Brilea Southard: 2026 Riley Champion presented by Kroger

When her favorite musician, Benson Boone, sings, “Please don’t take these beautiful things that I’ve got,” Brilea Southard can relate more than most 16-year-olds. Two years ago, she faced a 4% chance of survival when she was airlifted to Riley Hospital for Children with extensive injuries from a car accident, including a torn aorta.

A team of advocates rallied around Brilea while she spent the next 513 days at Riley Hospital. Nurse Shakiyla Rogers braided Brilea’s hair in the Pediatric Intensive Care Unit (PICU) to keep it from getting matted. Nurse Cara Flanigan searched for new ways to care for the wound that covered Brilea’s abdomen. Child Life specialists held Brilea’s hand through difficult procedures and brought a sense of normal teenage life with games and parties.

When there were fears of amputating Brilea’s legs due to blood loss, physical therapist Abby Dunlap asked to wait — now, Brilea only relies on an ankle brace to help her walk. Cartland Burns, M.D., performed most of Brilea’s 30 surgeries, sharing her case at nationwide conferences to get advice from colleagues.

“He was waking up at 3:00 in the morning worrying about my child,” Brilea’s mom, Paula Allen, said.

After 18 months away, Brilea is soaking in time at home in Terre Haute with her family. This summer was full of adventures like baseball games, swimming, and concerts — including Benson Boone, of course. A highlight was her sister Faith’s wedding, where Brilea was maid of honor.

“I got to stand right next to the girl who was next to me when I was at Riley on death’s doorstep,” Brilea said.

Thanks to Riley, Brilea is working toward a once uncertain future. She used to want to be a teacher, but she says the accident “changed her perspective” and is now setting her sights on a career as a pediatric nurse. She is also selling charm bracelets to raise funds toward training her new puppy, Annabelle, as a therapy dog at Riley.

“Therapy dogs were my favorite thing,” she remembers. “I want to give kids the same joy that I had.”

Brilea returns to Riley every few months to see Riley specialists in nephrology, gastroenterology, and pain management, and her family makes a point to visit the other caregivers who have been part of their journey. They are grateful to continue sharing about their Riley “heroes” through Brilea’s new role as a Riley Champion.

“The only way I can make sense of any of this is for people to hear Brilea’s story and have the same kind of hope,” Paula said.