When found by friends, 21-year old Kyleigh Glenn was unresponsive

Editor’s Note: We thank retired Florida Holstein breeder Mike Carey of Lakeland for making us aware of this miraculously inspiring story while spending time at the Florida State Fair in Tampa last month.

TAMPA, Fla. — Arteriovenous vascular malformation. The phrase itself appears frightful. When it ruptures, it’s deadly.

By the Grace of God, 21-year old Kyleigh Glenn of Plant City, Florida, is a survivor, found — luckily just in time — by some of her classmates at Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College in Tipton, Georgia.

“She was unresponsive when the girls found her,” said Kyleigh’s mother, Kim Mullis, who lives four hours away from the school. The alarming news was unexpected and totally traumatic. She drove north in her Buick Enclave with frazzled nerves and her fingers wrapped tightly around the steering wheel. “I pretty much drove a jet,” she admitted. Time was critical.

Truth be told, the existence of this “wild card” in Kyleigh’s deck of life had been known about for more than a decade. “She was about 10 when she was first diagnosed with this condition,” her mother said. 

Kyleigh’s affliction (AVM) is what doctors describe as “blood vessels in the brain being all jumbled together in one big knot.

A broader description explains a brain arteriovenous malformation (AVM) as “a rare, usually congenital, tangle of blood vessels that directly connects arteries and veins, bypassing capillaries. This high-pressure, abnormal connection can rupture (causing hemorrhage) or restrict oxygen to brain tissue, leading to seizures, severe headaches, weakness, or stroke-like symptoms. 

Indeed, the condition is treated like a stroke.

Found by classmates in her collapsed and unresponsive condition on January 25th, Kyleigh was rushed to a hospital in Tallahassee, Fla. and immediately taken to the ICU (intensive care unit). She spent 21 days there. Upon release, she was taken to a rehabilitation facility in Jacksonville, Fla. for another 45 days. While there, she regained abilities to whisper (not talk) and limited mobility. “She could get around with a walker,” Kim recalled. Mentally, her short term memory and processing speed were critically affected. She was a bit slow getting the words out, yet visibly determined to respond to questions.

Nevertheless — as her family and medical professionals soon found out — Kyleigh had the motivation to get herself back into the saddle. Literally. According to her Mom, she wanted to ride her horse, see her dog, show her Jerseys at the Florida State Fair and go back to school.

“Today was her first day back in the show ring since March of 2024,” Kyleigh’s Mom proudly declared on February 16th inside the spacious and modern Dairy Cattle Barn at the Fair. One of Kyleigh’s entries placed first; the other second. In showmanship, she garnered second place. Perhaps best of all was being awarded the Premier Breeder banner.

“Jerseys are all I’ve ever shown,” Kyleigh said in a slow, gentle and deliberate tone. She knows that she’s on a steady “come-back” trail and her very alert, eager eyes are filled with enthusiasm, joy and pride.

According to her mom, Kyleigh started showing her beloved Jerseys since when she was 5 years old. Some friends had coaxed her into doing it, as did her Mom, who “has been there and done that too” when she was “a kid”.

Mother Kim remembers Kyleigh’s initial introduction to the fawn-colored calves. “Oh, she is so pretty! I want that one!” she remembers Kyleigh saying excitedly.

In reality, Kyleigh and Kim were both clueless about what they were doing, Mom revealed with a chuckle. “But Kim took it and ran with it.”

Back to the present, Kyleigh’s current slower pace is acknowledged … but very appreciated. It could have been worse. Much worse. “She’s on her way back up; winning was her goal today (Feb. 16 at the Fair). This was a very big step.”

At home, a schedule of Kyleigh’s rehabilitation routines is prominently taped to the refrigerator. Therapy twice a week, personal training, riding and memory counseling supported by visual cues.

We called Kyleigh’s Mom on Tuesday, March 17, to get the latest update. Overall, Kyleigh is doing well but she did have a setback with a leaking artery in her brain. Consequently, doctors told her to slow down with her activities in order to reduce stress on her vascular system, particularly in the brain. “We have to keep praying for her,” Kim affirmed.

Some good news: Kyleigh showed one of her Jerseys at the Florida Strawberry Festival on March 1 and placed third in the adult showmanship class. A big step forward was Kyleigh’s ability to walk backwards … something she had been struggling with during her ongoing rehabilitation.

“She’s a tough cookie,” Kim said proudly.