-_*> Quicker than a FiSH ~~ Stronger than an ANCHOR <*_-

Not just one of the best women's soccer-players, but also one of the best athletes ~~~ Mia Hamm once advised:

“Take your victories, whatever they may be; cherish them, use them ... but don't settle for them!"

For more than half a decade now, my sissy has participated in the prettiest road-race in these parts: FALMOUTH!! 

Taking the phrase, "run for a cause, not for applause" to heart, her training & fundraising efforts have always made 

me quite proud.
 

SPAULDiNG: the location where I spent the Summer of 2O10, re-learning how to chew
and brush my teeth, sit&stand, take steps.  

Also the place where my family&I were introduced to a lifelong-friend, in my roomie *SaLLy Beach*!

          Escaping to the Cape is always my favorite trip to take: family, friends, and fishies ...

Surely couldn't think of a better location to enjoy a gorgeous day, being inspired by all of the runners & wheelers!!

At the Friday-night Expo, we were lucky enough to see the *pinnacle* of ~INSPIRATION~ in Dick&Rick Hoyt.

{I always anxiously anticipate seeing this dynamic-duo; can't ya tell
in my "cheesy-grin"?!}

Race-day came around, and MotherNature was behaving perfectly for all the participants! 

"The distance is nothing.
It is only the first step that is difficult!"

Run for a CAUSE ~~~ Not for APPLAUSE

*Borrowing* this tale straight from 
Falmouth Road Race's website: 

"Tommy Leonard was a bartender from Boston who was working at the Brothers Four. He was into running before running was in ... He concocted a recipe that included one part sporting spectacle, one part festive family outing and a dash of sun, sea, and splash. 

Shake rattle and roll and presto- you have the Falmouth Road Race, a star-spangled celebration of red-hot competition and fun-in-the-sun holiday atmosphere in one of the most picturesque towns on Cape Cod!"



Now, The Cape has always been a special place for me.
I grew-up down there, with nearly my entire extended family on mom's side permanently residing in&around Dennis! So much more than just a "Summer-Escape"
... it's home, the one place that just feels right ...

..  it all started back in 2O12  ..
~ The BIA-MA's first time running. And then, sort of became our annual-tradition to start getting "amped-up" for that beautiful course, and opportunity to purposefully raise a lot of money!

Sissy's back at it again; except this year... she'll be running as a member of Spaulding's Race for Rehab Team! 

Courtney Farrell's FALMOUTH_page

Like she used to prod me {just to get me talking} back when
I was rehabbing at Spaulding: "Who's better than you, Kid?!"
to which I'd reply {not too forcefully, as the tracheotomy
had just been removed}: "NO ONE!!!!" 

Let's show to everyone that no one can be better Supporters than US!

>NESN< *SPOTLiGHT*

United States Women's Soccer legend,Mia Hamm,once said:

“There are always new, grander challenges to confront, and a true winner will embrace each one!” 

While the struggles I face each day are vastly different from any which Mia ever encountered on the soccer-field,
I can still very much relate to this remark. 

As all Survivors of TBI know... life keeps rolling-on,
and we have a decision to make. We can either hop on
the locomotive, or get left in the dust. You all know which option I have chosen ~~~ "All ABOARD!!!"

Back in September, the BIA-MA was given another opportunity to be "spotlighted". This time, it was thru
Moody Street TV, in a production to be aired on NESN.

Madeline Uretsky, a survivor of serious sports-concussions, her mom, my MamaBear, and I were asked to meet at Spaulding Rehab. for the shoot. After only chatting with Maddie for a few minutes, I knew she&I would stay in-touch long after the feature was over!

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

As per usual, our Executive Director Extraordinaire,
Nicole Godaire, represented all of us and
the Association seamlessly!

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Josh Harvey, Studio Manager of Moody Street TV, had the best creative-direction for the whole shoot!
It was such a pleasure filming with him.

I've said this many times before, but it is certainly worth repeating... Let's make Productions like these~}"Go-Viral"{~

###

*Five~Years* of Falmouth!

It's hard to believe that 5-years-ago, the Brain Injury Association of MA ran its first Falmouth Road Race.

That's the crazy thing about all these milestones, too.
As they come about, I am reminded not only of how far *I've* come, but also the incredible strides *We've* made as Survivors, Advocates, and Supporters. 

{Photo-Courtesy: Buzzards Bay Coalition}

The largest turnout to date, MotherNature couldn't have been kinder! It was *extra* special this year for another reason... my Sister's dear friend & my "2nd Big-Sis", Angela, ran alongside Courtney. The Team was filled with
Family-Members and Caregivers  ~~  super special! 

You've gotta love technology "glitches"... When Angela's mom was capturing a video of Court, AnG, and Katie crossing the finish-line, her phone switched into Slow-Mo.

Although I think that this particular glitch actually made the video even more meaningful/enjoyable!

~~>{*SLoooww~Mo* !!}<~~

It really is a rare occurrence when people from all different walks of life can come together for one day of positivity, endorphin-fueled cheer, and good spirits. I honestly believe that this is quite a good fit for the BIA-MA, since, as we know, TBIs do not discriminate. They can happen any time,
any place, to anyone. 

Just keep this in mind, as you go about your day:

Everyone you come in contact with has his or her "something". What impact will you have on this person?

Will it be a positive one? 

                           

\~>PODCAST<~/

     You all may remember the 1st-Podcast I ever created~~

way back in May'14. Whoa, does anyone else feel like that was {many~moons~ago} !?! But, I digress; back to the 

main-point of this particular post!

     As many of you may recall, I completed a 

>Job-Experience< at WMRC First Class Radio in Milford this past summer...

What a great experience it was! Not only that, but it certainly was a fine-way to test not only my patience, but also my "dogged-resolve" to accomplish something that I had set out to do."The squeaky~wheel gets the grease", right?!

As this opportunity came to an end, I couldn't think of a better way to culminate than the same way I "wrapped-up" my time spent at Townsquare Media of the Hudson Valley...

I very fittingly titled it: *Just~Keep~SWiMMiNG*

~>ROAR<~ Like a LiON !!!

Another honor and privilege I would not have been offered if I wasn't a Survivor of a TBI ~~~

Just last week, I had the opportunity to share
my story at the Mass. Lions Eye Research
Board of Directors meeting. 
Their main philanthropy/cause is eyesight, focusing mainly on Mass Eye & Ear. As many of you know,
I underwent two operations at this phenomenal hospital, under the careful precision of Neuro-Ophthalmologist
 Dr. Dean Cestari.

Not surprising to me at all, when I reached-out to my "GoOgLy~Eye~Doctor", he responded right back.
So, many thanks to you, Dr. Cestari !! 

*Just ~ Keep ~ RUNNING*

Late and great Boxing-legend, Muhammad Ali,
once observed:

"It isn't the mountains ahead to climb that wear you out;
it's the pebble in your shoe!"

Guess what, Folks!? It's that time of year ~~~
FALMOUTH-ROAD-RACE time, that is! And once again, my Super~Sissy will be running, representing Team BIA-MA!

It all started back in 2012: the first-year BIA-MA ever had runners represented at this renowned race...

Now, this is where all of my fantastic followers
& super supporters come in ... Since Courtney will already be "pulling her weight" out on that beautiful course in August,
it is up to US to make her trek a wee-bit-easier ... 


DONATIONS of any amount would be so
greatly appreciated. Every penny counts!!!

~~> Courtney Farrell's Page <~~