Today we’d like to introduce you to Bethany Bryan.
Hi Bethany, we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, maybe you can briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today.
Hi, I’m Bethany Bryan. Born on July 26th, 1990, in Jacksonville, FL, into a life that instantly demanded strength. I was born with a terminal genetic disease called Cystic Fibrosis. My parents raised me to treat my illness as nothing more than a background character in my life and that I had zero limitations. Their faith was strong, and the determination to give me, their daughter, longer life than the 6 years that the doctors expected drove them daily through the hard times. Both my parents battle mental illness, so they are proof that you can push past limits unfairly set for you and the best example to me. Growing up, I fought my illness in private, telling not even my close friends that I was terminally ill. For many reasons. But the main one was because I didn’t want to have limitations set for me. To believe you are strong is hard when your body physically proves you aren’t. My body began to morph into the reality of this illness around 18. I battled the act and the fact daily. I pretended a lot, and thankfully I was a pretty good actress. Even my boyfriend at the time had no idea. As hospital stays began to come and go, I was running out of excuses. I became overwhelmed and thought about ending my pain multiple times, but my parents always understood and cared for me. They and my faith got me through to my adult years.
I married somewhat young to a pastor’s son from a small town in 2012; We were happy and ignored any fear of my condition. I worked in a small private school with my husband, owned a home, and began writing my autobiography. I was a good CF patient, attending clinic appointments and taking my medication. But I hated it all. My husband didn’t care much cause he didn’t understand my illness. I liked pretending I was normal to everyone around me. So with my parents no longer there to help me medically care for myself, I realized I could also pretend to be normal at home. After a long time of seeing no real improvements medically through incredibly harsh treatments, I decided to put my faith and strength to the ultimate test. I walked away from the doctors and medication with a strong devotion that even if death came, I would not relent. I would spend the rest of my life pretending to be okay. No appointments telling me what’s going on inside my broken body.
I didn’t want to die, and this wasn’t that! My parents had a hard time but couldn’t do much to change my mind. I began to show the ramifications of this unforgiving illness to the point of transparency that was beyond embarrassing. It made everyday life a battle even more than it had always been. Those who knew me had the uncomfortable front-row seat to watch me begin to wither away and get down to 71lbs with no strength to move from one room to another. But my spirit and drive to survive grew despite it all. People will tell you that no matter my physical weakness, I was rarely seen showing pain, pretending once again, and always offering encouragement to those who needed it, then crying at home later on as I would feel my lungs stop at times. I promised the students I always worked with would “see them graduate.” It even scared me that I said that! That was my hope, but I wasn’t sure. The battle of faith and fear of reality was real!
Finally, my book was finished and ready to be published, and my funeral was written. I accepted the reality that I may physically lose this fight, but spiritually I was winning either way in this mindset of freedom. The worst part of my story began when my husband of 8 years was arrested. The allegations of his crime were too painful to think about or believe. Like drowning, I fought to keep my head up and remain the encouraging person I had always been seen as, but much like my illness, I couldn’t hide my brokenness from everyone. Many in this season became the encourager to me. With my husband’s face appearing on the news and on the front page of the local newspaper in this small town, I became reclusive and had to try and heal on my own right as the pandemic started, making me more isolated from my family and friends that love me. Alone for the first time in my life, I am still very sick now, both physically and emotionally. Also, at this time, I had no driver’s license because of being so sick and having coughing spells that made driving seem impossible. So I had to rely on people to take me to work daily and to the store to get groceries. Many helpless feelings to be stuck with alone. I wrote a beautiful song during this time and decided I had to find the mental strength to get my license. After many late nights of studying, I succeeded, and life got a little easier.
This time in my life brought much grief and growth. Truths were coming out about my husband’s case, and lies were being spewed at the same time. I reminded myself of being isolated and searching for peace, knowing all this pain will end eventually and the real truth will be told. Bethany was loved and cared for by the sweet people of Baker County, where I lived, who spoke truth and support into my hurt and confusion. My family and church in Jacksonville surrounded me with love and prayers. It was the exact mixture I needed. Faith and reality sound familiar, right? Kind of my life theme!
Through much thought and prayer, I returned to the doctors I so boldly walked away from to receive the most amazing news in Cystic Fibrosis history. A new treatment came out, and I was the perfect candidate for it. Funny that I got my miracle from God in the form of a pill and began to get better physically instantly. I struggled with feeling like I had made a huge mistake walking away, but it was pretty wild that there was a purpose. Now that I was physically stronger, then came the emotional healing. Through the confusion, clarity came about the crimes my husband had committed, and my heart began to heal from the betrayal after he was sentenced and sent to prison, and I filed for divorce. My home was put up for sale against my wishes, and I was back in my old room at my parent’s house in Jacksonville. So began a new story!
My autobiography “My Story Continues” was finally published despite my original publisher dropping me because of the drama with my EX. But like everything else, this was a blessing in disguise because it allowed me to add the final chapter, ‘ Plot Twist’ to the already exciting book! Since my publishing, I have appeared in interviews and podcasts sharing this story, full of the lessons that many hard life chapters have taught me. What you have read here is just part of it all. I have thrived from physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual pain and growth. I’m following dreams! I’m booking personal speaking engagements in Florida and multiple states, inspiring others to tell their story! I am launching a show for others to tell their story! I do all this because I know we can gain wisdom by reading the pages of the lives around us. Oh yeah, I also married the love of my life in April of 2022, and I have two beautiful stepsons! How cool is that? My reality is now beautiful, and I don’t have to pretend anymore! Don’t give up! Your Story Continues.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
I believe I covered it all in the first question! Haha. Health, mental battles with my family, both my parents have a mental illness, spousal betrayal, identity disorder, and more!
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
I started my own Freelance Photography and Videography company called BEBO Captured Moments. I am also a Social media manager on a marketing team for a company in Jacksonville called Bryte Payment Solutions! I also am an actress!
Networking and finding a mentor can have such a positive impact on one’s life and career. Any advice?
I am very faith-driven so finding a great church helps me very much! I also am drawn to strong people who have overcome trials because they have lots of wisdom.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://itsbethanybryan.com/
- Instagram: @bethany_bryan-it_is
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/BEBOcapturedmoments
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCdRbMrIVjdi8csZ_MKj30Vw
Image Credits
BEBO Captured Moments are professional-looking ones. The animation of me was created by my brother’s company Bad Monkey Creations. The two split faces of me on the poster is created by Digital Creator Free Flow Media.
