Former Councilwoman Pushes for Further Brain Injury Research

TWIN FALLS In three months, a former Twin Falls city councilwoman traveled more than 8,000 miles to raise awareness about brain injuries.

Pam Dowd went to more than 20 states, visiting brain injury rehabilitation centers and families of patients recovering from brain injuries.

The Boise resident, who lived in Twin Falls for more than 30 years, left on Sept. 22 and traveled across the country in a 34-foot motorhome.

Now that shes back from her cross-country trip, Dowd is working to form a nonprofit organization called Brennas Hope Foundation.

Dowds daughter, Brenna, died in 2011 at age 28.

She suffered a medically unexplained anoxic brain injury in May 2010 after retina repair surgery.

We fought for her recovery for 16 months, Dowd said.

There was a time when Brenna could walk using a LiteGait machine. But flu season hit, and she couldnt leave her room.

Dowd said the paperwork made it look like her daughter wasnt progressing, so she was cut off from therapy.

Brenna suffered a sudden cardiac arrest and spent five days at a hospital.

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Former Councilwoman Pushes for Further Brain Injury Research