Brandy & Scott Ridener (Brandy Erickson)

   Brandy Erickson Ridener is a 39 year old USAF Veteran and my brother’s precious wife. She has battled with various health issues most of her life, particularly debilitating migraines. It was years before it was determined the migraines were merely a symptom of a rare, progressive brain disease, MoyaMoya Disease. 

     In Summer 2019, the Birmingham VA referred Brandy to UAB Hospital to have a cerebral angiogram. This is the first time we had ever heard the term “MoyaMoya Disease” and Brandy was officially, finally properly diagnosed with it. (Brief description of the disease: It causes the vessels of the brain to progressively constrict more and more, causing severe pain in the base of the brain, migraines and eventually causing them to rupture, leading to strokes.) Since diagnosis, Brandy had undergone 3 brain surgeries, 2 procedures on her outer skull, had TIA’s (mini strokes), multiple CVA’s (strokes) and suffered from debilitating migraines/headaches along with all of that. 

     In February 2020, Dr. Harrigan, neurosurgeon at UAB, operated on the left side of her brain, as it was in a more advanced state of disease. The right side was stable. The surgery went flawlessly, but she experienced some complications after the surgery and she was on a ventilator for a few days and spent a month in Neuro ICU. She was discharged just as COVID-19 made its way into American hospitals. As many others in the world, she did not receive the follow-up care and therapy she would have normally been given due to COVID-19 restrictions on things not deemed emergent/lifesaving. 

     In April 2021, Brandy began to experience intense pain in the opposite side (right side) of her brain, along with stroke-like symptoms. This time, no time was wasted due to her known diagnosis. After having another angiogram, Dr. Harrigan was excited about the progress he saw as a result of the first surgery, but the right side had progressed to the point of needing intervention. She underwent surgery in early May 2021. All went well, but a few days post-op, she suffered a stroke from extreme swelling in her brain; so much swelling that it caused her brain to shift 9mm, causing too much pressure in her skull. She underwent emergency surgery to remove a portion of her skull to alleviate the pressure, saving her life. Since then, the incision got infected, snd that required surgery to clean out the infection. 

     The post-op stroke caused left-sided paralysis, leaving her unable to speak (very few audible words), unable to swallow/eat (had feeding surgically placed temporarily) and she isn’t able to use her left arm or leg, so she is unable to walk. 

     Brandy is in need of intense inpatient rehabilitation/therapy. So far the VA has only agreed to/approved 21 days in an acute care rehab facility, followed by therapy at a skilled nursing facility. This is not adequate time/treatment needed for her to achieve the fullest possible recovery. 

     Brandy will be 40 years old in July and she has her whole life ahead of her. Our goal is to provide her with adequate therapy in order to give her the tools she needs to make the fullest recovery possible. We requested treatment at the Shepherd Center (Atlanta, GA) and the VA has denied her approval/coverage. We are facing the financial burden of paying out of pocket for her rehabilitation there, which we are anticipating months of treatment so she can achieve regaining the greatest amount of function/independence possible. Brandy is the strongest, most independent woman I’ve ever known and she CAN/WILL overcome all of the obstacles she faces, and I believe God gave us the earthly ability to help her….an advanced therapy facility for her and Scott to attend together so they can learn how to manage their new lifestyle/needs, helping them to transition to home as smoothly as possible so they can continue to spread The Good News around the world. 

     If you can give financially, please consider donating. Scott had back surgery in November and was just released back to work the week surgery was planned for Brandy. He’s her primary caregiver and is unable to go back to work with her current condition and he will likely not be able to go back anytime soon, if at all. Even if therapy is miraculously covered by the VA, they will be facing having to move, make any accommodations for medical equipment/handicap access, and any daily living expenses along the way. Scott has mentioned donating any “extra” funds not needed to help other Veterans or for MoyaMoya research. It will be used to help someone else in the event they do not need it!  ABOVE ALL, we covet your prayers! We serve an ABLE God that STILL performs miracles daily and so freely gives us grace! God bless you all! 

Some requested alternative ways to send money to them: 

• Cash app: $scottyridener
• Venmo: @RobynSouth
• PayPal: @RobynSouth