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Today is the day- click the button below to head to March On 2020 central!
Join our live virtual event starting at 10am on Saturday, September 12, 2020.
March On for Brain Injury is a statewide family fun walk hosted by the Brain Injury Association of New York State. Join us for a day of awareness and community building as we honor outstanding individuals and their contributions to the brain injury community!
For 2020, we’re getting creative to bring you a fun way to safely enjoy March On virtually. This year we won’t be able to get together in person, but we encourage you to find a safe place to March On- could be your driveway, down the block or street, a local park, your own back yard or deck!
No matter where you are, you can join us on Saturday, September 12 to hear from our Honorees, team captains, staff and sponsors.
So start a team, join a team or donate to a team today!
Registration is $30 for adults ($35 on the day of the Walk), $20 for youth ages 4-12, and free for kids ages 3 and under.
On February 19, 2019, Desiree fell into a ravine while skiing with her wife and friend in Lake Placid. She suffered numerous broken bones including her scapula, multiple ribs, two vertebra, right hip, right femur and left tibial plateau. In addition, she was diagnosed with a traumatic brain injury. After spending four days in a hospital in Vermont, Desiree was stable enough to be transferred to Strong Memorial Hospital in Rochester via Mercy Flight.
At Strong Desiree underwent multiple surgeries. She woke up from a coma and regained the ability to speak and swallow. After two weeks in the Intensive Care Unit, Desiree was transferred to the Physical Medicine and Rehab unit, where she spent five weeks engaging in 3-4 hours daily of physical, occupational, speech, and recreational therapy. Although she was unable to walk due to the orthopedic injuries, Desiree made significant progress in activities of daily living, independently transferring into a wheelchair, and activities she could enjoy with her new physical and cognitive limitations. These gains were largely due to strong relationships built with her rehab team, support from her wife, and her unwavering strength and positive attitude.
Desiree was discharged from the hospital on April 19 and continued to make incredible progress in her recovery at home. Desiree loves her career as a nurse and was determined to get back to work as soon as possible. This goal pushed Des to continue to work hard in physical therapy, occupational therapy, and speech therapy. In September 2019, Desiree participated in the BIANYS March On for Brain Injury walk, completing the one-mile walk--the longest she’d walked prior to her accident. She also passed her road assessment, allowing her to return to driving. On October 29, Desiree returned to work part-time with accommodations. Since then, Desiree has resumed work full time.
Though suffering a life-changing accident, Desiree has maintained a positive attitude. She doesn’t believe that her recovery has been remarkable. She believes that she just did what she needed to do. She wants everyone to know that individuals with brain injuries may need extra support in recreation or work situations. Even with a traumatic brain injury, nothing is impossible.
She is especially grateful to all of her doctors, therapists, friends, and family, without whom her recovery would not have been possible.
Brian D. Greenwald, MD, is currently the Medical Director at the Center for Brain Injuries and the Associate Medical Director of JFK Johnson Rehabilitation Institute. He is a Clinical Associate Professor in the Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation at Rutgers Robert Wood Johnson Medical School, and Clinical Associate Professor in the Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation at Hackensack-Meridian School of Medicine at Seton Hall University.
Dr. Greenwald is the Director for the Brain Injury Medicine Fellowship at JFK Johnson Rehabilitation Institute and is the Medical Director for the JFK Johnson Traumatic Brain Injury Model Systems of care grant funded by the National Institute on Disability, Independent Living, and Rehabilitation Research. He has been the recipient of multiple awards for his clinical work, research work, and teaching. Dr. Greenwald has published multiple articles and book chapters in the areas of brain injury rehabilitation. Currently he is involved in several research studies to improve the care of brain injury survivors.
Dr. Greenwald did his residency training in Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation at Kessler Institute/ NJ Medical School. He did his fellowship training in Brain Injury Medicine at Virginia Commonwealth University. Dr. Greenwald has served on the Board of Trustees for the Brain Injury Alliance of New Jersey for nearly 20 years and is currently Vice President of the Board of Trustees. He is well known and respected for the care of his patients both in New Jersey and New York.
