Walbridge woman overcomes odds with positive attitude

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Breanna Hernandez
volunteers for dozens of Walbridge events. (Enoch Wu/Sentinel-Tribune)

WALBRIDGE – Just 17, about to give birth to her second baby, Breanna Hernandez passed out yet again.
When she came to, in the bathtub of her parents’ home, she recognized the firefighters and EMTs by first
name. Officer Kenny and Capt. Al were there to help.
They knew about her condition, Neurocardiogenic Syncope, which causes repeated fainting, from the many
emergency visits to her home. As the men helped her maneuver around her swollen belly and out of the
tub, Hernandez had an epiphany: This was not how she wanted to live her life.
Flash-forward eight years and Hernandez still lives in Walbridge. Now she has quite an impressive resume
behind her name.
She’s mom to three boys, ages 11, 8 and 6, and wife to Rolando. After getting a perfect score on her GED,
she earned her associate’s degree in medical assisting. She works in the pediatric cardiology unit of
the children’s hospital at St. Vincent Mercy Medical Center in Toledo, and has applied there to start
her bachelor’s degree in the fall.
And Hernandez is Walbridge’s go-to gal for fundraising and fun.
She’s helping to put on next weekend’s Rally by the Rails festival, featuring a parade, car show, rides
and live entertainment.
"It’s just a fun, fun weekend. My kids talk about it all year. They’re counting down the days, just
like I used to."
As vice president of Walbridge-Fest, Hernandez is planning several other events for this year, including
a pub crawl and the Spooktacular.
"It’s a huge privilege. I have my hands in everything and I love it," said a beaming Hernandez,
who plans a run for council next year.
She would have been on the ballot sooner, she said, but a thyroid condition led to surgery last year and
months of rehab, including eight weeks of speech therapy. Hernandez said she still can’t cheer loudly at
her boys’ soccer and T-ball games.
She ticks off all the supposed strikes against her in her 25 years: First baby at age 14, second baby at
17, married at 18 and third baby at 19.
Hernandez credits a number of forces for turning her life around.
After years of tests, bloodwork, spinal taps and MRIs for the fainting, Dr. William Suarez finally
correctly diagnosed the NCS. The condition is manageable, Hernandez said, by drinking at least 64 ounces
of water per day and monitoring sodium intake.
It was a sign, Hernandez said, when a job opening came up in Suarez’s pediatric office four years ago.

"He was the person who motivated me to do something with my life," she said. "Now I have
the privilege of telling my story and helping other kids."
Then there’s that positive attitude – always on display, especially on this cool spring evening of her
interview.
As a bitter breeze blew her dark hair around, she gamely posed on a set of one of Walbridge’s many
railroad tracks for a photo, high-fiving the photographer afterward.
"I love the community. I just want to be a part of it, be the best I can."
Walbridge is lucky to have Hernandez, said Mayor Ed Kolanko.
"Breanna brings enormous positive energy to Walbridge and we sincerely appreciate her efforts and
involvement in our community programs," he said. "I feel she will accomplish great things for
Walbridge in years to come, in any capacity she chooses."
She’s constantly paying it forward.
When she was in the hospital recovering from the thyroid surgery, she planned a fundraiser for Walbridge
Fiscal Officer Patty Crawford, who lost her house in a fire last summer.
"That’s me. I’m always on the go."
Hernandez said she preaches to her kids how lucky they are to live in a close-knit community and how they
are expected to help others and reach their goals.
"Like me. No one thought I was going to make something of myself. But I can hold my head up and be
proud of my life," she said. "I just try to give back as much as I can and be a good
person."
Rally by the Rails will be held Friday and May 17 at Loop Park, rain or shine.
Most of the activities are Saturday, with a parade stepping off at 11 a.m. There will be a car, truck and
motorcycle show and arts, crafts and hobby show.
Bobby May is part of the live entertainment, and a Dry Bones Revival.
There will also be rides and food.
A pub crawl is planned for June 21, starting at 6 p.m. at the Walbridge Night Club, with stops at Three
Cheers and the Tap Room.
The Walbridge 5K Pool Prance will be July 13 at Aqua Terrace. Race registration starts at 9 a.m. A family
fun pool party and lunch will follow, from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Proceeds from all events benefit Walbridge-Fest.

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