Beaten Giants Fan Bryan Stow Takes On Bullying
SAN MATEO (CBS SF) -- Bryan Stow, the San Francisco Giants fan who has made a remarkable recovery since being nearly beaten to death outside Dodger Stadium almost five years ago, showed just how far he has come when he brought his crusade against bullying to a San Mateo high school Thursday.
Giving a presentation to students Hillsdale High School where his cousin Rebecca Bucher is a counselor, Stow talked at length about how much his life has changed since the near fatal attack, but kept his message to the teens positive.
Walking slowly with crutches, Stow took the stage as a montage of photos of the Giants fan was projected on an overhead screen as the Survivor hit "Eye of the Tiger" blared over the sound system.
While he may move slowly, Stow spoke clearly and with humor as he addressed the gathered students about the serious subject. The projection showed more photos from Stow's past before the fateful confrontation on March 31, 2011.
"This is me in the '90s. I had great hair," said Stow, getting a big laugh from the crowd.
Stow went on to talk about his life and career and children before addressing the day that everything changed after a Giants game in Los Angeles.
"I was hurt by adult bullies. For nine months, I was in a coma," explained Stow. "After coming out of the coma, I had to learn how to live my life again. Learn to speak again."
The presentation took a heartbreaking pause as Stow and his speech language pathologist Brandy Dickinson showed a clip while he was still in the hospital, out of the coma but still struggling to say his first word.
Talking about the time he spent recovering in a variety of hospitals between 2011 and 2013, Stow admitted he had no recollection of those two years of his rehabilitation.
Despite the enormous challenges, Stow has made remarkable progress.
"I keep a positive attitude," he told the teens. "I can still do my favorite things in life."
He spoke about throwing out the first pitch at a San Jose Giants game, working out at his Capitola gym and completing a quarter-mile swim challenge at Cabrillo College.
He also talked about seeing concerts with his favorite '80s metal bands like Def Leppard, Tesla and Queensryche, bonding with the one student who actually knew who those bands were.
"You and me are good!" Stow told the teen, getting more laughs.
The presentation took a turn back towards the serious as Stow outlined the different ways that the students could take a stand against bullying.
"Don't be a bystander. Don't participate. Don't just stand and watch," said Stow. "Doing nothing sends a message that the bullying behavior is ok. And it's not."
Stow has visited about a dozen schools across California since 2014, spreading the anti-bullying message. With his Stow Foundation helping raise the funds so he can continue to spread his message of kindness, Stow has embraced his new mission with a passion.
"I want to stop bullies, end fan violence and tell my story around the country, and around the world eventually, Stow told the teens. "I survived for a reason. I'm finding my purpose again."