"I went to this neurological rehab": Disney Star Debby Ryan opens up about going through a "life-altering" brain injury

Debby Ryan has opened up about her past battle with a "life-altering" brain injury. She said that she battled it for months, and it has left some lasting effects after treatment.

The 33-year-old is known for her roles in multiple Disney movies and shows as a child actor. She starred in The Suite Life on Deck, Jessie, and Insatiable, among other shows. She also starred in other movies such as Fast X and Night Teeth.

On Tuesday, September 15, Debby Ryan appeared on an episode of Mythical Kitchen's Last Meals. She spoke about her “hellish” battle with a brain injury and said:

“I had a pretty crazy life-altering brain injury a few years ago, and I was out of commission for like six months, and I went to this neurological rehab for like six months. Went and did this fringe science treatment that was like really sci-fi and crazy, and I’ve done it a couple times.”

She explained that due to the injury, she “sustained shaking for over a minute of time.” It also resulted in “pre-incident Debby and post-incident Debby.” She added:

“Specifically, after the fifth concussion, the brain injury made things significantly worse.”

Further speaking about how it affects her life now, Debby Ryan said that treatment brought her “back online, but there are some things that just did not come back.” She explained that she “can see better and think better with my eyes closed” because the “world is really loud and too bright.”

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Debby Ryan explains migraines and brain injury and expresses gratitude to loved ones

The Insatiable star further spoke about how her brain injury affects her present. She explained that she needs to close her eyes to focus and properly think, saying:

“The visual data that I am taking in can be so distracting and so loud. The migraines were significantly worsened by that. If there is a thing that can make things really singular, I like that."

Debby Ryan further expressed gratitude to her loved ones for helping her get through this battle, saying:

"I feel really fortunate that I have an amazing team of people around me who sort of reminded me who I am and was and also held a lot of space for that to change, potentially permanently, and love me through that.”

Ryan is married to Josh Dun, the drummer for the popular musical duo Twenty One Pilots. While speaking about his support throughout her injury, she said that she "couldn't imagine being on the other side of it". She added:

"I couldn't imagine doing it. Going like, 'Wow, I guess that looks like my wife, and she's talking like my wife,' and then suddenly her behavior's completely different."

Josh Dun and Debby Ryan started dating in 2013, but had an on-and-off relationship for years. They eventually got engaged in 2018 and tied the knot on New Year's Eve in 2019 in Austin. In December last year, they announced that they had welcomed a baby daughter, whom they named Felix Winter Dun.

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