Sunday, May 18, 2003 -- Charleston, WV
1st Annual Walk Between the Bridges (iPO Event Id#: 5521)
Story and photos by Ariana Kincaid

[Details] [Coverage] [Pic Set 1]

Hello from the Walk Between the Bridges.

Mother Nature's best efforts at washing out the First Annual Weekend against Brain Injury held May 17th & 18th were fruitless. Between the Cruise-In Car Show (that moved from the Capitol campus to a parking garage because of the rain) on Saturday, and the Walk Between the Bridges on Sunday (held on the newly refurbished Kanawha Boulevard walkway, in spite of the rain), over $10,000 was raised in support of brain injury support programs.

The Brain Injury Association of West Virginia (www.biausa.org/WVirginia/) promotes awareness, understanding and prevention of brain injury through eduction, advocacy, research, and community support services, that lead toward reduced incidence and improved outcomes of children and adults with brain injuries.

Did you know that traumatic brain injury is the number one killer and disabler of youth in West Virginia? Did you know that brain injury is the leading cause of death for persons under the age of 41? Did you know that right now, prevention is its only cure?

Walking in the rain to battle brain injury

If you are someone who regularly frequents iPlayOutside.com, you are probably aware of one way brain injuries occur. On occasion, an accident will occur during an event which reverberates through the sporting community, and iPO i s called upon to pass along the concerns of well-wishers, and likewise pass along the recovery and gratitude of the person who was injured. Many times, these are accidents which have resulted in brain injury, in spite of the many safety precautions taken. Sports and recreation are the fourth leading cause of traumatic brain injury in West Virginia, behind Vehicle Crashes (50%), Falls (21%) and Firearms (12%).

Brain injuries affect all aspects of a person's life and can erase or alter memories, skills, and personalities, and create physical problems. In addition, brain injuries affect the life of the victim's family, many times requiring long-term care and support.

Participants in the Walk Between the Bridges were encouraged to find sponsors, as many did (one person raised over $750!). One could walk (or otherwise motivate) from the Patrick Street Bridge to any point along the Boulevard up to and including the 35th Street Bridge, and back. The full round trip experience was clocked at 9 miles. And the rain did little to dampen the spirits of the 40 people who registered to walk or lend their support to the cause.

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The event was a well-organized one, and were it not for the interference of Mother Nature, it could have been much larger. There were plenty of snacks on hand, there was a live band to warm up to, port-a-potties all along the route, and a courtesy shuttle for those walkers who felt they needed a ride back to the start/finish. Here's hoping you will come out next year in support of the weekend against brain injury!

Special thanks to the many sponsors who made the event possible: Center for Community Independence; Drug Emporium; Hill, Peterson, Carper, Bee, & Deitzler, PLLC; New England Financial; Senior Moments Band; Tyler Mountain Water; US FoodService, WV Division; Michael W. Davis; Sandra Brenneman Harrah; Tidewater Grill; Aladdin; Williams Scotsman; Napa Wine Company; Powell & Majestro; Hoppy Shores Insurance Agency; Falcor Wine Cellars; Home Care Medical; Startime Karaoke; Dr. Michael Condaras; National Travel; Perfect Prints; Robson Lapina; Orders Construction; H & H Printing; Party King; Chop House; Fifth Quarter; Bob Evans; Moore & Weber; and the friends and families of those with brain injuries who came out and walked.