State Affiliate News

Colorado

Summer camp season has wrapped up in Colorful Colorado, and the Brain Injury Association of Colorado (BIA-C) is celebrating another great year of fun and community in the great outdoors. Participants enjoyed adaptive cycling, climbing, paddling, arts, and more in beautiful Breckenridge. BIA-C is passionate about keeping the great outdoors accessible for survivors of a brain injury, and seeing these survivors thrive at camp is always wonderful to see.

Following the success of our sold-out 2025 conference, BIA-C is excited to announce our “Care Across the Ages” brain injury conference on March 12, 2026, in Denver! This event is specifically designed for professionals working with survivors. Keynote and breakout sessions will focus on best practices for working with youth, adults, and seniors living with brain injury. Registration is open at biacolorado.org.

Louisiana

The Brain Injury Association of Louisiana (BIA-LA) is proud to bring meaningful, statewide events to the brain injury community thanks to a recent grant. We know that healing isn’t just medical. It’s also about connection, support networks, and the simple joy of shared experiences.

In Baton Rouge, BIA-LA presented an art session showing the healing qualities of art after a brain injury. BJ Smith, with the Brain Art Alliance, found this therapeutic after his injury and loves sharing the experience with others. The event, held at Baton Rouge Rehabilitation Hospital, united survivors, caregivers, and healthcare professionals for a day of inspiration and mutual support.

North Louisiana participants enjoyed a community museum day, offering a chance to relax, learn, and simply be together. Many attendees expressed how meaningful it was to step out of their daily routines and reconnect with others who understand their journey.

More events are planned through the end of the year and into next, continuing our mission of improving the quality of life for those we serve. We are deeply grateful for the grant funding that makes these moments of healing and connection possible.

Thanks to a generous charitable gift from the Oscar J. Tolmas Charitable Trust, we have been able to assemble and distribute over 200 caregiver resource bags. Our state TBI camp received enough for all of its caregiver attendees. Each bag includes essential information and guidance on navigating a new injury, caring for oneself as a caregiver, and, most importantly, offering hope and reassurance that they are not alone.

Maine

On September 15, the Brain Injury Association of America-Maine Chapter (BIAA-ME) hosted the 16th Annual Defining Moments in Brain Injury Conference in Portland. The conference included a keynote on Life after Brain Injury: Navigating the Journey of Recovery with Resilience, 11 breakout sessions for professionals, survivors, and caregivers, and the Beverley Bryant Memorial Lecture, which was given by Maine brain injury survivor, artist, and musician, Amy Stacey Curtis.

Preparations for Brain Injury Awareness Month are already underway, and BIAA-ME’s 2026 Maine Brain Injury Resource Fair will take place on Thursday, March 19, 2026, at the Augusta Armory. This annual event highlights resources, services, and supports for the Maine brain injury community.

In collaboration with the Maine Office of Aging & Disability Services and under the Administration for Community Living grant awarded to Maine, BIAA-ME continues several projects to address the intersection of brain injury and pediatric health needs, behavioral health, and substance use disorder.

Missouri

The Brain Injury Association of Missouri (BIA-MO) held its four One-Day Regional Outdoor Camps in Kansas City. St. Louis, Springfield, and Columbia in September. Activities included bingo, yard games, tie-dying shirts, music, and arts and crafts. It was an opportunity for survivors of brain injury and their families to enjoy a few hours of outdoor fun.

On October 21 and 22, BIA-MO held its 21st Annual Statewide Conference. Session topics included Job Development and Reasonable Accommodations to Support Survivors Returning to Work; Enhancing Connections Through Social Media and Staying Safe in the Digital World; Concussion Research and Management Updates; and Is TBI a Chronic Disease – What is the Data? Professionals attended the event to learn, share research, and network with others.

On November 8, the BIA-MO Survivor and Family Seminar was held in St. Louis. Topics included Build Understanding for Better Communication; Embracing Music for Memory, Coping, and Healing; and a Survivor Panel – My Path to Community Involvement. This event helped facilitate discussions and help survivors and families manage the impact of brain injury.

The BIA-MO Annual Awards Luncheon was held on the same day. Survivors of brain injury, as well as supporters, organizations, and volunteers, were recognized for their efforts in the brain injury community.

New Hampshire

The Brain Injury Association of New Hampshire (BIA-NH) held our 42nd Annual Golf Tournament on Wednesday, August 6, at the Pembroke Pines Golf Course. It was a beautiful day of friendly competition with 23 golf teams. Our speaker was veteran Jon Worrall. Jon was in the US Navy and a member of the NH Army National Guard. He sustained a TBI during a roadside bombing in 2004. In 1986, Jon started a respite camp known as Warriors@45 North specifically for veterans and other military members to rest, spend time outside, and participate in different activities like fishing, hunting, paddling, boating, ATV rides, and time at the shooting range.

Our 19th annual Caregivers’ Conference was held on Friday, November 7, at the Grappone Conference Center. This year’s keynote speaker was Annie Kuster, former Member of Congress (2013-2025). The event is put on by the Coalition of Caring. The coalition, created in October 2006, has a mission to promote and strengthen the well-being of caregivers who provide care for a disabled or ill child, adult, or senior. This coalition is comprised of organizations that support the elderly, adults, and children living with disabilities.

