An Estevan woman has come up with a unique way to raise money for the Saskatchewan Brain Injury Association.
Jennifer Kuchinka and friends will be holding a teeter-totter marathon Saturday at Rusty Duce Park to raise money for the SBIA. Kuckinka plans to take part in the annual Brain Boogie Sept. 7 in Regina and any funds they collect will go towards that event, which is an important fundraiser for the organization.
"(The SBIA) works to prevent brain injuries by providing educational programs such as Save Your Melon, which encourages helmet use," Kuchinka said. "Their purpose is to work to improve the lives of the survivors and their families."
The topic of brain injuries is an important one for Kuchinka who was severely injured in a pedestrian-semi trailer collision in Estevan in 2010. She was left with severe swelling on the brain, which required surgery. After the surgery, Kuchinka spent eight days in a coma.
Although there were moments when things looked bleak for Kuchinka, she has enjoyed a strong recovery.
"At my neuro-pysch exam (eight months after the accident), she told me I was a three out of 12 on the Glasgow Coma Scale level of consciousness," Kuchinka said. "I remember going to my final exam two years after the fact, and I said to them it's pretty remarkable that I was a three on the Glasgow scale, that's pretty low. They looked at me and said 'that's the lowest.' They said most people at that level don't return to work, they don't return to normal per se."
Although she made a remarkable recovery, Kuchinka said there are lingering issues from the injury. She struggles with fatigue and also has troubles with problem solving, something that is common for her type of brain injury.
"I suffered a frontal lobe injury and with a frontal lobe injury you have difficulties problem solving," she said. "I really struggled with those things after my injury and there is some memory impairment. For me, there is only a month that I don't remember before the accident."
Looking back on where she was and how far she's come, Kuchinka said she has become very passionate about brain injury awareness and helping organizations such as the SBIA.
"As a teacher myself, I am kind of passionate about the educational programs too. And just because of meeting people along the way I know that it's important and that more awareness needs to be brought forward."
Her passion also led to Saturday's teeter-totter marathon, which will run from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.
"I just really enjoy fundraising, and I really want to raise awareness (about brain injuries.) I thought this would be a fun day. There is about eight of us so we'll do two-hour shifts."
Anyone interested in donating to Kuchinka or the other particiapants can do so by going to www.sbia.ca. The public is also invited to stop by Rusty Duce Park on Saturday to make a donation in person. She added that all money donated to the SBIA remains in the province to fund their programs and help those in need.
