Participants at Walk For Thought display their thank you banner.
Northwest Park in Manchester was buzzing this weekend for the 21st annual Brain Injury Alliance of Connecticut Walk for Thought, thanks to Colleen Bland of Suffield. Bland, known by her friends as the “queen bee,” suffered a traumatic brain injury the day before her 16th birthday when she was struck by a car while crossing the street. Forty years later, she has persevered through occupational, physical and speech therapy. She now works at P.A. Bland and Associates in Suffield with her parents, Patricia and Jerry. Walking since 2005, Bland has organized a team and raised funds annually to support the Brain Injury Alliance, which provides resources and support to those who have survived a traumatic brain injury. For more information or to donate, visit biact.org.