Surviving day inspired for brain injuries, celebrates progress

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Gary Higgins (center) reacts to a question during the Thrive panel on this year's day of brain injury. Higgins, together with Constance Tullis (left) and Victor Coates (right), was one of five discussion participants who spoke about their experiences with the Thrive workshop.

Image by Benjamin Waldrum

May 5, 2025 | Every survivor of a traumatic brain injury has a different story, but resilience is one thing that they all have in common. The day of the survivors of Arkansa's brain injuries in 2025 celebrated the resistance of survivors and supervisors alike.

The event is held in the department for agricultural business services at the University of Arkansas in Little Rock in Little Rock. The free educational event is supported by the UAMS brain injury program at the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences (UAMS), the TBI State Partnership program of the administration for the healthcare system of Arkansas.

Edward “Red” Rinehart has come a long way since his brain injury in 2011 and is now a volunteer firefighter.Benjamin Waldrum

The event of April 11th helps to strengthen the survivors by showing them that they are not alone. There was a family atmosphere in which the participants caught up and shared their fights and successes. Several survivors talked about their personal trips on the podium and presented their talents. Some tables held handmade objects of survivors such as wooden plaques and acoustic guitars.

“Our goal is to provide practical information and resources that can improve the quality of life for survivors and their support networks,” said Brandi Dawson, a health pedagogue of the brain injury program, part of the UAMS institute for digital health innovation. “It is really an honor to work with this resilient community. Everyone I met has shown incredible strength and compassion, and I am deeply grateful to be part of this effective event.”

In the United States alone, there are around 64 million survivors of brain injuries, said Dawson. Nevertheless, the financing of research, education and resources for brain injuries is low and has an average of around 3 US dollars per data subject, she said.

The participants received light blue T-shirts with a picture of a brain flanked by blue ribbons, which represents the symbol of the awareness of brain injuries. In addition to the name of the event, the T-shirts is: “Not all injuries are visible.”

Although the injuries are now invisible, they often start with a significant physical trauma.

Edward “Red” Rinehart, 46, from Shannon Hills, spoke about his life after a brain injury. In June 2011 he finished black and fell by 15 feet and landed upside down. The accident caused several skull fractures, internal and external bleeding, several broken ribs on its right side, a passing lung, an injured kidney and liver and nerve damage in his right knee.

Keith Handcock (left) talks about his experiences that recover from a brain injury.Benjamin Waldrum

Rinehart, formerly at the US Army 82^nd Airborne Division and now a volunteer firefighter, said that he uses the camaraderie and the discipline of both professions as inspiration. Today he is also an advocate of survivors of brain injuries as the deputy chairman of the Arkansa's brain injury council.

“I withdraw my life and put it into service,” he said. “If I can help someone in his worst moment of life – that means everything for me.”

Rinehart said he was proud of what he has achieved since the injury. In an earlier job as a metal worker, he helped to build the large signs outside the bass pro shop in Little Rock. As a certified firefighter, he both drives the fire engine and treats the water pump.

“Wherever they said I was too liability for the employee's comprehensive insurance, I still work hard every day,” he said. “Cut your boots, step on sand and move forward. You do your own thing. Everyone else can do your own thing. Why can't you?”

Further highlights of the events of the day included updates in legislation as well as information meetings on mindfulness, medication management and independent life. There was also an overview of the thrive initiative of the brain injury program, a 12-week workshop for brain injuries. Thrive, which stands for the holistic experience of rehabilitation intervention, offers practical instruments for daily life. A five-member group of Thrive participants spoke about their fights, to remain independent and asked questions from the audience.

Robin Miller, 38, from Little Rock, a freelance musician and survivors of brain injuries, stole the show with a solo afternoon concert and played five original songs with equipment, which he made himself.

Robin Miller played an emotional five-song set with several guitars and homemade devices in the afternoon.Benjamin Waldrum

After a car accident in 2018, Miller spoke about his brain injury and his fights with sensory processing due to an autism spectrum disorder. He desperately despair of something that had to do during the Covid 19 pandemic, he turned to music. He recently fulfilled a lifelong dream of hearing one of his original songs on the radio. His music is a way for him to share his personal story and to work for survivors of brain injuries and people with autism.

“I turn on the TV and see a head injury after head injury was treated as smaller inconvenience or even a joke,” he said. “It is not funny to fight for survival, or something that can be released casually. Fewer people swing outside of such groups. Fewer people take these injuries seriously. It makes it difficult to be on the same side as someone else and they should just get over it and go.”

Miller said that the program for brain injuries was a great help for him after his diagnosis.

“When I started the Thrive program for the first time, I received this questionnaire for cognitive failures and immediately found it well with it,” he said. “I have found names and recognition for many of the problems I had and we talked about acceptance. I would like Brandi, Dr. [Chrystal] Full and the thrive and the wonderful people in the Uam's brain injury program. It was so positive in my life. “

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