Joey T\'s DHPF of the Month

Name: Brookie Nelson

Currently resides in: Newport Beach, CA

Q: What city/state were you born and raised?

A: I was born and raised in Orange County, California!

Q: How long have you been a Packer Fan? What is it like cheering for the Green and Gold in the State of CA?

A: I have been a Packer Fan since the second I was born. It runs in my blood! I love cheering for my Green Bay Packers all the way over here in Newport Beach, California. When I go somewhere to watch the game, I am always surrounded by people wearing either Charger jerseys or 49ers jerseys. I love that my team stands out and I will represent them no matter what anyone around me says.  I am also a stockholder and  bought 3 different shares a few years ago.  I made sure to give my mother one of the  shares. 🙂

Q: Tell us about your family ties to Wisconsin, which ultimately makes you a Packers fan?

A: My mother\’s entire side of the family was born and raised in Wisconsin. My grandparents were both Wisconsin Badgers and my Grandmother was Miss Madison. So that alone was the cornerstone of our family ties to Wisconsin. They decided to move to California before I was born, however they made sure that I bled Green and Gold from the second I took my first breath as an infant. I still have family in Wisconsin who helped make my trip to Lambeau come true! My cousin does the landscaping for Lambeau Field and for many of the players private homes as well.  For anyone that lives outside of Wisconsin and is able to make it to Lambeau Field, they understand what a blessing it truly is.

Q: Who is your all-time favorite player? Why?

A: My all time favorite player is Bart Starr. How could he not be? He is a legend. He was the best quarterback of all time. He brought his team not only to win Super Bowl I but again he brought them back to win Super Bowl II as well!  Bart Starr is probably the greatest player to ever wear a Green Bay uniform.

Q: Who’s your favorite player now? Why?

A: Jordy Nelson!! I absolutely adore Jordy. I personally think he is by far the best wide receiver in the NFL.  Plus, if we ever decide to get married, I won\’t have to change my last name.  Coincidence? I think not!  😉

Q: Tell us about your first trip to Lambeau Field when they played Seattle on September 20th.

A: Going to Lambeau Field has always been a dream of mine. In September, 2015 my Mom helped my dream come true! I have had to have 21 surgeries on both legs in the past 3 years, which has kept me in a wheelchair with double leg casts. We found out that in 2016, that I was going to need another handful of surgeries, which would keep me in a hospital bed and in a wheelchair for at least another year. My amazing mother decided to surprise me with a trip to Lambeau before the next round of surgeries arrived. Lambeau was absolutely amazing. I was still in my wheelchair, which limited my list of everything I wanted to see and do, but it was still a dream come true for me. Especially since we were able to show those Seahawks what a real NFL team looks like 🙂

Q: What was it like meeting Jerry Kramer?

A: It was great meeting the legendary Jerry Kramer! He was on my flight to Wisconsin and I finally had the chance to talk to him at baggage claim! He seemed really surprised that a young little blonde girl from California immediately knew who he was. As I was trying to stand up from my wheelchair Jerry, being the gentleman he is, refused to let me stand and got down on his knee to take a picture with me right there in the airport.

Q: Would you mind sharing with Packer Nation about Lupus and Ehlers-Danlos syndrome?

A: Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome is a rare connective tissue disease caused by faulty collagen. Collagen is the glue the holds your body together. Because my \’glue\’ is faulty, every joint in my body can, and does, dislocate. When I say every joint, I literally mean every single joint. Because the joints in my body dislocate every day, it has caused many ligaments and tendons to be destroyed in multiple joints. This has lead to dozens and dozens of surgeries trying to repair and fuse my joints. In January 2016, I had surgery on my left ankle and my left hip. I will be out of commission for about 6 months, and then they will be doing the exact same surgeries on my right ankle and right hip.

SLE Lupus (Systemic Lupus Erythematosus) is an autoimmune connective tissue disease. It causes the body’s immune system to mistakenly attack healthy tissue, which affects many internal organs in the body. This disease is unpredictable, with periods of illness (called flare-ups) alternating with remissions.

There is no cure for Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome or Lupus. It is a long, painful process that I have to live with every day, however I am also reminded every day just how blessed I am. I have an amazing Mom who helps me get through everything, a big loving family, the man of my dreams who is madly in love with me and most importantly, I have God by my side helping me every step of the way.

Q: What is the best way for people to become educated in both Lupus and Ehlers-Danlos syndrome?

A: Honestly, the best way for people to educate themselves about Lupus and Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome is to Google it. Look around at different websites, and actually read what they say.  The next thing is try to understand that just because people look \”too young\” or \”don\’t look sick\” that it doesn\’t mean they aren\’t fighting every day with an invisible disease.

Q: Tell us about the time you spent in Kenya and Uganda?

A: In the beginning of 2007, I lived in Kenya for 2 months doing medical clinics. While staying in Kenya and Uganda, my Mother and I raised over 63,000 dollars to assist with medications and doctors, to hold dental, medical and vision clinics. That was so fulfilling it was unreal.

We also paid to build chicken coops so orphanages could feed themselves and sell eggs for money.  You wouldn’t think that is a big deal but in 3rd world countries, it’s HUGE!

For our accomplishments and dedication, we received an award from Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger.  I also received the highest civilian gold medal from President Bush. Such an honor!

Q: Tell us about your Poker obsession? At what age did you start playing?

A: Ahhhh, poker. I LOVE poker. It all started when I was just a few years old haha. My family started Royal Caribbean Cruise Line. I was very blessed to grow up going on cruise ships where I learned to play poker with the best of them! My nickname growing up was \”Ace\” because I would teach all the kids at school how to play poker during recess haha. I am still usually the only girl at the table and I have no problem playing naive to trick all the boys into making costly mistakes 😉

Q: Do you have any game day rituals?

A: My biggest game day ritual is every time we go for a field goal kick, I HAVE to put my Packers bandana on. It\’s an absolute must in my book.

Any last words you\’d like to say to the Packer Nation?

Thank you all for letting me be your February Die Hard Packer Fan of the month! I am a girl who always has a smile on my face, regardless of what struggles I am going through. However, I have to admit, that being chosen to represent the spectacular Green Bay Packers….definitely helps keep this smile a little bit larger. ♡

Brookie\’s Gallery