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Voices for Injury Prevention (VIPs)

The success of ThinkFirst programs lies in one of our most powerful prevention and education strategies: partnering with individuals who have experienced a traumatic brain or spinal cord injury to visit students right in their classrooms.  

These individuals are known as ThinkFirst VIPs - Voices for Injury Prevention. VIPs talk directly with students about their personal story: how their injury occurred, how it has affected them and how it could have been prevented. Students learn how easily one decision can lead to life-altering consequences, such as paralysis or brain impairment, that can change a person's life forever.

ThinkFirst chapter directors recruit and coach VIPs to join them as ThinkFirst presenters: the science and safety tips are presented by the health educator and the personal testimony is given by a VIP. Student evaluations show that 'hearing from someone who has been injured' is a leading factor in improving one's safety habits. 

As a team, the information they share:

  • increases students' knowledge about the brain and spinal cord, risk factors and their ability to protect themselves
  • changes attitudes abouts taking safety measures seriously, such as putting the phone away while driving or wearing a bicycle helmet
  • encourages behavior change, like buckling up every time they are in a vehicle

Working as a VIP also builds personal skills as a public speaker and as an advocate for injury prevention. At the local chapter level there are opportunities for mentoring others who have been injured or working with chapters at their community safety events. Nationally, the ThinkFirst Foundation has an active VIP Leadership Council that has been instrumental in the development of ThinkFirst educational videos and materials.

Whether convincing a child to wear a helmet, empowering a teenager to buckle a seatbelt, or offering hope and meaning to an individual with a brain or spinal cord injury, ThinkFirst VIPs add a critical component to our programs, and are valued members of our chapters and our organization.

VIP Speaker CrystalWHO I AM

I enjoy fishing, listening to music and playing cards. Favorite past time is spending time with my family and friends by the river. Favorite quote ------- Before you quit......TRY!!

AGE WHEN INCIDENT OCCURRED

21

ABOUT VIP
  • ThinkFirst Carbondale, IL
  • Car crash
  • Hit by drugged/drunk driver
  • 3 passengers killed
  • TBI
ADVICE

Safety first - think before you act.....brain and spinal cord injuries are permanent. The decisions of those around you not just yours matter.

VIP JimWHO I AM

Loves sports. The middle of 3 children with an older sister and younger brother. I love "Chasing Cars" by Snow Patrol. Fav food: Iced coffee in the summer, but hot if it's below 50 degrees. Ben and Jerry's Half Baked ice cream. I love to golf and hope to run a marathon by the time I'm 40. I enjoy going to warm climates to golf and escape cold winter. I write as a way to share my story and hopefully inspire others, but hesitate to call it a talent. Along with public speaking, I really just hope to help others. My book about my experience is called More Than A Speed Bump and can be ordered on Amazon by clicking the link.

AGE WHEN INCIDENT OCCURRED

23

ABOUT VIP
  • Northeast Rehabilitation Health Network ThinkFirst Chapter, NH
  • Drinking/car crash
  • TBI
ADVICE

"Be who you are, not who you were."

I've been very blessed in my life, yet still find that difficulties arise that are totally out of my control. Take whatever steps you can to stay safe and give yourself the best future you can. Decisions you make affect more than just yourself - it can change you, your family, your community, your friends and those you don't even know.

Kevin VIPWHO I AM

Nickname is smiley because I smile every day. I really like watching Jeopardy and exercising daily. I played, was a standout athlete in high school which lead to my tryouts at the NFL combine.

AGE WHEN INCIDENT OCCURRED

18

ABOUT VIP
  • ThinkFirst Central Ohio
  • Drinking/motorcycle
  • TBI
ADVICE

I wish I known then what I know now. My advice to everyone is if you have to think about something more than once it's probably not worth doing. The decisions you make today guide your future.

VIP Maria

 

 

 

 

AGE WHEN INCIDENT OCCURRED

15

ABOUT VIP
  • ThinkFirst South Carloina LowCountry Program
  • Hit by impaired driver
  • Lap belt only
  • SCI

 

 

 

 

VIP MarlanaWHO I AM

I've always been an upbeat and positive person who always believed in the best of people and the world.

AGE WHEN INCIDENT OCCURRED

17

ABOUT VIP
  • ThinkFirst of Greater Kansas City
  • Drinking/distracted driving
  • SCI
ADVICE

The amount of pain, grief and struggle you invite into your life from making poor decision, and the effect on the lives of those you love, by not thinking first isn't worth it. Not by a long shot! Decisions Do Matter.

VIP MicahWHO I AM

God is why I’m still here, my mother is my strength, my family is always there, my golden retriever is my constant and music helps me breathe.

 

Favorite scripture verse:
I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.
Philippians 4:13

 

Favorite quote:
Once you replace negative thoughts with positive ones, you'll start having positive results. ~Willie Nelson

 

Other favorites:

  • my family
  • my dog (playing frisbee is our favorite)
  • music (We can’t live on a small amount of oxygen and limiting myself to one song is just as impossible.)
  • friends
  • concerts-live music
  • BrainSong -- my brain injury foundation (specifically for women) – sharing about my injury and life with a TBI, working with fellow brain injury survivors, and public speaking regarding brain injury
  • volunteer work (nursing home, adult disability facility, animal shelter)
  • the beach
  • mint chocolate chip ice cream
  • coke
  • ranch doritos
AGE WHEN INCIDENT OCCURRED

23

ABOUT VIP
  • ThinkFirst Genesis, Ohio
  • Pedestrian/hit by car
  • TBI
ADVICE

My dreams of working in the music industry that I was so close to fulfilling were stolen from me by someone who chose to drive drunk. Choose wisely. You have your life and possibly the lives of others in your hands. Don’t drink and drive.

VIP MichaelWHO I AM

I am a goofball at heart. My favorite thing in the world is to see people cry laughing, especially if it was my doing.

AGE WHEN INCIDENT OCCURRED

20

ABOUT VIP
  • ThinkFirst Oregon
  • Bike crash wearing helmet
  • TBI
ADVICE

You should always ThinkFirst because your decision don't just impact you, but the entire world around you.

We have two lives, and the second begins when we realize we only have one. ~ Confucius

VIP SamWHO I AM

I love biology and was a scientist at Harvard medical school. I was a soccer captain/goalie in high school, was a drummer in a symphony band and enjoy music. I love ultimate frisbee and I am an Eagle Scout. I was in pre-med when I had my crash that changed my life. I hold US Paralympics records in shot put, javelin and discus in and am graduating from college in one semester, finally!

My favorite song is Bohemian Rhapsody by Queen. Favorite ice cream is chocolate moose tracks and my favorite Starbucks drink is a hot Mocha. I also love animals, kids and people, in general.

AGE WHEN INCIDENT OCCURRED

18

ABOUT VIP
  • ThinkFirst MidMichigan Health
  • Distracted driving/reaching for phone
  • TBI
ADVICE

I was 2.3 miles from home when I reached for my cellphone and crashed. Whatever is on that phone can wait. It only took 3.6 seconds for all my dreams to go up in smoke. When you are driving ... just drive. ThinkFirst before you use a cellphone when driving a car.

 

Other ways to get involved with ThinkFirst

If you would like to be involved in ways other than school presentations, please consider:

  • Volunteering your time with a local chapter at health and safety events
  • Donating to the ThinkFirst Foundation or your local chapter
  • Offering your skills in other areas such as research, IT, design, writing or other areas of expertise

 

We appreciate your interest in ThinkFirst!

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