It may be the end of March, and March may be the designated month for Brain Injury Awareness, but that does not mean the focus of this important topic will fade away. This month has been full of conversations with a variety of people on the topic of brain injuries and how to be safe. I really do feel blessed to have met and connected with those of you I met. We each have something unique to offer, and together we can make a difference. Whether as a mom, a daughter, a son, a father, a professional, a volunteer, an elected official, a grandparent, an ASI (ATV Safety Institute) instructor, a 4-H agent, or a football coach. What I have to offer as Mrs. Mississippi International is completely different from a football coach, but each contribution is important and unique. We can each make the most of what we have been given to make a difference. That is what is so wonderful about coming together for a common cause. The crown would not work well for the football coach, and I would be a terrible coach! But I know that I am fulfilling my purpose by sharing my platform as Mrs. Mississippi International.
Please help me spread the word that education on brain injuries can and does make a difference. Yes, ATV or motorized helmets are super important. Just as important is a bicycle helmet for biking or skateboarding. For those in group sports, I am learning that education on sports concussions is of upmost importance. The Brain Injury Association has taken an active role to promote simple legislation to better protect youth from long-term effects of multiple concussions. What can you do?
Get involved, and be a role model by wearing a helmet, teaching a child, or sharing your special gift.
Wishing you safety and smiles,
Traci
Mrs. Mississippi International 2012
Photo by Clay Spann
Saturday, March 31, 2012
Friday, March 23, 2012
Legislative Day with Brain Injury Association
In Mississippi, March 22 was Legislative Day at the Capital of MS. This was a great opportunity to show my support for a great organization that works closely with our State 4-H and works hard to keep our youth safe from brain injuries. From the moment I arrived as Mrs. Mississippi International, I was greeted and warmly welcomed by staff and fellow supporters. I was blessed to first meet several special ladies and men- brain injury patients. They were there as stroke victims, or survivors of accidents that left them with a brain injury. I love the fact that they have the common goal of supporting the Brain Injury Association and all that it does! As Dana of the Brain Injury Association told me, "They are our support."
I enjoyed taking pictures with each of them and listening to them as they shared about themselves...some more than others. It was a pleasure to meet Wesley, a young man with the legislation concerning sports concussions bearing his name. He suffered from a severe injury while playing high school football. It was amazing to hear him tell his story at the press conference, and then to meet his family and see how he bragged on his mom and dad supporting him through the near-death experience and coma. The legislation is simply to protect youth eighteen and under so that they do not experience multiple concussions and have the severe complications that can go along with that.
Spending time talking to Wesley was one of the highlights of my trip. We share a passion for not only prevention of brain injuries...but for Ariat boots as well! As we stood around talking, he commented that his feet were tired. I pointed to my heels and asked how he though my feet were feeling! He said actually he loved his boots. I commented on how I love my Ariat boots, and even threw them in my car this morning....just in case...you never know! He smiled, and pulled up his pant leg to show a little of his boot. "That is what mine are!" he exclaimed. We shared a "high five" and had fun laughing about our boots, and how one of us mispronounced it! I sure hope our paths cross again soon in our fight to prevent injuries and keep youth safe.
Well, I have much more to tell later, but I am signing off for now. More pictures to follow later. Please take care and remember to not take things for granted.
Blessings to you and your family,
Traci
I enjoyed taking pictures with each of them and listening to them as they shared about themselves...some more than others. It was a pleasure to meet Wesley, a young man with the legislation concerning sports concussions bearing his name. He suffered from a severe injury while playing high school football. It was amazing to hear him tell his story at the press conference, and then to meet his family and see how he bragged on his mom and dad supporting him through the near-death experience and coma. The legislation is simply to protect youth eighteen and under so that they do not experience multiple concussions and have the severe complications that can go along with that.
Spending time talking to Wesley was one of the highlights of my trip. We share a passion for not only prevention of brain injuries...but for Ariat boots as well! As we stood around talking, he commented that his feet were tired. I pointed to my heels and asked how he though my feet were feeling! He said actually he loved his boots. I commented on how I love my Ariat boots, and even threw them in my car this morning....just in case...you never know! He smiled, and pulled up his pant leg to show a little of his boot. "That is what mine are!" he exclaimed. We shared a "high five" and had fun laughing about our boots, and how one of us mispronounced it! I sure hope our paths cross again soon in our fight to prevent injuries and keep youth safe.
