State Affiliate News

Indiana

It’s been an exciting and productive quarter for the Brain Injury Association of Indiana (BIAI)! In January, we began planning our 2025 Wiffleball Tournament. This year’s event will be taking place on Saturday, October 25! We will be hosting teams from all over the state of Indiana and putting on all kinds of amazing activities, games, and crafts for all ages! Be sure to save the date and watch for more information to come.

We also began planning our lineup for our Brain Blitz videos that we will add to our BIAI site this year. Our Brain Blitz series features various speakers sharing on important topics related to living with brain injury. Keep an eye out for new Brain Blitz videos covering subjects such as concussion awareness, school after brain injury, vision health, and more. Visit biaindiana.org/brain-blitz/ to learn more.

In March, BIAI attended the National Brain Injury Conference and Awareness Day in Washington D.C., hosted by BIAA. Nearly 400 members of the brain injury community gathered from across the country to connect, share, and raise awareness on brain injury. BIAI met with and engaged our Indiana state policymakers, urging them to support the reauthorization of the Traumatic Brain Injury Act and to increase funding for brain injury programs, services, and support.

BIAI had the honor of meeting with state representative Sue Errington, a passionate, dedicated, and committed community leader working to bring people together in Indiana. Representative Errington championed a proclamation with BIAI recognizing March as Brain Injury Awareness Month, a significant step forward for advocacy in our state. BIAI will continue working with Representative Errington and other policymakers to support and advocate for Hoosiers affected by brain injury.

BIAI is incredibly excited to announce we have been chosen by Hickory Hall Polo Club to host an evening of brain injury awareness and fundraising as you watch a thrilling game of polo. We invite you to join us on Friday, July 18 at 6 p.m. ET for an unforgettable evening! More details and information to come soon.

Happy Spring to all!

Louisiana

During Brain Injury Awareness Month, the Brain Injury Association of Louisiana (BIALA) hosted its 16th annual conference, “The Power of We.” Over the course of two days, more than 200 attendees, including allied health professionals, caregivers, and individuals living with a brain and/or spinal cord injury, came together to deepen their understanding, exchange valuable insights, and build meaningful connections with others who share similar experiences and challenges. Healthcare professionals had the opportunity to expand their expertise on the latest advancements in brain and spinal cord injury rehabilitation, including innovative therapies, cutting-edge services, and emerging treatment options, while survivors and caregivers gained knowledge to support their recovery and daily lives.

A dedicated survivor track offered engaging, hands-on presentations and interactive activities such as poured art making, music therapy, adaptive yoga, and Tai Chi, along with inspiring talks designed to motivate and empower. After the sessions, participants came together for a lively Survivor Social, where they not only enjoyed exciting giveaways but also had the chance to laugh and form meaningful connections in a fun and supportive environment.

The exhibit hall buzzed with energy as 44 sponsors and exhibitors enthusiastically showcased the latest products, services, and resources, creating an engaging and informative environment.

A highly anticipated part of the conference each year is the powerful collaboration between BIALA and Tulane University’s Department of Theatre and Dance Documentary Theatre. Through this service-learning project, students engage deeply with the realities of brain injuries by conducting interviews with survivors, caregivers, and rehabilitation professionals. These firsthand accounts provide invaluable insight into the lived experiences of those affected.

The students then transform these interviews into a compelling documentary, capturing the emotions, challenges, and perspectives of the individuals they spoke with. To further amplify awareness and foster a deeper understanding, the documentary is adapted into an impactful live performance, where students “bring to life” the voices and stories they encountered. This year’s performance centered on the themes of advocacy and invisible disabilities, shedding light on the often-unseen struggles faced by individuals with brain injuries while emphasizing the importance of empowerment and awareness.

Maine

On March 20, the Brain Injury Association of America-Maine Chapter (BIAA-ME) held the 2025 BIAA-ME Brain Injury Resource Fair at the Augusta Armory in Augusta, Maine, with over 50 exhibitors and 250 participants. The resource fair is BIAA-ME’s big event for Brain Injury Awareness Month, and it provides an opportunity for Maine’s brain injury community to come together and explore resources and supports.

