My Mission

In 1991 when I was in the sixth grade, my health teacher let me know that students had been asking her questions about me and she didn't feel comfortable answering them herself.  I will never forget what she said next; "Courtney, I think it's time that you share your story."  That's when my speaking career began, in the sixth grade when I was 11 years old with a microphone attached to me, sharing my survival story.   On October 9th 1988, when I was 8 years old I was in a serious car accident, suffering  a traumatic brain injury (TBI).  Since that moment, I have made it my mission in life to educate people about TBI and how it can affect your life.  If I can reach just one person, I will have achieved my goal.

St. Mary's Parish Longmeadow, MA 01106

Courtney’s first speaking opportunity was to address the Faith Formation students at St. Mary’s Parish in Longmeadow, MA. In preparing her talk, she researched Saint John Licci, the patron saint of traumatic brain injury. Although not widely known, St. John Licci is a powerful intercessor for those suffering from head injuries.

St. John Licci is recognized as one of the Church’s longest-living holy men, reaching the age of 111. He spent his life in a small town near Palermo, Sicily, and became renowned for his miracles. Among these, he blessed a widow whose breadbox remained miraculously full, sustaining her and her six children; he protected parishioners’ cattle from disease; and he healed three people with crushed heads. Because of these miracles, St. John Licci was named the patron saint of head injuries.