Brain Injury Alliance of Connecticut (BIAC)

11/12/2025

The November edition of The Buzz is here — newly formatted and packed with updates you won’t want to miss.

Catch up on upcoming events, the latest in brain injury news, support resources, and more.

👉 Stay informed — subscribe today and never miss an issue!

November Buzz: https://conta.cc/3Jj9c2e
Subscribe: https://biact.org/news/enewsletter/

11/10/2025

Thank You to Our Incredible Volunteers!

We are deeply grateful to everyone who helped make our Walk for Thought events such a success this year. Your generosity, time, and enthusiasm helped bring our community together in powerful ways.

🌼 Thank you for your support:

Nicole Cruse and Sacred Heart University
Jillian Kossbiel and the University of Hartford
Greg Vassor and M&T Bank

🌼 Thank you for your donations:

Windsor Music Centre
Hartford Wolf Pack
Hartford Yard Goats
Quinnipiac University
New Britain Museum of American Art

🌼 Thank you, our individual volunteers:

Sara Lourie
Allison Jackson
Bev Jenkins
Melissa Stroh
Jaqueline Keller
Ashley Kidd
Liane Gelman-Wegener
Alan Wegener
Nancy Darr
Brianna Dragunoff
Kaila Ozyigit
Isabella Errico

11/06/2025

We are proud to offer another Certified Brain Injury Specialist (CBIS) training this fall. Led by CBIST trainers Bonnie Meyers and Jordin Soler, the three-day course wrapped up earlier this week after guiding a dedicated group of professionals through the Brain Injury Association of America curriculum and strengthening their knowledge and commitment to improving the lives of individuals with brain injury.

There was great engagement, lots of learning, and plenty of fun along the way!

Wishing all participants the very best on their exams and in their pursuit of becoming nationally certified brain injury specialists. Thank you for trusting us to guide you along the path to certification.

Sophia Rico, M.A., C-DBT
Aisha A.
Pinar R.
Project Genesis, Inc.
Victoria Grenier
Tenzin Youdon
Daniele Wiley
Prajwal Archaya
Donald Smith
Sophia Rico
Aisha Abdel
Christopher Sidarweck
Jillian Rivera
Tammy Spurgeon
Glenda Harding

11/05/2025

Three Webinars to Support a Healthier, Calmer Holiday Season

The holidays can bring joy but also stress, sensory overload, and fatigue, especially for those living with brain injury. These free online sessions are designed to help you navigate the season with balance, clarity, and care.

🧠 Wednesday, November 6 — 2:00 PM (Eastern Time)
Managing Holiday Overload with Caren Sumption, CPC, CHW, CVA

Too Merry, Too Much
Holiday Overstimulation, Anxiety, and Brain Injury
Learn how to manage sensory input, set limits, and build rest into a busy season.
https://givebutter.com/mWh3pU

🧠 Thursday, November 7 — 2:00 PM (Eastern Time)
Mindful & Balanced Holiday Eating with Jessica Shirley, MS, CHES, RYT

Balanced Holiday Eating
Discover how to create nourishing meals, avoid energy crashes, and enjoy the holidays with ease.
https://givebutter.com/9jiVRb

🧠 Thursday, November 13 — 2:00 PM (Eastern Time)
Brain Health Strategies with Dr. Larissa Del Piero

Ways to Support Long Term Brain Health
Explore simple, daily tools to strengthen memory, focus, and emotional wellness.
https://givebutter.com/lgwGBh

Please note: All sessions start at 2:00 PM Eastern Time (Connecticut).

11/03/2025

Two young brain injury survivors, Alexa Casciano (24) and Christian Longo (26), turned their stories of survival into strength at yesterday’s New York City Marathon, running to benefit the Brain Injury Association of New York State.

After life-threatening injuries that left them relearning how to walk, talk, and rebuild their lives, Alexa and Christian crossed the finish line not just for themselves, but for every survivor who cannot.

Their journey is a powerful reminder that recovery is not the end of the story, but the beginning of a new one.

Read more at New York Post
https://nypost.com/2025/10/31/us-news/alexa-casciano-and-christian-longo-to-run-the-nyc-marathon/

“God decided to give me a chance to do this. I’m not going to squander it.”

10/30/2025

Together, We Made It Happen - Let’s Finish Strong!

