Brain Injury Survivor, Burgers and Brews;
Fifteen years since injury, Fifteen years survival and still kicking it despite the forces that be.
Well things, they are changing up as I move along, come August 2025 is going to be 15 years since my injury and well I have used that time between the endless doctors for some political stuff and to travel. Some at home and some abroad, working to finish all fifty states eventually which I and you can track below.
So for the Interactive MAP, as I get around more states will light up and have my journal entries placed. Past adventures are highlighted with differing colors so you can follow their storylines.
RED : Home State
Purple : 2015 Cross Nation Bicycle Ride NJ -> CA
Thanks to Archive.org you can still visit the website from that ride
Tbitovitory.com (Via Archive.org)
Orange : 2016 Ride the Rim Crater Lake & Red Bull 400
Whisky : Picking up from My Barrell timed just right.
Green : General Travels
What’s the pin about?
Designed by a Brain Injury Survivor,
The Take No S***, Let’s Do This Unicorn.
Despite the injury and setbacks that occur, the failures that have ensued, and the complete lack of assistance from those in charge; still not stopping. Just taking names, going places, and making our mark. Because that’s Living.
Now, you came here because of one of these unicorns, Daniel Mollino, who is using them like a business card to pass around while on the hunt for some good burgers, and perhaps a sprinkle of some local brews.
Once told he was not supposed to survive, This Unicorn is showing anything but what “they” predicted is reality.
“Fractured Unicorn”
About his Injury
On August 11th, 2010 Daniel suffered a traumatic brain injury. While working for a cable company and making repairs to some overhead lines, he fell approximately twenty feet from the top of a telephone pole in Teaneck, New Jersey to the street below. A passing motorist called 911 and they responded finding a seriously injured patient, which they thought would not survive the trip to Hackensack Hospital. Amazingly, Daniel made it to the emergency room, where after the doctors’ initial assessment, surmised that his internal cranial pressure was too high. A decision was made to remove a portion of his skull to alleviate the pressure and hopefully save his life. Since the brain continues to swell over five days, the doctors were not optimistic that he would survive as his brain was severely damaged in the fall. They placed Daniel in a drug-induced coma to keep him calm and allow his body to heal. Against all odds, Daniel survived those five days. The doctors warned his family that he would be probably left with severe brain damage, but the extent would not be known until they woke him from the coma.
Approximately two weeks after the accident, Daniel was out of the coma and steadily making improvement. He knew his name, who his loved ones were, but he still had lapses in memory and suffered from confusion. After a month in the hospital, a decision was made to transfer Daniel to Kessler Rehabilitation Center in West Orange, New Jersey.
The next two months of intense therapy from the doctors and therapists at Kessler would be critical to his recovery. With their help, he relearned basic skills, such as how to walk and talk, and how to manage pain. Then began intensive therapy, that would continue for over a year and half to rebuild his cognitive function. If you met Daniel today, you would not realize the extent of his injuries other than the obvious scars he has over his body. This would not have been possible without the exceptional team approach and dedication of the staff at Kessler.
Suggested Places To Donate
With the support of generous donors, Kessler Foundation drives positive change for people with disabilities. They conduct groundbreaking rehabilitation and disability employment research and fund innovative initiatives to provide access to job opportunities. Their scientists seek to improve cognition, mobility, and long-term outcomes, including employment, for adults and children with neurological and developmental disabilities of the brain and spinal cord including traumatic brain injury, spinal cord injury, stroke, MS, and autism.
They help people regain independence to lead full and productive lives.
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