Tragic horseback riding accident leaves U-M nurse paralyzed from the waist down

The community is rallying around a Grass Lake woman who had her world completely turned upside down. Now, she's trying to make sense of why something she's loved most of her life is the cause of most of her pain. Dawn Rammage and Brianna Engel met while working as nurses at the University of Michigan Hospital in Ann Arbor. Sparks flew, they dated, got engaged and then married in 2019.

[@kel319100]

I hope she makes a full recovery. Stay positive!

[@tomr6866]

she's paralyzed lol, she will never recover

[@kel319100]

@@tomr6866 and that's funny to you? Jesus dude! Piss off then!

[@mackinaw748]

@@tomr6866wow! Mr. Happy pants! Who hurt you???

[@vincecarnevale4406]

I just said a little prayer for your recovery ❤, a friend of my wife's family fell off a ladder and injured his spine and became paralyzed, the doctors told him he would never walk again,with physical therapy and determination he now walks with a cane,keep the faith😊

[@fayesmith2406]

All activities are some risk, even nursing. Retired nurse here & previous horse owner with 2 falls. Everything you do has some risk. Praying for you both.

[@anikapaldi7161]

To anyone seeing this, PLEASE wear a helmet even if you are “just” riding on the flat, riding in a western saddle or any saddle. I hate that this could happen to anyone. All the best to both of you and may you heal to the fullest extent!

[@simfimpim]

I agree about always wearing a helmet, but I don't think this woman's injury is due to not wearing a helmet.

[@zerocool9135]

How very sad but brave of her. Praying for the very best!

[@user-be1wh4wh4b]

The “one year” thing is not true for everyone. I wish doctors would stop saying that. That’s what doctors teach doctors. They should join some spinal cord injury groups. I had dramatic improvements after 6 years. Many others have had improvement way after a year as well.

[@waltertaffs1737]

Prayers for this young lady and yes my older sister is a nurse practioner and God bless all nurses

[@ruthbickerstaffe1915]

Prayers for Dawn. She will walk again. 🙏🙏

[@katiewilliams5643]

Sending prayers and love

[@juliej5917]

Go Dawn go!! You have an amazing partner, and over the next year you will achieve great things. 💞💞💞

[@gcm9572]

God bless you Dawn, stay strong & hopeful, have faith you will get better! You have a wonderful wife & medical team. I said a prayer for your healing & full recovery❤️🌹

[@TracyP76]

Prayers for you both for healing, strength and comfort. ❤🙏

[@debrabolton9372]

Dawn is very brave. She is blessed to have a wonderful wife. ❤❤

[@EppingForest304]

I hope her nursing job provides top tier health insurance! 🤞 Prays for a speedy recovery 🙏

[@MichaelMurray-bt7tw]

She. Will. Walk. Again

[@mpat100]

Blessings; healing and a full recovery for Dawn asap.

[@bevanbuckwheatshea5520]

All the very best to you Dawn and your wonderful partner. Praying for you.

[@EagerParaglider-vq1zd]

I'm glad you didn't die. God has a reason for you to be here like all of us to serve him with your heart and soul. God bless you.

[@raytang76]

Thoughts and prayers goes out to her…stay positive stay strong and have faith! God will get you through this!

[@rojdee1]

I’m praying for you

[@patriciaschuster1371]

All sports carry a risk. Simple. Hope she recovers.

[@lindaromar2824]

Be strong. Be positive. Be accepting. Be loved and be loving. Be determined and be patient with yourself when you need a break because you will need that break sometimes. I am sending hugs and strength to you. 👩🏼‍⚕️💪🏻 🫶🏻 🥰

[@breezeh1127]

My heart breaks for them. It was supposed to be a simple ride and a happy life 😢 I'm so sorry.

[@grahametindale8292]

I wish you both the very best! Truly! I am a four-limb deficient, wheelchair user; AND I CARRIAGE-DRIVE!

[@pamelafox7677]

What a great attitude.

[@Patrick22557]

Pray for miracle

[@vincecarnevale4406]

Went horseback riding with a girl i was dating years ago ,who was into horses,went to a rental stable to go riding for the day with a group of other riders,when the lead horses started to run the whole group of horses would gallop with them,i tried to pull on the reigns to slow the horse down he just shook it off and kept up with the group of other riders,made the mistake of turning the horse around and he ran full gallop back to the corral yard ,and one of the stable hands told me I still had half hour left,haven't been on a horse since.

[@onion6foot]

Prayers for you. I dont know how I survived my life, including with horses. But I hope you will recover to ride and do the things you love. And/or find new passions.

[@user-ts9jq9wx5d]

Hay there hope you get better soon 🤠🌹🌹❤

[@karlcarlysle3578]

May our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ bkess her and heal her

[@sscc6853]

Animals will be animals, no matter how well trained. Which is why I will never understand why humans put so much trust in them. Now, she has a challenging road ahead of her all because of a horse. Prayers for healing.

[@cameronwhitaker3864]

I know what you mean about animals. I love horses and ride them too. There is a bond you gain with them that makes one a different kind of friend and family member that a human would not be. And don't forget, without horses we wouldn't be who we are now.

[@DIEGOHOMEGIRL]

Right!!

[@PedalsNPetals]

Many do well with wheelchairs

[@sienna5083]

I understand what you're saying, but as a horse owner, you naturally form a bond and trust in the horse you ride; that is why riders put so much faith in them. Accidents happen with any sport or hobby. So as a rider, I will always put more faith and trust in my horse to get me home safely from an adventure than I would my own incredible family. Believe me, I have stories on why I trust my horse 99% of the time. The 1% is because they are "wild" animals😁

[@funshine817]

@@sienna5083 If a horse gets spooked, they don't give a f**k about anything, in that moment, but fleeing. You should always be prepared if your horse spooks. To trust a horse over your own family must mean your family are a bunch of careless, reckless, selfish idiots. Nice!

