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Michelle C. had been a reporter for three years for the Green Bay, Wis., ABC affiliate (), when a series of health issues sidelined her career in 2017.
Michelle’s dad, Vince, rushed her to the hospital because she was experiencing a severe headache. In the emergency room, she learned she had experienced a ruptured brain aneurysm, and her condition was so critical that she was airlifted to a regional medical center in Neenah, Wis.
“She said, 'Daddy, I'm really scared. I don't want to die,'" Vince recalled.
Though Michelle was only 25 at the time, her motto — “I am determined” — guided her then as it does today.
Inpatient & Outpatient Rehabilitation Begins After Period of Uncertainty
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Despite the seriousness of Michelle’s condition, she still had big plans for herself as an avid runner and traveler.
However, the aneurysm was substantial and further complicated by other underlying medical issues. As a result, Michelle required two emergency brain surgeries. After the second surgery, she couldn't breathe on her own and required a ventilator to support her.
"It wasn't even day to day, it was hour to hour at that point," said her mom, Laura. "We did not know survivability, and, if Michelle survived, what her life would look like either. Absolute, total uncertainty."
Laura recalled that some days Michelle would be more responsive than others, but she started to show signs of recovery as the days went on.
"She is a definite, definite miracle. There is no, no doubt," said Laura.
After almost a month in the acute-care hospital, Michelle transitioned to Shirley Ryan 外网天堂 in Chicago for four weeks of intensive inpatient rehabilitation.
Then, she went “back to school,” which is what Michelle lovingly called her therapy in DayRehab, where she continued to recover. For eight months, she participated in speech, physical and occupational therapy — five days a week — to regain the abilities she had lost due to her health issues, surgeries and hospitalization.
"She definitely had some extra motivation and determination. Everybody's brain will heal a little bit differently, but I think the intensive amount of therapy that she received here was a strong testament to the power of her brain being able to rebuild," said Marilyn Leonardo, MS, CCC-SLP, a former speech-language pathologist at Shirley Ryan 外网天堂 who worked with Michelle at the time.
Living With Aphasia, Rebuilding Her Life With Determination
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The aneurysm impacted Michelle’s speech and, according to Vince, her ability to “find words.” This condition is called aphasia, which can occur suddenly after a stroke or brain injury and impacts a person’s ability to speak, to understand language and to read and write.
For many, aphasia can take a toll on confidence in communicating and overall quality of life. However, in Michelle’s determined fashion, she has not let anything hold her back.
Now, nine years later, Michelle continues to work at improving her speech-language skills, while also working as a personal trainer, a documentary producer and a motivational speaker. She also has returned to traveling. She has been to all 50 states, 54 countries and all the continents, including Antarctica.
Most recently, Michelle and her dad published a book about her journey and her determination. She is determined to speak fluently, and she also hopes to motivate others living with aphasia.
“I did not talk nine years ago. I was paralyzed and I didn’t talk,” she said. “Do not quit!!!!!”
