Brain Injury Alliance of Arizona (BIAAZ)
The Brain Injury Alliance of Arizona (BIAAZ) is a non-profit organization working to improve the lives of those living with brain injuries and their families.
The Arizona Governor’s Council on Spinal and Head Injuries supports the Alliance’s resource facilitation, coordination activities and related services.
BIAAZ provides:
- Resource facilitation and coordination for brain injury survivors and family members,
- Education for professionals, survivors, families, and community members,
- Public awareness and advocacy activities.
On their website, you’ll find:
- An online resource – how to get help,
- Information about brain injury,
- Upcoming events and activities.
BIAAZ is a member of the United States Brain Injury Alliance.
To learn more: Visit the Brain Injury Alliance of Arizona.
Run, Walk and Roll 2023
2023 Run, Walk and Roll – 10K & 5K Race/1 Mile Fun Run
Join BIAAZ and the community to help survivors of brain injury get back in their race!
Your participation helps survivors of brain injury in their short- and long-term recovery from stroke, TBI, concussion, or brain tumor. Proceeds from the Run, Walk, & Roll 10K/5K/1-Mile Fun Run go directly to programs for survivors, their families, and caregivers.
So lace up your running shoes or prep your adaptive tech and be part of this community by supporting brain health.
Race will take place at Kiwanis Park 6111 S. All American Way, Tempe AZ on Saturday, March 25th, 2023.
Registration starts at 7am and race begins at 8am.
Follow the link for additional information on how to register or become a sponsor.
Events
Below you will find a list of events the Alliance is offering to the community (survivors, caregivers, family members and professionals). Registration is required to attend their events. If you have any questions you can contact info@biaaz.org.
For a listing of other events being offered by BIAAZ please visit their Events Calendar.
BIAAZ Support Groups
BIAAZ offers several different support groups around the state of Arizona. There are options for virtual and in person.
In-Person: Phoenix Survivor & Caregiver Suport Group
Virtual: Brain Cave Mens Discussion, BIAAZ Statewide Group, East Valley Group, Families of Brain Injury Group, National Distracted and Drunk Driving Group, She Shed Womens, Southern AZ Group and Stroke Support Group
Please visit their website for additional information on days, times, location and how you can join. Support Groups Page.
Unmasking Brain Injury
All masks, along with the survivor stories, will be displayed throughout the state of Arizona in an effort to increase awareness and educate Arizona’s communities about the impacts and prevalence of brain injury.
There are several ways you can participate and support this important project.
Survivors of all types of brain injury, stroke, TBI, concussion, brain tumor, brain bleed, or brain aneurism are invited to complete and submit the Mask Request Form that is located on BIAAZ website. Follow the link below for more information.
Whole Health Series
Whole Health© is a program developed by the Veteran Affairs Administration to support a holistic and individualized approach to health and self-care. In this six-week virtual group class, you’ll have the chance to reflect on what would most improve your well-being and learn tools to work towards what matters to you. It is an immersive and interactive curriculum that encourages participation in group conversations for the best results.
Topics include identifying values, empowering oneself, discovering one’s mission/aspiration/purpose, spotting and overcoming barriers.
This virtual series is brought to you by a partnership with BIAAZ and the Phoenix VA.
Dates: 3/14, 3/21, 3/28, 4/4, 4/11 & 4/18/
Open to survivors and family members, 18 years or older, no military affiliation required.
Please visit the BIAAZ Event Calendar to register for each individual session for the 6 part series.
Think Tall - Don't Fall
Come join BIAAZ for this virtual series to build skills and boost abilities. This is for survivors of any type of brain injury or trauma.
With a series of simple, adaptable movements that activate the mind and body for whole brain functioning you can improve your balance, coordination, strength, flexibility, and reflexes. In addition, your mental clarity and mood will improve.
The instructor is adept at providing accommodations for those with limited mobility or who use a wheelchair.
The series runs Thursdays from January 5th – April 20th, 2023 from 2pm-3pm MST.
Registration is required to attend. Please visit the BIAAZ Event Page to find the sessions you want to register for.
Coffee With The Authors
Come join BIAAZ and Diane Grimard Wilson, author of My Journey with Invisible Illness, Second Chances, and the Wonders of Applied Neuroscience.
Brain Dance, an Amazon best-seller, is a captivating, and touchingly candid true story. It traces Diane’s journey through random and sometimes humorous events which shed light on how her brain kept her injury from her, the loss of focus, mobility, and sense of self, an obsession of day-trading retirement funds, and finally holistic therapies-including a retreat with Thich Nhat Hanh, acupuncture, singing and neurofeedback.
When: May 20th, 2023 10:00am (AZ/MST)
Registration is required to attend this live, virtual event.
To register please visit the event page Coffee with the Authors.
Survivor Sunday
Join BIAAZ and Toby Dorr for another exciting Survivor Sunday where she will tell her full story and words of hard-won wisdom.
For most of her life, Toby Dorr felt like she was invisible. She was a dutiful wife, mother, and had even survived a bout of cancer. Then she fell for a new love interest who was serving a prison sentence for murder. To be with her beau, Toby helped this young man escape from prison. They were on the lam for 12 days. Toby’s 27-month prison sentence also opened her eyes to injustices within our criminal justice system. Medical malpractice, inconsistent sentencing, and the brokenness of a for-profit prison corporation motivated her to become an advocate for change.
Date: May 21st, 2023
Time: 1:00pm (AZ/MST)
This event is for Survivors Only and registration is required. Please visit the Event Page for more information and details.