Candace Gantt, a Berwyn resident who survived a traumatic brain injury, established the Mind Your Brain Foundation to help others in a similar situation, writes Beccah Hendrickson for 6ABC.

In 2006, Gantt was biking home after an Iron Man race when a truck clipped her bike.

“I just happened to be at a telephone pole at that time, so my head first hit a telephone pole,” she said.

Gantt was in a coma for two weeks. When she woke up, she could not remember anything about the accident. Following six long months of rehabilitation, she wanted to get her life back.

She couldn’t find much help. Instead, she started the Mind Your Brain Foundation and became her own helper. Today, the foundation annually serves hundreds of survivors of traumatic brain injuries.

“It’s a marathon,” said Gantt. “That’s the way we would describe it. It’s not a sprint, it’s not a 5K. You’re in it for the long run.”

The foundation helps survivors connect with resources but also to find something just as valuable — hope.

Read more about Candace Gantt at 6ABC.