Help Bryan Recover From His Auto Accident

Bryan’s car was hit by a red-light-beating-driver at speed. The accident severely injured his left hand and caused traumatic brain injury and PTSD. A year later, government benefits are still pending and uncertain, and resources have run out - rendering him homeless, without possessions, and unable to care for himself. He needs our help. 

Who is Bryan?

To those who know him, Bryan Cero is known as a positive, generous person whose daily mission is to unconditionally take care of people around him, make them smile, and lift them up. He is also known as a perpetual learner, always seeking to learn new things in order to get to the "next level up".

What Happened?

On a cloudy Wednesday afternoon during the first quarter of 2022, Bryan was driving home triumphantly: he had just left a Prometric skills testing center along Traeger Avenue in San Bruno, California and had successfully passed yet another learning certification, this time validating knowledge and skills on how to expertly perform collision repair and refinish automobiles. He was looking forward to the future, one where he would use this milestone to delight even more people across the Bay Area by taking care of their vehicles.

In a tragic and ironic twist of fate, a motorist beat a red light at speed as Bryan was turning into El Camino Boulevard, directly impacting Bryan's driver side door and causing his vehicle to spin at the intersection.

As the driver side door was pinned shut, multiple airbags deployed, and Bryan was knocked around inside the car. His hands would also get caught on the steering wheel as he struggled to gain some control of the car in the middle of the busy crossroad.

An actual photo of the offending vehicle, crumpled and disabled at the intersection of the incident is below:

How is Bryan Doing Now?

Subsequent medical examinations and treatment would reveal severe damage to Bryan's dominant left hand, damage that is still being treated today. The impact also caused traumatic brain injury and induced severe post-traumatic stress, rendering Bryan unable to fully function in the day to day. It is uncertain whether the memory, trauma, and hand function issues will ever fully resolve.

Why Does Bryan Need Help Now?

It has been more than a year since the incident, and while Bryan has tried to subsist on his own, the energy, resources, and benefits that he had been relying on to survive his ordeal have long run out. While there is still a silver lining in seeking disability benefits from the Federal Government, those who are familiar with the process know that it is neither guaranteed, nor straightforward, nor quick to be had. In fact, Bryan has already attempted to seek said benefits to support himself, but his request was quickly denied. An appeal is in process, but unfortunately, it is well known that said process takes almost a year in many cases, and statistics indicate that many appeals are also turned down. An inset of Bryan's actual denial notice from the SSA website dated May 2023 is below:

Meanwhile, in the tumultuous wait, there is a human cost. Bryan has been homeless and he has lost all of his possessions. And in the costly environment of the Bay Area where every small action incurs significant cost, there comes a point where it is impossible to get back on one's feet without help. Bryan has long reached that point.

Who Can Help?

To those who know Bryan and have been the recipient of his kindness, friendship, and generosity over the years: it's our turn to take care of him. Please take the time to reach into your lives and help lift our brother back up, so his life can be a blessing to others again.

And to those strangers who are reading this: we pray that your heart is touched to help someone in need, because we need positive, generous people like Bryan lifting others up in the world.

Where funds will go/ What Bryan needs your help with:

- Safe, stable housing for the next 6-12 months so he can recover and discover how to be self-sufficient and contribute to society given his present limitations

-Funds to afford consistent and effective medical care and PTSD treatment, many of which are beyond the purview/scope of state-sponsored free health plans

-Necessities such as food, communications, transportation, and some basic comforts to promote well being