My name is Ryan Quick.  I grew up in Westfield, Indiana.  After high school, I went to Wabash College then Butler University, graduating in 2004 with a degree in Psychology.  After graduation I struggled for several years to find my way, but eventually I got a job working for Fathers and Families as an Education Specialist.  I helped young men (and women) pass the G.E.D. and obtain their high school diploma.  I found this to be very rewarding, and after three years there, I felt I had really found my calling.  I decided that I wanted to be a high school mathematics teacher.

In October of 1012, this all came to a crashing end one really stormy evening on my way home from work.  Going through an intersection my car hit a large puddle, hydroplaned, spun around, and collided with an oncoming truck.  I ended up at Wishard Hospital with a Traumatic Brain Injury.

Now my previous life, ambitions, and desires have been put aside.  My former friends have all moved on with their lives.  When I contact them on social media, I rarely hear back.  My parents and their friends are now the people upon whom I depend.  My only social outlets are church and Heads or Tails, a TBI social group that meets once or twice a month.

In the years since my accident I have been focused on recovery.  This has included all manner of therapies.  I now go to physical therapy, water therapy, art therapy, adaptive yoga, and activate brain and body therapy.  Though I still have significant left side impairment that renders me unable to walk, my improvement over the past 12 years motivates me to continue my therapy.

I share an apartment with another disabled gentleman.  We have staff assistance with some of the activities of daily living, but I am slowly becoming more independent.  I aspire to someday live in at Villa Licci, a community where TBI survivors with similar needs and concerns can thrive together as independently as possible.

In the summer of 2011, Andrea’s life was filled with the stereotypical activities of a Hoosier mom. She was married to the love of her life with a four-year-old daughter and enjoyed country music, her career, spending time with her family and friends, and training for an upcoming half marathon.

Drew was a high-achieving college student majoring in Biomedical Engineering at Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology. He was planning to apply to medical school with dreams of pediatric orthopedic surgery as an occupation. He was enjoying a successful athletic career as a starting safety on the football team and very involved with his fraternity.

Nic was always very active physically and in gifted classes at school. He participated in numerous sports as a child, including baseball, soccer, football, swimming, and wrestling. Nic played four years of varsity football and wrestling – winning wrestling sectionals for his weight class his junior year of high school.

On January 15, 1989, a wonderful, beautiful baby boy was born. It certainly did not take him long to start showing the world exactly how special he was. He decided that he had places to go and at nine months he was walking and exploring this beautiful planet.

Brigette was your typical 19-year-old college student without a care in the world. In her eyes, life was perfect. She was a solid student, having graduated Brebeuf Jesuit High School in Indianapolis. In addition to her academic success, she was a skilled artist, had played four years of high school basketball, and ran cross country and track.