VERMONT’S OLYMPIC HOPEFUL ENDORSES BIA-VT ‘WALK FOR THOUGHT’

World-class snowboarder Kevin Pearce endorses the Brain Injury Association of Vermont’s upcoming ‘Walk for Thought’ event, to take place June 18 in Burlington’s beautiful lakeside Oakledge Park.

A Hartland, VT resident, Kevin Pearce was bound for the 2010 Winter Olympics when fate intervened. In December 2009, while training for the US Olympic Trials in Park City, Utah, Kevin suffered a traumatic brain injury while attempting a Cab double cork in the halfpipe. In a split second, his hopes for Olympic Gold at the Vancouver Games were dashed. Kevin survived his injury and has been working hard at rehabilitation. He is consistently making progress towards improving his sight, balance, and memory.

“Vermont had my back when I got hurt. The support I received meant so much to me and my family and made all the difference in my recovery” said Kevin. “The Brain Injury Association helps survivors and family members get back on their feet after their world has been turned upside down. I hope you will come out on June 18^th to raise awareness and so that other Vermonters can get the help they need.”

Prior to his accident, Kevin had established a reputation as a world-renowned professional snowboarder, who honed his skills in his home state of Vermont before turning pro in 2006. Kevin had consecutive victories at the Arctic Challenge, double Air & Style wins, multiple X-Games medals and back-to-back European Open triumphs.

While the coma and critical-condition phases were terrifying, Kevin’s unbelievable recovery was the real story and a true source of inspiration. From fellow Olympians dedicating their medals to him, to more than 50,000 Facebook fans Riding for Kevin, the outpouring of support was unprecedented. But it was Kevin’s personal dedication and positive attitude that pulled him through three months of difficult rehabilitation at Denver’s Craig Hospital. After eight months with his family in both Norwich and Hartland, VT, Kevin has finally landed back at his home in Carlsbad,CA where he continues his recovery.

This story is far from finished, and Kevin’s path back will be a long one. This January, more than a year after the accident, Kevin triumphantly returned to the X-Games as a commentator. The world is watching (and hoping) that the last chapter will see Kevin riding again.

Each year in Vermont, over 3,000 people will sustain a brain injury due to accidents, trauma or illness. BIAVT’s WALK FOR THOUGHT raises funds for education, prevention, information/referral and support groups for Vermonters that are living with the effects of brain injuries, including our servicemen and woman coming home from Iraq and Afghanistan.

The event will take place on June 18th at Burlington’s beautiful Oakledge Park, WALK FOR THOUGHT benefits vital programs and services for brain injury survivors and their families. To learn more, visit www.biavt.org or call 1-877-856-1772.