Take Back My Life

Take Back My Life Musings, raw refections, advocacy, healing and examining according to my moral compass My name is Briana Beaver, and I'm taking back my life!

I have been overcoming extreme and extraordinary obstacles since my birth. An hour after I was born, I died. I was resuscitated, but the event left me with permanent brain damage, resulting in Cerebral Palsy. When I was 9 years old, I mysteriously started to experience health problems that included gastrointestinal, pulmonary, metabolic, and neurological symptoms. But I never let this stop me. I p

ursued my passions, and did my best to live a normal life. I graduated high school in 3 years, and in 2011 I graduated from Chico State, Summa Cum Laude, with a degree in Sociology. It was then that my health became even worse. The pain became horrifically intense. I had extreme sensory overload, so that every stimulus - sight, sound, and smell - everything caused pain. I was so mysteriously debilitated that I was unable to eat or drink. By summer 2012 I was in Stanford Hospital, wasted away to 75 lbs. The pain was so torturous that I welcomed the thought of death. In December of 2014, my medical mystery was finally given a name: Lyme Disease. Since then, I have undergone an extremely expensive battery of treatments, none of which are covered by insurance. I have improved, but I’m still incredibly medically fragile. I’m currently unable to read for more than 10 minutes at a time, and can’t use a computer or TV for any length at all. I had to dictate this message because I’m unable to write it myself. However, I desperately needed to share how deeply I’m committed to moving forward. It’s time for me to FINALLY take back my life! My family is organizing the Take Back My Life campaign to help pay for the extremely expensive treatments Briana direly needs, but isn’t covered by insurance. For more information on Briana’s journey to health, and to donate toward her treatment, visit:

http://gofund.me/pvpq2k

To better understand the devastating and debilitating symptoms of Lyme Disease, please visit www.lymedisease.org/

I’m thrilled to have the support of Bill Monroe, Regional Director of the Democratic Party!“Briana, the wonderful Chico ...
09/05/2026

I’m thrilled to have the support of Bill Monroe, Regional Director of the Democratic Party!

“Briana, the wonderful Chico Democratic Volunteer who loves her rabbits and ran “Hares For Harris” in 2024, has teamed up with her ER doc to improve patient-doctor interactions.

Her project Care Cards has received national and local attention.

Check it out!”

Thank you Bill!

I’m absolutely ecstatic to share with you… Care Cards for Kids! This is an idea Ben and I talked about last year and som...
09/05/2026

I’m absolutely ecstatic to share with you… Care Cards for Kids!

This is an idea Ben and I talked about last year and something that has been a priority of mine to create. I’m delighted with how these Pediatric ER Communication Care Cards have turned out!

(Fun fact: Ben actually planned on becoming a pediatrician like his dad but changed his mind during medical school. Good thing! Otherwise, we would never be celebrating this incredibly unexpected partnership!)

The ER can be a scary and overwhelming mplace for a child. Sometimes children know something doesn't feel right but don't have the words to explain it. They may be frightened, tired, uncomfortable, or simply unsure how to tell an unfamiliar healthcare provider what they need.

Pediatric ER Care Conversation Cards give children a gentle, simple way to communicate.

The cards use open-ended prompts that invite children to write, draw, point, or talk about what they are experiencing. There are no right or wrong answers.

What's Included:
This collection includes 8 pediatric E/R conversation cards with prompts such as:

⭐ Right now…What is most important for you today?
💭 My biggest challenge is…What is the hardest part right now?
🧸 What helps me feel better?
☁️ What makes it harder?
☀️ What do I need you to know about me or my body?
🧩 How can I be part of the plan for my care?
❓ Is there anything you are unsure about?
❤️ What else would help you take care of me well today?

Each card provides space for the child to respond in whatever way works best for them.

Designed for Children:
These aren't medical forms or checklists. They are conversation starters designed to help a child have a voice in their own care.

Why These Cards Matter:
In the ER, healthcare providers need medical information—but children also need to feel seen, heard, safe, and respected.
A small question can open a much bigger conversation.

What helps me? What makes things harder?What do I want you to know? What am I worried about?

