Brain Aneurysm Foundation BAF Changemaker: Karen Edwards
Karen Edwards from Richmond, Kentucky – embracing her new life.
Karen Edwards knows firsthand how quickly life can change after suffering a life-threatening brain aneurysm rupture in 2023. Through her journey, Karen has embraced her “new me” with gratitude and resilience, finding purpose in giving back, raising awareness, and connecting with a community that truly understands what survivors endure.
BAF: Tell us a little about your connection with brain aneurysms.
KE: On November 27, 2023, my life changed forever when I survived a ruptured brain aneurysm. I was incredibly blessed not to have major physical deficits, but my mind and personality are a little different now.
“Over time, I’ve learned to embrace the new me, and I see it as a blessing.”
I owe my life to Dr. Curtis Given, who performed life-saving endovascular surgery using coils. His expertise in Cerebral Vascular Surgery and Neurointerventional Radiology gave me the chance to still be here today, and I will forever be grateful to him.
BAF: When did you first learn about the BAF?
KE: I first discovered the Brain Aneurysm Foundation (BAF) shortly after my rupture. My former teacher, Ms. Hamilton, sent me a link to their Facebook page, and as I began reading the stories, I felt an immediate connection. I finally found a community that truly understands what survivors go through.
That connection led me to do something bigger. I am organizing the first-ever “18 for 18 Kentucky” golf tournament to benefit the BAF. The name comes from the fact that every 18 minutes, someone suffers a brain aneurysm. I felt a pull in my heart to give back, and this event is my way of raising awareness, building community, and honoring the lives we’ve lost. The process has been overwhelming in the best way. It has given me purpose and has been a huge part of my healing.
I could not have made it this far without my tribe of friends and family who have stood by me every step of the way. My wonderful husband, my terrific daughter who keeps me on my toes, and my amazing friends who have never left my side. They have been my strength. When you’re knocked down, it truly takes good friends to lift you back up, and I have been blessed beyond measure by the people God has placed in my life.
BAF: How do you explain the importance of brain aneurysm awareness to people who may not know much about it?
KE: Awareness matters so much to me because brain aneurysms are more common than people realize, and they can rupture without warning. My father died from a rupture, and if I had known they could be hereditary, I might have been able to prevent mine from rupturing. One in fifty people are walking around with an aneurysm right now. Life-saving treatments like coiling and stenting can stabilize aneurysms before they rupture. I also believe in the power of preventative imaging, not just for aneurysms, but for other conditions like cancer. Time is the key to survival, and I often think about how much different my journey might have been if my aneurysm had been found sooner.
BAF: What does the BAF community mean to you?
KE: To me, the BAF community means hope, strength, and connection. Survivors, caregivers, and advocates walk a path that only we can truly understand, and I’ve found reassurance in knowing I am not alone.
BAF: If you could share one thing with the world about brain aneurysms, what would it be?
KE: If I could share one thing with the world, it’s this: knowledge and awareness save lives. Healing a broken brain is not easy, and neurological deficits are not a reflection of the person; they are simply part of this condition. For many of us, the outside doesn’t tell the whole story. Survivors may look the same as they did before, but inside, we carry cracks that can’t be seen. This is something common to many who have walked this journey, so please, show grace.
I want to close with gratitude. Thank you, Dr. Given, for saving my life. And above all, I thank God, who was with me every step of the way and continues to be with me today.