BIAA-ME continues a pilot project to increase capacity to support individuals with co-occurring brain injury, mental health, and substance use disorder challenges in Maine, as well as additional efforts to increase the scope and reach of NeuroResource Facilitation services for Mainers. The pilot project is being completed in collaboration with the Maine Office of Aging & Disability Services under the Administration for Community Living grant awarded to Maine.

The next brain injury conference in Maine will be the annual BIAA-ME Conference on Defining Moments in Brain Injury on Sept. 15 in Portland, Maine.

Massachusetts

The Brain Injury Association of Massachusetts (BIA-MA) is proud to celebrate the recognition of its founder and Board Member, Marilyn Price Spivack, as the Patriots Foundation’s “Difference Maker of the Week.” This prestigious award, part of the Celebrate Volunteerism initiative, honors individuals who have made a profound impact on the New England community. In recognition of Marilyn’s dedication, the Patriots Foundation and Gillette contributed a generous $10,000 donation to BIA-MA.

For over 50 years, Marilyn has been a relentless advocate for individuals with brain injuries and she remains an unwavering pillar of support, actively serving on BIA-MA’s Board of Directors and participating in BIA-MA annual events.

Marilyn played a crucial role in the creation of the Statewide Head Injury Program (SHIP), which serves approximately 1,200 individuals annually. She also championed the passage of the Traumatic Brain Injury Act of 1996, the first federal legislation addressing TBI prevention, research, and service delivery.

On Jan. 5, Marilyn received her award at Gillette Stadium in Foxborough, Mass., during the Patriots vs. Bills football game. Reflecting on her journey, she expressed gratitude for the recognition, emphasizing her lifelong commitment to improving the lives of brain injury survivors. Congratulations, Marilyn, on this well-deserved honor!

Missouri

The Brain Injury Association of Missouri (BIA-MO) held our Concussions: Facts, Fallacies, and New Frontiers Seminar on Feb. 14. This seminar was a concussion education “refresher” for youth sports and school personnel. Topics included physical activity, concussion management, protective equipment, fear avoidance behaviors, and resources. Session recordings are available for anyone interested.

BIA-MO Survivor and Family Seminars were held March 22 in Springfield, Mo., and April 26 in Kansas City, Mo. These seminars provide information for understanding and living with brain injury. Topics included Build Understanding for Better Communication, Discovering Hobbies and Passions to be Active in the Community, and Embracing Music for Memory, Coping, and Healing. The Seminar will return on Nov. 8 in St. Louis, with the same sessions.

Bowling for Brain Injury will be held in June. Teams in Springfield, St. Louis, and Kansas City will enjoy bowling with others as they reach their team goal of $500 or more. “Spare the Alley, Join the Rally” is available throughout June for fundraising only, and no bowling.

The One-Day Regional Outdoor Camps will be held in September, with locations in St. Louis, Springfield, Kansas City, and Columbia. The 21st Annual Statewide Conference will be held on Oct. 21 and 22.

Nebraska

The Brain Injury Association of Nebraska hosted its annual statewide conference on March 13–14 in Kearney, NE, bringing together professionals, survivors, and families to learn, connect, and share stories. This year’s conference featured a special tribute to four families who participated in Forever Shaken, a powerful documentary raising awareness about the global impact of abusive head trauma. Their stories continue to inspire prevention efforts worldwide. Watch the film here.

We also partnered with A Peace of My Mind, led by award-winning photographer and storyteller John Noltner. Through interviews and portraits captured at the conference, attendees shared personal stories about the impact of brain injury. This moving exhibit is available to view and share at apeaceofmymind.org.

New Hampshire

The Brain Injury Association of New Hampshire (BIANH) held its 41st Annual Brain Injury and Stroke Conference on Wednesday, May 14. Keynote Speaker Ali Rheaume shared her story of the road to recovery after two brain injuries, the challenges she had to work through, overcoming multiple hardships, and finding joy she finds in helping others. Over 200 conference attendees enjoyed her presentation of “The Blank Paper.” Workshop topics included sessions on the long-term impact of trauma, substance use and brain injury, neurologic music therapy, nutrition, and more.