New York State

On September 13, the Brain Injury Association of New York State (BIA-NYS) proudly hosted the annual March On for Brain Injury, uniting communities in the Hudson Valley, Long Island, and Rochester. At noon, all three regions joined in a synchronized ribbon cutting, stepping forward with one mission: raising awareness and critical funds to support New Yorkers impacted by brain injury.

The walk was a celebration of resilience, connection, and hope. Survivors, families, caregivers, professionals, and supporters came together to show that while every brain injury journey is different, no one walks alone. The morning was filled with energy, purpose, and camaraderie as participants honored the strength of the brain injury community.

This year’s honorees were true leaders in that mission. In the Hudson Valley, Sheila Durkin inspired her community with dedication and spirit. On Long Island, Aneeta Rai brought passion and determination to the cause. In Rochester, Chauntell Feeney shared her story and rallied support with courage. Through the collective efforts of teams, individual walkers, community partners, organizations, donors, and supporters, these remarkable women and their families helped raise more than $125,000 to fund the programs and services that thousands of New Yorkers rely on through BIA-NYS.

At several sites, the day was marked by visits from lawmakers and the presentation of proclamations recognizing the importance of brain injury awareness. Even Governor Kathy Hochul shared her support with a special letter acknowledging the impact of March On and the strength of New York’s brain injury community.

The success of March On is a testament to the power of community. Each year, the event grows stronger thanks to the unwavering commitment of the BIANYS community. March On is more than a fundraiser. It is a movement that unites New Yorkers in strength, solidarity, and hope.

Pennsylvania

The Brain Injury Association of Pennsylvania (BIA-PA), through the Pennsylvania Department of Health’s Community Support Initiative, is proud to support the brain injury community through both community organization grants and support group mini-grants. These initiatives expand opportunities for recovery, connection, and community engagement.

Community grants of $5,000 were recently awarded to Camp Cranium, the Fighting Back Scholarship Foundation, and Synapse Brain Injury Retreats — organizations that provide vital resources and experiences for individuals living with brain injury.

In addition, mini-grants of up to $500 each were awarded to five brain injury support groups. Even modest financial assistance can make a meaningful difference, helping groups enhance their gatherings and provide activities that foster social connection and healing.

Support groups across Pennsylvania have used these funds in a variety of creative ways. Outings have included an equine-focused activity, a LEGO building night, a nature trip with paddleboarding and kayaking, and other recreational opportunities that promote both fun and recovery. One group used its grant to obtain a Zoom account — essential for holding meetings — and purchased assistive technology such as digital notepads, allowing members to stay connected and supported even from a distance.

These community and mini-grants highlight how both large-scale and small-scale funding can enrich lives, strengthen support networks, and create powerful moments of healing and connection for individuals living with brain injury and their care partners.

The Conference Committee is pleased to announce the theme for BIA-PA’s 2026 Conference: Brain Injury Rehabilitation Across the Lifespan: Achieving Outcomes and Strengthening Community. The annual conference, serving professionals, survivors, and care partners, will be held in Lancaster on June 22-23, 2026. In addition to its full program of regular sessions, the conference will again feature specialized pediatric content designed for both professionals and caregivers.

South Carolina

The Brain Injury Association of South Carolina (BIA-SC) began a weekly morning online support group in January called Tuesdays at 10. This was developed to accommodate people with brain injuries who were unable to attend evening meetings due to fatigue or other effects from their injury that prevented them from joining at a later time. This group transformed in July to Thrive Together to coincide with the purpose of the group, which is to provide a wellness program designed for brain injury survivors, caregivers, and families across South Carolina. This program has created an impact by bringing together a community of people with shared experiences, challenges, and giving them the ability to help one another in a peer-to-peer atmosphere.

Each week, a unique meeting takes place. On the first Tuesday, a guest speaker who is often a professional in the brain injury community, such as a speech therapist, music therapist, recreational therapist, or other discipline, is invited to educate the members on a topic of their interest. This in itself has opened the door to new partnerships within our community by educating our group of survivors and making the organization known to providers. The following week is an Adaptive Yoga class led by a CBIS Yoga Instructor who truly understands brain injury. The third and fourth weeks are a peer support group facilitated by a BIA-SC staff member that brings the group together, where they open up and share with one another about the challenges and successes they face. In addition, on a quarterly basis an artistic opportunity is led by a concussion survivor who uses painting as a tool for emotional regulation and other benefits. Each week, our group meets to spend this time together. We learn, we share, we cry, and we support one another. It’s truly a supportive family with a professional undertone.

2025 Affiliate Leadership Conference and Awards of Excellence Winners

The Brain Injury Association of America held the 30th annual Affiliate Leadership Conference: Learning From Each Other, October 6-8 in Charlotte, North Carolina. Leaders from nearly 30 state chapters and affiliates came together to network, share experiences, learn, and celebrate their accomplishments. During the conference, the 2025 recipients of the BIAA Awards of Excellence were recognized for their outstanding work in advocacy, engagement, fundraising, innovation, leadership, and visibility. The President’s Award was also presented. Congratulations to this year’s recipients!

Advocacy: Brain Injury Association of Arkansas
Engagement: Brain Injury Association of Pennsylvania
Fundraising: Brain Injury Association of North Carolina
Innovation: Brain Injury Association of South Carolina
Visibility: Brain Injury Association of Louisiana and Brain Injury Association of Michigan
Leadership: Brain Injury Association of Nebraska
President’s Award: Brain Injury Association of Massachusetts

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