There is no rhyme or reason why things happen in life but life does happen and it’s up to each individual to choose what path they want. I chose to live! At the age of 23 I was diagnosed with acute liver failure and given 48 hours to live. I was inflicted with a rare liver disease that was triggered by Tylenol. Death came knocking on my door, but because of very generous donor family with in 24 hours my life would never be the same. After 12 long hours of surgery my liver transplant was a success! The time line of events is not exactly accurate but after “waking’ from my surgery the Doctors discovered that the coma I was in caused me to suffer from TBI (Traumatic Brain Injury). My memory span was about 15 minutes; I spent three months in Hartford Hospital working daily with a physical, cognitive and social worker to get me back on track. I had to learn how to tie my shoes, read, write do the things we take for granted every day. Before my transplant I was attending evening classes at the local college working on my accounting degree, I had a 4.0 average. I was now reading at a 5^th grade level. I soon realized that I would never be the same person I was only 48 hours before. I had the choice to accept this new life or accept defeat; I chose to live my life and fight! After being released from Hartford Hospital I was enrolled as an out patient for Easter Seals, they specialize in people with brain injury. At first I denied I had brain damage until I received my first C ever. It was at that moment in time that I truly accepted that I would never be the person I was before my transplant and had to accept this new life. I signed up for every tutor and mentor program the college had to offer and took on extra hours at Easter Seals. It was long hard struggle but I never gave up, I had a goal and mind and dammed I went for it; I graduated with a 3.8 grade average and never looked back. And that’s how I live my life now. I have a vision, a goal and I just say do it! No matter how long it takes, I accomplish all that I set out for. Since my transplant December 12, 1992 I have five marathons, ten half marathons, climbed Mount Washington in New Hamphsire, purchased my own home, received my college degree, volunteered countless hours for various charities, run endless local races and much more. It doesn’t matter if your goal is to climb Mount Everest or to bake your first cake, what counts is finishing what you set out to do. That’s why I have founded the D/B/A Foundation Inc (Dare to be Alive) to share my story and inspire others, especially children to achieve their goals. “ I DARE YOU to live your life!”

Deanna Arnold President,
Liver Transplant Recipient