Posted 11:05 a.m. Friday, May 2, 2025
Ethan Harbridge turns unexpected setback into powerful comeback on his journey to graduation
For Ethan Harbridge, crossing the stage at UW-La Crosse’s commencement this spring is more than a celebration of academic achievement — it’s a testament to resilience, community and perseverance.
Harbridge, soon to be graduating with a major in finance, had initially planned to graduate last year as a junior, but had to medically withdraw during his intended final semester.
Feb. 6, 2024, started off as a normal day for Harbridge. He went to class, did homework, made dinner and played Xbox with his roommate. His routine was interrupted when he started experiencing a sudden, intense headache and decided to lie down.
“I honestly had no clue what was wrong with me,” Harbridge recalls. “When one of my roommates returned from the gym, he came to check on me and found me unresponsive, lying on my bedroom floor and covered in vomit. My roommates quickly called 911.”
When Harbridge made it to Mayo Clinic Health System, doctors discovered that Harbridge had experienced a hemorrhagic stroke caused by a ruptured arteriovenous malformation (AVM), which occurs in about 9 out of every 100,000 people.
Harbridge spent weeks in the hospital and months in recovery, leaning on a strong support system.
“First, I want to recognize my roommates, who truly saved my life that night — Evan Roberts, Ryan Wendt, Dominic James and Parker Cornell. I wouldn’t be here without them,” Harbridge says. “My parents, Jeff and Sarah Harbridge, literally moved into the hotel connected to Gundersen for an entire month so they could be by my side every day.”
While in the hospital, Harbridge’s friends, Drew Dickmann and Henry Wright, visited him every day. Tessa Wirtz traveled from Madison to visit each weekend, and Police Chaplain Frank O’Laughlin came daily to pray with Harbridge and his family.
“Those connections made a huge difference for me during a really difficult time,” Harbridge says.
Since returning to UWL after months of recovery, Harbridge has utilized the Disability Resource Center to ease his transition back into school.
“Jennifer Bell in the Disability Resource Center has been especially supportive. She helped me a lot with accommodations and set me up with everything I needed,” Harbridge shares. “All of my professors have been great, too.”
Experiencing such an unexpected and intense event has profoundly changed Harbridge’s perspective.
“This experience has taught me more about myself than I ever could’ve imagined,” Harbridge says. “I’ve learned how resilient I am, even when faced with something as serious and unexpected as a brain hemorrhage.”
It also shifted how he views health, education and life.
“Now, I make a conscious effort to be more present, to appreciate the people around me and to not take anything for granted. I’ve gained a deeper appreciation for the opportunity to continue my education despite the obstacles I’ve faced,” Harbridge says. “That’s something I’ll carry with me for the rest of my life.”
For other students who may be experiencing setbacks, Harbridge reminds them to not be afraid to ask for help:
“Be patient with yourself, celebrate small wins and remember that setbacks don’t define your future. How you respond to them does.”
Looking ahead, Harbridge is excited to begin a career in financial planning. He is currently interviewing for positions in La Crosse, preferring to stay in the area after building a strong network and feeling of connection to the community.
“Graduating this spring holds a whole new meaning for me after everything I went through last year,” Harbridge reflects. “It feels like so much more than just earning a degree. It represents the strength it took to come back from something life-threatening, the support I received from my family, friends and professors, and the work I put in to get here —physically, mentally and academically.
“Above all, never lose hope. Things may look uncertain now, but you’re capable of more than you think, and you don’t have to go through it alone.”