Connor Berry has always dreamed big.  Growing up, he channeled those dreams into his two main passions: acting and athletics.  He was (and is!) a member of the Screen Actors Guild (“SAG”) and was a burgeoning football and track star.  And his hard work and dedication paid off in ways he never thought possible.

As a child, Connor landed roles in multiple national television commercials and television series, as well as a stint on the Netflix original series, “House of Cards”.  And in 2014, Connor received his breakthrough role in a feature film, portraying Stymie in “The Little Rascals Save the Day”.  For his outstanding work, Connor was nominated for a Chambie Award, for Best Actor in a Film under the Age of 18.

And on the athletic field, Connor’s star continued to shine.  He was a multi-sport athlete but his true passion was football.  Connor grew up in the Maplewood Youth Football Program, learning how to run and hit with the finest in the Washington, DC area.  He was dedicated to his teammates and his coaches loved his positive attitude and incredible work ethic.  The sky was the limit.

But Connor had another dream.  His older brother, Michael, was a senior at Georgetown Prep High School in 2014, the same year Connor starred in The Little Rascals movie.  It was Connor’s dream to someday follow his big brother to Georgetown Prep.

Little did he know how much adversity he would face in the future, how his goals and dreams would change, and how important Georgetown Prep would be in putting all those dreams back together.

“Something is Wrong”

In the fall of 2017, Connor Berry enrolled as a freshman at Georgetown Prep.  His dreams were all aligned.  He was still acting, playing football, and running track.  A naturally gregarious and upbeat student, Connor had also made great friends and had earned the respect of his teachers.

But in December 2018, in his sophomore year, Connor’s good friend, C.J. Arce, noticed something different about Connor.  He told him his eye was moving funny.  Then a month later, Connor’s Aunt Toy noticed the same thing.  She told Connor’s mom, Elva Bowdenberry:

“His right eye is bouncing when he looks right.  Something is wrong.”

Connor’s mom agreed.  Something was wrong.  She immediately scheduled an appointment for Connor to see a pediatric ophthalmologist.  And that unleashed a series of events that are still reverberating throughout the Berry household today.

The ophthalmologist referred Connor to a neurologist.  After a MRI, Connor was immediately admitted for emergency brain surgery to remove a benign tumor between his brain stem and cerebellum.  Just days earlier Connor was studying, hanging out his friends, running track and enjoying time with his mom and family.  Now he was in a battle for his life.

Shifting Goals

Connor emerged from six hours of brain surgery feeling exhausted but relieved.  He was alive.  He was recovering.  And the path back to a quick recovery looked smooth.

“I still had all my goals laid out in front of me.”

Connor hoped to be back in class before the end of the school year.  He hoped to be ready for football the following season and ready to run track in the spring.  He hoped to be home in his own bed before the end of the month.

But life doesn’t always cooperate with our goals.

Connor diligently worked in the rehab facility.  He spent a month trying to regain his balance and his coordination.  It was a slow pace but he was progressing.

That progress came to a grinding halt when he suddenly fell extremely ill, leading the doctors to discover hydrocephalus and an infection in Connor’s brain.  He immediately underwent a second emergency brain surgery in late March 2019.  Connor’s fever spiked to a temperature of over one hundred and three.  He was admitted to the Pediatric Intensive Care Unit (P.I.C.U.) at Children’s National Hospital where he would remain for the next forty-five days.  The battle for his life was underway.

Elva stayed with him nearly every night, providing love and support for her youngest son.  It was  not easy.  Connor was suffering.  They had to wake him every 2 hours and he had to endure several more surgeries.  To complicate matters even further, Connor suffered another cerebral spine infection from the shunt used to drain fluid from his brain.  It was a major setback and a low point for the Berry Family.

But by Memorial Day Weekend, Connor was once again making progress.   The left side of his face was still paralyzed.  He could not walk or balance on his own and he suffered from double vision.  But the doctors felt certain the infection had cleared.  Connor had originally planned to be back in school and running track by this point in the year.  That was not possible.  But he had adjusted his goals and focused on getting better every day.  This ordeal had taught him patience and to take nothing for granted.  His new goal was simple but beautiful: He just wanted to sleep in his own bed.

Months later, Connor Berry was released from Children’s Hospital and admitted to an inpatient program at the National Rehabilitation Hospital.  Connor underwent intense therapy six days a week from approximately 8:30 a.m. until 4:00 p.m.  Eventually, he graduated to day visits at home and on the weekends. During his first weekend home, Connor Berry crawled into his own bed in his own room and slept the sleep of kings.  One goal down.  More to go!

“Connor Strong! Connor Strong!”

Connor now focused on his next major goal.

“I just wanted to get back with my friends and classmates.”