Well, I have much more to tell later, but I am signing off for now. More pictures to follow later. Please take care and remember to not take things for granted.
Blessings to you and your family,
Traci
Wednesday, March 21, 2012
Busy Month for Brain Injury Awareness!
Hopefully you are following on my facebook page, as that is where I do most of my posting. If not, you may find me as Mrs. Mississippi International, Traci Mongeon.
Now, on to brain injury awareness! This month is recognized as Brain Injury Awareness Month by the Brain Injury Association. You may wonder what this has to do with you. Glad you asked! The slogan this year is "Anytime, Anywhere, Anyone: Brain Injuries do not Discriminate." From children playing, to high school athletes, to adults, to stroke victims - all are affected by brain injuries. The Brain Injury Association is the advocate of the brain injury victim. Not only that, they work to help prevent injuries in the first place because prevention is the only sure cure for brain injuries.
What can you do this month...or anytime? You can donate to worthy causes like the Brain Injury Association in your state. You may also check out Pilot International which is another great organization promoting brain health and works with a wide variety of brain associated disorders, including Alzheimer's. Like the Brain Injury Association, they also work with youth to prevent brain injuries. Two more organizations which I work closely with include ATV Safety Institute and 4-H Youth organization. Both of these groups joined forces to offer trainings for teaching youth, as well as adults, how to properly and safely operate ATV's. All of the above organizations are doing great work in helping to keep our kids and families safe. Consider becoming a member of one or more of the groups or giving your time to help the cause. And of course, you could set a good example by sporting your helmet while biking or on motorized vehicles like ATV's.
It has been a blessing meeting many new wonderful people behind the scenes in these organizations. Tomorrow I get to reconnect with a great lady from Brain Injury Association of Mississippi, and meet the Director behind it all. I look forward to being at the Mississippi Capital to show support for the Brain Injury Association on the special Brain Injury Awareness Day.
It is a special week in the Mongeon household for sure! Cupcakes and cake baked with the help of a very special young chef having a birthday this month. I still think there is a light dusting of flour in one corner of my kitchen. I will just remember the special time we had together as I find more flour. Special memories....I love it!
Now, on to brain injury awareness! This month is recognized as Brain Injury Awareness Month by the Brain Injury Association. You may wonder what this has to do with you. Glad you asked! The slogan this year is "Anytime, Anywhere, Anyone: Brain Injuries do not Discriminate." From children playing, to high school athletes, to adults, to stroke victims - all are affected by brain injuries. The Brain Injury Association is the advocate of the brain injury victim. Not only that, they work to help prevent injuries in the first place because prevention is the only sure cure for brain injuries.
What can you do this month...or anytime? You can donate to worthy causes like the Brain Injury Association in your state. You may also check out Pilot International which is another great organization promoting brain health and works with a wide variety of brain associated disorders, including Alzheimer's. Like the Brain Injury Association, they also work with youth to prevent brain injuries. Two more organizations which I work closely with include ATV Safety Institute and 4-H Youth organization. Both of these groups joined forces to offer trainings for teaching youth, as well as adults, how to properly and safely operate ATV's. All of the above organizations are doing great work in helping to keep our kids and families safe. Consider becoming a member of one or more of the groups or giving your time to help the cause. And of course, you could set a good example by sporting your helmet while biking or on motorized vehicles like ATV's.
It has been a blessing meeting many new wonderful people behind the scenes in these organizations. Tomorrow I get to reconnect with a great lady from Brain Injury Association of Mississippi, and meet the Director behind it all. I look forward to being at the Mississippi Capital to show support for the Brain Injury Association on the special Brain Injury Awareness Day.
It is a special week in the Mongeon household for sure! Cupcakes and cake baked with the help of a very special young chef having a birthday this month. I still think there is a light dusting of flour in one corner of my kitchen. I will just remember the special time we had together as I find more flour. Special memories....I love it!
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