Traumatic Brain Injury

Journey for Hope was founded by the mother of Matthew Kurz, a young man who was severely injured in a car accident. As a result of the accident, which occurred in January, 2006, Matthew was in a coma for two weeks and suffered from a traumatic brain injury. Because of his brain injury Matthew needed to learn to do almost everything from the beginning, including painting on drawing. Only five days after his accident he was officially accepted to the Kansas City Art Institute.

Matthew’s mother, Brenda Kurz, decided to help inspire others with the same or similar challenges as her son. Her decision led her to creating and hosting the first Journey for Hope Brain Injury Awareness Walk and 5K Run. Brenda Kurz hopes to raise about $16,000 from the event to help fund the Camp Wonderland, and an additional $16,000 to give to Centers for Independent Living.