The 2025 Walk for Thought was an unforgettable weekend filled with strength, resilience, and connection. Survivors, families, and supporters walked, rolled, and cheered for brain injury awareness and hope. Now, we are just one final push away from reaching our $50,000 goal, and we need your help. Campaign pages close October 31, so there’s still time to make a difference.

Every dollar helps BIAC remain just a phone call away for those who need us most. Thank you for walking and rolling beside us. Your support truly changes lives.

🙏 Give Now
https://biact.org/biac-walk-for-thought

📸 The smiles say it all: Check out the complete photo gallery from both Walks and see the moments that made 2025 unforgettable.
https://biact.org/biac-walk-for-thought

10/29/2025

A great step forward for rehabilitation and recovery care in

Congratulations to the Ga***rd Specialty Healthcare team on opening the new Fairfield clinic, expanding access to expert therapy services, and helping more individuals heal, recover, and thrive.

10/24/2025

Artificial intelligence is reshaping the future of stroke care, helping doctors analyze scans faster, identify patients for trials, and personalize treatments in real time.

Experts from the University of Cincinnati Gardner Neuroscience Institute are leading national conversations on how to use AI responsibly, ensuring that innovation never comes at the cost of ethics, accuracy, or patient privacy.

As AI speeds insights and improves outcomes, researchers remind us that it must always keep a human in the loop, because in medicine, precision and compassion must move forward together.

Learn more:
➡️ https://www.uc.edu/news/articles/2025/10/stroke-experts-discuss-current-and-future-use-of-ai-tools-in-research-and-treatment.html

10/23/2025

The WVU Rockefeller Neuroscience Institute is leading the nation with the first standardized test and care protocol for traumatic brain injury, developed with Abbott and the Department of Defense. Using a simple blood test, doctors can now detect brain injury biomarkers within minutes, helping rule out unnecessary CT scans and begin treatment faster.

This innovation brings faster diagnoses, personalized care, and better outcomes for first responders, domestic violence survivors, athletes, and anyone affected by concussion or TBI.

A powerful step forward for brain health and recovery.

Learn more at:
➡ https://wvumedicine.org/news-feed/news-article/WVU-Medicine/Front-Page/wvu-rockefeller-neuroscience-institute-leads-country-in-adoption-of-brain-injury-test-care-protocol/

WVU Medicine Abbott

10/22/2025

Behind every wheel is someone’s child, parent, friend, or classmate. Every text, every distraction, every time a seatbelt goes unused, there’s a chance a life could change forever.

At BIAC, we care deeply about the moments that matter most. That’s why we’re proud to partner with NJM Insurance Group to promote safe driving education and remind everyone that one simple choice can make all the difference. Drive safe. Drive aware. Drive for the ones you love.

For more information on safe driving and brain injury prevention:

➡ https://biact.org/get-help-now/driver-safety/
➡ https://www.nhtsa.gov/teen-driving/parents-talk-your-teen-driver-about-safe-driving

10/21/2025

Congratulations to our leader, Cynthia Bidorini, and to all the honorees recognized at the Connecticut Rivers Council, Scouting America “Our Influential Women” event on October 19, 2025, at the Chippanee Country Club in Bristol, Connecticut.

This inspiring event highlighted women across Connecticut who demonstrate compassion, strength, and purpose through their work and service. We are proud to see Cynthia honored among such remarkable individuals for her unwavering commitment to BIAC’s mission and her dedication to improving the lives of individuals and families affected by brain injury.

Her guidance and compassion continue to make the invisible visible every day, and we are truly fortunate to work alongside someone so devoted and inspiring.

Join us in celebrating Cynthia and this wonderful recognition.

Kindly,
Team BIAC

10/20/2025

We were honored to have UConn Women's Basketball player Caroline Ducharme join us and help support our mission at the Walk for Thought.

Caroline’s story is nothing short of inspiring, and her compassion shines through in everything she does. She spent hours connecting with survivors, families, and supporters, listening to their stories, sharing her own, and offering words of encouragement with genuine warmth and enthusiasm. Her kindness, patience, and heartfelt support deeply touched everyone she met. We are truly grateful for her time, energy, and genuine care for our community.

THANK YOU CAROLINE!
UConn UConn Women's Basketball UConn Huskies