Many people do not realize that when a person suffers a brain injury, the hospitalization is a small part of the recovery. Recovery from an injury to the brain takes years, and involves not only the patient, doctors and therapists, but also the participation of family and friends. Finding a resource that helps the recovery process is invaluable, and I know that the Brain Injury Alliance of Colorado has been a big help for our dear friend, Mary Kaye Podschweit.
A big thank you to Mary Kaye for inviting us to join her in the 2017 Pikes Peak Challenge Barr Camp Hike! At 47, she suffered a pulmonary embolism and went into cardiac arrest three times, which caused an anoxic brain injury. You can read more of her story here: https://www.pikespeakchallenge.com/campaigns/2017-pikes-peak-challenge-barr-camp-hiker-mary-kaye-podschweit/.
I’ve seen several other people go through the challenges of brain injuries. In January 2012, Jesse Courtney, my love and life partner, suffered a traumatic brain injury when he fell off a roof in a construction accident. He spent nearly a month in the hospital; having landed first on his left temple and broken every bone in his face, other bones, and suffered collapsed a lung. He underwent several surgeries, and had a long recovery period even after he returned home. He took anti-seizure medicine for months afterward, suffered memory loss, vision problems, and mood swings that took significant effort to overcome.
I also lost my mother to a traumatic brain injury 5 years ago. After her fall, she lived out the last few months of her life under full time nursing care. She struggled with communication and even basic body movements.
There are over 500,000 Coloradans living with the effects of an injury to the brain. Life can seem hard and insurmountable without support and guidance. The Brain Injury Alliance of Colorado is the go-to resource for help and services for survivors of an injury to the brain, their families, and providers.
I am honored to know both Mary Kay and Jesse, and to be able to participate in this fundraising challenge. When we finish, we will have hiked 13 miles and 10,200 vertical feet to beautiful Barr Camp and back down.
Even more impressive than this challenge, is the courage and strength it takes for a survivor to overcome day to day struggles that come with a life of living with an injury to the brain.
Please donate now!
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Paula Gendill
$50.00 -
Mary Lindimore
$50.00 -
Sandi Thomas
$10.00 -
Anonymous
$50.00 -
Jesse Courtney
$50.00 -
Pat and Jeff Klimczak
$50.00