I’m participating in the Pikes Peak Challenge Summit Hike to support the Brain Injury Alliance of Colorado (BIAC). When I finish, I will have hiked 13 miles and 7,400 vertical feet to the 14,110 foot summit of Pikes Peak to join other hikers and supporters in celebration of brain injury awareness.

Although this is quite an undertaking considering the altitude, possible weather conditions and other athletic requirements I might encounter, it pales in comparison to what survivors of a Brain Injury face every day. 

This is a very important event for me, for I will be making the hike for my cousin Stephanie Chatsey aka The Comeback Kid, who suffered a traumatic brain injury in 2009 and continues to amaze everyone that knows her with her strength and determination to this very day!

A few words from the Comeback Kid…

“In December of 2009 I had a stroke caused by arteriovenous malformation in the deep left thalamus of my brain. But ugh of the medical terminology. I want to tell you the story from my perspective.

I was out for dinner with a friend, who is like a sister to me, and her family when I got a BAD migraine that was getting worse by the minute. I started throwing up because the pain was so INTENSE. I was taken to the hospital where I was eventually put in to a medically induced coma for over a month and my mom was told that I probably wouldn’t make it. But did I show them or what?!?!

When I woke up, I had to learn EVERYTHING  over again. Even how to swallow!

With the help of QLI Tri Dimensional Rehab in Omaha, NE. and my mom, Michele, who was with me every step of the way, I am extremely proud to say that I am mostly independent now. I can even walk and talk again. Which they thought I would never be able to do. Hah! Take that doctors! (laughs).

I just want to let everyone know that you can accomplish a whole lot if you just set your mind to doing it. I believe in you, so you should to!”    –    Stephanie Chatsey

                                                     Thank you so much for your support! 

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