These little moments can help build trust between a child, their family, and their care team.

https://www.etsy.com/listing/4569263194/pediatric-er-conversation-care-cards?sh_rv=1&ref=shop_home_active_1&dd=1&logging_key=b81c1c25fb14c10d46362d00c93ad4bd608e0072%3A4569263194

Be still my heart! This is one of TWO University of Texas Health Hospital locations that will soon be offering Care Card...
09/04/2026

Be still my heart! This is one of TWO University of Texas Health Hospital locations that will soon be offering Care Cards! EEEK!

Can you believe this is really happening?

In honor of my fierce mother advocating for me as a child throughout school, teaching me the very tools that have shaped...
09/03/2026

In honor of my fierce mother advocating for me as a child throughout school, teaching me the very tools that have shaped me into the proactive advocate I am today, I’m excited to introduce:

Meet My Kid 🌟Child Introduction Printable for Teachers & IEP Meetings
Before you talk about my child's needs, I want you to meet my child.

Every child has a story.
Meet My Kid is a simple, heart-centered printable created to help parents introduce the whole child to teachers, school staff, therapists, and other people who will be part of their child's life.

Because sometimes the most important things about a child aren't found in a school file.
Maybe your child loves dinosaurs.
Maybe they make everyone laugh.
Maybe they collect rocks.
Maybe they love drawing with their sister.
Maybe, like one very special kid we know, they love banana splits on the porch at night with the family dog, Scooby.
Those are the things that help people see the child behind the paperwork.

Meet My Kid gives families a simple way to say:

“Before we talk about what my child needs, please get to know who they are.”

Because belonging starts with being known.

https://www.etsy.com/listing/4568417048/meet-my-kid?ref=shop_home_active_1&dd=1&logging_key=a5a75c4af05ae26d3c12c67960e07971c3d62c6d%3A4568417048

I was so profoundly exhausted after the past week coupled with my meeting yesterday that I didn’t have the energy to sha...
09/03/2026

I was so profoundly exhausted after the past week coupled with my meeting yesterday that I didn’t have the energy to share the full capacity of the exciting highlights of my meeting with Dr. Schnell yesterday.

I was delighted that he offered to chat with Dr. Glyn Elwyn about Care Cards and potential additional hospital sites for pilot programs. Dr. Elwyn not only organized the ISDM conference where I presented, but is also the “father“ of shared-decision making. Essentially, he’s at the top of this field and is considered an influential innovator! Dr. Elwyn is a professor and physician-researcher at The Dartmouth Institute for Health Policy and Clinical Practice, Dartmouth where he directs the Patient Engagement Research Program.

Dr. Schnell and he have collaborated on research about the importance of communication and patient- driven best practices in medicine.

So, basically, this is a big deal! I’m stoked about this potential, unlikely connection that could be indescribably impactful for spreading not only awareness about CC within the shared decision making medical community, but also for other connections who could be interested in implementing pilot programs at their hospitals! WOW!

I am still in shock that my first pilot program for Care Cards IS HAPPENING!This is huge on still many levels because no...
09/03/2026

I am still in shock that my first pilot program for Care Cards IS HAPPENING!

This is huge on still many levels because not only is Dr Schnell welcoming and appreciative of a patient- created tool, but he is also collaborating with me and seeking my guidance for implementation. Additionally, he will be using Care Cards as part of his curriculum to teach residents in the labor and delivery department!

The irony here is multifaceted; as a patient who so often feels dehumanized and squashed by doctors I’m now being invited as a trusted expert into the realm of teaching doctors! Dr. Schnell told me he looks forward to working with me throughout the pilot implementation process both in the emergency departments as well as labor and delivery!

I truly don’t have words for the feeling that struck me today during our conversation when he asked me:

“How would you like the Cards to be shared with patients in the emergency room? I’m happy to do whatever you think would be best for people.“

As somebody who is rarely at a loss for words, this was one of those moments. The willingness of this doctor to reallocate some of his power in the name of the authentic patient- provider partnership buoyed me in a way I don’t yet even understand.

Cheers to Dr. Schnell and the FIRST PILOT PROGRAM coming soon to UT Health Texas! We’re doing it!

HE SAID YES!To say that I was nervous for my meeting today with Dr. John Schnell, the Medical Director of the ER at UT H...
09/02/2026

HE SAID YES!

To say that I was nervous for my meeting today with Dr. John Schnell, the Medical Director of the ER at UT Health Texas would be an understatement. To say I was shocked to near silence when he told me with confidence and apparent authority that he would like to partner with me for a six month Care Cards pilot program would be the understatement of the century.