[@lynncollver6067]

Jesus Christ please touch this person and heal her as only You can do. Light be. Amen

[@rc6888]

I rode horses when I was younger but the one time I rode a tall horse n took off running I thought I wouldn’t stop it but somehow it slowed down n that was the last time for me , it was scary

[@philipturner1316]

Yes my lesson horse bolted and it was very very scary. I rode for years after that but to canter was hard for me . Love love horses This is Kathy

[@angiepellar6441]

❤🙏

[@JulianaBlewett]

Sad and tragic. So many don't know how to absorb a fall properly or wear helmets. Helmets are crucial.

[@trudichoate1950]

🙏🙏🤗♥️

[@kandiceblu1]

The title says one thing and the announcer said the neck down… the title says the waist down, which is it

[@NadineLynch10]

I broke my collarbone in the same situation but I was in the lunge arena

[@lynnjohnson1413]

😢 sad. Talk about bad luck. Hope she gets better soon. ❤

[@Wisepati]

Yes, riding horses is a very hazardous activity as horses are prey animals and they will often react to things we don’t see. When I rode, I always wore a helmet and also had an air vest. The vest would inflate when you were falling. Sadly, I don’t think either of those things would’ve helped if you land directly on your head. I hope she can make some progress.

[@funshine817]

Of course a helmet would help! Wtf? That is what a helmet is for.

[@christinematton4125]

​@funshine817 The helmet protects your head, not your neck or back.

[@funshine817]

@@christinematton4125 Still, I doubt she would have had the exact same injury if she had been wearing a helmet. It is way better to wear a helmet than not.

[@christinematton4125]

@funshine817 It definitely is, but it depends on how you hit? The neck is always vulnerable .

[@funshine817]

@@christinematton4125 Yeah. Wearing a helmet reduces the likelihood of a neck injury, but no guarantees.

[@thepalettewhispererasmr1227]

Nurses know too much…sigh

[@jgdwick4067]

🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏

[@michellegarry1872]

I can’t wrap my head around that whole wife and wife thing. Makes me nauseous. Hope she regains what she lost and can ride again.

[@ronleight9341]

2 souls who love each other makes you nauseous. Hmmm....thats all on you sweetie.

[@michellegarry1872]

@@ronleight9341 it’s unnatural and you know it.

[@ronleight9341]

@@michellegarry1872 Tell us you have a closed mind without telling us you have a closed mind.

[@lorettanericcio-bohlman567]

Seriously, that’s what you’re focused on? Doth thou protest too much?

[@Zee-ob1pe]

Happened to Christoper Reeves

[@user-ne8lj5zt3n]

when it happens to you it is 100%

[@elizabethroberts6215]

……re: horse riding making a broad statement like, ‘I’ll never let my child ride a horse’, is useless. If it’s a ‘forbidden’ sport, a child will want to participate more. That child can make their own mind up, legally, at age 18. I became ‘horse mad’ as an 8yo. Still am, decades’ later, & still riding. My parents’ were wise enough to enquire about the best riding instructor available at that time. I got kitted out with jodhpurs, proper riding boots, & helmet. I absolutely adored not only riding, but just being around the horses’. Yes, I’ve had falls’, but nothing at all serious. It’s a wonderful pastime, & to connect with such an intelligent animal, is a brilliant experience. I’ve taught my children to ride, & now do so for my grandchildren. Caution, & respect for an equine is paramount………🇦🇺

[@dand3975]

I don't ride nothing without wheels and brakes. Waiting for the typical horse lover response......"oh but it wasn't the horses fault".

[@AdelWilliams-sz7nt]

Riding horses is just like cars the risk is there be respectful of horses

[@cameronwhitaker3864]

This woman needs to hear or read the story of Amberley Snyder to help find inspiration for a new fighting spirit. Amberley got paralyzed from the waist down, just like her.

[@choosey87]

Same thing happened to Christopher Reeves 😮

[@katherineklevenow1808]

He was paralyzed from the neck down.

[@choosey87]

@@katherineklevenow1808 Both are paralyzed from a horse riding accident.

[@katherineklevenow1808]

@@choosey87No, Christopher Reeve has died

[@katherineklevenow1808]

@@choosey87 Reeve

[@choosey87]

@@katherineklevenow1808 So he has died decades AFTER, he was paralyzed from a horse riding accident, like I've said already.

[@bruceschroeder9219]

Superman. .. It's sad. Technology is sant better by NOW 2024....for everyone like this.

[@bonniegeesey4508]

There some liars in pa

[@bobbobsin3202]

Christopher Reeve 2.0

[@antonnewalker6488]

SIN i pray that she will turn to the Lord and be healed

[@Wisepati]

Wow, that is very self-righteous. You might go back and read your Bible.

[@antonnewalker6488]

@@Wisepati Leviticus 20:13 it's called righteous judgement I will not respond to anymore comments Jesus luv u and and died 4 u.

[@Caratdarla]

Gross!

[@PedalsNPetals]

I used to ride horses and ran a horse bareback and I was only 12 ..why did my parents allow that !😮

[@queenkoi]

Because there is nothing wrong with it. Every sport has risks and we all have to determine individually where our limits for acceptance of risk fall. I am not really bothered by a kid riding bareback if they are a good rider. That having been said, I understand your feeling now that the activity was dangerous. Perhaps, but each time you are in a car, especially on a highway, you aren't that far from death and no one would suggest not taking a 12 year old on the highway. There's no perfect answers but your parents judged the activities to be ok for you, as did mine.