During his battle, the Georgetown Prep community rallied in support of Connor.  Student’s plastered “Connor Strong” signs all over campus and the school conducted prayer services and tributes to honor Connor in his battle.    And now they would be reunited.

On September 30th, 2019, Elva Bowdenberry wheeled Connor through the doors of Georgetown Prep.  The entire student body and faculty were there to cheer him on.  Thunderous chants of “Connor Strong!  Connor Strong!” erupted and echoed throughout the building and across the campus.   Connor was home.

“I couldn’t believe it.  People were everywhere. Coming home was sweet!”

Connor had counted the time he was away from school. It felt like an eternity.

“I know exactly how long.  6 months and eighteen days.”

And Connor certainly hadn’t lost his perspective or sense of humor during that time.

“Most kids my age aren’t nearly as excited when they have to go back to school!”

So true, Connor.  You are blessed with perspective and patience that will serve you the rest of your life.  

A Community Responds

Connor Berry was back in school but still needed assistance at every turn.

Connor was in a wheelchair and the simplest things, such as maneuvering from class to class, were now complex.  Georgetown Prep had automatic door buttons installed on the main entrances regularly used by Connor.  But students and faculty still had to open the interior doors and ensure he had his books ready and backpack secured.

Elva stayed with Connor the entire first week observing as Connor’s friends and the Georgetown Prep staff took over.  The video production teacher, Mr. Sean Gaiser, volunteered to assist Connor in getting to lunch and navigating throughout the building.

“Everyone was so gracious and accommodating”, Elva noted.  “That gave me peace of mind. “

During the first day on his own, a small group of classmates and friends accompanied Connor to every class. On the second day, Myles Kelly, Sean Sykes and Micaiah Steplight noticed that Connor’s wheelchair was in “tortoise” mode.  Myles timed Connor and it took him sixteen minutes to get from one side of campus to the next (a 2-minute walk).  Connor was late for every class that day.

While Connor waited on a representative from the wheelchair company to reprogram the wheel chair, Myles, Sean, and Micaiah switched the wheelchair into manual and pushed him from one building to the next.  They were sure they could help Connor move faster.  They took matters into their own hands. They had Connor’s back.

But Connor also needed help regaining his balance and coordination in his legs.  Elva was informed that insurance only covered a few days of outpatient rehabilitation a week.  Connor needed more.  Once again the Georgetown Prep Community rose to the challenge.

Athletic trainers Joe Spelta and Adam Brown volunteered to work with Connor for at least one hour every day.  They assisted Connor using a walker to take steps across the weight room during Connor’s free period each day.  And they asked for nothing in return.

“I am forever grateful for their help,” Elva gushed, visibly moved.  “I can never repay what they did and are doing for Connor.  I sincerely believe they want Connor back on his feet as desperately as we do.”

  In addition, The Georgetown Prep Varsity Football Team dedicated the season to Connor.  He remained on the football roster and the students chanted “Connor Strong” at all the games.  The season ended on a high note with another league championship, bringing a huge smile to Connor’s face.  Connor Berry inspired an entire community with his incredible spirit, courage, grit, and enthusiasm.  And the community supported him right back.  It was good to be home.

What Does It Mean to Be “Connor Strong?”

Connor Berry understands he has to be patient with his goals.  He knows life does not always cooperate.  But he remains optimistic and determined.

“I want to be fully recovered by this summer.  I want to walk. I want my face to heal.  I want to be back to doing all the stuff I did before.”

Amen, Connor.  

And so it goes.  Connor’s progress is slow but steady.  One step at a time toward his goals.

But that does not mean that his path to recovery has, or will, always be smooth.   There have been setbacks and times of frustration.  He wishes he was walking on his own.  The multiple surgeries and rehabilitation have caused an enormous financial burden on the family (A GoFundMe Page was set up in his honor at ConnorStrong).  And the pace of progress has not always been encouraging.

But Connor has been through the setbacks and shifting goals and emerged with a resilient attitude every time.  He speaks with such conviction and sincerity, it is impossible to doubt him.  And why would you?  He is a young man on the path back to recovery.  He is a young man with a brilliant future buoyed by the love of his family and the support of his community.

So what can Connor’s story teach us about our own lives?  What does it mean to be “Connor Strong”?

There are times when we have to adjust our goals, keep the faith, and keep moving forward.  

There are times when we need to remain patient and keep working hard.

There are times when we will have to rely on others to support us.

We need to appreciate and accept the outpouring of love in our lives.  And return that appreciation to others.

We need to stay positive throughout our journey.

And we can never give up in the face of struggle.

The battle is not over.  But the battle will be won.  Keep fighting, Connor.  The world has your back!