of her life. They apparently did not know Ryan. After missing only a year of college, she is set to graduate next week from Marist.

For all of my more than 20 years in broadcasting, I cannot do her story justice. She tells it so much better than I ever could, you can read her story and her journey in her own words at her blog Mind over Matter. Ryan also works with and speaks at events with The Brain injury Association of Massachusetts.

You never know who will come into your life and the impact they'll have. I certainly didn't back on that Tuesday night in January, but my life has been changed. On a bad day, in the midst of stress, when the world feels like it's closing in so fast around me, I am reminded that I will make it through, it's good to laugh during the process, and it's okay if you stumble a bit as long as you get back up. Ryan taught me that.

Congratulations on graduating college Ryan, you amaze and inspire me. The world truly is a better place because you are in it.