When TBF Ambassador Minda Thurman suffered a brain AVM & rupture in February of 2020, her world changed in an instant. But while many would focus on fear, uncertainty, or loss, Minda made a different choice, one that continues to shape her life and the lives of others. She chose gratitude.
Minda often calls herself blessed. Just two weeks after her rupture, she was discharged from the hospital, right before the world shut down under the weight of the COVID-19 pandemic. That timing, she says, felt like a gift. And the rupture itself, though traumatic, forced her into something she had long postponed: slowing down, listening to her body, and rediscovering what mattered most.
“It reminded me of my purpose,” she says. “My dedication to my family. My why. I remember thinking ‘I am going to do whatever I need to do so that I can go home to my kids.’ The best part is knowing that I am still here for them.” Her family became her anchor throughout recovery, and they remain her driving force today. But Minda’s story doesn’t end with survival. It unfolds into a mission much bigger than herself.
Minda is now the proud author of My Disentanglement: An AVM Survivor Story, a testament to resilience written for anyone navigating the fear, confusion, and hope that comes with brain AVMs. Through her book, she offers validation, companionship, and clarity to people who may feel alone, because she once felt that way too.
Her commitment to helping others extends into her academic journey. Currently pursuing her Master’s in Organizational Leadership, Minda has chosen to focus her graduate studies on nonprofit organizations, specifically, on understanding and strengthening The Bee Foundation For Brain Aneurysm Prevention. Her strategic reports examine where TBF thrives, where it can grow, and how it can continue its mission with even greater impact. Her goal is simple but profound: to dig deeper so that more lives can be protected, supported, and transformed.
And she doesn’t stop there. Beyond being a mother, author, and student, Minda is a powerful TBF Ambassador, using her voice to raise critical awareness about brain aneurysms and AVMs. She knows firsthand the importance of advocating for your health, even when it is uncomfortable, even when it is hard. That belief fuels her work in her community where she educates others on the signs, symptoms, and the life-saving power of speaking up.
In April, Minda hosted an awareness table at the Newport News Chapter of The National Association of Negro Business and Professional Women’s Clubs in Virginia, an event she courageously showed up for just one day before her father’s funeral, a testament to how deeply this mission lives within her. Spreading awareness, even in the midst of personal grief, reflects her unwavering commitment to protecting and empowering others.
She hopes to participate in her second health fair soon (speaking to fellow veterans at the North Battlefield VA Hospital in Chesapeake, Virginia), continuing the cycle of impact she has created from her own experience. Minda’s journey is not just one of survival; it is one of intentional transformation. Through her advocacy, her studies, her writing, and her unwavering dedication to others, she reminds us that even in our most difficult moments, purpose and faith can emerge. And sometimes, that purpose becomes a beacon for others.
These combined efforts strengthen our impact, build informed communities, and align with our long-term goal of reducing aneurysm-related mortality through education, research, and advocacy.”
This picture was taken the night before her ruptured aneurysm. Minda poses with her kids as they were off to their Valentines Day Dance.
