Brandon has not let his past stop him. In fact, his past has led him in a new, trailblazing direction. Brandon became eligible for the state’s Acquired Brain Injury (ABI) program after suffering a traumatic brain injury from a car accident. He has persevered and come a long way through hard work, determination and the support of his care team, comprised of his family, a cognitive behaviorist and his CCC Care Manager, Ron.

Today, Brandon has a bright academic future ahead of him. He has recently been accepted into the exercise science program at the University of Connecticut; a perfect fit for him due to his passion for exercise. His intense exercise regimen includes lifting multiple days a week, with one day dedicated to cardio for balance.

“I always do abdominal crunches to start my day. I do two sets of reps and follow that up with two sets of thirty. I like weights too, and do sets of heavy and light weights. A recumbent bike ride on the bike path comprises my cardio.”

One of his biggest admirers is his mother, Maxine. She says Brandon has always been an active, strong person with a big heart, and he looks at exercise as a way to reach and help others. Besides the obvious physical advantages that come with exercise, being active can also help one heal. It can provide significant emotional benefits, and it can even lift the spirit.

As Maxine points out, there are no step-by-step instructions for recovering from a traumatic brain injury.

Brandon has challenged himself to make exercise more available to others. With his mom’s help, he has already made recumbent bicycles available to individuals across Connecticut through a program in conjunction with Bloomfield Bicycle. Most impressively, Brandon’s goal is to one day open a gym that serves as a centralized place that focuses on the whole person.