#FuerzaBryan

Many in the Southern Adventist University community have come together in support of Bryan Arvelo, a junior theology major. Over the summer Arvelo was diagnosed with Guillain-Barré syndrome, a condition that is characterized by damaged nerves and paralysis, according to mayoclinic.com.

Arvelo has since spent six weeks in the hospital, which included time in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU). While there, he temporarily lost the ability to do simple tasks such as talk or move around freely. Now, Arvelo has regained many of his lost functionality and is beginning the rehabilitative stages of his recovery.

Arvelo’s girlfriend, Carolyna Depkin, recalls several trips during the summer to go see him.

“Everything that we take for granted he could no longer do anymore by himself, so that was really tough to watch,” Depkin said. “But a bunch of people were always coming to visit him: His friends, family, his church family.”

Mark Galvez, a junior theology major and a close friend, also remembers days going to visit Arvelo. Galvez and Arvelo worked together during the summer preaching and had planned to room together this semester.

“Everything that I pictured for this semester was with him in mind,” Galvez said. “[Seeing Bryan sick] was like having a front row seat to an event I didn’t want to be at.”

Galvez is also the president of the Latin American Club (LAC) on campus and was inspired to create a t-shirt design in support.

“I’ve never seen anyone have a bigger impact on people by just being,” Galvez said. “I have people asking me everyday like ‘Hey,  how’s Bryan doing?’ I’ve gotten people I don’t even know sending me orders for shirts...It was just insane how just one person, just by being him, could do all of this. I’ve never seen anything like it.”

In addition to the shirts, there have been events planned such as a prayer and testimony session held during an Evensong service on Sept. 8 and an upcoming prayer vigil for Arvelo being hosted by LAC. During the Evensong event, Depkin video called Arvelo so that he could speak to those in the crowd.

Students, like junior public relations major Michaela Lewin, who were able to attend the night were excited to be able to communicate with Arvelo for the first time in months.

“The praise, prayer and worship on Saturday was very spirit-filled,” Lewin said. “I got to hear his voice, and I got to see him for the first time and hear him say my name. It was a moment where you saw all your prayers come true.”

Arvelo said that through the ups and downs of his condition, he has been in awe of all of the support and love he has gotten from campus.

“All I can say is that I’m speechless from all the love people have sent me,” he said. “I didn’t know so many people cared for who I am, but going through pain has shown me what love is. I’m grateful for my school.”

Several students have gone to the hospital in South Carolina to visit him. Depkin said that the support for Arvelo has been unimaginable.

Since the beginning of school, Arvelo has been regaining strength and beginning to have more control of his body.

 “When his girlfriend gives me the daily updates on his progress, it’s like seeing a true answer to prayer,” said Phillip Warfield, senior history education major. “He’s recovering much faster than most people with the disease, and I’m ecstatic to know that God still performs miracles. I can’t wait to give my brother a hug again.”

Dylan Gibbons, junior social work major, expressed similar sentiments.

“Seeing him get better is absolutely amazing,” Gibbons said. “I want to see him walking on campus again and preaching and moving people like he usually does. But most of all I just want to chill with him again and enjoy having his presence on campus.”