“Be brave and never give up” are the words that motivated Brady Beskeen to overcome a deathly hardship.

Beskeen, a Bear River junior, has come a long way since he was diagnosed with Lupus Nephritis a year ago. As a 15-year old sophomore, he found himself battling a devastating illness that makes your immune system target its own body tissues and leads to kidney failure.

These days Beskeen says he is feeling healthy. Others describe him as cheerful, intelligent, and the kind of person who can make you laugh. But in addition to having a positive attitude, Brady has a story to tell. Hospitalized for 61 days at Kaiser Hospital in Roseville, Oakland, and Vallejo, he went into a medically induced coma twice.

“What happened was crazy,” said Ellie Beskeen, Brady’s sister and a senior. “It was so unexpected and scary because we did not know what was wrong.”

After intensive care in the hospital, he spent two hard months working in rehab to heal and re-teach himself how to walk. It took him five long months to get back to a full recovery. While in recovery, Beskeen had much support from his family and Bear River students.

“(We) spent a lot of time in the hospital with Brady playing fun games,” said Jacob Rivett, a junior who has been a longtime friend of Beskeen. “Plus, we helped to set up a spirit day which involved the whole school wearing ‘Blue for Brady.’”

Beskeen said the experience made him realize that hard times can easily happen to anyone.

“The hardship I went through is something I will have to live with and it will never go away, but as a result it made me stronger,” he said.

School staff and teachers made sure Beskeen obtained the best educational support possible.

“When Brady regained his health and returned to school, we worked hard to ensure that he received any support he would need to make that transition successful,” said Principal Amy Besler. 

Today, Beskeen says he is healthy and the past is behind him. He is looking to the future for greater things. Excited to be in his junior year, he said he was ready to learn with all his friends who have supported him along the way.

“It motivated me and encouraged me to get better and start my life again.”