More Than My Brain Injury: Dylan’s Story

“I got my first bass guitar when I was 15. Shortly after, I sustained a traumatic brain injury. As a result, I was no longer able to play. Thanks to Pass The Bass, I am getting bassists to play mine, selling merchandise, and raising money for the Brain Injury Association of America.” -Dylan

As a survivor, Dylan Flynn believes he’s in the “ideal position to spread awareness and raise money to help individuals struggling with brain injury.”

Dylan Flynn, brain injury survivor and advocate, has always had a love of music. When Dylan was a freshman in high school, he purchased his first bass guitar. Just as he was planning to start a band with his friends, he was in a terrible car accident and was in a coma for 12 days. Initially, doctors told his family he wouldn’t survive and that he would spend the rest of his life in a nursing home. Defying the odds, Dylan walked out of rehab 10 weeks later and was able to return to school for his sophomore year.

As a result of his brain injury, Dylan has epilepsy, memory difficulties, anxiety, and depression. Despite these symptoms, he eventually earned his GED and sought to do something meaningful with his time. At the recommendation of a friend, he started a campaign called Pass the Bass as a way to use his love of music to increase awareness of brain injury. Through Pass the Bass, Dylan attends music concerts and asks the performing band to play one song with his bass guitar. He is often invited on stage to tell his story.

While Dylan’s life may not have gone as planned, he enjoys being part of the music scene. Dylan embodies BIAA’s newest campaign, #MoreThanMyBrainInjury.

“I’d wanted to make a living as a musician. Although I am unfortunately not taking part in the actual music at these shows, music is still a very big part of my life thanks to this campaign. 

I love watching my bass be played and have had the honor of watching some of my favorite bassists [play] with mine.”

One of Dylan’s goals through his campaign was to fundraise for the Brain Injury Association of America (BIAA). He decided to design Pass the Bass merchandise, which he sells at each concert he attends. The money he raises from sales is donated to BIAA.

Although Dylan’s brain injury prevented him from doing exactly what he’d wanted to do with his life, he still found a way to merge his passion with his daily living and says that other survivors should try to do the same.

Shop Pass The Bass Merch    Check Out Dylan At Concerts    Make a Donation

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Why #MoreThanMyBrainInjury?

Many people with disabilities have their lives defined for them. The More Than My Brain Injury campaign gives individuals a chance to overcome those definitions, allowing them to tell their own stories and change the narrative of their lives. Click here to join the #MoreThanMyBrainInjury campaign.

Speak up. Download our posters and social media graphics to help raise awareness of brain injury and its various causes. Click here to see the campaign collateral.

Speak out. Advocates like you are our greatest asset. Why not write a letter to the editor or try to get a PSA aired on your local radio station? Click here for ways to engage the media.

Know the facts. At least 3.6 million people in the U.S. sustain brain injuries each year. Want to learn more? Click here to download our fact sheet.

Do more. Want to do more than raise awareness? Step up by raising funds for brain injury services, supports, and research. Click here to start a fundraiser.

If you need personalized support or resources, contact BIAA’s National Brain Injury Information Center at 1-800-444-6443 or email us at info@biausa.org.