Cleveland — Brody Frye, 20 years old, can be found in the hallways of MetroHealth Rehabilitation Institute. Despite being in a terrible accident just three weeks ago, he always maintains a positive attitude that defies his circumstances.
A Life Forever Changed
On July 27, Brody pulled over on Route 2 in Huron due to car trouble when he was rear-ended by another driver. The impact resulted in a T-10 complete spinal cord injury, which doctors at MetroHealth Medical Center say occurs only about once a year.
“It’s all kind of a blur to me,” Brody recalls from that day. “Next thing you know, I’m getting flown out to a hospital.”
The young man has no feeling from his stomach down and may never walk again. Most people his age would be devastated by this news.
“You start thinking about how your life is gonna be,” Brody reflects. “You never expect, you know, your life to change this dramatically so quick.”
Nonetheless, Brody’s response has been extraordinary.
“You gotta start adjusting right away, you know, start thinking about how you’re gonna live your life now,” he tells me.
A Tragic Family Connection
What makes Brody’s story even more remarkable is what happened six years ago along the same stretch of Route 2. His mother, Karen, describes the heartbreaking coincidence:
“He was on his way to work, in the exact location, on the opposite side of Route 2. And, uh, an older gentleman crossed over and was driving the wrong way and hit him head on, and he died almost exactly where Brody was hit.”
Karen’s husband and Brody’s father, Largo Frye, died in the head-on collision. Six years apart, same stretch of road, but with a different outcome.
“I absolutely believe that. We both have strong faith, and there’s something going on here; there’s, uh, something big in store for Brody and our family, I believe,” Karen says, her voice full of faith in divine intervention.
The Making of a Fighter
The former Huron High School football player, who played multiple positions ranging from linebacker to running back, says the response has been overwhelming.
“My entire town basically supports me and my family. “It’s just been amazing,” Brody says.
He fully credits his mother for his positive outlook.
“My mother, for sure. She’s such a positive influence, almost identical to my mother. “She’s just always positive.”
World-Class Care at MetroHealth
Brody is being treated at MetroHealth Rehabilitation Institute, one of the country’s first hospitals dedicated solely to rehabilitation. The Institute’s mission is to help people with significant disabilities regain function, participate in society, and improve their quality of life.
U.S. News & World Report has named the MetroHealth Rehabilitation Institute one of the best in the country for treating patients recovering from complex conditions like stroke, traumatic brain injury, and traumatic spinal cord injury. The Institute cares for the most complex rehabilitation patients, many of whom are admitted through MetroHealth’s Level 1 trauma service.
“The nurses have been fantastic. The therapists have been amazing. “They, they really care for you,” Brody says of his caregivers.
The Institute is dedicated to a transdisciplinary approach that provides excellent rehabilitation care, trains the next generation of physical medicine and rehabilitation clinicians and scientists, and discovers new knowledge that can be applied to clinical practice.
Dreams Still Alive
Despite his circumstances, Brody has already set lofty goals for his future.
“I mean, I’m trying to get into the Paralympics, you know, be hooping out there, and all that. I also played some football. Whatever I can do. “They got all the wheelchair sports, so,” he says, his enthusiasm palpable.
His mother, Karen, says she isn’t surprised by her son’s determination.
“He is not naive.” He understands the gravity of the situation, and he has had his down moments, but he is ready to fight and make a good life for himself, and I am confident he will do so. So, yes, I’m extremely proud of him.
A Message of Hope
Brody’s purpose in life is to help others find the light in their darkest moments, guided by his mother’s love and his father’s legacy.
“Whatever you think about, that is what you get. “That is how you see life,” he explains his philosophy.
His message to others going through their own struggles is simple but profound:
“There are people all over the world dealing with stuff, and the message is the same: stay positive through it all. “It’ll get better.”
Looking Forward
When the Frye family returns to Huron, they will need to adapt their home to accommodate Brody’s wheelchair and new way of life. It’s a big change, but the family says the community’s support is keeping their faith strong.
“It just bring your focus back to what really matters and it’s, um, community and it’s caring for other people, and it, it really makes me wanna be a better person, you know?” Karen reflects.
For the time being, Brody is continuing his rehabilitation at MetroHealth, getting stronger by the day and demonstrating that even the darkest times can bring out the best in people.
If you want to help the Frye family, their GoFundMe page is HERE.
