About Us
A Mother and Son team that Speak to Inspire on Life After Brain Injury. We also Advance Art as Medicine for Healing Trauma.
Get to Know Bj!
From Survival to Purpose.
A Life Transformed.
Before his accident, fifteen year old BJ was a driven athlete with clear goals and a vision of playing in the NFL. That path altered dramatically during a trip to visit family in Texas, where BJ suffered a catastrophic brain injury in an All Terrain Vehicle accident. A police investigation determined he was traveling 60 mph on a neighborhood road without a helmet, when a dog ran out in front of him and he swerved to avoid it.
Brought to Memorial Hermann Texas Medical Center 'dead on arrival', his Neurosurgeon, Dr. Serdar Alp, gave him a 10% chance of survival. BJ spent six grueling months in the hospital, undergoing four major brain surgeries, surviving a stroke, and facing a 65% loss of his vision.
The road back required extraordinary strength. BJ had to relearn the most fundamental aspects of daily life—walking, talking, feeding, and dressing himself. Step by step, he began the long process of learning how to live again.
The Power of Art in Healing!
The path of long-term recovery is rarely linear. Ten years into his journey, BJ hit a deeply challenging wall where finding the motivation to keep pushing forward became a daily struggle. In that pivotal moment, he turned to Art alongside his Mother. What started as a simple creative outlet, soon exploded into a transformative force. Creating art unlocked a new level of healing, accelerating his physical and emotional restoration in ways traditional therapies had not. It offered a new language for processing trauma and a powerful vision for the future.
Inspiring Others Across Louisiana.
Now 21 years into his journey of restoration, BJ uses his experience to serve others. Through hands-on creative sessions, he brings therapeutic art activities to trauma patients at Baton Rouge Rehab Hospital, behavioral health patients at Baton Rouge General. He also engages students at a local youth police academy and is a colorful presence at community events.
In addition to community workshops, BJ regularly speaks to future healthcare professionals and advocates. He delivers guest presentations at institutions across the state—including the University of Louisiana at Lafayette College of Nursing, LSU Health Sciences Center in New Orleans (School of Occupational Therapy), and multiple South Louisiana Community College campuses.
He and his Mom are Members of the Louisiana ATV/UTV Safety Task Force, which is a statewide initiative launched in June 2026 to reduce preventable off-road vehicle crashes, injuries, and fatalities—particularly among children under the age of 14.
Mission & Purpose
The primary mission of the task force is to protect Louisiana's youth by promoting safety awareness, encouraging responsible riding practices, supporting educational outreach, and advocating for preventive policies. In Louisiana, ATV crashes account for roughly 500 injuries and 10 deaths each year, with children ages 10 to 14 comprising the majority of those injured. The organization focuses on:
Educational Outreach: Distributing safety materials and educating families on proper equipment, such as non-negotiable helmet use.
Rider Guidelines: Emphasizing age-appropriate vehicle sizes, mandatory adult supervision, and strict adherence to off-road safety rules.
Policy & Advocacy: Developing strategies and working alongside lawmakers to strengthen public safety and youth protection standards across the state.
Collaborative Partnerships: The task force brings together a diverse network of public safety officials, community advocates, healthcare professionals, and government agencies. Key participating entities include: Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries (LDWF), which hosts and supports the initiative's operations; Healthcare & Emergency Medical Professionals, including emergency room nurses and trauma specialists from facilities like Ochsner Medical Center; Law Enforcement & State Transportation Coalitions, such as Louisiana State Police and Destination Zero Deaths; Community Advocates & Survivor Families, who share victim-impact stories and firsthand experience to highlight the life-altering reality of severe brain injuries and physical trauma.
BJ is a 2019 Graduate of Partners in Policymaking.
The purpose of this Federally funded program is to transform individuals with disabilities and their family members into effective civic advocates and community leaders. It teaches participants how to influence public policy, navigate the legislative process, and build productive relationships with elected and appointed officials.
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During the 2026 Louisiana legislative session, BJ and his Mom, Kim gave public testimony before state legislative committees in Baton Rouge regarding health standards, facility oversight, and public safety for traumatic brain injury survivors legislation:
House Bill 102
Sponsor: Representative Jeff Wiley
Primary Committees:
House Committee on Administration of Criminal Justice
Senate Committee on Judiciary C
Bill Details: Establishes the crime of second-degree cruelty to the elderly and persons with infirmities. It sets criminal penalties for caregivers or individuals who intentionally or negligently cause serious bodily harm to an elderly or disabled adult.
House Bill 679
Sponsor: Representative Lauren Ventrella
Primary Committee: House Committee on Transportation, Highways
and Public WorksBill Details: Authorizes a voluntary special Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) designation on Louisiana driver's licenses and state ID cards. It also mandates law enforcement training on identifying and interacting with individuals living with a TBI. (Later substituted as HB 1244 during the session).
House Bill 919
Sponsor: Representative Chad Brown (with broad bipartisan co-sponsorship)
Primary Committees:
House Committee on Health and Welfare
Senate Committee on Insurance
Bill Details: Focuses on healthcare regulation and pharmacy benefit manager (PBM) transparency. It strengthens fiduciary duties, fair drug dispensing fee reimbursements for independent pharmacies, and conflict-of-interest disclosures.
Senate Bill 273
Sponsor: Senator Patrick McMath
Primary Committees:
Senate Committee on Health and Welfare
House Committee on Health and Welfare
Bill Details: Enhances health standards, patient rights, and oversight standards for individuals receiving palliative or hospice care within licensed healthcare and residential facilities.
Looking Ahead
BJ’s mission is simple:
To help fellow trauma survivors understand that healing is always possible. Through art, community, and shared experience, he continues to show others how to move past life's most difficult moments and discover new purpose, connection, and hope!