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Independence, MO —
Oct. 31, 1986, began like most Halloween nights, with anticipated fun and expectation. Like other 23 year olds, third grade teacher Amy Thompson would pick out her clothes, double check time and meeting place. Make last minute calls to friends. Hair just like she wanted it. The perfect outfit.
What began with joy ended in a nightmare for Amy Thompson and her family. A KU grad with a degree in education, Amy was shot twice in her head during a robbery attempt after she was leaving a Halloween party with friends. Twenty-five years after the inaugural event, Kansas City celebrates her life with the annual Amy Thompson Run for Brain Injury. A tribute to Amy and a promise to other brain injury survivors.
Brain injury, what do you know?
1. Motor vehicle accidents cause most brain injuries.
2. There are about 1 million traumatic brain injuries annually.
3. About 40 percent of soldiers returning from Afghanistan and Iraq have suffered some type of brain injury.
In a flash, Amy’s life and the lives of her family and friends changed forever. She was in a coma for six weeks, endured years of rehab and continued her recovery until her unexpected death on Christmas Day 1989, at age 26. As a tribute to Amy, her friend Molly Scanlon started the Amy Thompson Run to Daylight in 1988. Twenty-five years later, it endures as the Amy Thompson Run for Brain Injury. This has become one of the most popular and highly regarded races in KC, the proceeds from which support the Brain Injury of Kansas and Greater Kansas City www.biaks.org.
Brain injury is very personal to the Thompson family, which has endured unspeakable grief. Amy’s sister suffered permanent brain injury after being struck by a drunken driver and requires 24/7 care. This remarkable family has been on the forefront of brain injury awareness and continues to enthusiastically support The Run and BIAKS.
When she was 3 years old, Avery Schieszer was riding in the back of her parents’ car, buckled into her car seat. For safety. So nobody would get hurt if something happened. Something bad. But it probably wouldn’t. But it did.
The impact of being rear-ended hurtled the Schieser’s car 200 feet from the crash site. Avery suffered rib fractures, a punctured lung, a broken leg, a skull fracture and brain injury. She had to relearn everything. She is now 10 years old and thriving, thanks to her fighting spirit, great parents, Kristy and Chris, and skilled physicians and therapists. When she is not playing with her sister, Sophia, and friends, Avery can be found at Woodland Elementary School in Lee’s Summit studying her favorite subject, math. Last year, in lieu of birthday gifts, Avery asked her friends to donate to BIAKS. She has had other fundraisers and has sent letters of encouragement to Arizona Rep. Gabrielle Giffords and snowboarder Kevin Pearce, both of whom are recovering from brain injury. Avery’s goal is to raise $1 million. To recognize her efforts, Avery has been chosen the 2012 Amy Thompson Run for Brain Injury Honoree.
Oct. 31, 1986, began like most Halloween nights, with anticipated fun and expectation. Like other 23 year olds, third grade teacher Amy Thompson would pick out her clothes, double check time and meeting place. Make last minute calls to friends. Hair just like she wanted it. The perfect outfit.
What began with joy ended in a nightmare for Amy Thompson and her family. A KU grad with a degree in education, Amy was shot twice in her head during a robbery attempt after she was leaving a Halloween party with friends. Twenty-five years after the inaugural event, Kansas City celebrates her life with the annual Amy Thompson Run for Brain Injury. A tribute to Amy and a promise to other brain injury survivors.
Brain injury, what do you know?
1. Motor vehicle accidents cause most brain injuries.
2. There are about 1 million traumatic brain injuries annually.
3. About 40 percent of soldiers returning from Afghanistan and Iraq have suffered some type of brain injury.
In a flash, Amy’s life and the lives of her family and friends changed forever. She was in a coma for six weeks, endured years of rehab and continued her recovery until her unexpected death on Christmas Day 1989, at age 26. As a tribute to Amy, her friend Molly Scanlon started the Amy Thompson Run to Daylight in 1988. Twenty-five years later, it endures as the Amy Thompson Run for Brain Injury. This has become one of the most popular and highly regarded races in KC, the proceeds from which support the Brain Injury of Kansas and Greater Kansas City www.biaks.org.
Brain injury is very personal to the Thompson family, which has endured unspeakable grief. Amy’s sister suffered permanent brain injury after being struck by a drunken driver and requires 24/7 care. This remarkable family has been on the forefront of brain injury awareness and continues to enthusiastically support The Run and BIAKS.
When she was 3 years old, Avery Schieszer was riding in the back of her parents’ car, buckled into her car seat. For safety. So nobody would get hurt if something happened. Something bad. But it probably wouldn’t. But it did.
The impact of being rear-ended hurtled the Schieser’s car 200 feet from the crash site. Avery suffered rib fractures, a punctured lung, a broken leg, a skull fracture and brain injury. She had to relearn everything. She is now 10 years old and thriving, thanks to her fighting spirit, great parents, Kristy and Chris, and skilled physicians and therapists. When she is not playing with her sister, Sophia, and friends, Avery can be found at Woodland Elementary School in Lee’s Summit studying her favorite subject, math. Last year, in lieu of birthday gifts, Avery asked her friends to donate to BIAKS. She has had other fundraisers and has sent letters of encouragement to Arizona Rep. Gabrielle Giffords and snowboarder Kevin Pearce, both of whom are recovering from brain injury. Avery’s goal is to raise $1 million. To recognize her efforts, Avery has been chosen the 2012 Amy Thompson Run for Brain Injury Honoree.
We never know the twists and turns of our lives. A car appearing suddenly. A man with a gun. A fall from a tree. A head to head collision in sports. The Brain Injury Association is there for those whose lives have been turned upside down. The Run is supported by BIAKS and vice versa. There is a 8K and 5K race.
To learn more about the Amy Thompson Run for Brain Injury, visit www.amythompson.org. For Amy and Avery and your kids and mine.
Answers:
1. F - Falls account for about 1/3 of brain injuries
2. F - About 2 million annually
3. T
