Bryan Ray Bowers

The Bryan a lot of people saw was the bright young man who was socially awkward, two left feet and had the ability to carry an intelligent conversation with anyone, especially if you wanted to debate politics, religion and any historical facts/details. What most people didn’t get to see was the boy who hated bullies and stood up for people who were picked on. The first person to give someone he cared about a hug and tell them he loved them, for no reason and often. The young man who would read every sign at the zoo, museum or historical park and who accepted everyone for who they were. His number one wish in life was to be normal so he could make friends with teens his age. If you taught or were in class with Bryan you experienced first hand how intelligent he was and how he saw the world in black and white. He never saw the grey most of us saw. He also would do absolutely anything for anyone. Unfortunately,  Bryan was dealt a crappy hand and suffered from mild depression most of his life. He had self control issues that he had an amazing team of school administrators, his psychologist and our family to help him, but none of us thought he was capable of doing this. He asked about suicide a couple times but never more then to make you think anything just a question occasionally when we would watch a movie or hear about a celebrity ODing, car accidents, etc.

After a lot of thought, tears and advice, I wanted to share his story. Bryan was able to donate an extensive amount of tissue to Michigan Life where he will be able to help everyone from those blind, to paralyzed and even amputees. The last donation Bryan gave is his incredible brain, in hopes they can use to help researchers learn more about some of the mental issues Bryan struggled with. Hopefully he will be able to help the many others who struggle daily with the things he did.

If you want to help prevent situations like Bryan’s, and help shape the path to neurological breakthroughs by donating, then please consider donating in memory of Bryan Bowers to Lieber Institute for Brain Development.