By Sarrah Peters, News Editor
On August 23, HealthSouth Rehab Hospital of Gadsden hosted a Brain Freeze Challenge to raise money and awareness for the Alabama Head Injury Foundation.
Similar to the ALS Ice Bucket Challenge, the Brain Freeze Challenge consists of eating ice cream really fast to give yourself a brain freeze.
“The purpose of the brain freeze is to, in a small way, simulate the inability to quickly remember and focus you experience with this sensation, and correlate it to the daily challenges faced by those with traumatic brain injury,” said Janet Reason, HealthSouth Director of Therapy Operations.
The point is to document the brain freeze with a picture, give to the cause and challenge others to do the same.
The Alabama Head Injury Foundation has been hosting Brain Freeze Challenges throughout Alabama by partnering with local businesses. Gadsden’s event was the 13th in the state. Executive Director Scott Powell said that about 650 people have participated so far.
To help create the brain freeze, the foundation partnered with Blue Bell Ice Cream to provide the product. During the event, participating employees were able to give through cash, card and even a payroll deduction.
Formed in 1983, The Alabama Head Injury Foundation strives to assist the people and families affected by traumatic brain injury. The foundation has many programs to help its clients. It provides resource coordination to assist clients with some struggles that come with traumatic brain injury and transition them back into daily life with family, school and community. The foundation provides respite care to give full-time family caregivers a break, and housing assistance with Accessible Affordable Apartment Complexes in several Alabama cities. It runs Camp ASCCA on Lake Martin, as a camp for those with brain injury. The AHIF also provides information, referrals, advocacy and support groups for both survivors and caregivers.
For more information on AHIF or to donate, visit www.ahif.org.