Family Expected The Worst But Grandma Survived Hitler & Is A Coronavirus Survivor
March 31, 2020
After living through Hitler and multiple operations, including open-heart surgery, 86-year-old Barbara Briley is now a coronavirus survivor, too. And her family is sharing the inspirational short story of her "fighting spirit" to bring hope to others.
It's always nerve-wracking to have an elderly loved one sent to the hospital. But the coronavirus pandemic made the situation even scarier for Barbara Briley's family.
RELATED: Coronavirus In Baby Just 7 Months Old Prompts Mom’s Desperate Plea: ‘COVID-19 Isn’t A Joke’
The 86-year-old grandma from the UK suffered a hip fracture in February. And during a physiotherapy session in March, she suffered another fall, fracturing her spine.
While at the hospital, Barbara tested positive for COVID-19 when her chest filled with fluid a few days later. Elderly persons with underlying health problems have been reported as at higher risk with the coronavirus. So, understandably, Barbara's doctors and family were very concerned.
But it turns out this 86-year-old real-life overcomer had another thing to add to her list of achievements -- coronavirus survivor!
86-Year-Old Grandma Becomes Inspiring Coronavirus Survivor
Barbara Briley has seen a lot of things in her 86 years on this earth. Born not long before World War II, she used to tell her 3 children stories of bombers flying above her hometown.
And, despite all odds, her "fighting spirit" won out again.
RELATED: 7+ Acts of Kindness During The Coronavirus Pandemic to Restore Your Faith in Humanity
Karen Gabriel, Barbara's daughter, says the family kept "expecting a call" from the doctors to give them the worst possible news. But that call never came.
Despite all the odds, they got the call proclaiming the 86-year-old grandma a coronavirus survivor instead! And Barbara's son, Richard Briley, took to social media to share the good news as a beacon of hope.
"This is me with my mum," Richard wrote. "She has survived Hitler, open-heart surgery, 2 replacement knees, and 2 replacement hips. . . Last week she was diagnosed with COVID-19 and spent a week in intensive care. . . Today she has been given the all-clear. This is the sort of thing the media should be concentrating on. There is hope."
Amazingly, the 86-year-old grandma has bounced back. And after spending time in quarantine, she can't wait to get back home to her loving family.
Her children are sharing their mother's story as a coronavirus survivor to help spread hope in the face of this pandemic.
"Not everyone has to die," remarked Karen Gabriel.
Karen says her mother is living proof of that fact. And she's hoping that can bring encouragement to others.
YOU MAY ALSO LIKE: Take A Break From The Coronavirus Panic With 36+ Utterly Adorable Animal Stories In The News
Praise God for giving this sweet lady such a fighting spirit and for enabling the doctors and nurses to see her through her amazing recovery!
h/t: Metro
Featured Image: Nottingham Post / BPM Media
Mel is the senior writer for GodUpdates, finding, writing and sharing Christian, uplifting, and health-related stories from around the world. Mel has a passion for writing and graduated with a degree in English from Randolph-Macon College in Virginia. When she’s not researching and writing stories, Mel is very active in her church. You can usually find Mel playing board games with her husband and two young girls, giving someone a hug, or hunting down a good cup of coffee!
Today's Devotional
A Prayer for Transforming Worry into Trust - Your Daily Prayer - October 24
Worrying does nothing to benefit our lives in any way; it only takes away. It takes away the present moments and present joy you could experience, not to mention it takes away from a peaceful life.
Today's Devotional
A Prayer for Transforming Worry into Trust - Your Daily Prayer - October 24
Worrying does nothing to benefit our lives in any way; it only takes away. It takes away the present moments and present joy you could experience, not to mention it takes away from a peaceful life.
