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Blind After Bear Attack, Couple Celebrates 20 Years
27 Jun
Summary
- A bear attack left Dan Bigley blind, but his relationship with Amber grew stronger.
- Despite a brief split, Dan and Amber reunited and married in 2006.
- The couple, now parents of two, are preparing to celebrate their 20th anniversary.
In 2003, Dan Bigley met Amber shortly before a life-altering bear attack during a fishing trip in Alaska. The mauling left him blind, with nearly every bone in his head broken and his appearance drastically altered. His dog Maya was instrumental in helping bystanders find him.
Rescuers took two hours to reach Dan, and he was medically evacuated to Providence Alaska Medical Center in Anchorage. He remained in a medically induced coma for nearly two weeks, with his condition described as incompatible with life upon arrival at the emergency room.
While Dan recovered, his relationship with Amber deepened. Though they briefly split when Dan returned to California for surgery, Amber's consistent affection and support ultimately led to their reunion. They became engaged in 2005 and married on July 7, 2006.
Inspired by his own journey, Dan pursued a career in therapy, earning a master's degree in social work from the University of Alaska at Anchorage in 2009. He is now the CEO of Denali Family Services and authored the book 'Beyond the Bear.'
