The True Meaning of Friendship, Part III

Brian in his element 

If you happen to be an avid reader of this blog, you've likely read my previous posts about two of my best friends from Tulane, Brian and Jackson, who for me, embody the true meaning of friendship. You can read my original post here and then my follow up post about our incredible experience on the Ellen Show.

Brian was truly a larger-than-life kinda guy who impacted so many people in his time on Earth. I say "was" because, sadly, Brian passed away last month from complications from an injury. Ellen did a pretty incredible tribute to him on her show. I'm not really able to watch that Ellen clip without being overcome with emotion, but I have watched it a thousand times nonetheless.

This story about Brian might invoke sadness, but hopefully, what you'll be left with is hope, happiness, and the power of positivity. I'd like to share this story of Brian and his positive inspiration in the context of three incredible people whom he impacted during his life. Interestingly, the story of this three people are all interconnected by Tulane, New Orleans, and of course, Brian.

The first of the three people needs no introduction:

The Brees' with Brian's brother and sister-in-law, Matt and Caroline, at dinner last week. 

Drew Brees. The man who made this story possible. Drew truly is a legend, not only because of his accomplishments on the field. I think my favorite article ever written about Drew Brees is the Onion article titled "Drew Brees Casually Wonders Aloud If He Really Could Get Away With Murder In This Town." This is no over exaggeration, people really love Drew in New Orleans. Drew never had to do what he did for Brian and Jackson. But he did. And what he did ended up being life-changing for so many people. The three challenging years that Brian faced as a quadriplegic were filled with hope, happiness and positivity thanks to Drew.  Last week, when Brian's whole family was in town for the memorial service, it was no surprise in the least that Drew and his wife Brittany joined Brian's entire family for dinner. Drew Brees has a heart of gold and every thing you see and read about him being a kind, compassionate and incredible person... could not be truer. I think Jackson put it best:

"I don’t think he knows the magnitude of what he has done for me or for my best friend. I wouldn’t expect him to, as he has affected so many thousands of people in the same way. His impact on the city of New Orleans has been discussed in many forums, but it cannot be exaggerated. He has embraced his role as a symbol of hope, and he carries that burden every day with the grace and selflessness that have made him my city’s favorite son."

Courtney Garcia. Courtney has always known an inspiring story when she sees one. That's why a few years ago, when the original story that Jackson penned for the Washington Post was published, she knew this was something incredible. As the senior Associate Producer at the Ellen Degeneres show, she pitched the idea and this whole story completely took off. She's the reason this story has had such a positive impact on everyone who has watched it. But the biggest impact was the one Brian had on her. In her own words: 

"Sometimes it takes another person or spirit to help you find your place of courage, and Brian did that for me. For awhile, I had been wanting to strike out on a new path, but fearful of where it may lead; I felt I was one of those people following all the mundane motions of life but too concerned about the unknown to break free. Meeting Brian, sharing his story, and becoming his friend inspired me to take a risk, move, and explore the world in a way I’d only imagined because I knew - thanks to Brian - I would always be okay. We are as strong as our will, as brave as our outlook, and as successful as our ambitions. That’s what I learned from Brian, why I came to New Orleans, and what I will always carry with me as I go on my way."

And, get this, this fall, Courtney will start as a brand new faculty member here at Tulane teaching a class on (what else?) video production. 

Brian sailing with Dr. Campbell 

Carolyn Campbell. I'd met Carolyn once or twice during her time as a medical school student at Tulane, but it was a conversation I had with her at Brian's memorial service that really made me realize how much of a bond we Tulanians share. Quick backstory on Carolyn: Carolyn attended both Tulane undergrad and medical school. Upon finding out that she was matched in a residency program in Spinal Cord Injury Medicine in Salt Lake City, she connected with the only Tulane acquaintance she knew there: Brian. Brian's exact quote to her (via email) was "I promise you'll never want to leave this place once you see what Utah has to offer." And he was right. Brian and Carolyn immediately struck up an incredible friendship, skiing the mountains of Alta and Snowbird in the winters, and hiking the epic peaks of Utah in the summers. That's when a strange twist of Tulane fate came in. It was a year into Carolyn's residency program when Brian was tragically injured. Brian wound up on the spinal rehabilitation unit... where else... at the University of Utah, under Carolyn's care. She was there as he set the bar for what was possible for a quadriplegic as Brian returned to the slopes skiing (yes, skiing) and hit the lake sailing (yes, sailing) as a part of the University of Utah's TRAILs program. Brian quite literally defined what was possible for someone with his injury. With the strength and inspiration that Brian gave her, this fall Carolyn's heading to Seattle for a fellowship program at the best spinal cord injury rehabilitation program in the country.

I guess you really never know how much of a positive force one person can have until you see the people they've impacted first-hand.  Much of life is not how we respond when things are easy, but rather how we learn to respond when we are faced with life's biggest challenges. Brian's impact on Tulane, New Orleans, Utah and on so many people's lives will be felt forever.

While his life might have been cut short, I'm a firm believer in the old Mae West quote that says "You only live once, but if you do it right, once is all you need."

Brian, my friend, you did it so very right.

I had to share this last one. Here we all are at The Boot last week celebrating Brian's life.
That's Brian's amazing parents, front and center, toasting to an incredible life lived. 

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