This is my first-year riding in the Courage Classic! I am excited to dedicate my 79-mile ride to Kylee, a previous patient of mine, whose impact on my life is immeasurable!
In July 2021, Kylee endured a life-altering accident at the rodeo, sustaining extensive skull and facial fractures along with severe brain bleeding. She underwent emergency brain surgery to decrease the bleeding and swelling in her brain. Kylee faced the aftermath of a severe traumatic brain injury (TBI). After critical care, she transitioned to the inpatient rehabilitation unit at Children’s Hospital Colorado, where our paths crossed. Upon admission, Kylee's TBI had left her in a minimally responsive conscious state, impeding her movement, speech, and interaction with her surroundings. Additionally, she required a tracheostomy tube for breathing assistance and a G-tube for nutrition. Her rehabilitation journey was overwhelmingly difficult, marked by bouts of neurostorming, multiple complications, surgeries, and a lack of progress in consciousness—a situation that was statistically against Kylee.
Despite her daunting circumstance, Kylee and her family demonstrated unwavering strength and resiliency. She received an outpour of support and encouragement from her community. Kylee’s room was covered in posters, pictures, and letters from her friends and family. I recall one special moment when Kylee ventured outside for the first time to reunite with a friend. Despite Kylee's inability to verbally communicate, her friend held Kylee’s hand with such compassion and love and spoke to her in a way that mirrored the bond between two teenage girls. This steadfast support fueled Kylee's progress—from simple tasks like blinking on command to the eventual mastery of fundamental skills like speech, eating, and walking. For 5 months we witnessed the family cherish every moment and milestone with Kylee. Following her discharge from rehab, Kylee’s hard work continued until she achieved a remarkable milestone: riding her horse for the first time, 21 months after the accident. Kylee's resilience, determination, and grit serve as a symbol of hope.
By contributing, you'll be supporting the Adaptive Recreation for Childhood Health (ARCH) program at Children's Hospital Colorado. ARCH offers year-round adaptive recreational activities, including skiing, cycling, horseback riding, and more. Having previously volunteered for ARCH's adaptive snowboarding program, I can attest to the transformation children make when they are able to focus on their abilities rather than their limitations. Your generosity will empower these remarkable kids to continue to defy boundaries and embrace life to its fullest.
Forever Kylee strong,
Raenee