RainbowVisions Magazine

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Celebrity and Notable Survivors – Recounts true stories of survivors of traumatic brain injuries. Includes celebrities, authors, and survivors throughout the United States.

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Button, Dick (402 KB) – Dick Button is a gold medal Olympic figure skater and television analyst. Dick has also been the national spokesman for the Brain Injury Association of America. On New Year's Eve in December of 2000 he suffered a fall while skating at a local rink and incurred a brain injury.

Irvan, Ernie (129 KB) – NASCAR driver Ernie Irvan offers a story of inspiration for all acquired brain injury (ABI) survivors. Ernie candidly recounts the racing accident that nearly ended his life, his comeback in the world of NASCAR racing and a second accident that prompted his retirement.

Meili, Trisha (287 KB) – Known to the world as the “Central Park Jogger,” Trisha Meili’s journey to recovery was not an easy one. Following the brutal attack that almost took her life, she lay in a coma for nearly two weeks and was diagnosed with a traumatic brain injury. When she awakened, she was unable to walk or talk. Find out more about her incredible recovery.

Morris, Charlie – Charlie Morris incurred a gunshot wound to the head during the Vietnam War. Through hard work, he overcame his disability and earned a teaching degree. In 2006, he published the book "Just a Regular Guy" which recounts his personal story of recovery and hope.

About Charlie Morris (528 KB)

Charlie's formula for success (236 KB)

Morningstar, Misti and Louise (228 KB) – Misti Morningstar survived a near fatal accident when an eighteen-wheeler ran a yellow light and rolled over her vehicle, crushing her. Following her ordeal, her mother, Louise, wrote a book entitled "Journey Through Brain Trauma - A Mother's Story of her Daughter's Recovery" detailing the recovery process from a parent's perspective.

Nowinski, Chris (188 KB) – Former WWE wrestler Chris Nowinski was at the top of his game when his career suddenly ended due to the effects of post-concussion syndrome. A 2000 graduate of Harvard, Chris now works in the field of concussion research and advocacy and authored the book “Head Games” which discusses the risks concussions pose to young athletes.

Osborn, Claudia (234 KB) – Claudia Osborn was a physician of internal medicine with an office and hospital practice in Detroit. In the summer of 1988, her life and her career were drastically impacted when a young driver struck her bicycle, and she sustained a traumatic brain injury (TBI).

Pflug, Jackie (236 KB) – Jackie Pflug sustained a gunshot wound to the head when her airplane, bound for Cairo, Egypt, was hijacked by terrorists in November of 1985. Jackie discusses her injuries, her rehabilitation and the compensatory strategies she utilized to help put her life back together again. Read more about Jackie's story.

Swanson, Kara – Kara Swanson is a witty, entertaining, informative, and well-spoken survivor of traumatic brain injury (TBI). She authored a book titled "I'll Carry the Fork!" and speaks publicly around the country.

Create a Successful Life (122 KB)

The Gift Inside the Box (255 KB)

Kara Swanson (200 KB)

Whittemore, Janine (173 KB) – Janine Whittemore incurred two head injuries while playing college volleyball. Her initial injury went undiagnosed, and the second occurred within days of the first.

Woodruff, Bob (331 KB) – While on an overseas assignment in Iraq, ABC Journalist Bob Woodruff sustained a traumatic brain injury when Iraqi insurgents detonated an improvised explosive device (IED) by the tank he was riding in. His wife, Lee, and his producer, Vinnie Malhotra, share their first-hand account of Bob's injury and recovery.