[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 156 (2010), Part 12]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 16981]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




 IN RECOGNITION OF THE 7TH ANNUAL KIT'S MIRACLE MILE AND BRAIN INJURY 
                             SERVICES, INC.

                                 ______
                                 

                        HON. GERALD E. CONNOLLY

                              of virginia

                    in the house of representatives

                      Tuesday, September 28, 2010

  Mr. CONNOLLY of Virginia. Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize 
the 7th Annual Kit's Miracle Mile 10k Run/Walk and Brain Injury 
Awareness Fair. This event serves to raise money and awareness to 
better treat and understand those suffering from traumatic brain 
injury.
   Brain Injury Services, Inc., BIS, works to assist those living with 
the consequences of a traumatic brain injury. Since 1989, BIS has 
offered services to residents throughout the northern Virginia area. 
Individuals suffering from traumatic brain injuries often require help 
learning to navigate the world with reduced cognitive functions. BIS 
addresses the needs of these individuals with professional experience 
and compassion in connecting people with the information and resources 
they need to be successful in their daily lives. With roughly 500 cases 
at any given time, BIS provides independent living skills training, 
respite care, specialized clubhouse programs and social skills 
training, often at no cost to individuals or families.
   Kit's Miracle Mile is named after Kit Callahan, whose life was 
touched by the work of Brain Injury Services, Inc. A graduate of 
Virginia Tech, Kit was athletic and motivated to begin a career in 
finance. He pursued this endeavor by taking a job as a runner at the 
Chicago Commodities Exchange. Shortly after his move to Chicago, Kit 
suffered a traumatic brain injury, which would change his life forever. 
Although Kit narrowly survived, he suffered traumatic brain damage 
which would require him to relearn many of the day-to-day activities 
that most of us take for granted. He was fortunate in that he had 
strong community partners like Brain Injury Services, Inc. to help him 
navigate the challenges he faced. Kit also possessed a determination to 
return to a productive life and pursue the goals he had set before his 
injury. Through case management and training, his family became able to 
assist Kit in restoring his ability to be independent and maintain 
employment. Although to this day Kit requires the care and assistance 
of his family, his miraculous recovery from near death is an 
inspiration to everyone suffering from a traumatic brain injury.
   Madam Speaker, I ask that my colleagues join me in recognizing Brain 
Injury Services Inc. and the important work they perform in the 
community and in honoring Kit Callahan for his courage and 
determination to recover and return to productive life. I would also 
like to express my sincere gratitude to the many volunteers and staff 
who contribute their time and energy to make this organization and the 
annual run/walk possible.

                          ____________________