January 18 Meeting Recap
Speaker Duke Pieper
Host Andy Fazendin
Speaker Duke Pieper shared his dramatic story of survival from a serious brain condition – cavernous hemangioma – as a high school student. He recently authored a book about his experience, titled “I’m Alive: Courage, Hope, and a Miracle,” and is working to get the book in the hands of others who have faced serious medical conditions and obstacles.
Duke was a promising freshman hockey player at Shattuck and then Hill Murray High School when he suddenly felt weak and generally off his game. A trip to the hospital revealed the serious brain condition – a malformation of the blood vessels located there. He quickly underwent complicated brain surgery and five other surgeries after that, enduring many, many months of difficult rehabilitation. The after-effects of this brain condition are noticeable, but through relentless work he has recovered to become a college student and resume many of the life activities we take for granted, including the ability to drive a car. Duke said he wanted to write a book to share what he learned along the way, including that “nothing is out of reach” if you work hard enough. Proceeds from the sale of his book go toward the Pieper Hope & Courage Foundation.