OH. MY. GOD. We will be working together to implement my shared decision making tools in not one but two ER locations he oversees as well as the Labor & Delivery Department!

He and I will be collaborating to create Cards for expecting mothers in the coming weeks. Additionally, he will be using my Care Cards as part of the curriculum teaching residents about collaborating with patients for better care.

Can you even believe this!?!?!

Pinch me! I can’t wait to share this truly extraordinary news with Ben and get going on what promises to be the next phase of this truly unforeseeable journey. So much gratitude to Dr Schnell for taking the time to chat with me today, for listening, asking questions and believing in the possibilities for healthcare to do better, together.

And now, I need a nap.

Care Cards are going to Texas, ya’ll!

Those of you who know me in the “real life“ or have been following this page for some time probably know that I have a p...
09/02/2026

Those of you who know me in the “real life“ or have been following this page for some time probably know that I have a penchant for pushing the envelope. The funny thing is, I don’t see it that way. When I recognize a problem, have a chance to talk with others about the problem and develop a potential solution, I just want to share.

That’s why when two people in one week who know the Enloe CEO recommended I request a meeting with him to discuss a potential pilot program, I decided to go for it. Today, I emailed him a heartfelt letter with an invitation for a meeting along with the poster.

(This is what I remind myself when I need a little encouragement.)

Well, y’all, I have truly outdone myself. When a friendly face approached me at the storytelling event on Friday night t...
08/30/2026

Well, y’all, I have truly outdone myself. When a friendly face approached me at the storytelling event on Friday night to extend an invitation to a sisterhood meeting this weekend at her house, I was simultaneously elated and crashed. After being homebound and desperately lonely for more than a decade, I knew attempting to attend two community events within the span of only three days was out of the question.

And then I did it. I am seriously not exaggerating when I say I’ve interacted with more people and participated in more social gatherings over this weekend than I have since college. Gathering in a picturesque yard framed with luscious greenery and a sparkling swimming pool was somewhat of a retreat, as was the instantaneous camaraderie of 30 women of all generations.

As my brain was trying to tell my body this was a bad idea, sounding the typical alarm bells of survival, I tried to focus instead on the friendly faces and warm welcomes that surrounded me. The camaraderie of 30 women, all of whom seemed so genuinely interconnected yet grateful to welcome new friends, cannot be understated.

I had an opportunity to meet Maggie, Steve’s wife, who although did not recognize my face, recognized Care Cards. What an experience it was to tell her about her husband, how he shines in the emergency room and why this matters. As a nurse, she was intrigued and authentically surprised to learn that not all doctors demonstrate the kindness her husband offers. It was my turn to be surprised when she told me she also knows Ben.

“Why aren’t Care Cards at Enloe?” She asked me towards the end of this wonderful gathering.

“Bureaucracy,” I shrugged.

Then she proceeded to tell me how she would reach out to some of her fellow nurses who work at Enloe, inviting them to join the movement to rally for CC to be offered at the hospital.

As I awkwardly hugged some of my new friends goodbye, exchanging contact info, I thought about how profoundly overcome my body felt by crushing weakness in that moment. And how alive I felt, too.

I’m so pleased to have connected with this sisterhood of women who care about each other and our community and I am looking forward to more opportunities for camaraderie and what one woman referred to as “saving the world” and maybe myself, too.

All dressed up on a Friday night with somewhere to go? Who am I even? When Steve invited me over a month ago to a story ...
08/29/2026

All dressed up on a Friday night with somewhere to go? Who am I even? When Steve invited me over a month ago to a story slam he would be hosting, I put it on my calendar and vowed to go, even if for only 15 minutes. I didn’t anticipate being further dissuaded to go out by this gnarly, lingering E. coli infection. But I’m so pleased to say I MADE IT!

Even though I had a terrible time within the confines of my body, I had a wonderful time in my heart. Listening to people’s stories, perspectives and misadventures reminded me that the suffering of dreams deferred is not mine alone.

(if Steve isn’t a household name for you, here’s a friendly reminder that he is an ER doctor at Enloe who has become a supporter of CC, and more importantly, a friend to me.)

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1010 Mangrove Ave Ste D Chico, California 95926
Chico, CA

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