Before Brett Banasiewicz moved to a traumatic brain injury rehabilitation center in Atlanta, Ga. yesterday following a crash in Virginia Beach on August 23, Aaron Cooke and the Athlete Recovery Fund (ARF) learned that Brett's insurance would not cover out-of-state rehabilitation.
In an effort to pay the costs associated with Brett's long-term rehabilitation, ARF has started to raise funds, and now additional BMXers are pitching in to help. Most recently, Rich Hoppe of Solution Action Sports and Riders Apparel, who is holding a benefit jam at the 4910 Trails in Fort Wayne, Indiana on October 14.
The event is sponsored by ARF, Unit Clothing, Brett's shop sponsor Dan's Comp and a multitude of BMX brands including Profile, DK, Vans, Pro-Tec and Brett's own skatepark, The Kitchen in South Bend, Ind. For more info, click on the flyer.
In related news, Banasiewicz's first day at the rehab center was, according to Trish Bare Grounds of Bare Essentials Sports Medicine, "jam-packed," including everything from physical therapy to speech therapy to occupational therapy. Brett may even be able to eat solid foods later this week.
Banasiewciz turns 18 tomorrow (September 26), but they are asking everyone to hold off on sending birthday wishes. "We are asking everyone to hold off on birthday wishes and cards until Oct 26th when we will celebrate his 18th birthday in hopes that he is more cognitively aware and better able to enjoy his birthday celebration," said Bare Grounds.
