By Avonlea Cummings
Hometown Weekly Sports Reporter
It has been eight years since Maddie Walter, a resident of Westwood, experienced a life-altering traumatic event that led to her battle with traumatic brain injury (TBI). Following a two-week coma, Maddie defied the odds and has made remarkable progress during some of the most challenging moments of her life. Her achievements include relearning how to speak and walk. Recently, she graduated from Lasell University, becoming a true inspiration to the community and others who have faced traumatic brain injuries.
Before her TBI, Maddie served as the captain of the field hockey and lacrosse teams at her school, showcasing her unwavering determination. Following her accident, the local community rallied behind Maddie and the Walter family, pouring in love and support. Inspired by this generosity, Maddie and her family established a non-profit organization called Life Goes On, with the aim of raising funds and awareness for TBI. Linda Walter, Maddie's mother, expressed gratitude for the community's support over the past eight years and emphasized their commitment to giving back.
"We were fortunate to receive support from Westwood, Medfield, and the neighboring towns after Maddie's injury. The lacrosse team, along with the schools and friends, came together and created a GoFundMe page to help us afford additional therapies. We are immensely grateful for that. While searching for scholarships, grants, and funding, we found plenty of options for spinal cord injuries, but very few for brain injuries. Our goal was to establish a grant funding program specifically for Traumatic Brain Injuries. This is our inaugural event, and so far, we have managed to raise $20,000, which is fantastic," said Walter.
The Life Goes On Foot and Paw Trail Run took place on Sunday, June 11th, under a beautiful sunny sky. Family, friends, and the local community joined forces to support Maddie and the Walter family in raising funds and awareness through a Canicross, 5k, and 10k event. It was a wonderful occasion to come together, support TBI, and educate the community. After the run, participants, donors, friends, and family gathered for delicious treats and an award ceremony.
"This is the inaugural event for Life Goes On. We established this organization because we realized how expensive therapies can be. While insurance covers physical and occupational therapy (PTOT) and speech therapy up to a certain extent, there are numerous other treatments and services across the country and beyond that are not covered. We wanted to raise public awareness, and that's why we decided to organize an event like this. Maddie loves dogs, and we all share a passion for them. We got a dog shortly after her accident, and it has had a positive impact on her mental well-being," Walter explained.
The Life Goes On Foot and Paw Trail event was an incredible inaugural event for Maddie and the Walters. They have a vision to assist individuals in need of TBI support. Life Goes On continues to inspire the entire community, and with increased awareness and education, we can provide support to TBI patients and their families as they navigate the financial burden of therapies.
"Many of the participants on the race list were friends, family, and members of the community. It feels heartwarming that, eight years later, people still remember Maddie and want to help. We hope to see even more community involvement next year. We have connected with many individuals who have experienced brain injuries and can relate to our journey. There is still much work to be done, and we hope to secure the necessary funding," Walter expressed.
