Anyone.
Anytime.
Anywhere.
Every day in Montana, 33 people suffer a traumatic brain injury, affecting Montanans from all walks of life.
“Most people don’t realize the severity of brain injury in our state,” explained John Bigart, executive director of Brain Injury Alliance of Montana. “We work hard and we play hard in Montana. We’re between the second and third highest number of traumatic brain injury-related deaths per capita in the nation.”
Unlike a broken leg with a standard treatment plan, brain injuries are an invisible injury, affecting people in different and often unseen ways.
“They’re like snowflakes,” John said. “No two are the same.”
Brain Injury Alliance of Montana (BIAMT) exists to offer support and guidance for survivors of brain injury, as well as for families and caregivers. With a spectrum of symptoms and life-altering effects comes a spectrum of care, treatment, and support options. Through its Brain Injury Helpline, BIAMT helps people find resources for dealing with their injury.
“Survivors are looking to connect the dots to what can help them,” John said. “We don’t pretend to be medical experts or provide a diagnosis but we can point people in the direction of how to get support.”
Callers to the helpline range from referrals from hospitals or healthcare providers to parents and military veterans. BIAMT helps callers find support groups, offers recommendations for neurological evaluations and provides guidance on financial support options and resources to cope with the mental, physical, and emotional toll of traumatic brain injury.
“It’s extremely difficult to see what brain injury survivors are going through,” John said. “Brain injury completely turns lives upside down into a million pieces.”
BIAMT offers a support group, aptly named Montana Puzzle Club, as a place for survivors to connect and engage in peer support.
“It’s an opportunity for people to gather and put those puzzle pieces back together,” he said.
While traumatic brain injuries differ, John says that support and connection with other survivors and caregivers is crucial to navigating life, careers, and relationships following an injury. And while Montana sees many of its residents suffering from brain injuries, very little funding is made available for organizations like BIAMT.
“We run on a pretty slim budget,” John said. “When our state funding was cut significantly a few years ago, we had to come up with a signature event to keep us afloat.”
The Big Sky Challenge Hikes—one in Missoula on July 11 and one at Big Sky on August 7—offer family friendly events for hikers of all ages and hiking intensities to enjoy the Montana outdoors while raising money for BIAMT. John expects between 200-300 hikers at Montana Snowbowl for the Missoula event.
“Some of the people are super competitive. They dress up in goofy outfits,” he said. “Some people hike along and eat huckleberries.”
Individuals and teams raise money for the hike, sharing their experience on social media and with friends. John hopes the events will continue to raise awareness about brain injuries and their prevalence in Montana.
“The only cure for brain injury is prevention,” John explained. And while strides have been made in the last few decades to increase seatbelt use on Montana’s highways and to decrease drunk and impaired driving, the fact remains that brain injuries will continue to affect the lives of everyday Montanans.
John counts some of the youngest among us as some of the best targets for prevention. BIAMT coordinates several free helmet giveaways across the state in coordination with local sponsors.
“One of the most exciting parts of my job is our helmet giveaways,” he said. “We’re making steps to making it better.”
He mentions a new skatepark in Alberton (where he serves as the mayor) where on any given day, at least 95 percent of kids at the park are wearing helmets.
“There’s never going to be a cure for brain injuries but at least we can work to ensure they happen less frequently and that we treat them properly when they do happen,” John explained. “There’s nothing glitzy about brain injury. People don’t start talking about it until it happens.”
Take a hike and support Brain Injury Alliance of Montana on Sunday, JULY 11!
Brain injuries can happen to anyone, anytime, and anywhere. Financial support raised from this event helps support the mission of creating a better future for those who are impacted by brain injury.
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Mission Loop (0.8 miles) 9AM start time - ride the Grizzly Chair lift before enjoying a beautiful loop at the top! Only 75 spots available for Mission Loop. *Please use discretion when riding chairlift with small children*
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Awareness Trail (4 miles) 9AM start time - this single track winds down the front of the mountain along Beargrass Highway, where you can enjoy incredible wildlife and meandering course as it travels through the trees.
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Big Sky Challenge Summit (8 miles) 8:30AM start time - With a 2,000 vertical foot climb both up and down, this steep, challenging hike will take you up Second Thought Trail and down Beargrass Highway!
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Virtual Challenge - For those unable to hike or attend, you can show your support as a virtual hiker. To register simply select "virtual hike" during registration and create your fundraising page. There is no cost to participate in the virtual challenge!
Adults: $25
Youth (age 13 to 17): $10
Kid 12 and under are free
Registration includes lunch, t-shirt, and a chance to win a variety of prizes. You can register up until 3 p.m. on Saturday, July 10 via online or in person on the day of via check or cash.
To learn more about BIAMT or to register for the Missoula or Big Sky events, visit BIAMT.org or call the Missoula office at 406.541.6442. The Brain Injury Hotline (open during normal business hours) can be reached by calling 800.241.6442.