CORNWALL, N.Y. – Many people describe Brandon Smith as a walking miracle, and not because he's a Rockland County paramedic and instructor for both the New Paltz Rescue Squad and the Borough of Manhattan Community College. It's because he's now survived not one, but two brain aneurysms. 

“I remember texting my friend 'happy New Year' a little after one because he was working as a bouncer," Smith said. "The next thing I remember was waking up at Westchester Medical Center.”

After a night of celebrating the New Year with friends, Smith said he didn't expect to experience another brain aneurysm. 

“I had a previous one in 2014," Smith said. "I’ll admit. I was a pretty bad patient. I never followed up because I didn’t have insurance, and I didn’t follow up with the neurologist. Subsequently, close to 11 years later, the second aneurysm occurred, which was kind of near the first one."

According to Mayo Clinic, a brain aneurysm is a bulge or ballooning vessel in the brain. Experts say if the brain aneurysm leaks or ruptures, it causes bleeding in the brain, also known as a hemorrhagic stroke.

Jeff Ashdown is president of the Ulster County EMS Council. He told Spectrum News 1 when he found out about Smith's medical emergency, he started a GoFundMe for support.

“Brandon is just a phenomenal guy," Ashdown said. "He has no bad parts about him. He is always willing to give his best to everything he does."

While an entire community is rallying together for Smith's recovering, Meghan Williams, program director for Borough of Manhattan Community College's paramedic program, said Smith is an essential part of the BMCC family.

“He is able to bring in not only concepts and create those lightbulb moments, but the enthusiasm and the positivity that he brings is second to none," Williams said.

After being discharged from Westchester Medical Center, Smith is making routine follow-up appointments. He said he is on the path to recovery.

“It's hard," Smith said. "If public assistance is your only route with regard to insurance coverage, you have to swallow your pride and you do what you have to do.”

For more information on how you can support Smith, contact Ulster County EMS Council on Facebook.