Radio Host Recovering After A Fall Breaks His Back

MARION, IA — A morning co-host with radio station KHAK in Cedar Rapids is recovering at home after breaking his back in a fall last week. Ryan "Brain" Brainard was released from the hospital on Tuesday evening, four days after falling from a ladder.

Brainard, who lives in Marion, co-hosts the morning show "Brain and Courtlin" on the country music station, where he has worked for 21 years. He told listeners in an on-air call Wednesday that he hopes to return to work next week. He says he is sporting "a very attractive back brace" he will need to wear through the holidays and he requires the use of a walker.

"I'm officially 82 years old," he joked.

Brainard's fall fractured the first lumbar vertebra — the uppermost of five lumbar bones in the lower back and the one that supports the upper body. He said physicians do not expect him to require surgery, but he has had to relearn to walk and to do things in new and creative ways.

"I can kind of laugh about it now," he said while still hospitalized. "It wasn't very much fun Friday when they taught me how to pee lying down, but you know what, I'm happy I'm at that phase," he laughed.

Brainard was released from the hospital on Tuesday. He said he appreciates the thoughts and prayers while he is recuperating. "I'm looking forward to getting back to work," he said.

You can listen to his call to the station here.

Photo illustration via Morguefile