(This was first posted on Brian’s GoFundMe page on July 16, 2021.)

Brian Sawyer, Deaf since birth, suffered a stroke and is paralyzed from his neck down. This also has resulted in his inability to communicate using his hands and facial expressions through American Sign Language.

Please click below for the ASL version, and read ahead for the English transcript.

On the morning of May 19, 2021, Brian Sawyer left home to attend a meeting at Vancouver Community College where he teaches American Sign Language (ASL). He never made it. Three hours later, a police officer found Brian parked outside the college, unconscious and slumped over. Firefighters provided emergency lifesaving breathing support until the ambulance came. He was carried out of his car on a spinal board, with a firefighter holding open his jaw the whole way, and rushed to the nearest hospital (which happened to be Vancouver General Hospital, the stroke centre of BC). Later that day, Brian had a thrombectomy - where surgeons accessed his brainstem via his groin to extract the clot.

Brian, Deaf since birth, had suffered an Ischemic Pontine stroke. A stroke for a 33-year-old is rare, and this specific type is even more rare. A brainstem stroke has very uncommon and difficult-to-detect warning signs. Brian had been feeling unwell the week before. He sought medical attention two days before the stroke, but the symptoms went unidentified. This is a devastating layer to this tragedy, that Brian knew something was not right, and could not understand why.

This stroke was not caused by lifestyle. In Brian’s case, it occurred spontaneously - there was a tear in the artery, which formed a clot. It broke loose and travelled to his brainstem. The damage was in the Pons area of his brain, and the damage was significant.

The Pons is a very small and very important relay centre that communicates all voluntary control and movement from the brain to the body. As a result, Brian’s ability for voluntary movement has been severely affected. Brian is essentially paralyzed from his neck down.

Brian has always been an amazing communicator. His ASL use is one of the most beautiful examples you could ever come across. His brilliance and intelligence shines through his sign language abilities. On May 19th, 2021, Brian’s means of communication and expressive language gift was ripped away. His ability to control his facial expressions, a critical part of ASL grammar, has been dramatically impacted and he cannot move his arms or hands to communicate. On top of an already devastating and life-changing stroke, Brian lost his ability to communicate using his hands and facial expressions.

(Image above is one of the first Brian blinked out)

Some background on the journey so far:

Those first days it was unknown what the extent of the damage was to his brain. He was on life support. His brain had experienced unimaginable trauma. Nurses and therapists worked around the clock to keep his temperature down, to keep him breathing and getting much-needed oxygen, and to assess his brain function. He had survived the stroke, but the future was very much a big question mark. The doctor the morning after the stroke said to be prepared for Brian never to wake up. If he should wake up, it was unknown if Brian would ever “mentally be Brian again” as well.
The first month things remained very much one day at time. Brian was still in the ICU at VGH. He was quite unwell, intubated and needing breathing support through machines, used a feeding tube, and was battling infections, fevers, pneumonia, and a clot in his hand. His medical condition remained fragile. There was no movement in any limbs.
On July 19th it will have been two months since his stroke. Brian remains at VGH in the Neurosciences ward. Thankfully, we know now, Brian is still Brian mentally! The rest is up in the air, to be determined. Breathing support has been removed. The tracheotomy procedure that Brian had to help him breathe on his own has been reversed. He is still using a feeding tube. He shows emotion with smiles, laughs, and tears. His eye gaze has improved significantly. He can move his head left and right, up and down. He can hold his head up, whereas he couldn’t before. He can’t move much below his neck, but he is making small, consistent progress.
Most importantly, that twinkle in his eye? It’s there. His sense of humour? It’s still there. His ability to teach? Also there. He is teaching everyone around him how to communicate and how to connect with him in this new way. And how to look at life in a new way.
Medical Interpreting has been provided so Brian can understand what is being communicated TO him. A communication system using a letter board and blinking cues (eyes wide-wide for yes, and eyes closed for no) has been established for Brian to express himself. He is working hard each day in physiotherapy to stimulate his muscles and limbs, and to gain strength in his core. He has mastered the use of a chin switch to navigate his tablet, and has tried eye gaze technology as well.
The grief Brian is experiencing is overwhelming and impossible to imagine. Emotionally it is a devastating, heartbreaking, and unfair battle. Alayna, Robyn, Dianna and Jim provide constant love, support, and encouragement. The video messages from friends and family in those first few days show Brian love and inspiration as well. The staff at VGH have gone far above and beyond in his medical care!

Future dreams:

It is uncertain how much body movement Brian can regain. Brian is young and his brain is healing. He has been making improvements: they are small but they are there. There isn’t enough research on young stroke survivors of this type of stroke. Then, let alone Deaf stroke survivors of this type of stroke… It’s unknown and unseen territory.
Brian dreams of swimming and exploring the wilderness with Alayna. He wants to see friends and family and laugh and live life to the best of his “new ability.”

Fundraising Goals (Brian is essentially paralyzed from the neck down and has lost his ability to communicate through sign language - so these items are essential to ensure his life 'doesn't suck'):

Robyn, his mom, is working hard to access any government funding. Here is a list of items needing additional funding (we aren't sure how much yet - but it will likely be A LOT):

- Motorized wheelchair controlled by head movements.

- A wheelchair that allows for exploring the outdoors! And can be adapted for street and indoor use.

-A specialized van which can transport him from to and from critical medical and physiotherapy appointments, and which will allow him to stay connected with friends and family and the Deaf community. These will be a lifeline to preventing social isolation and supporting his mental and emotional wellbeing.

-Communication Technology. Right now he uses eye-blinking for expressive communication. While Brian has tried infrared eye-gaze technology, it is not as effective or fail-safe as the blinking system. Remember the speed of Brian’s signs and the quality and beauty of his ASL – there has to be a better way.

- Making his future home accessible. Brian would prefer to be at home; he does not want to be in a long-term care institution.

We hope to overwhelm Brian with donations. These will allow the purchase of important supports to ensure his "Life DOESN'T SUCK.” We want to show Brian there is an entire community of people who’ve come together with the sole purpose of supporting him - no amount is too small!