Randy Henry

Hey there, my name is Randy. My life was pretty ho hum boring until October 1, 1999. I was just minding my own business going to college when an artery off my right carotid artery decided to blow. I had a massive seizure, was in a coma for a week. The last 23 years have been part shit show, part personal discovery, part roller coaster ride, but never boring.

💡Fun Fact:

Hum, traveled to 49 states (I’m getting to you New Mexico) and 40 countries on 5 continents.

🤓Nerdom:

Sports, technology, documentaries.

Fred Nelson

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Dr. Wade Smith

Dr. Wade Smith received his MD from the University of Washington and his PhD in neurophysiology at the same institution in 1989.  He helped establish the UCSF Neurovascular Service assumed its Directorship in 2002. He is also the president of The Aneurysm & AVM Foundation (TAAF)

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Michelle Lee

I am just a regular 19 year old girl with a few extra battle wound scars than most my age trying to live my life to the fullest by attending my dream school 3,000 miles away from home

💡Fun Fact:

I tried to memorize the entire periodic table of elements to test my memory after my stroke

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Hannah Fox

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Emalina Sanguinetii

I’m 17 year old AVM survivor. I had injury when I was 14 years old. Ever since that day my life changed. Now, I’m a high school senior who loves theater, art, music, humanities, history, and more. After high school, I plan to go to college and get my bachelors in Psychology.

💡Fun Fact:

My injury caused me to lose control of my right side. So, now I am ambidextrous. Also I’m vegetarian.

🤓Nerdom:

I am nerdy about theater, musical theater, music, art, comic superheroes, pokémon, cartoons.

Laura Thomas

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Leslye Wilson

As a self-proclaimed silent introvert, Leslye Wilson found her voice through poetry. After surviving a cerebral arteriovenous malformation (AVM) in September of 2008, Leslye continues to use poetry as her voice with the hope of educating people on AVMs and disabilities, along with uplifting and empowering survivors. Her works have been featured in several blogs, newsletters and anthologies. Aside from riding, Leslye enjoys drawing, traveling, hiking, mild rock climbing, and meditation.

💡Fun Fact:

I do my best to take “weird” and make it interesting and beautiful through my poetry.

🤓Nerdom:

Book nerd, travel nerd, culinary nerd.

Valerie Arribeno

Marley is a 10 year old Shihtzu that loves walks, chicken, lambchop and bringing awareness. Valerie (Marley’s Mum) is a Social Worker that hopes to bring awareness, advocate and create a legacy that honors her mom.

💡Fun Fact:

Marley and I go on road trips and decorate for every holiday.

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Jayden Asay

Jayden (13 y/o) joined TAAF as a youth ambassador in 2021, after his mom suffered two strokes caused by the inoperable AVM in her temporoparietal lobes. He loves spreading awareness and raising money for AVM and AVM research.

💡Fun Fact:

Jayden wants to be a doctor since he has had a lot of injuries, and the doctors have helped him feel better.

🤓Nerdom:

Jayden is a gymnastics nerd.

Angel Coughlin

After loosing her 16 year old son to an AVM rupture Angel dedicates her service to promoting research, early detection, treatment, and most importantly to the support of other parents who are experiencing incredible loss.

💡Fun Fact:

I’m a Christian, tree hugging yoga therapist who loves tattoos and rides motorcycles.

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Lindsay Raber-Adams

I am a 39 year old flight attendant from Alaska who loves to fly in her own plane and is also learning to sail!

💡Fun Fact:

I own a 1954 Piper Pacer airplane

🤓Nerdom:

HUGE fan of Star Trek. I have seen every episode of the Next Generation and Deep Space Nine but Deep Space Nine is my true love.

Deborah Toy Benzel

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Joe Borges

Joe is a podcast host, blogger, personal mentor and mindset coach. His mission is to create community and support for stroke and brain injury survivors through his podcast, The NeuroNerds, his blog JoeSoRocks and his YouSoRock coaching program.

Lauren Manzano

Felice LaZae

Felice LaZae is a producer, singer/songwriter, and performer. Her work is featured by Forbes, Rolling Stone, Vogue, Vice, The Grammys, and ESPN. She has collaborated with companies including Avid Technology, Brew Dr. Kombucha, Logitech, and Airbnb.