12 Feb Meet the Bryan Family
On December 12, 2013, 14-year-old cross-country runner, Daniel, went out for a chilly run in his hometown of Dexter, Georgia. Daniel was running with his headphones in both ears and ran into a moving truck as he went to take a sharp turn. The driver stopped and found Daniel lying in the road unresponsive and immediately called 911.
Ironically, Daniel’s father is a volunteer first responder in their town and heard the call and rushed to the site where Daniel had been hit. Daniel was transported by helicopter to the children’s hospital in Macon, Georgia where he stayed in a coma for eight days. There his terrified parents learned Daniel was suffering from a broken tibia, fractured pelvis, several fractured ribs, two collapsed lungs, broken jaw, fracture of the 5th metatarsal and a severe brain injury.
After staying 22 days in Macon, Daniel was transferred to Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta at Scottish Rite. Daniel’s Mom, Jan, has not left his side throughout the whole recovery process. Jan and Daniel became guests’ of the Atlanta Ronald McDonald House on February 3, 2013.
“Staying at the Ronald McDonald House allowed me to be close to my child. If it wasn’t for the House we would not be able to afford to stay here in Atlanta with Daniel,” said Jan. “Not only does Ronald McDonald House provide a 
comfortable place to stay, but we also get a delicious meals every night, a place we can wash clothes and have families to talk to who are going through similar situations.”
A typical day for Daniel includes getting up at 6:45 a.m. to catch the shuttle to day rehab at 7:30 a.m., therapy starts at 9:00 a.m. and ends at 3:00 p.m., and then Daniel takes the shuttle back to the Ronald McDonald House.
Daniel said what he likes most about staying at the House is trying the different food prepared each night by the volunteers.
Jan is amazed at Daniel’s progress in rehab and said physically he is healing well but his mental state is slower to recover. Daniel arrived to ARMHC in a wheel chair and today Daniel and his mom walk two miles each evening on the trails that surround the House. Jan and Daniel are hopeful to be discharged from day rehab and return home soon.