The Blue Project:
Integrating Neuroscience & the Arts Inc.
The Blue Project is a nonprofit organization dedicated to educating individuals about traumatic brain injuries and how the arts aid in healing them. It's primary efforts are through legislative advocacy, education, and finding creative, artistic ways to enhance brain health.
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My Story:
Some moments in your life change your life forever. In the fall of 2021, I was in my final year at the School of American Ballet (SAB) in New York City, a student at Columbia University, and on track to garner a contract with a professional ballet company. I suffered a severe concussion and everything I thought I knew about my life changed forever. I was forced to stop dancing and underwent a year and a half of intense post-concussive physical therapy and neuropsychological testing. Being a long-time member in the arts community and someone who wanted to turn my pain into passion, I wondered how my experience with this injury and my love for the arts could combine. Thus, The Blue Project, an organization that integrates neuroscience and the arts, was born. Through this nonprofit, I advocate for those in similar situations to the one I experienced.
Traumatic Brain Injury Awareness:
According to the CDC, around 2.5 million Americans suffer from a traumatic brain injury (TBI) annually. Concussions, although not mild by any means, are classified as a mild traumatic brain injury (mTBI) and have upwards of 1.6 million occurrences each year. Further, it's estimated that 50% of concussions go completely unreported. With staggering statistics like these, it's important that our society be educated on the signs and symptoms of traumatic brain injuries, specifically concussions, so as to remain healthy and prevent long term effects.
The Arts:
Dance
Dance has been shown to increase neuroplasticity in the brain.
Music
Musical interventions have been shown to reduce stress in concussed athletes and have a positive effect on behavioral regulation and the executive functions of individuals with TBIs.
Imagery
The construction of art, particularly self portraits helps patients with TBIs reformulate a their identity/a sense of self.
Coloring Book:
Coloring has been shown to decrease the levels of cortisol, the stress hormone, in the body. Because of this, I have designed a coloring book for students in order to decrease their stress and anxiety levels.
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Colorful Curtain Call: A Performing Arts Coloring Book for Kids reached #1 on Amazon's Top New Release List
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In effort to remind people about the importance of the arts, the pages within the coloring book showcase different art forms. Click on the button below to purchase.​​
Legislative Advocacy:
The biggest way to enact change is to tell your story which is why I have gone to our nation's capitol on several occasions to speak to congressmen and women about brain injuries.
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During my time I have lobbied for:
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​The reauthorization of the Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) Act
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The expansion of funding of that act to $19,000,000
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The development of a National Action Plan for Brain Injuries similar to the ones that are currently in place for Parkinson's and Alzheimers Disease
Brain Injury Advisory Board:
I am a member of the Brain Injury Advisory Board for the state of Florida which is a collaboration between Brain Injury Florida and the University of Florida's Department of Neuroscience and BRAIN Center. This board is responsible for creating Florida's Brain Injury State Action Plan and then creating groups to implement that plan.
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The groups that I am a part of is the Education and Awareness Workgroup. We focus on developing and implementing strategies that will increase awareness about Brain Injuries within the state of Florida and provide resources to those who need it most.
Motivational Speaking:
I knew I wanted my story to be used to make an impact, to turn the tragedy that I experienced into a triumph, and to show people that there is light at the end of whatever darkness they may be facing. Because of this, I now use my voice so that I may help and inform others.
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A the youngest member of the Brain Injury Association of America's Speaker's Bureau, I have spoken to hundreds of students across the country and not only educated them about brain injuries, but shared my story of resilience and taught them how they can be resilient too.
The Blue Project Podcast:
In affiliation with The Blue Project Inc., The Blue Project Podcast was created to enlighten those on the psychological mindset to overcoming adversity, defining one's dreams, and the work necessary to accomplish those dreams. In addition, The Blue Project Podcast highlights the stories of those who have experienced brain injuries.