Garrett Riley's Road to Recovery

03/20/2026

UnitedHealth Group UnitedHealthcare Optum

I am constantly ANGRY and disappointed with the repeated denial of care for my son.
Garrett Riley has been living with an anoxic brain injury since his accident in November 2019.

At its core and at the very minimum, healthcare should prioritize both health and care. Unfortunately, our experience has reflected neither. Instead of getting support for meaningful recovery, we continue to face denials for services that are clearly intended to improve his condition and quality of life.

Despite the clinical need for acute inpatient rehabilitation, our requests are consistently denied under the justification of “medical necessity.” At the same time, you will approve placement to a skilled nursing facility—an option that does not provide the same level of rehabilitative intensity or potential for recovery. Let me be very clear... my son will NEVER go to a SNF.

This raises serious concerns about how care decisions are being made. It is extremely difficult to understand why a pathway that offers better outcomes is denied, while one associated with lower recovery rates is approved.

Evidence shows that patients with brain injuries often experience better outcomes in inpatient rehabilitation facilities (IRFs) compared to skilled nursing facilities (SNFs), including:

1. Lower hospital readmission rates

2. Higher likelihood of returning to the community

3. Improved overall recovery trajectories

In fact, IRFs maintain approximately a 70% discharge-to-community rate—significantly higher than SNFs.

With this little bit of information, how can you medically justify why my son is being denied access to a level of care that is widely associated with better outcomes for patients with his condition.
And don't get me started on how beneficial Function therapies are for brain injury.

My goal is very simple: to give my son the best possible opportunity for recovery. Stop holding us back!

WHY in the world would you not want someone to actually make some sort of recovery??? I will never understand it. It's disgusting.

Garrett isn't just a member ID... This is my kid! He deserves every opportunity to regain control of his life and at the very least... he deserves HEALTHCARE. So, get ready... I will be back on the phone again today calling and fighting for what he deserves.

01/24/2026

From the beginning its been the 4 of us. Our crew has changed a little but this is the core.
We're so grateful! This is what love and commitment looks like!


Donna, Sherry, Garrett, Dakota & Jesy

12/31/2025

Garrett says Happy New Year everyone!!

11/20/2025

Please join us in wishing Garrett a VERY HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!

It would be so easy to be sad about the past 6 years and the joy that was taken from us on that day, but that's not what we do! We are forever grateful to have Garrett with us and STILL very much himself, just in a different way. He still makes us laugh and smile every day. His journey is not even close to being over! We're just getting started.

For Garrett's birthday we would like to ask you to please DONATE if you can towards his upcoming treatments in January 2026. Help Garrett Rebuild and recover. God has a plan, and Garrett has a purpose.

https://givetaxfree.org/campaigns/garrett-rileys-road-to-recovery/
Zelle: garrettdonations@gmail.com
Venmo:
CashApp: $Garrettdonations

11/18/2025

As most of you know, we are going back to see Garrett's Dr in Austin for functional intensives treatments. Unfortunately, none of this are covered under insurance. We are doing some fundraising to help pay for these groundbreaking treatments.

With the holidays coming up, we are happy to share the opportunity to have photos/videos with The Grinch!! This will be a local opportunity here in our area of Spring, Tx. I am attaching a flyer with all the details!

If you're not local and would still like to donate towards Garrett's treatment, I am attaching a couple of QR codes in the comments where donations can be made. We are forever grateful to everyone who has donated so far and for anyone that is able to donate now.
Keep praying for Garrett's recovery. God has a plan for him.

You can also reach out to Garrett's Dr directly to make donation on his account at the following:

The NeuroSolution ATX
Contact: Julie at frontdesk@neurosolutionatx.com or call 512-659-7449 ext. 3. Let them know you are donation towards Garrett's treatments.

11/11/2025

From November 10th 6 years ago to today

Recovery is possible. It doesn't stop after the first year.

Please keep praying for recovery. God knows what Garrett needs.

