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The Healing Powers of Social Media – Danielle & Matt’s Story

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This blog post is inspired by the story of Danielle and Matt Parise of Iowa, which parallels my own in so many ways. I’ll be referencing Rex W. Huppke‘s Chicago Tribune article, Twitter response to family’s crisis shows reality of online friendships.

When I first read this story via a friend’s Facebook post, I noticed the remarkable similarities to what I’ve been through with my own brain surgery. Like me, Danielle suffered a brain hemorrhage; hers was due to a cerebral arteriovenous malformation rupture also known as an AVM. She underwent her first surgery and has since had two more. Unfortunately, she is still very much battling the effects of a small stroke and seizure episodes but everyone is hopeful that these things are only temporary and she will pull through.

After all, she has an entire community of Twitter friends and followers from all over the world, supporting her every step of the way.

Matt Parise, AVM recovery, Danielle Parise, brain surgery recovery

Matt & Danielle in her recovery room [Photo credit: Scott Morgan for the Chicago Tribune]

You see, a community of people quickly rallied together via social media to help Danielle out. After sharing their story of what she’s dealing with currently, Matt’s Twitter followers pulled together to help raise funds for Danielle’s treatments and rehabilitation, not to mention send tons of messages and tweets of support.

Amongst these followers are people like Mark Hoppus of Blink-182 fame. Mark auctioned off a signed Blink-182 guitar for over $10k, all proceeds going toward Danielle’s rehabilitation fund. What a stand up guy. Truly awesome!

Another woman, Laura Fix of Miami, has helped establish the auction and fundraising website for Danielle’s treatment and recovery. An example of a total stranger, if it weren’t for Twitter, coming to the aid of someone who could really use a helping hand at this time in their lives. In Huppke‘s article, Fix states that, “This just reaffirms to me that it’s a worthy thing. Twitter and these online connections are a compliment to life.”

I could not agree more because I have seen it and experienced it myself.

Social media enables us to freely form connections, friendships, and many other types of relationships. The world wide web is full of countless types of support groups. Whether you’re a recovering drug or food addict, trying to learn to fight a gambling or spending addiction, or just need somewhere to go to talk to people who are going through the same things you are; social media provides these types of outlets needed so we can go where we know we can get the support we need.

The support that tends to come about so organically comes from social networks already established. People have the ability to share stories and build momentum for a cause. The essence of community is for people to come together for a common goal.

social media cake

Social media is the icing to community’s glorious cake, so deliciously piecing it together in such a supportive, beautiful way.

With any traumatic experience, especially emergency brain surgery, individuals need support, encouragement, and positivity to recover and get their lives back on track. Social media communities are an incredible source for all of this. I truly feel that social media possesses healing powers.

To know that you have people, often times total strangers, rooting for you to recover is an inspiration in itself. I know it helped me tremendously when I was scared in my hospital room not knowing what was ahead of me. I’m pretty sure Danielle and Matt are feeling the positive effects, too. It’s humbling to see good people in the world come together, care, and lend a helping hand to those in need via social media.

I found this story to truly be an inspiration and one that resonates so close. It’s another wonderful of example of the power of social media and it’s healing abilities.

I know I will forever be thankful to social media, my social networks, and community of friends and followers who have helped me on my road to recovery. After all, the inspiration for me to start this blog came as a result of the incredible amounts of support I received through Facebook and Twitter when I was in Danielle’s very same spot.

The power of social media is endless! I truly see it as one of the best communicative and social developments ever. Examples like this are becoming more and more a common thing and that’s beautiful. I love to see social media making a difference and being used for good in the world.

danielle and matt parise, brain surgery recovery, AVM

Danielle & Matt before her AVM hemorrhage

A note to The Parises:

My heart goes out to you both, Danielle and Matt. My husband and I were in the very same position a little over a year ago. Have faith that you will both get through this and be stronger for it. Why life throws us these crazy curve balls is unknown but you will over come! Matt, Danielle is very lucky to have you through all of this as her rock and strength — keep doing what you’re doing, I have faith that she will get through this just fine. It just takes time, patience, support, and a lot of positive thinking and willpower. God bless you!

To help Danielle and Matt, please visit their Pledgie campaign page.

Please send love, prayers, positive thoughts and energy her way.



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