KattRyan's 2016 Brain Injury Awareness Fundraiser!

Brain Injury Awareness Month is so important to me because of the impact that Traumatic Brain Injury has had on me, some of my friends, and others. My TBI affects every part of my life and the lives of my loved ones. I've sustained several life changing concussions since I my first at 18, and they have made even the simplest tasks difficult and painful. I share the difficulties of surviving and living with a brain injury with more than 5.3 million Americans. The CDC has a quick TBI fact sheet if you want some information.

I am grateful to everyone who has supported me in the past and continues to support me as I move forward. Lately, I’ve had more difficulties communicating, getting tired, and with pain. Living with an injured brain is hard every single day, and I wouldn't be able to do it without help from my family and friends.I want to thank you for your help, and ask that you help me with my fundraising efforts. Together we and The Brain Trauma Foundation could prevent other individuals, families, and friends from having to go through the same difficulties of a TBI. It is my hope that even the smallest amount fundraised can help get us closer to preventing and treating brain injuries.

That is why in 2016 I’ll be again be raising funds to benefit The Brain Trauma Foundation with your help. The Brain Trauma Foundation conducts research to better understand concussions, improve treatment for patients with traumatic brain injuries, educate the public and health professionals, and raise public awareness for these injuries.I choose to support organizations like The Brain Trauma Foundation because the research they conduct provides patients and doctors with innovative solutions. Their expertise in brain trauma has allowed them to develop treatment protocols to educate doctors and provide brain injury patients with the best care. When I was first injured, my doctor didn't even send me to a hospital. I was confused and in pain; I missed a lot of school and was sick for a long time. I hope that by supporting The Brain Trauma Foundation's continued work, their standardized treatment protocols and improved understanding of brain injuries will help everyone that experiences a TBI.

Thank you for choosing to support me, The Brain Trauma Foundation, and Brain Injury Awareness. This year’s Dancing Headache Brain Dog shirt is a design inspired in part by Keith Haring, my favorite artist. Most patterns hurt my brain and eyes, but not his work. Also I’m excited about my new dog, Yeti, who is in training to be my service dog in the future. He will be helping me with mobility assistance and medical alerting tasks, so I wanted to include a dog in the design. I hope you like it! Thanks!