Interested in helping spread the word about something that can happen to anyone?

Head injuries don't discriminate yet people know so little about them. The lack of public knowledge creates a nightmare for the victim.

Anyone, young or old, can injure their brain enough to find themselves with a complete loss of self. Regaining one's ability to provide for themselves, understand their condition, receive medical and emotional support be it from loved ones or a support group and work to move forward from this earth shattering sudden condition is of the utmost importance.

Did you know that there are about 3 million TBI-related (traumatic brain injury) emergency department visits, hospitalizations and deaths in the United States each year? I'm one of those people. My name is Ashley Bodhaine and I am the owner of AB Impressions, a startup that offers small business mentoring, design, print and promotional products and promotional event planning services with an emphasis on charitable fundraising. I was raised in the Shorewood/Joliet, Illinois area and on September 11, 2019, a girl pulled out in front of me and I t-boned her, ultimately getting Post Concussion Syndrome (prolonged concussion symptoms) and completely derailing my life, largely because I, and everyone around me, had never heard of PCS before. I couldn't work, doing basic tasks were difficult -- it was a nightmare. Before my accident, I was a business owner, event planner and a force of nature. PCS took that from me and I've spent the last several years recovering. At long last, I'm finally getting "back in the game" and The Forge in downtown Joliet, Illinois has generously agreed to donate the venue for a large, unique and one of a kind fundraising party to raise money for the Concussion Legacy Foundation on April 27, 2024.

We want to spread awareness and raise money for CLF, an international nonprofit, which supports athletes, veterans and all affected by CTE (Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy -- a degenerative brain disease found on those with a history of repetitive brain trauma) through prevention and research. CLF also provides patient resources, information, support groups and has partnered with Boston University to encourage people with head injuries to donate their brains to medical research (which I have done), as many aspects of brain damage can only be discovered by dissecting the brain. CLF, in my opinion, is THE place to start if you find yourself with a head injury.

We're reaching out to potential event sponsors in the hopes that local businesses will help us create an experience that will make attendees remember what they learn and really get the CLF name out there. The event will have circus performers, live music, food and be promoted to 36,000+ people who follow The Forge on social media and their website, the 92,000 people who follow Hairbanger's Ball, Joliet West alumni and the general public within a 40 mile radius of downtown Joliet with aggressive marketing strategies. We're excited to offer such great exposure for our valued sponsors (we couldn't do it without you) as well as CLF and hope that you'll join us in this mission to advance awareness and research for TBI's.

Would you consider helping us raise money for this wonderful registered non-profit that works so hard to help a condition so many people are impacted by?

Thank you so much for your consideration,

Ashley Bodhaine

Owner, AB Impressions and Post Concussion Syndrome Victim/Ongoing Survivor