Taylor Twellman, former 5-time MLS All-Star, founded the ThinkTaylor Foundation in 2011. Taylor retired from professional soccer in 2010, due to complications from multiple concussions. He suffered five documented concussions throughout his professional playing career. However, on August 31, 2008, Taylor suffered a concussion that many believe ended his storied career. As Taylor and his family later realized, his brain injury was far more than a career-ending injury, rather, it was a life-changing event.
For over four years, Taylor has suffered from the effects and symptoms of post-concussion syndrome ("PCS"). While his recovery has improved and progressed, he has yet to fully recover – a common story for many. Taylor’s injury has profoundly affected his family as well. Initially, his family struggled to understand Taylor’s concussion. His injury was invisible to them and there was no easy, tangible "fix," like other injuries. They struggled to find the answers needed to help Taylor. Over time, Taylor’s family recognized the seriousness of this brain injury; more importantly, they realized that Taylor was in need of greater emotional support and compassion. After all, this injury had taken a deep emotional toll on Taylor. Through this experience, Taylor and his family realized that there was a real social need to provide support and compassion to individuals, like Taylor, that have experienced the pain and suffering of post-concussion syndrome. As Taylor and his family struggled to find answers for his condition, they encountered an underground community of individuals that shared in Taylor’s struggle, a community of people that were suffering like he was … people that needed help … and, people that no one knew about.
Thus, the ThinkTaylor Foundation was born. The mission of the ThinkTaylor Foundation is to create social change in the world of Traumatic Brain Injuries, by generating increased awareness, recognition and education. In other words, ThinkTaylor’s mission is to C.A.R.E., or rather, to create Concussion Awareness Recognition & Education for the kids, the families, the teams and the organizations that no one knows about. ThinkTaylor knows that there are individuals with stories similar to that of Taylor Twellman – and ThinkTaylor wants to provide compassion and support to these people, the people that are not featured on the nightly news or in their daily newspaper. ThinkTaylor knows all too well that concussions affect more than just high-profile athletes; in fact, everyone, on some level, has been affected by concussions. ThinkTaylor is the FACE, the VOICE and the ADVOCATE for all of these people.
Inspired to make a difference in the world of concussions, the ThinkTaylor Foundation is driven and dedicated to changing the concussion culture. Within the past year, ThinkTaylor has received and read the stories of kids, athletes, parents and coaches that are either suffering through their concussion or know of someone that needs help. In 2013, ThinkTaylor has launched three new initiatives, not only to raise awareness for the foundation but also to help fulfill its mission and to C.A.R.E for the suffering. ThinkTaylor’s "Join the Movement" initiative is a simple and straightforward online program to raise awareness and create an online community for those that are suffering. ThinkTaylor encourages everyone to "Join the Movement" by submitting their picture (FACE), their personal statement (VOICE) and by spreading the word and being an ADVOCATE for this cause. ThinkTaylor wants to start a nationwide awareness campaign and form a "team" of individuals that believe in change and want to create change. In addition, ThinkTaylor provides compassion and support to those that are concussed, through the ThinkTaylor C.A.R.E Package program. This program is meant to recognize those that are suffering and to pledge its support for their eventual recovery. And finally, ThinkTaylor wants people to share their story through its website. ThinkTaylor believes that sharing stories is very therapeutic for those that are suffering. ThinkTaylor encourages others to share their story with the foundation. ThinkTaylor’s website also provides educational and medical resources, along with other downloadable materials.
ThinkTaylor’s positive message emphasizing awareness, education and putting the health of our youth first will create positive social change and in return a safer, healthier and more compassionate environment. ThinkTaylor believes that this is a cause that every individual can get behind and support. In fact, ThinkTaylor plans to partner with all sports and all organizations that not only believe in its mission but also believe that ThinkTaylor is their FACE, their VOICE and their ADVOCATE.
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