His parents are now speaking out as testimony continues in Stow's civil trial against the Los Angeles Dodgers and former owner Frank McCourt.
"He was a vibrant young man, and that was taken away from him," Elizabeth said.
She testified about the 24-hour care needed for her 45-year-old son. She says she blames the former Dodgers management under McCourt. Their lawsuit claims there was inadequate security.
"If they had removed those two gentlemen at the second-inning, we would not be sitting here today, so what we want is fair," Elizabeth said.
Attorney Dana Fox, representing the Dodgers and McCourt, says security personnel was at an all-time high because it was Opening Day and that responsibility for the injuries lay with the two suspects and with Stow himself for being intoxicated and exchanging taunts with the assailants. Fox said a capacity crowd was expected and the Dodgers took it seriously.
"The evidence is going to show in this case Mr. Stow was gravely injured because of a testosterone- and alcohol-fueled flash-fire fight in the parking lot," Fox said. "Some of this was caused by Mr. Stow, who consumed a lot of alcohol. He drank liquor and beer before the game and beer during the game."
The two men who later plead guilty in Bryan's attack, Marvin Norwood and Louie Sanchez, were causing a ruckus as early as the second-inning, according to spectators who were nearby.
In court Friday, Griffith and Kathryn McDaniel say they were wearing shirts from the rival San Francisco Giants team.
Kathryn testified Sanchez hurled profanities, threw peanuts at them, picked a fight with another spectator, turned to them and mouthed the words "You're next." At the seventh-inning, she says Sanchez sprayed them with bottle of soda.
Witnesses say they never saw any security. Under cross examination, questions about how bothered the witnesses were. Did they ever contact an usher or a guard?
Griffith McDaniel testified that he knew about the hotline to call to notify security, but contacted no one. He and his wife left before the game was over.
As for the Stow parents, they say their son has made tremendous progress and is able to speak in a limited way.
"Some of the things may be childish or he may not be able to remember everything he wants to say but that's fine, we have a moment, we love it," Dave said.
But although he can talk here and there, Bryan still needs constant care, which his lawyers say could cost $50 million over his lifetime.
If the former Dodgers management is found negligent, attorneys for the Stow's say they will pursue damages for as much as $35 million. That does not include pain and suffering.
The case has at least three more weeks to go before the jury deliberates.
Sanchez pleaded guilty to one count of mayhem and was sentenced to eight years in prison. Norwood pleaded guilty to one count of assault likely to produce great bodily injury and was sentenced to four years. Both still face unrelated federal firearms charges.