How a Mother Transformed Heartache into a Mission for Change
BY KARYN BRODSKY
Among the most profound losses one can experience, the death of a child stands out as perhaps the most harrowing. For a grieving parent, coping with the aftermath of such a loss poses an immense challenge. So, what allows a parent to ultimately move forward in life?
For Angie and David Rogers of Richardson, Texas, this journey has been a challenging one. They found a way to harness their sorrow and advocate for change following the tragic overdose death of their son Brandon, who was just 24 years old. Together with Brandon’s twin sister, Blair McCurdy, Angie passionately raises awareness about substance abuse and encourages young people to choose a sober lifestyle.
Angie, who is a veterinarian, describes their son Brandon—affectionately known as “Bubba”—as a kind-hearted individual who cherished family, had a loyal circle of friends, and an affinity for animals, particularly enjoying sports like golf and basketball. Throughout his childhood, Brandon was described as a “church kid,” leading a disciplined life. However, a lapse into youthful rebellion eventually led him into the grips of addiction. The downward spiral commenced during his high school years with alcohol, progressively escalating to painkillers, prescription medications, over-the-counter drugs in college, and ultimately heroin, which engulfed Brandon and his family in the turbulent cycle of addiction and rehabilitation.
In an attempt to address Brandon’s drinking, Angie and David took him to a Mothers Against Drunk Drivers (MADD) impact meeting, where he heard testimonials about the consequences of substance abuse. They also enrolled him in Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) and reached out to the local police department. Unfortunately, these efforts proved insufficient to prevent his growing dependency.
Angie’s wake-up call came during Brandon’s junior year when he was caught buying Adderall at Plano East High School. This incident prompted his placement in rehab during the summer before his senior year. Although he showed some improvement, Angie later regretted not knowing about Serenity High School (SHS)—a recovery-focused institution within the McKinney Independent School District—where students can enroll after completing a rehabilitation program. Even though it was too late for Brandon, Angie joined the SHS board, determined to inform others about its resources.
At 18, following his senior year, Brandon underwent a routine tonsillectomy that took a turn for the worse when he was prescribed hydrocodone, ultimately leading to a dependency. He then enrolled at Blinn College, hoping to transition to his dream school, Texas A&M. However, the college environment, rife with drugs and alcohol, was not conducive to his recovery, and neither school had a recovery program at that time. He cycled through various rehab centers, the Salvation Army, and returning to the streets before seeking help at a sober living facility called the 24 Hour Club in Dallas, where Angie started a weekly prayer group nearby to support him.
In 2014, life took a significant turn for Brandon as his sister Blair, who also pursued a veterinary career and graduated from A&M, got engaged, and Brandon was informed of his girlfriend’s pregnancy. Torn between his desire to be involved in his child’s life and the complicated decision for adoption, Brandon ultimately assisted in selecting adoptive parents for his son, Brennan.
Tragedy struck again in the fall of 2015 when Brandon left his sober living community following the overdose death of a close friend. This devastating loss caused him to relapse after 4 ½ months of sobriety. On November 3, 2015, just 24 years old, Brandon was discovered deceased in an acquaintance’s apartment from a heroin overdose.
In the aftermath of her devastating loss, Angie channeled her grief into advocacy. A close friend initiated a scholarship in Brandon’s memory at Texas A&M. Funded by the Collin County AggieMom’s Club, the Brandon Rogers Memorial Scholarship Fund aimed to support students in a collegiate recovery program. When Angie learned no such program existed at A&M, she reached out to the university president, and by 2016, they implemented one. “I take immense pride in our A&M community,” shares Angie, “comprising brilliant individuals—chemical engineers, bio-engineers—who are also on the path to recovery.” She is now involved in a committee dedicated to enhancing recovery services at the university.
Angie’s efforts now extend to various platforms, including her position on the Friends of 24 Board at the 24 Hour Club, where she educates parents and students about the hazards of substance abuse. Observing that young men vastly outnumber women in rehabilitation programs, Angie highlights that this may be linked to the slower developmental pace of their frontal cortex, often leading to impulsivity and increased susceptibility to drugs. She remains connected with the recovery community at Texas A&M and continues to maintain friendships with Brandon’s peers from the 24 Hour Club and the Salvation Army. “The bravery exhibited by those in recovery is inspiring, given the daily challenges they face,” Angie expresses.
Following Brandon’s funeral, Angie and David rekindled ties with little Brennan and his family, who now frequently visit the Rogers.
Angie emphasizes that the profile of a substance user can be misleading; addiction can affect anyone, even seemingly well-involved parents may overlook warning signs. “As a protective parent, I was actively involved, yet it still happened,” she reflects. “If it could happen to me, it could certainly happen to others. I want this pain to serve a purpose. If I can reach just one parent, that would mean success to me.”
For her relentless commitment to commemorate Brandon by giving back and advocating for those impacted by addiction, as well as her efforts in sharing their story and guiding others to resources, we proudly honor Angie Rogers with our Very Inspiring Parent award.
