Bo Petterson's 4.6 Million TikTok Following Funds Daughter's Brain Injury Treatment
Updated
Updated · USA TODAY · Jun 18
Bo Petterson's 4.6 Million TikTok Following Funds Daughter's Brain Injury Treatment
3 articles · Updated · USA TODAY · Jun 18
Summary
Nearly six years after their first viral post, Bo Petterson’s “Dad Advice” TikTok account has grown to 4.6 million followers and now helps pay for daughter Emily’s traumatic brain injury treatments.
Emily Petterson, 28, started filming her camera-shy father in 2019 after debilitating pain and depression forced her to leave her job and move back to her family’s Washington farm.
Early videos mentioning her injury drew treatment suggestions from strangers worldwide, giving the family new leads on therapies as well as income to cover costly out-of-pocket care.
No treatment has worked so far, the Pettersons said, but they say the TikTok community has given Emily purpose, sustained hope and expanded access to possible future options.