Local Student Inspires Brain Injury Awareness

(Lakewood, Ohio) – March is Brain Injury Awareness Month. A brain injury can happen anytime, anywhere to anyone. Brain injuries do not discriminate. Did you know that 1.7 million people will sustain a brain injury each year? An injury that happens in an instant can bring a lifetime of physical, cognitive and behavior challenges and early, equal and adequate access to care will greatly increase overall quality of life.

“Brain Injury Awareness Month honors the millions of people with brain injury, who with proper acute care, therapeutic rehabilitation and adequate long-term supports, are living with the successes and challenges that each day brings,” said Susan H. Connors, president/CEO of the Brain Injury Association of America. “Our goals this year are to continue to sustain and bolster brain injury programs, increase access to care and preserve vital brain injury research.”

 “It’s something you never think about until it happens to your family” said Brian Ventura. On Saturday, February 19, 2011, Brian’s son Nick suffered a traumatic brain injury (TBI) while snowboarding at Holimont Ski Resort in NY. He was on a blue run which would be a very easy run for him. The family is not completely sure of all the details, but he was found unconscious near some trees. He did have his helmet on and this most likely helped save his life. His friends did not see him at the bottom of the run and began to look for him. Ski patrol had found him in the meantime. The winds were too strong for life flight and he was taken via ambulance to Women and Children's Hospital in Buffalo. He had a fractured skull and four significant contusions in his brain.

Nick was at the Women and Children's Hospital of Buffalo, NY until March 28, 2011 when he was discharged and transported to the Cleveland Clinic Children's Hospital for Rehabilitation (CCCHR) where he remained for 10 weeks until he was discharged on June 11, 2011. He continues improving but still attends physical and speech at the Cleveland Clinic Middleburg Hts. Campus. Nick had to relearn to walk, talk, and eat again and did so with the assistance of the Therapy Staff at CCCHR, his family, and friends. As with any traumatic brain injury; all injuries are different and there is no long term prognosis. Nick is now a freshman at St. Ignatius High School in Cleveland, Ohio.

The Ventura family started 11 Foundation (http://www.11foundation.org), the foundation plans on helping support families with brain injuries and assist with the cost of rehabilitation expenses that might not be covered by insurance. The Foundation is currently seeking sponsors and fundraiser events to support the cause. The mission of the 11 Foundation is to be the voice of brain injury. Through advocacy, education and research, we bring help, hope and healing to millions of individuals living with brain injury, their families and the professionals who serve them.

Nick recently visited an Avon Lake boy who suffered a Traumatic Brain Injury after been hit by a car. The visit was inspirational and provided hope to the boy and his family. Since Nick’s visit, the boy has left the hospital and is slowly being introduced back into school.

For more information on Nick Ventura and the 11 Foundation please visit:

www.11Foundation.org