On Episode 8 of Season 9 of The Surviving Siblings Podcast®, host Maya Roffler is joined by Val Lentini, a surviving sibling, who shares the story of losing her brother Andreas—“Andy”—to a tragic skateboarding accident just weeks after one of the most meaningful milestones they shared together.

Val takes us back to her childhood growing up with her only sibling, her younger brother Andy. Just two years apart, they spent nearly every stage of life side by side—attending the same schools, sharing activities, and building a bond rooted in both friendship and family. From basement hangouts and childhood games to navigating life milestones together, Andy wasn’t just her brother—he was part of nearly every memory she holds from growing up.

Their relationship was filled with the kind of closeness that comes from shared experiences, and even as life shifted into adulthood, that connection remained.

Just as life was opening up into a new chapter, everything changed.

Andy was out longboarding—something he loved and did often. A seemingly normal moment turned tragic when he fell and suffered a severe brain injury. What followed was a rapid and devastating series of events—hospitalization, life support, and ultimately, the unthinkable decision to say goodbye.

Val shares the shock of receiving the call, the urgency of rushing to the hospital, and the surreal experience of hearing medical terminology that didn’t match what felt like a “simple fall.” She opens up about the confusion, the unanswered questions, and the emotional weight of being in a position where decisions had to be made quickly, without time to process what was happening. She also reflects on the moments that followed—walking out of the hospital without her brother, navigating the immediate aftermath, and the strange, disorienting reality of life continuing while everything felt completely changed.

From eating at a fast-food restaurant just hours after losing him, to returning to clinical rotations and stepping back into “normal life” far too quickly, Val shares the layers of shock, survival, and delayed grief that followed Andy’s passing. As the conversation unfolds, Val speaks to the deeper layers of grief—the loss of identity, the process of becoming someone new, and the reality that grief doesn’t just take a person—it reshapes your entire life.

This episode is a reminder that while we may never fully “heal” from losing a sibling.

In This Episode:

(0:00:00) – Meet Val + Remembering Andreas (“Andy”) Val introduces her relationship with her younger brother and their deeply connected upbringing.

(0:02:00) – Growing Up Side by Side Sharing schools, activities, and nearly every stage of life together.

(0:06:00) – College + Staying Connected Navigating time apart and the meaningful experience of attending the same university.

(0:17:00) – The Day Everything Changed The longboarding accident and the sudden shift into crisis.

(0:20:00) – Hospital + Medical Reality Processing complex injuries, brain trauma, and the reality of the situation.

(0:22:00) – Saying Goodbye Navigating life support, brain death, and the unimaginable decision.

(0:33:00) – Walking Out of the Hospital The surreal experience of leaving without him and facing the outside world.

(0:37:00) – Life Continues Too Fast Returning to clinical rotations, career transitions, and suppressed grief.

(0:40:00) – Losing Yourself + Becoming Someone New How grief reshapes identity and forces personal transformation.

(0:43:00) – Carrying Andy Forward Adopting his mindset and keeping his presence alive in everyday life.

(0:47:00) – Sitting With Others in Grief Why presence matters more than words—and how to support someone grieving.

This episode is sponsored by The Surviving Siblings®

Connect with Val:

Tik Tok: https://www.tiktok.com/@valerielentine22

Connect with Maya:

Podcast Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/survivingsiblingspodcast/

Maya's Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mayaroffler/

TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@survivingsiblingspodcast

Twitter: https://x.com/survivingsibpod

Website: thesurvivingsiblings.com

Facebook Group: The Surviving Siblings Podcast

YouTube: The Surviving Siblings Podcast

Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/TheSurvivingSiblingsPodcast