The Long Road
Back to Episodes
19. Makayla Jensen: The Sibling Perspective After Brain Injury

19. Makayla Jensen: The Sibling Perspective After Brain Injury

Mar 2026
31 min
Neurological
Acquired Brain Injury
Teenager
Severe

Makayla Jensen shares what it's been like as a sibling after her younger brother Beau suffered a brain injury from a drowning accident at age 17, and how the experience has shaped her family.

Listen Now
0:0045:00

About This Episode

In this episode of The Long Road Podcast, host Lisa McKelvey speaks with Makayla Jensen about her experience as the sibling of Beau, her younger brother who suffered a devastating brain injury following a drowning accident at age 17.

Makayla offers a perspective rarely heard in these conversations — the sibling's view. She shares the shock of that day, how her family's life shifted overnight, and what it has meant to grow up alongside a brother navigating recovery from a severe brain injury. Makayla speaks honestly about the mix of emotions that come with being a sibling in a family facing crisis, and the deep love that underpins it all.

The Long Road exists so that no one has to walk that road alone — and that includes siblings.

Tags

brain injury
sibling support
family resilience
medical trauma
recovery journey

Related Episodes

20. Courtney Hibbard: Trusting Your Instincts in a Cerebral Palsy Journey
Neurological
20. Courtney Hibbard: Trusting Your Instincts in a Cerebral Palsy Journey
Courtney Hibbard shares her journey raising her son Larry, diagnosed with cerebral palsy and the rare genetic mutation CBX1, and the importance of trusting your instincts as a parent.
Listen to Episode
18. Mel Garcia - Living One Day at a Time with Epilepsy
Neurological
18. Mel Garcia - Living One Day at a Time with Epilepsy
Mel Garcia shares her family's journey after her daughter was diagnosed with Dravet Syndrome at eight months old, and her advocacy initiative '1 in 25' supporting families affected by epilepsy.
Listen to Episode
1. Riding Lifes Waves - Brooke Colless and a rare AVM Spinal Injury effecting her eldest, Kai.
Neurological
1. Riding Lifes Waves - Brooke Colless and a rare AVM Spinal Injury effecting her eldest, Kai.
What do you do when your on an adventure of a life time overseas with your husband and 5 kids, when your eldest son becomes increasingly unwell, and after seeking out medical help, you hear the diagnosis - he has a rare AVM on his spinal cord? Brooke Colless has lived this incredible story, its one of love, hope and faith.
Listen to Episode