Join our live virtual event starting at 10am on Saturday, September 12, 2020.
March On for Brain Injury is a statewide family fun walk hosted by the Brain Injury Association of New York State. Join us for a day of awareness and community building as we honor outstanding individuals and their contributions to the brain injury community!
For 2020, we’re getting creative to bring you a fun way to safely enjoy March On virtually. This year we won’t be able to get together in person, but we encourage you to find a safe place to March On- could be your driveway, down the block or street, a local park, your own back yard or deck!
No matter where you are, you can join us on Saturday, September 12 to hear from our Honorees, team captains, staff and sponsors.
So start a team, join a team or donate to a team today!
Registration is $30 for adults ($35 on the day of the Walk), $20 for youth ages 4-12, and free for kids ages 3 and under.
On February 19, 2019, Desiree fell into a ravine while skiing with her wife and friend in Lake Placid. She suffered numerous broken bones including her scapula, multiple ribs, two vertebra, right hip, right femur and left tibial plateau. In addition, she was diagnosed with a traumatic brain injury. After spending four days in a hospital in Vermont, Desiree was stable enough to be transferred to Strong Memorial Hospital in Rochester via Mercy Flight. At Strong Desiree underwent multiple surgeries. She woke up from a coma and regained the ability to speak and swallow. After two weeks in the Intensive Care Unit, Desiree was transferred to the Physical Medicine and Rehab unit, where she spent five weeks engaging in 3-4 hours daily of physical, occupational, speech, and recreational therapy. Although she was unable to walk due to the orthopedic injuries, Desiree made significant progress in activities of daily living, independently transferring into a wheelchair, and activities she could enjoy with her new physical and cognitive limitations. These gains were largely due to strong relationships built with her rehab team, support from her wife, and her unwavering strength and positive attitude.
Desiree was discharged from the hospital on April 19 and continued to make incredible progress in her recovery at home. Desiree loves her career as a nurse and was determined to get back to work as soon as possible. This goal pushed Des to continue to work hard in physical therapy, occupational therapy, and speech therapy. In September 2019, Desiree participated in the BIANYS March On for Brain Injury walk, completing the one-mile walk--the longest she’d walked prior to her accident. She also passed her road assessment, allowing her to return to driving. On October 29, Desiree returned to work part-time with accommodations. Since then, Desiree has resumed work full time.
Though suffering a life-changing accident, Desiree has maintained a positive attitude. She doesn’t believe that her recovery has been remarkable. She believes that she just did what she needed to do. She wants everyone to know that individuals with brain injuries may need extra support in recreation or work situations. Even with a traumatic brain injury, nothing is impossible.
She is especially grateful to all of her doctors, therapists, friends, and family, without whom her recovery would not have been possible.
Brian D. Greenwald, MD
Statewide Medical Honoree
Statewide Medical Honoree
Brian D. Greenwald, MD, is currently the Medical Director at the Center for Brain Injuries and the Associate Medical Director of JFK Johnson Rehabilitation Institute. He is a Clinical Associate Professor in the Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation at Rutgers Robert Wood Johnson Medical School, and Clinical Associate Professor in the Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation at Hackensack-Meridian School of Medicine at Seton Hall University.Dr. Greenwald is the Director for the Brain Injury Medicine Fellowship at JFK Johnson Rehabilitation Institute and is the Medical Director for the JFK Johnson Traumatic Brain Injury Model Systems of care grant funded by the National Institute on Disability, Independent Living, and Rehabilitation Research. He has been the recipient of multiple awards for his clinical work, research work, and teaching. Dr. Greenwald has published multiple articles and book chapters in the areas of brain injury rehabilitation. Currently he is involved in several research studies to improve the care of brain injury survivors.
Dr. Greenwald did his residency training in Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation at Kessler Institute/ NJ Medical School. He did his fellowship training in Brain Injury Medicine at Virginia Commonwealth University. Dr. Greenwald has served on the Board of Trustees for the Brain Injury Alliance of New Jersey for nearly 20 years and is currently Vice President of the Board of Trustees. He is well known and respected for the care of his patients both in New Jersey and New York.
Teams and Walkers
