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The Academy of Certified Brain Injury Specialists (ACBIS) provides programs that allow individuals an opportunity to learn important information about brain injury.

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Learn more about the Academy of Certified Brain Injury Specialists (ACBIS) and join our community!

Since 1996, the Academy of Certified Brain Injury Specialists (ACBIS) has been committed to improving the standard of care for people with brain injury by providing specialized training and a voluntary certification program for both direct care staff and professionals working in brain injury services. Becoming a Certified Brain Injury Specialist (CBIS) is an important step in the professional development of anyone working in the field of brain injury.

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Dylan Flynn

Brain Injury Survivor Embraces Advocacy

As a survivor, Dylan believes he's in the "ideal position to spread awareness and raise money to help individuals struggling with brain injury."

Read Dylan's Story

Brain Injury Survivor Embraces Advocacy

Dylan Flynn

As a survivor, Dylan believes he's in the "ideal position to spread awareness and raise money to help individuals struggling with brain injury."

Dylan Flynn, brain injury survivor and advocate, has always had a love of music. In fact, his two favorite things are music and his dog. When Dylan was a freshman in high school, he purchased his first bass guitar. Just as he was planning to start a band with his friends, he was in a terrible car accident and was in a coma for 12 days. Initially, doctors told his family he wouldn’t survive and that he would spend the rest of his life in a nursing home. Defying the odds, Dylan walked out of rehab 10 weeks later and was able to return to school for his sophomore year.

As a result of his brain injury, Dylan has epilepsy, memory difficulties, anxiety, and depression. Despite these symptoms, he eventually earned his GED and sought to do something meaningful with his time. At the recommendation of a friend, he started a campaign called “Pass the Bass” as a way to use his love of music to increase awareness of brain injury. Through Pass the Bass, Dylan attends music concerts and asks the performing band to play one song with his bass guitar. He is often invited on stage to tell his story.

While Dylan’s life may not have gone as planned, he enjoys being part of the music scene.

“I’d wanted to make a living as a musician. Although I am unfortunately not taking part in the actual music at these shows, music is still a very big part of my life thanks to this campaign. I love watching my bass be played and have had the honor of watching some of my favorite bassists [play] with mine.”

One of Dylan’s goals through his campaign was to fundraise for the Brain Injury Association of America (BIAA). He decided to design Pass the Bass t-shirts, which he sells at each concert he attends. The money he raises from t-shirt sales is donated to BIAA.

Although Dylan’s brain injury prevented him from doing exactly what he’d wanted to do with his life, he still found a way to merge his passion with his daily living and says that other survivors should try to do the same. To support Dylan in his efforts to raise awareness of brain injury and get your own Pass the Bass t-shirt, visit shop.biausa.org/passthebass.

Support the Brain Injury Association of America

Ansley Blue Harper

Chasing Hope

Each year, Ansley hosts "Beauty Queens Bowling for Brain Injury" in memory of her brother, Chase.

Read Ansley's Story

Chasing Hope

Ansley Blue Harper

Each year, Ansley hosts "Beauty Queens Bowling for Brain Injury" in memory of her brother, Chase.

Weeks before she was born, Ansley Blue Harper’s brother, Chase, sustained a traumatic brain injury in a backyard accident. He was only six years old at the time, and lived in a persistent vegetative state for the next seven years. Chase was unable to move or respond to his environment; he could not communicate with his family and never officially “met” his baby sister.

Chase passed away when Ansley was six. Since his passing, Ansley sought opportunities to get involved with brain injury awareness and advocacy. As she grew older, she became involved with the Miss America Organization. When the time came for Ansley to select her platform, she chose to honor her brother’s memory and to educate others about brain injury by selecting the Brain Injury Association of America.

After learning of BIAA’s signature fundraising event, Bowling for Brain Injury, Ansley was inspired to host her own event for the Brain Injury Association of America “Beauty Queens Bowling for Brain Injury. Ansley hosted her first fundraiser in February 2015 and received so much support that she decided to make it an annual event. With BIAA’s help, she was also able to create a fundraising initiative called Chasing Hope, dedicated to her brother. Her friends, family, and various supporters can help Ansley by visiting her fundraising page.

Help Provide Critical Support for BIAA Today - Host an Event!

Brooke Mills

Turning Hope Into Action

"No one should let an injury define them or rob them of their aspirations."

Read Brooke's Story

Turning Hope Into Action

Brooke Mills

"No one should let an injury define them or rob them of their aspirations."

Ever since she sustained a severe concussion in her freshman year of high school, Brooke Mills has been on a mission to raise awareness of concussion throughout the nation. During her own recovery, Brooke felt isolated, discouraged, frustrated, and angry, largely due to other’s people’s attitudes and misconceptions about concussion.

Immediately after her injury, Brooke and her family were overwhelmed and did not know where to turn. The Brain Injury Association provided them with the resources, education, and the support they needed to navigate what to do and where to go for help. Brooke was inspired by the way the huge network of people across the country worked together to provide community education, raise funds, promote research, create legislation, and support those affected by brain injury.

“The chance to help others through the BIAA has helped me turn a negative situation in my life into a more positive one,” -Brooke Mills

Hoping to create a national conversation about concussion, Brooke started a volunteer program called Lessen the Impact in 2015. She partnered with the Brain Injury Association of America (BIAA) and subsequently launched National Concussion Awareness Day in 2016 to raise funds to support the brain injury community. In addition to increasing education and awareness, she uses this annual event to encourage others to donate to BIAA.

Support the Brain Injury Association of America

Jane Parks-McKay

Finding the Right Resources

Jane and her husband, Tim, both sustained brain injuries at different points in their lives. They live with the residual effects every day.

Read Jane's Story

Finding the Right Resources

Jane Parks-McKay

Jane and her husband, Tim, both sustained brain injuries at different points in their lives. They live with the residual effects every day.

“I cannot remember when I learned about BIAA; however, knowing me, I am sure by googling TBI resources. BIAA has been extremely helpful and Greg Ayotte (BIAA’s Director of Consumer Services) has been invaluable to me with sharing solutions and information. His patience is legendary. I’m proud to be part of the organization. To know you are not alone through this is priceless. The information that is on the web and accessible through Greg Ayotte’s tireless efforts in helping me and our family over the years is invaluable. Knowledge is power, and I don’t think with TBI you can be knowledgeable enough.”

If Jane encounters confusion from someone about the behavior of either herself or Tim, she will refer that person to the BIAA website for information about brain injury. Most are grateful, many are very surprised, and others tell her they’ve learned a lot.

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