Heroes and Heroine The Man and Women who have made a different in the lives of others! Who have brought about a greater awareness to the world about Brain Injuries. Over 30,088 helmet upgrades sent Jun 15, 2006 House Armed Services Committee, Subcommittee on Tactical Air and Land Forces Thank You Dr. Bob for your love for our tropps and helping to reduce the numbers of TBIs of our tropps! Bob Woodruff joined ABC News in 1996 and has covered major stories throughout the country and around the world for the network. He was named co-anchor of ABC's “World News Tonight” in December 2005. On January 29, 2006 , while reporting on U.S. and Iraqi security forces, Mr. Woodruff was seriously injured by a roadside bomb that struck his vehicle near Taji , Iraq.  In An Instant
The frank and compelling account of how Bob and Lee Woodruff’s lives came together, were blown apart, and then were miraculously put together again. 
Ice Skating Legend Dick Button Dick Button was a prominent figure skater for more than seven years. He won two Olympic gold medals, five world championships and seven U.S. titles. He was the first American to capture figure skating gold at the Olympics and the only skater to make a grand slam sweep of all major titles. He was elected to the World Figure Skating Hall of Fame in 1976. As a sports commentator, he became the first winner of an Emmy award for Outstanding Sports Personality. He wrote several books on skating and graduated from Harvard College and Harvard Law School. From there he went on to become a major producer of sports entertainment programs. Button sustained a brain injury January 31, 2000 when he took a spill on the ice. Throughout his hospitalization and to this day, he has no recollection of the fall or what happened thereafter. In order to restore his health, Button required extensive inpatient and outpatient rehabilitation. Button has made a remarkable comeback and makes appearances on behalf of the Association. Button makes appearances on behalf of the Association. For information on scheduling an appearance, contact Geoffrey Lauer at glauer@biausa.org. 
NASCAR Legend Ernie Irvan In 1994, Ernie Irvan was at the top of the NASCAR standings, competing fiercely with Dale Earnhardt for the points championship when he sustained life-threatening injuries, including a traumatic brain injury (TBI), in a horrific crash at Michigan International Speedway (MIS). Irvan triumphantly returned to the NASCAR circuit - only to suffer nearly identical injuries in a crash at the same race track exactly five years to the day after his 1994 incident. This time, the resulting TBI ended his NASCAR racing career. Though his NASCAR career had ended, Irvan saw another passion emerge - the passion to make a difference in the lives of those suffering from TBI. He has become increasingly determined to use his NASCAR popularity and personal experience to further this mission, and in February of 2004, Irvan formed a non-profit foundation called Race2Safety and works with the Association to educate the public about TBI prevention and help spearhead development of next-generation head protection safety equipment for children. Irvan makes appearances on behalf of the Association. For information on scheduling an appearance, contact Geoffrey Lauer at glauer@biausa.org.
 http://www.race2safety.com/
Lee Anne Barry 1964 - 2007 We will miss you Lee Anne, thank you for all your great work you have done! 
Friday, Sept. 21, 2007 Canton Illinois
 | | B.I.G. (Brain Injury Great) Ride founder Lee Anne Barry (at right) was struck and killed by a vehicle this week as she neared the end of her journey, while in South Carolina. Barry brought the B.I.G. Ride to Canton on Sept. 21 as she met with officials to recognize brain injury survivors. Attending the ceremony surrounding Barry’s arrival in Canton were, from left, local brain injury survivor Steve Love, Barry’s husband Ben, Canton Mayor Rod Heinze, and Barry. |
B.I.G. Ride biker struck, killed on last leg of her journeySOUTH CAROLINA -- Lee Anne Barry, founder of The B.I.G. (Brain Injury Great) Ride, was taken to Carolinas Medical Center and died around 6 p.m. said her husband Ben Barry of Waxhaw. She was 43.
On Sept. 21, Barry stopped in Canton as she made her way across the United States in support of those who have suffered brain injury. Barry was a survivor of brain injury.
Barry’s husband Ben accompanied her from their home in Great Falls, Mont., beginning on Sept. 6. They were heading for Charlotte, N.C. and expected they would arrive by Oct. 21.Thomas Hoskins, 49, of Columbia, S.C., died at the scene of the wreck, which happened around 2:15 p.m. on U.S. 521 about 11 miles north of Lancaster on Sunday, according to the Highway Patrol.
The group started the last leg of this year's BIG ride in Columbia.
Ben Barry reported that his wife Lee Anne, their 15-year-old son, and Hoskins were riding toward Waxhaw when the accident occurred.A police escort was to meet the group for the final leg of the ride into Charlotte, N.C.
This was Barry’s fourth biannual cross-country bicycle tour to educate children and adults about brain injuries.
Barry's initial brain injury was the result of being hit by a car when she was 5 1/2 years old. She was in a coma for several months before she was able to regain her ability to walk and talk. At age 15, she convinced doctors to allow her undergo a new brain surgery which helped Barry regain much of her physical strength and agility.
The accident is under investigation.
 Ginny Lazzara, Board Chair, Steve Love, Philicia L. Deckard Executive Director Brain Injury Association of Illinois Philicia and Ginny are the Heroines of every survivor in the state of Illinois. We thank you for all you do for us! 
http://www.biail.org/  info@biail.org  (312) 726-5699 or 800-699-6443
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