Ryan Patrick Bramlett, 51, died Sunday, November 1, 2020, at Ochsner Medical Center in Jefferson, Louisiana.
Ryan graduated from the University of Mississippi as a talented journalist and graphic designer, and built a successful career in publishing and marketing.
Over the years, Ryan worked at The Oxford American magazine, The Pontotoc Progress newspaper, Hancock Fabrics, The New Albany Gazette, and Rebel Yell magazine. Ryan loved automobiles, especially Jeeps. Ryan spent his final years living in the French Quarter of New Orleans, where he retired to enjoy live music, food, history, his home, bicycle rides, writing, photography, feeding stray animals, making new friends, and, most of all, just living in the moment.
Ryan was honored to serve as an Ambassador in the American Kidney Foundation‘s Advocacy Network, advocating for patients with kidney disease during his hard-fought battle with membranous glomerulonephritis. Special thanks to the dedicated health care professionals who enabled him to not only survive but thrive, on his own terms, with dignity.
Ryan Bramlett is survived by three brothers Robert “Bobby” Bramlett of Chicago, Illinois; Regan Bramlett of Charleston, South Carolina; and Russell Bramlett of Fayetteville, North Carolina.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Robert Henry Bramlett of Pontotoc, Mississippi and Matie Patricia Bramlett (Elmore) of Fayetteville NC, and a brother, Randal Bramlett of Fayetteville, NC.
Ryan’s social media accounts contain lots of photography, philosophy, and life moments. His Facebook page can be accessed here and his Instagram account can be found here. Ryan’s Instagram account is especially fascinating, as he exclusively used it to document homelessness in New Orleans.
Due to health care precautions, memorial services will be private. Donations in his name may be made in lieu of flowers to the American Kidney Fund at kidneyfund.org or 11921 Rockville Pike, Suite 300, Rockville MD 20852.
The American Kidney Fund Interview with Ryan Bramlett
As a dialysis patient himself, advocating for Ryan isn’t just personal, but is all about improving care for all kidney patients. Click here for the original article.
What made you want to become an advocate?
My decision to advocate on behalf of myself and other kidney patients was born out of my frustration both at my health situation and my thoughts that we, as dialysis patients, were not getting the care that we need.
How has kidney disease affected you and what has been your biggest challenge?
Kidney disease has turned my life upside down. I have lost almost every material thing that is valued so much in this life – except my life.
How has being an advocate helped you?
Being an advocate has helped me because I’m not just waiting around for the next shoe to drop. I’m fighting not just for my life, but for the well-being of my fellow warriors.
What have you learned from being an advocate?
I learned a lot since becoming an advocate, from legislative issues and priorities that effect kidney patients, to the myriad of activities that we as kidney patients can get involved in to help in the fight against this silent killer.
Why should others become advocates?
Becoming an advocate gives you something constructive to do that isn’t just about just you, but about helping improve the lives of kidney patients everywhere. It gives you a sense of purpose and fulfillment that is worthwhile and satisfying.
What is something you’ve learned about kidney disease and dialysis that you wish you knew a lot sooner?
Kidney disease may be slow and sneaky, but you can’t afford to ignore it. Educating yourself about kidney disease is your best defense to know what you can do to slow its attack and maybe even prevent it from getting worse. Being an advocate for yourself first and then others should be your priority.
How would you like to stay connected to other advocates?
It is important to stay connected with others that are on this journey as well. Become involved with support groups either locally or online. There are numerous helpful and supportive Facebook groups and other websites that will allow to stay connected with your fellow kidney warriors.
What are your best tips to get through the dialysis treatments?
Take everything one day at a time, don’t focus on what the next treatment or exchange will mean. Put yourself in a position to be successful at this. Listening to music or watching youtube videos or movies will occupy your time. Communicate with your healthcare team… If you don’t tell them, they won’t know.
What do you wish elected officials knew about dialysis patients?
People on dialysis are still people. We can be productive and creative members of society that should be treasured and not ignored. No one chooses to end up with ESRD, and those of us that walk this road, need your support and encouragement.
Do you have any advice for newly diagnosed kidney patients?
Keep a copy of all your tests results and engage your healthcare team about any questions you have. There will be good days and bad, just remember that whatever doesn’t kill you makes you stronger.
“Quarantined in a COVID-19 hot spot: Report from New Orleans”
by Ryan Bramlett – Click here for the original article
The French Quarter has a surreal feeling; the rats have taken over the streets at night. It’s like a ghost town—not even during Hurricane Katrina have all the restaurants and bars been closed down like this.
Yes, things are bad here. I know someone in their mid-30s who died five hours after being admitted to the hospital. I’ve been wearing a mask and gloves whenever I leave my apartment. I started doing that even before my clinic staff started wearing them. I only leave my apartment when it’s essential. I’m so thankful for a couple of good friends who are helping me survive.
I was sick during Mardi Gras and didn’t get out as much as I wanted. Which turns out to be a good thing, since it helped to limit my exposure in the early stages of the coronavirus spread in New Orleans.
So far, I am staying reasonably healthy. Every day I check my temperature and oxygen levels by pulse oximetry. That, along with a few questions, is how my clinic is screening people. I am wearing a heart monitor for next 30 days because of three syncope (fainting) episodes in the past couple of months.
I dialyze at home and it has been very difficult getting supplies so I have to ration what little I have. Things I use in dialysis, like paper towels and anti-bacterial soap, have been impossible to find for weeks now. I had been ordering them on Amazon every month. I am also struggling financially as my everyday expenses have more than doubled since the lock down started here. The increased costs and lack of supplies has a stressful and anxiety-producing effect.
But I’m living in the moment and trying to appreciate even this experience. I’m writing a lot and have been taking some photos to document this.
All of this has helped me realize how blessed I am and I am very thankful. Stay safe and stay home as much as you can!
“I met Ryan while he was attending Ole Miss. He and I struck a friendship up and when he graduated we kinda drifted but would talk from time to time. It was always like we had seen eachother the day before.. always a smile and kind hearted when we spoke.
We he dinner when he came up for his father’s funeral and I could see where he was with his health and kidney situation. I remember him saying he was living on borrowed time and I didn’t get the depth of his comment at the moment as he knew what most didn’t….so we made plans and I went down and stayed several days with him a little while before covid hit and he filled me in to everything he had happening in his life and all . So we spent several days enjoying the sights and history of the area and reconnecting…. We stayed in touch and would talk about every week. We talked about God and salation and I believe he was a Christian and I pray to see him and so many more one day he will me missed .
As a friend he was a good one and I was privileged to have known him and to have been able to call him a Brother ….
Never Forgotten”
– Chris Stewart, October 22, 2021
“Ryan was a good friend who inspired me to do more with my life and career. I met him in the late 90s when I was Art Director and he was an intern at The Oxford American. We remained life long friends. He called or texted me often and was always curious what I was up to. In 2005, Ryan recruited me to help him launch Rebel Yell magazine. It was great to work with him again, but ultimately we did not see eye-to-eye on the publishing business. I left his magazine and started my own, The Local Voice, and we became competitors in the market. Ultimately The Local Voice prevailed but after a few years we became good friends again. Ryan moved to New Orleans in 2016 and I visited him every year until his passing in 2020. He was a good friend who will definitely be missed.”
– Newt Rayburn
