Bennett Media Group Presents:

Anna’s Story - Surviving with Goodness (Filmed 2019)

2024 Update: Hi, I’m Anna Dravland, founder of Spread Goodness Day. This documentary is a start of a wild ride, sharing the unexpected way my nonprofit came to life and the moment my own life flipped upside down.

In 2017, I was living the dream. I had just posted the very first announcement for Spread Goodness Day while working at my dream job with Travel Marquette. I was on cloud nine—everything was going exactly as planned. Well, until it wasn’t. On November 16th, while walking to work, I had a rare stroke—a carotid artery dissection—that left me unable to walk, speak, or even tolerate light and sound. My brain literally flipped off. But right from the start, miracles happened. A nursing professor found me almost immediately (I mean, what are the chances?!) and helped save my life.

For five days, I lay half-paralyzed, waiting for a sign that I could recover. Then, one day, my toe wiggled. It was tiny, but it was like my body saying, “I got this.” That little wiggle started a long, sometimes hilarious, often heartbreaking road to recovery. Nineteen days in the hospital and five months of rehab later, I was on my way back. But honestly, it was the support of those around me that made the biggest difference. That, and my sheer stubbornness to get better. (Us Finlanders call it SISU.)

In August 2018, I had to make the tough (and super emotional) decision to leave my job and accept my brain as addled. But while I was figuring out how to live again, my passion for spreading goodness grew even stronger. Spread Goodness Day wasn’t just an idea anymore; it became my lifeline, my purpose, my way of making the world better when I could barely make it out of bed.

But wait, there’s more! In addition to minor ovarian surgeries in 2019 and 2020, The next bump was a big one. In July 2022, I was back in the hospital (again, because why not?), this time for a life-saving surgery. Turns out I have a rare birth defect called Intestinal Malrotation, and it took away my ability to eat solid food. It was excruciatingly painful. Thankfully, I found the esteemed Dr. Kareem Abu-Elmagd, who pioneered a surgery called the “Dr. K Special.” Traveling 12 hours from home to access his care at the Cleveland Clinic, I now have a reconstructed gut. Now, not just once, but twice! You could say I’m a bit of a collector of rare surgeries at this point. Let’s not even get into the brain surgery in 2004 for another birth defect, Chiari Malformation.

(Learn more about Intestinal Malrotation at: MalroFighters.org.)

My last was surgery in December 2023, trading my colon for an ileostomy bag. I have gained almost 30 pounds back & getting stronger. In December 2024, I received another blow. I suffered a seizure while at a local movie theater. There was confusion about what was happening, and it was only because of an I suffered a seizure while at a local movie theater. Once again, the course of my capabilities is changing. Adapting to the fresh brain injury and the recovery is exhausting. I am always praying to stay in good health for as long as possible. And praying that my brain can heal. Oh, please respect and honor your healthy bodies and brains.

All that said…I’m still here. I am recovering and I’m incredibly grateful. In the last three years, I’ve gone roughly one year without being able to eat and eight months in hospitals. As we approach the 8th year of Spread Goodness Day, I’m more excited than ever to celebrate with you all. Most of my time and energy is spent managing my various conditions to minimize the amount of care I need to have. To stay out of the hospital. Every year, I have had to pull back more and rely on the momentum of the community energy to propel our celebration forward.

A friend of mine, a few years back, told me some thing I’ll never forget. I faced the growing reality that I couldn’t get the word out with my limitations and continued health battles. My little holiday. My invitation to celebrate good together. I was sure it was slipping through my fingers.

“It’s not a movement unless it moves without you.” -Victoria Leonhardt

And it moved! Schools have it on their schedule, businesses have committees dedicated to the holiday and states are recognizing it through proclamations! If there’s one thing I’ve learned through all of this, it’s that life can throw some pretty wild curveballs. But with kindness, community and maybe a bit of humor—we can survive anything. I mean, we all survive until we don’t. And that’s pretty powerful. Together, let’s show the world just how powerful goodness can be.

Let’s make the world brighter, one act of kindness at a time (and hey, maybe laugh a little while we’re at it). I hope you’ll jump in with me to celebrate goodness and help make the future SO bright we’ll all need shades—because, let’s be real, the world could really use a little extra light right now.

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Thank you for your interest in my story and Spread Goodness Day! I’m passively, but still passionately, seeking opportunities to share my journey on podcasts. I am unable to travel, pre-record or fill out any forms.

I am committed to advocating for disability, brain injuries, chronic and rare illnesses, substance abuse recovery, homelessness, and how my health completely flipped my life and career upside down. Through it all, I’ve discovered how to survive with as much goodness (and humor) as possible.

Because of the brain injuries, I need to keep things simple and straightforward—no long forms or memorized speeches. If you’d like to connect, feel free to drop me a line at spreadgoodnessday@gmail.com or give me a call at 1-906-362-1689.

Let’s spread some goodness and change the world together!

Warmly,

Anna Dravland