September 2013 Update

Time has passed quickly!

A well-deserved summer. 

Hayley missed the summer of 2012.

The Fishermen's Fund has been distributed. Each of the three fishermen who rescued the three survivors and who helped John, the pilot as best they could, received almost $3,000 each!

These funds were not payment for their selfless acts, but rather an outpouring of gratitude from those in the USA. Many thanks and blessings!


Hayley has completed two semesters at CalPoly and made the Honor Roll. She has returned this fall with a full academic course load. She, in her own words, just spent the "best summer of my life" with new friends and travel.

Julia completed a very successful first year at UC Santa Barbara, and spent the summer as a surgical intern at Scripps La Jolla. Julia continues her studies this fall.

Liam has returned to high school 
and is doing well.

Hayley and one of her new 

friends in Roatan, Honduras :-)

There are always residual issues and problems, but we are becoming more aware of the gifts that yield from the darkest places.

Saturday March 10 is the San Diego Brain Injury Foundation Walk for Recovery. Join Hayley's family and friends in the walk, or send love 

and best wishes!

http://www.stayclassy.org/fundraise/team?ftid=22105

A MESSAGE FROM HAYLEY:

A few weeks ago I was on a field trip with the Sierra Club when I noticed that some people were laughing behind our mentor's back. When I asked someone why they were laughing, he immediately responded with "Oh I guess he was in an accident and had a brain injury." Right away I responded to him by saying: "Hold up. I'm recovering from a brain injury but would you ever know? Didn't think so!" 

Needless to say, this person was speechless. In the months since my accident, I've been embarrassed and ashamed to tell people who ask that along with physical injuries, I also suffered a traumatic brain injury. You see...there's a huge stigma about brain injuries. People hear "brain injury" and automatically think  there must be something wrong with him/her...they must be slow, or deficient or helpless in some way. Before having a brain injury, I know I would have thought that. That makes me sad because I now know all brain injuries are different, and people are recovering in different ways. I'm fortunate to still have social skills and be able to get 89's on my college midterms! Sure I may need to concentrate a bit more and work a little harder but I'm still ME. I'm choosing to make the best out of what I've been given and try to understand it. 

My family and friends are participating in this walk to raise awareness, and your kind donation helps in the research to better understand brain injuries. My hope is that one day people will view people recovering from brain injuries simply as people recovering from any other injury...and we aren't victims..we are survivors! I can't thank you enough for your support… I truly believe brain injuries are just like physical injuries and you can heal from them if you're really determined. And that's my #1 goal in life right now. Thank you again for your support from the bottom of my heart!

-Hayley

Valentine's Day

February 14 .... on the meaning of love. 

Here are Julia and Hayley last weekend, spending the weekend together at their respective campuses, UC Santa Barbara and 

Cal Poly San Luis Obispo. Both such strong young women, 

who despite their undeserved pain are still loving, forgiving, joyful, thoughtful and caring. 

On behalf of Liam, Julia and Hayley, 

Happy Valentine's Day and love to all.

14 de febrero ....  el significado del amor. 

Aquí están Julia y Hayley el fin de semana pasado, pasando el fin de semana juntas a sus respectivos campus, UC Santa Barbara y Cal Poly San Luis Obispo. Mujeres tan jóvenes y fuertes, que a pesar de su dolor inmerecido todavía amorosas, alegres, perdonar, reflexivas y atentas.