Lakewood Boy’s Brain Injury Inspires Dad Into Action

Brian Ventura remembers Feb. 19, 2011 very well.

It was one of the worst days of his life.

His son, Nick Ventura, then 13 years old, was snowboarding in upstate New York when he crashed into a tree. Paramedics found him nearly lifeless.

Nick suffered severe and life-altering brain injuries.

As Nick’s been recovering for the past year — learning how to walk and talk again — his parents, Brian and Patty Ventura, have launched the 11 Foundation with the intention of helping other families going through the same thing.

Is this your first visit to Lakewood Patch? Click here to sign up for our newsletter and you'll get Lakewood news in your in box daily.

Brian Ventura thought about the work and the resources that went into helping a child with severe brain injuries.

He’s made it his mission to help others. Among the plans, Brian Ventura said he plans to help families with the cost of rehabilitation when insurance falls short.  “We want people to have hope,” he said.

Helmet saved his life

He also hopes to start a helmet program for people who can’t afford them — Nick’s helmet likely saved his life.

In it's early stages, the foundation is looking for sponsors and fundraising events to support the cause.

“We had a hard time finding resources,” Brian Ventura said.

Nick Ventura still gets speech and physical therapy, and his father said his only son has made “remarkable strides” in his recovery.

“The biggest piece is Nick and his desire to get well,” said Brian Ventura. “Put them together, and you’ve got a wheel. We are fortunate.”

“He’s me hero,” he added.

Nick credits God, parents in recovery

Nick’s now in the 8th grade at .

“I don’t really know what I went through,” said Nick. “I came out of it pretty good —great actually. I am getting As and Bs in school; I can almost run; I’ve been exercising.”

How’s he made such a remarkable recovery?

“God mainly, but also my parents, friends and hard work,” said the 14-year-old student-council president, whose smile is infectious. “It was like starting over — like I was a baby again.”

When Nick started talking again a few months back, his body had begun to change into adolescence, and he had a “more mature” voice.

“We just wanted our child to wake up,” said Brian Ventura. “Now we take it step by step — every month is a step, every week is a step.”

He said the entire process has given him a new look at life. 

“I am looking to pay back and become a steward of the church and help others,” Brian Ventura said. “This has really helped to motivate me.”