Past Stories
- An Iguana Hitches a Ride on a Garbage Truck in Tennessee, Now Trying to Find Its Owner
- 6-Year-Old Starts 'Poop Scooping' Business to Help Animals and Adopt One of His Own
- Bride's dad Drops During Father-Daughter Dance, but Things Lined up Perfectly to Save His Life
- Young North Carolina Father Risked His Life To Save a Couple and Dog From a Sinking Truck
- UPS Driver Jumps into Action As He Spots Elderly Woman on the Ground & Says It Was All God
- Rescuer Braces for the Worst After Spotting Kitten on the Side of the Road, Then Sees a Paw Move
- AJ Griffin Gives Up High-Paying Career with NBA to Follow God
- These Former Conjoined Twins Finally Go Home After Their First Birthday
- Teenager From Iowa Uses His Flying Skills to Help Hurricane Helene Victims
- Son Saves For 9 Months and Surprises Mom By Paying Off Her Mortgage
- Woman's Home is Surrounded By 100 Raccoons, and They Aren't Leaving Anytime Soon
- Dog Saves Her Owner's Life By Sitting in the Middle of the Road
- Widower Shares the Last Thing His Wife Told Their Son Before She Passed Away From Cancer
- A Nurse Saved Her Life 35 Years Ago, Now, She is Surprising Her With a Visit
- These Twin Sisters Have An Important Message To Share On Their 102nd Birthday
- This Brave 5-Year-Old Saved Her Mother's Life By Calling 911
- 79-Year-Old Broke Her Ankle After Scattering Her Mom's Ashes, Then Strangers Save the Day
- Dad Travels Through Mud and Debris to Walk His Daughter Down the Aisle
- Owner's Trip to the Vet with Unwell Dog Results in the Craziest X-Ray
- After Getting Lost in Yellowstone, This Precious Cat Made His Way Back Home To California
- Mom's Funny Response To Daughter's Dirty Sock On The Floor Goes Viral & Ends Up Doing Good
- A Kidnapped Boy Is Found After 70 Years and Reunited With His Family
- This Puppy Was Found With a Note That Read 'Help Me,' Now He's Looking For a New Home
- Excited Mom Couldn't Wait to See Son's Back to School Pictures, but Funny Results Make Her LOL
- When This Police Officer Pulled Her Over, He Changed Her Life Forever
- She Just Met Her Vietnam Veteran Father After 50 Years, Now He is Walking Her Down the Aisle
- Fearless Father Waits on Porch to Catch the Stranger Peeking in His Daughter's Window
- This 5th Grade Teacher Eats Lunch In the Cafeteria Every Day
- Amy Grant Has a New Perspective After Losing Her 'Superpower' in Bike Accident
- 'God Did It' Says 18-Year-Old After Waking Up From a Coma Following a Crash
- These Four Sisters Share a Birthday, Which is Quite the Miracle
- Dad Harmony Sings a Beautiful A Cappella Rendition of ‘Can’t Help Falling in Love'
- Couple's Outstanding Boogie Woogie Dance Performance
- Siblings’ Cover of Dolly Parton’s Classic ‘I Will Always Love You’ Is Incredible
- Pastor and Wife Were Killed in a Car Accident, But Their Kids Have a Message of Hope
- Outstanding 'Amazing Grace' Cover Music Video by Celtic Woman
- Carrie Underwood Helps With Leading Worship at Tennessee Church
- 8-Year-Old Kid's To-Do List Goes Viral As a Wholesome Reminder for Us All
- 'Holy Forever' Lyric Video by Chris Tomlin and CAIN
- Elementary Teacher Talks About the Power of Words and Kindness By Using Toothpaste
- Prayers Pour in for Loretta Lynn's Family After the Death of the Late Singer's First Grandchild
- Dennis Quaid Singing 'On My Way To Heaven" is an Inspiring Performance
- Charming Elderly Couple Share Sweet Dance to 'Have You Ever Seen The Rain?"
- Kevin Bacon and Kyra Sedgwick Adorably Sing a Sassy Duet to Celebrate 36 Years of Marriage
- Rory Feek Performs Beautiful Tune 'I Do' After Finding Love Again
- Driver Shows Up to Deliver Pizza to Elderly Man's House, Then Comes Back with His Lawnmower
- What Parents & Grandparents Don't Know About 'Easy' Recipe Trend Could Be Dangerous
- Nearly 1,500 Students Gather to Worship Jesus at Texas A&M Revival
- 96-Year-Old Shares the Secret to a Happy Life and His Words of Wisdom Are Truly Inspiring
- In God's Divine Timing, Wedding Ring Is Returned to Man's Widow After It's Lost for 60+ Years
Top Music Videos
CCM Magazine Steven Curtis Chapman Shares the Heartfelt Message that Helped While Grieving His Daughter
Crowder Crowder Moving Official 'Somebody Prayed' Music Video
The Statler Brothers 'Til the Storm Passes By' The Statler Brothers Live Performance
Mandisa Mandisa - Shackles (Praise You)
Anne Wilson Anne Wilson 'The Cross' Powerful Lyric Video
Blogs
At GodTube, you’ll find daily inspirational videos to lift your spirits and encourage you in your walk with God. Popular videos include worship music from your favorite Christian artists, cute videos with adorable kids and animals, hilarious videos from Christian comedians, user-uploaded videos, and clean viral videos to brighten your day.