Benevolent Brilliance
How a Disability Diagnosis Transformed a Basketball Dream into a Powerful Writing Legacy
From Life-Altering Setbacks to Award-Winning Author: Briyanna's Story of Resilience
Life took a drastic turn when many scholarship opportunities slipped from Briyanna's grasp due to a life-threatening medical incident. Once certain she would pursue a career as a basketball player, she was forced to reconsider her future after undergoing surgery for internal bleeding and being declared disabled at the age of 18. Overwhelmed with uncertainty, she had to leave behind everything she had worked so hard to achieve.
Before the incident, writing and reading were hobbies that filled her leisure time. Afterward, however, she pivoted toward becoming a cartoonist and graffiti artist. While she continued to write poetry and read books, art became her primary focus.
The Urge to Become an Author
After a year as an artist, Briyanna could no longer ignore her desire to become an author as her collection of unpublished stories continued to grow.
One afternoon, while scrolling through Instagram, she came across a photograph of a world-renowned author signing copies of his books and handing them to readers. Seeing that image ignited an undeniable determination within her to pursue authorship.
She began conducting extensive research and even spoke with the author to seek advice. She contacted various publishing companies, carefully considered their offerings, and eventually selected one to work with. After months of research, a new challenge emerged: writing the book.
Despite years of writing experience and success in her high school writing classes, fear, self-doubt, and uncertainty became significant obstacles.
Months Rolled By
Months passed as the stories stored in her documents seemed to collect dust. Although she felt a constant pull to write, she continued finding reasons to postpone the work.
Since her teenage years, Briyanna had mentored several people, primarily young men, but she wanted to reach a broader audience and help even more individuals through her writing.
One morning, she felt an indescribable conviction in her spirit. She believed God impressed upon her that if she did not begin using her gift of writing, she risked losing it. Determined not to let that happen, she immediately began working on her book.
For several months, she made strong progress, but eventually shifted her focus back to art.
After allowing an unfinished manuscript to sit untouched for months, she experienced a moment of clarity and recommitted herself to completing it. Months later, the publication process began when she invested her last $300 as a down payment, despite facing financial instability.
After months of waiting, overcoming setbacks, and correcting numerous errors, the book was finally published.
Despite These Challenges
Unfortunately, Briyanna received the exciting news while lying in a hospital bed after being declared disabled for a second time following a five-story fall.
The fall led to abandonment, mistreatment, emotional abuse, depression, and ongoing health challenges. (She discusses these experiences in greater detail in her book Battling to Heal.)
Despite these hardships, she enrolled in college creative writing courses, continued working while recovering, and remained committed to writing books.
When she graduated from college, she earned numerous honors, including being named valedictorian. She completed her degree and was featured twice at the Los Angeles Times Festival of Books.
A Growing Legacy
Today, Briyanna is an award-winning author with seven books and fourteen publications to her name.
She continues mentoring young men and has expanded her impact by using poetry to advocate for men's mental health and raise awareness about the challenges many men face every day.
Her poetry has earned finalist placements in two writing competitions and led to two features in Adelaide Magazine.
As her journey continues, Briyanna remains committed to educating, inspiring, and empowering others through her words, proving that even life's most difficult setbacks can become the foundation for an extraordinary purpose.
