Lafayette, LA- Did you know it's Brain Injury Awareness Month? Many who suffer or have family members suffering from a severe traumatic brain injury wants others to know they aren't alone. NEWS15 spoke to two locals bringing awareness the brain injuries.
For one brain injury survivor, every day is a day that was once numbered for him. While a mother is raising awareness son in her community about her son's brain injuries.
In September of 2007, Paul Bosworth's life changed forever. While prepping for work, Bosworth choked on his lunch, causing him to hit his head and pass out. "I was treated and released, but my functions misfired. I couldn't talk; I couldn't think straight. Two weeks later, which I thought was a vacation, the post-concussion syndrome set in.
Once the post-concussion started sinking in, doctors told Bosworth he would only have ninety days to live, but he beat the odds.
For others dealing with brain injuries, he wants them to know they are not alone and there are resources. "Anything is possible. There is an oxygen therapy that you can do to here in Lafayette to wake up the brain cells that's giving you focus challenge."
"We got a phone call that our son had been in an accident."
Chasity Monier's son, Alex Wilson, was in a tragic accident due to Texting and driving, leaving him with a traumatic brain injury. After looking into treatments for Alex and finding out insurance didn't cover the cost, she knew she had to make a difference for him and others.
"Some of the treatment is not like a medically necessary treatment. It's only selective. Things like hyperbaric oxygen chambers red light therapy are different things not covered by insurance," says Monier.
After learning there is a ten-year waiting list for the Traumatic Head and Spinal Cord Injury Trust funds, she decided to help raises fund by hosting her own Brain Injury Awareness event. "Knowing that there are other people out there fighting this battle, it's not only us and Alex. That there are other people, just makes me want to do it more. Even if we just raise a few bucks, it's money they didn't even have to shorten the waiting list."
Both Monier and Bosworth are putting their best foot forward to raise awareness about brain injuries and let others know they are not alone. Monier also wants to highlight that Texting and driving is one of the most dangerous forms of distracted driving.
In an effort to teach others about brain injuries, Monier is holding an event this Saturday where all donations will go to the traumatic head and spinal cord injury trust fund.
The location is 98 Main Street Mamou, LA
