Craig

How did you find me?

About Me

Hi, I’m Craig Brothers, and I’ve called Stephentown, NY, home since March of 2008. My wife Karry and I have been running Emerald Glen Equestrian Center here while juggling full-time jobs. It’s a lot of work—sometimes too much, like when I’m wrestling with a frozen round bale in -20°F winds at midnight (sorry, neighbors, for the occasional outbursts!)—but it’s also incredibly rewarding.

Now, the horses were Karry’s idea. I just went along with it until I was in too deep, and there was no escape. I’m pretty sure that was her plan all along! But while Karry handles the equestrian side of things, I’m an engineer at heart. I love building, tinkering, and problem-solving, whether it’s designing websites, configuring network equipment, or setting up home automation systems. You’ll often find me glued to my keyboard at all hours of the day, working on my latest project.

My Weight Journey

After high school, I struggled with my weight—or rather, I didn’t struggle enough, and the calories won. By the time I hit 385 pounds, I knew I needed to make some changes in my life. In 2011, I underwent Roux-en-Y gastric bypass surgery (on May the 4th—yes, I’m a Star Wars fan!). The next four to five years were transformative. I lost 150 pounds, gained energy, and even ditched my CPAP machine thanks to the weight loss. It was an incredible period of my life. I even started riding Gus, now that I didn't feel like I would crush him if I sat on his back.

But, as life often goes, I got complacent, and the weight started creeping back. That’s when my doctor prescribed Saxenda, an injectable liraglutide that helps with appetite suppression. It’s been a game-changer for me. Over the past two years, I’ve been able to maintain a comfortable weight in the mid-200s, and I’m feeling much better for it.

The Headache Saga

A few years ago, I started experiencing debilitating migraines that would knock me out for days at a time. In the fall of 2023, their frequency and intensity increased dramatically, leaving me with blurred vision that made it nearly impossible to focus. This vicious cycle continued until I finally sought help from specialists.

The search began with a long-standing issue in my right shoulder, stemming from a truck accident back in 1993. I started physical therapy, which helped with the shoulder, but ultimately didn't address the headaches.

In October 2024, I met Dr. Bhullar, the doctor who has been helping my wife, Karry, with her own neck and shoulder issues. When I mentioned the blurred vision that accompanied the headaches, she insisted I schedule an eye appointment and get an MRI of my head. The MRI didn't reveal much, other than an "empty sella" where my pituitary gland should be. That led to an appointment with an endocrinologist, but bloodwork showed my pituitary was functioning normally. A visit to an Ear, Nose, and Throat doctor also ruled out any sinus issues.

I was back to square one—frustrated, out on disability, and with no hope in sight.

Then, in May of 2025, I finally had an appointment with a Neuro-Optician, Dr. Sieburth. After I mentioned that I was a gastric bypass patient, she immediately zeroed in on the likely problem. She suspected one of two things: heavy metal poisoning or a nutritional vitamin/mineral deficiency.

She was right. It turns out that over the years, my copper and zinc levels had been gradually dropping. Eventually, they got so low that it began to affect my vision—a change so gradual I hadn't noticed it happening. All this time, I thought the vision issues were a symptom of the migraines, but they were the cause.

After just a couple of weeks back on the supplements I should have been taking all along... I'm happy to report that I'm on the mend and back to work!

tl;dr

Roux-en-Y gastric bypass patients should never think they know better and stop taking prescribed medications or supplements!

Life Today

Despite the challenges, life in Stephentown is full of purpose and passion. Between running the equestrian center, tinkering with tech, and navigating my health journey, I’ve learned to embrace the chaos. Karry and I make a great team, and I’m grateful for the life we’ve built together.

Thanks for stopping by my website—I hope you enjoy exploring my projects and getting to know me a little better!

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