Rep. Gifford's remarkable progress.

Traumatic Brain Injury 2 Responses »
Jan 172011


It’s remarkable the progress Representative Gabrielle Gifford is making.  The breathing tube has been removed, which is  miraculous at this early state.

It was a couple weeks before my son’s breathing tube was removed.  His challenges seemed insurmountable during that period, and the days, and weeks that followed.

Is it possible that the power of prayer, positive thinking,  faith, and determination to live can be attributed to Gifford’s rapid healing?  I know they played a pivotal role in my son’s recovery process.  Would love to hear others thoughts on this matter.

Rep. Gifford responding to simple commands

Traumatic Brain Injury No Responses »
Jan 152011


Considering the facts listed below it is inconceivable that Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) is not a household name like Susan G. Komen’s Race for the Cure.  Rep. Gabrielle Gifford’s horrific tragedy shines light on the devastating facts that TBI is the number one world-wide cause for death and disability.  Every 23 seconds a brain injury occurs.  Was the Gifford family ready for their loved one to become a TBI statistic?  Are you?  I know I wasn’t when my son’s motorcycle collided into an on-coming pickup truck, instantly changing his life… my life in an instant.

Rep. Gifford is now responding to simple commands.  I remember those days all too well.   Yet the days that followed moved from despair to hope and back again.

Looking back into the pain and uncertainty of that unforeseeable event, I wish there was a book written by someone who walked in these same shoes… someone who could give me a day to day account of the roller-coaster-ride ahead.  I needed hope. I needed something to hold onto.

In lieu of that, I began journaling. If I couldn’t read, I could write. And I did… I wrote it all down, the good, the bad, and yes, sometimes the ugly. Now I’m on a journey to publish the story of our own family’s tragedy and subsequent miracle. I look forward to sharing more with you in the days and weeks to come.

Brain Injury Facts

Traumatic Brain Injury No Responses »
Nov 182010


  • A brain injury occurs ever 23 seconds in the United States.  (BIA-USA, 2006)
  • TBI is more prevalent in the US than breast cancer, HIV/AIDS, MS, and spinal chord injuries. (Center for Disease Control)
  • 5.3 million Americans are currently living with disabilities resulting from TBI, and 80-90,000 join their ranks each year. (Center for Disease Control)
  • Brain injury is the leading cause of death and disability for people between the ages of 15-24. (CDC)
  • The cost of TBI in the United States is estimated to be $60 million each year. (CDC)
  • Falls and vehicle crashes are the leading cause of brain injury.

Stay tuned. I am working with the Medical University of South Carolina to institute the inaugrual 5k run/walk to take place in Charleston, SC in 2011.  All proceeds will benefit continued research in brain injury.