Brady L. Bergman

Brady Lynn Bergman, of Toledo, Ohio, left us for her next adventure on December 19, 2022. Her life was a prism of heartbreak and joy, and she rose above more than her share of adversity to brighten the lives of those around her for fifteen amazing years.

She defied the pessimistic projections of those around her from her first day on earth, and she would go on to send a generation of doctors and physical therapists scrambling to rewrite the rule books. Though nonverbal, she had no problem letting you know what she thought of you, and while her expressions of happiness were guarded and shared with few, she could light up the whole world when she chose to. Stubborn to the end, she not only survived a dozen things she wasn’t supposed to, but she traveled, she played, she loved and was loved. She thrived.

She is survived by her brother, Rocco Anthony Bergman, and her parents, Alana and Keith, by her grandparents (John Bergman, Melissa Wesner, Phil and Nancy Colucci), aunts and uncles (Anthony Colucci III, Keith and Jessica Ecklund, Lisa Bergman and Tyler Burks), cousins (Jonathan (Ashley) Balcomb, Milo and Jack Bagby), and a universe of chosen family who loved her on sight and will miss her forever.

Her life was made immeasurably better by the compassionate team at Nationwide Children’s Toledo, by her physical therapist, Tracy Lewis, who helped her ride horses and swim, by her early intervention specialist, Myrna Austin, and by her pediatrician, Dr. Marianne Black, who fought for her and alongside her the whole way. Her first neurologist, Dr. Donald Cameron, was the first to tell us that nothing about her was possible or logical, and that every day with her was a miracle. We never, ever forgot it.

A visitation with family will be held at Walker Funeral Home on Tuesday, December 27, from 5-9pm. A celebration of life will follow in the spring, when the weather is warm, because Brady hates it when it’s cold.

In lieu of donations or flowers, please consider a recurring donation to a pediatric medical charity of your choice.