10/16/2025

For anyone interested, this is the video posted by the BIAA-Tx in honor of Dr. Cindy Ivanhoe, MD.

This is a small part of Garrett's story but it's so important to have physicians like her who are in this role to help brain injury patient RECOVER. The role she has played in how far Garrett has come is monumental. She thinks outside of the box and doesn't put limitations on her patients.

Recovery IS POSSIBLE, as long as we don't quit, as long as there is support and as long as there are Drs who will fight with us and not against us.

https://youtu.be/cMBjnmnI4rk

Please continue to support our fight to get the treatments Garrett needs by clicking the link below.

https://givetaxfree.org/campaigns/garrett-rileys-road-to-recovery/

You can also reach out to Dr. Brandon Crawford's office directly to help cover some of the costs of his important functional treatments.

The NeuroSolution Center of Austin:
Contact Julie at frontdesk@neurosolutionatx.com or call 512-659-7449 ext3. Let them know you are donating on behalf of Garrett's treatment.

Enjoy the videos and music you love, upload original content, and share it all with friends, family, and the world on YouTube.

10/11/2025

Last night, I had the honor of joining Sherry at the 2025 Luminary Awards for the Brain Injury Association. Watching her on stage share the many hurdles she faces each day while navigating insurance, therapy, and medical needs for Garrett was truly inspiring. Her strength and perseverance continue to amaze me. Sherry is not only an incredible advocate for her son but also a voice for others in similar situations—those who struggle to get the help they need simply because they don’t know the right questions to ask.
I am super proud of you Sherry and grateful for you everyday! I know Garrett is thankful that you continue to be his voice and fight for his needs. I know ifs not as easy as you make it look everyday but you should know our entire house is grateful for all the lessons and love you continue give. We love you ♡

10/11/2025

We were thrilled to be asked to speak at the Luminary of the Year Award and fundraising event honoring Dr Cindy Ivanhoe.
Sharing Garrett's story and raising awareness is vital in recovery efforts.

Thank you BIAA-TX for having us.

https://givetaxfree.org/campaigns/garrett-rileys-road-to-recovery/



To donate go to Givetaxfree.org and search for Garrett Riley Young

09/27/2025

Garrett has always been a friend to anyone who needed it.

Brain injury life is hard but being surrounded by people who love you can make a huge difference! Garrett has a lot of people who love and support him. Some people have fallen out of touch, because life gets busy, some people have a fallen out of touch because "it's too hard" to see Garrett in his current state. Some people have fallen out of touch because they don't want to put the effort into this kind of relationship. We get it. It's tough.... you know what's even tougher?? GARRETT RILEY YOUNG.... He's tougher than all of it. I'm so thankful to be given the opportunity to care for my son. I'm so thankful to have the abundance of support from the few who have stuck around to help. I'm so thankful to those who continue to reach out and check on Garrett.

Moral of the story..... Don't Leave Your People (especially your children) when times get tough.

Garrett's recovery has been a long journey and we're not through it yet. It's been hard. It's been heartbreaking, it's been complicated; but it's been an amazing experience to see how strong this kid is through it all.

We're still asking for help from anyone who would like to give it.

Pray for Garrett to have the breakthrough he DESERVES.
Ask God (or whoever you choose) to heal Garrett's brain.
Ask for his voice to be restored so we can hear him sing again.
Ask for his physical body to be healed so that he can stand on his own two feet again.
Ask for his heart and mind to know that he is still LOVED.

Donations towards Garrett's treatments can be made at Givetaxfree.org
https://givetaxfree.org/campaigns/garrett-rileys-road-to-recovery/

Amazon wish list
https://www.amazon.com/hz/wishlist/ls/3QEM0YACJ6LWS?ref_=wl_share

09/09/2025

The Luminary of the Year award will be presented to one of Garrett's favorite physicians, Dr. Cindy Ivanhoe. She has been a constant advocate for Garrett and many others dealing with brain injury.

Recovery is possible!

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