New Non-Profit Looks to Support Families with Brain Injuries

You might recall local news stories a couple years ago about, Nick Ventura, who at the age of 13 suffered a traumatic brain injury while on a snowboarding trip with friends in Ellicottville, NY on February 19, 2011. Nick was at the Women and Children's Hospital of Buffalo, NY until March 28, 2011 when he was discharged and transported to the Cleveland Clinic Children's Hospital for Rehabilitation where he remained for 10 weeks until he was discharged on June 11, 2011. Nick had to relearn to walk, talk, and eat again and did so with the assistance of the therapy staff at the Cleveland Clinic, his family, and friends. As with any traumatic brain injury; all injuries are different and there is no long term prognosis.  

Nick, who is now a sophomore at St. Ignatius High School, is the inspiration behind a new nonprofit organization, 11 Foundation, headquartered in Lakewood, Ohio. When Nick was a patient at the Cleveland Clinic Children’s Hospital for Rehabilitation, Nick’s father, Brian, thought about how fortunate he and his family were that they had a support system behind them that allowed his family to concentrate on Nick’s rehabilitation. However, a year and half later, when Nick continued with his rehabilitation, Brian realized the cost of co-pays alone was becoming a struggle and he wondered what happened to the kids whose family could not afford to make those payments. On January 1, 2014 the 11 Foundation, Inc., a nonprofit organization, was incorporated in the state of Ohio to help these families with that expense and to ensure children with brain injuries would be able to continue with rehabilitation with the hopes of making a full recovery.

“Brain Injury Awareness Month honors the millions of people with a brain injury, who with proper acute care and therapeutic rehabilitation, are living with the successes and challenges that each day brings,” said Brian Ventura, Founder and Executive Director of 11 Foundation. “Our goal this year is to raise enough money to help families with the financial aspects of outpatient rehabilitation.” The 11 Foundation is holding its first inaugural gala event, “The Journey Back,” which will be held during Brain Injury Awareness month on Saturday, March 22, 2014. The Gala will include an open bar, heavy hors d’oeuvres, a silent auction, local politicians, and other VIP guests. The Gala proceeds will provide financial assistance toward the families' share of the cost of medical services and incidentals during the rehabilitation phase of recovery.

The mission of the 11 Foundation is to identify and support those families who are looking for resources, guidance, and financial assistance during the rehabilitation phase of recovery. In this way, they aim to help Traumatic Brain Injury survivors reach their full potential. Patients of Traumatic Brain Injury and their families face very complex financial issues. Life changes instantly when someone experiences a traumatic brain injury, and the first thoughts and actions are focused on the patient, their survival and recovery. But with treatment comes costs and the 11 Foundation would like to help make a difference.

Individuals interested in learning more about TBI prevention, getting involved in the 11 Foundation, or purchasing tickets for “The Journey Back” Gala Event should visit www.11foundation.org or www.facebook.com/11Foundation