Keeping the ongoing tradition for several years, BIANH continued to provide free bike helmets to any interested police department in the State of New Hampshire. On average each year, BIANH provides 1,500 helmets and educational materials to more than 60 different departments. Many departments hold bike safety sessions at local schools or bike rodeos in their townships and give helmets to children and youth who attend.

Looking ahead, BIANH will hold its 42nd Annual Golf Tournament in August and the 19th Caregivers’ Conference in November.

New York

March is always an exciting and impactful month in New York, especially for the brain injury community. The Brain Injury Association of New York State (BIANYS) led a series of initiatives to raise awareness and strengthen advocacy across the state. Highlights included Advocacy Day in Albany, where survivors and supporters met with lawmakers to push for critical policy changes. BIANYS also delivered six Concussion Outreach Prevention Education sessions, reaching over 265 individuals with vital safety information. A dedicated webinar for caregivers provided essential tools and support for those caring for individuals with brain injuries. Throughout the month, BIANYS amplified its message via social media, ensuring important brain injury information reached thousands. The month culminated in the annual Go Blue! for Brain Injury fundraising campaign, benefiting the BIANYS Annual Conference Scholarship Program. These efforts reflect BIANYS’s commitment to empowering voices, supporting families, and supporting the brain injury community in New York.

Ohio

Over 130 brain injury survivors, caregivers, and local professionals gathered together at the Ohio Statehouse on Monday, March 10, to celebrate Brain Injury Advocacy Day. The event began with breakfast (made possible through a grant from Community Fund Ohio) and an awards presentation. The Impact Leadership Award was presented to Senator Mark Romanchuk for his unwavering commitment to helping people with disabilities through policy, support and resources. The Advocate Pioneer Award was presented to Dr. DeAnna Frye whose compassionate expertise as a Neuropsychologist has elevated the standard of support for brain injury survivors and forged new pathways for collaboration throughout northeast Ohio. Throughout the day, brain injury survivors and caregivers met with state representatives and legislators to increase awareness, discuss why continued funding is essential, and share their inspiring stories.

Pennsylvania

The Brain Injury Association of Pennsylvania (BIAPA) Conference Committee is excitedly preparing for our annual conference! This two-day event, taking place June 30-July 1 in Lancaster, Pa., promises to be a valuable opportunity for learning and networking. The theme for this year’s conference is “Celebrating an Empowered Brain Injury Community: A Conference for Survivors, Care Partners, and Professionals.”

Designed for professionals, survivors, and caregivers, some of the key highlights of the conference include CEU and CE Opportunities, exhibits and poster presentations, networking and social events, a silent auction benefiting our scholarship fund, a survivor coffee house and open mic, and yoga and tai chi sessions.

For the second consecutive year, we will be hosting dedicated group sessions for pediatric professionals and caregivers, including an opportunity for pediatric caregivers to meet one another and develop a support network. Pediatric sessions will be held on July 1. A full listing of conference sessions, plus keynote and plenary speaker information, can be found at biapa.org/2025conference.

BIAPA was proud to host a Brain Safety Fair this spring, continuing our mission of brain injury prevention. Held at Westmoreland Mall on March 22, the event was a big success, thanks to the incredible energy and participation of all involved.

The Fair offered a range of brain education activities, including coloring pages that depicted the brain, a neuron and correct helmet position, as well as interactive games that taught about brain functions and helmet safety. Educational and sponsor booths featured hands-on experiences such as sensory games where participants moved beads to different brain sections, perception challenges such as writing with a mirror or wearing gloves, and helmet protection demonstrations, all designed to engage children in learning about the importance of brain health and safety. We look forward to hosting more family-friendly events like this and spreading awareness about the importance of safeguarding our brains!

Texas

Pate NeuroRehabilitation hosted a 5k on March 29 during Brain Injury Awareness month to raise money for the Brain Injury Association of America (BIAA) and to increase community attention to brain injury. With the support of participants, donors, and event sponsors, we were able to raise $4,800 for the BIAA-Texas Chapter!