Brain injury survivor hosting race to benefit BIA-MA

Date: 7/13/2009

By Courtney Llewellyn

Reminder Assistant Editor



LONGMEADOW - Four years ago, BJ Williams had high hopes for his hockey career. He was a graduate of the National Sports Academy and was playing with the Baystate Breakers, a high-level amateur hockey club based in Boston.

Then the Longmeadow native suffered a traumatic brain injury in a car crash on the MassPike.

"I am a brain injury survivor," Williams, 25, explained. "I used to live my life on hockey, but once that was taken away, I had to find something new [to focus on]."

That's when he started working with the Brain Injury Association of Massachusetts (BIA-MA) as both a motivational survivor speaker and as the coordinator of the Run and Walk for Wishes.

The second annual Run and Walk for Wishes will be taking place in Longmeadow this month, and the proceeds from the event will benefit BIA-MA.

"Every 26 seconds someone in this country undergoes a traumatic brain injury," Williams said, "but I think it's the most overlooked injury. You hear about those who die in accidents, but you don't really hear about the survivors. I want to give awareness to both younger kids and adults [about these types of injuries]."

Williams suffered four skull fractures in his accident, and has lost his sense of taste, his sense of smell, hearing in one ear and has issues with his short term memory. He now travels throughout Western Massachusetts as a speaker for the Brains at Risk prevention program for the BIA-MA.

Brains at Risk is an awareness program for individuals aged 17 and older with first time convictions for DUI, drug possession, violent crimes and other behaviors that may lead to brain injuries.

"This program explains how choices made behind the wheel can lead to brain injury," Emily Ring, the manager of court-related programs for BIA-MA, stated. She has been working with Williams for the past three years.

Pam Bush, spokesperson for BIA-MA, noted that the money raised from the Run and Walk for Wishes will support the association's mission of support, prevention, education and advocacy.

"We're seeing more and more fundraisers, especially this year," Bush said. "I think that's because there's an increased awareness. People can see the difference support can make."

The Run and Walk for Wishes will be taking place July 19 at the Wolf Swamp Fields, across from Twin Hills Country Club. The walk will begin at 8 a.m.; the run, at 8:30. Williams is hoping for 150 participants.

All those who walk or run will receive T-shirts. Runners will receive post-run massages, and a variety of vendors will be on hand, along with 93.1 FM.

The registration fee is $15 per person, and checks should be made payable to "BJ Williams Road Race."

For more information, contact Williams at longmeadowroadrace@gmail.com or call him at 441-3639. Visit www.biama.org for more information on BIA-MA.