Jammin' for brain injury victims

SPARTA — Considered a silent epidemic, traumatic brain injury occurs more than one would think.
"The annual incident of brain injury alone in this country is higher than breast cancer, multiple sclerosis, spinal cord injury and HIV/AIDS combined," said Jon Kinsella, spokesman for the Brain Injury Alliance of New Jersey.
It is estimated that 12,000 to 15,000 New Jersey residents suffer brain injuries from traumatic events each year, of which 1,000 are fatal, according to the New Jersey Department of Health & Senior Services’ New Jersey Commission on Brain Injury Research. Approximately 175,000 New Jersey residents currently live with disabilities from traumatic brain injuries.
Yet despite these staggering numbers, the public recognition of traumatic brain injury is still extremely low.
Scott Harris, former Wild West City cowboy and native of Byram, deals with this injury first hand after being shot in the forehead with a real bullet during a fake gunfight in 2006 at the theme park in Stanhope.
Harris' accident, court hearings and lawsuits that followed have been widely publicized, leading friends of Harris to utilize his spotlight to raise awareness on brain injuries.
Erin Braun of Byram and close friend of Harris, will be hosting the 1st Annual Clam Jam with Scotty, Sept. 29 at the Village Saloon in Sparta, which will benefit brain injury in the Garden State. All proceeds will be donated to the Brain Injury Alliance of NJ in Harris' name sake.
"I wanted to change all the negative energy into positive energy and the way to do that is by starting a benefit," said Braun. "I asked Scott what are two things that he enjoys in life and he said music and clams. And I said OK looks like we are going to do a clam jam."
Harris has a bachelor's degree in classical guitar from Montclair University. Prior to the accident, he would play at weddings and taught lessons both privately and at the Music Den in Randolph. He loves Led Zepplin and the Grateful Dead.
Throughout the six years of recovery, Harris said he learned something.
"Keep smiling but its a strange... road," Harris said. "I have progressed, but not nearly where I would like to be. I am alive and that is the most important."
The Brain Injury Alliance provides support for individuals who have sustained any and every type of brain injury, both traumatic and acquired.
Additionally, the alliance works to support anyone around the individual affected.
"Not only does it affect the individual, but it also affects their entire social network — from family members, to close friend and coworkers," said Kinsella. "Roles and relationships change."
In Harris' case, he has his fiance Kathi Unangst to help support him through his journey to recovery.
"My fiance Kathi has stood by me and helped me see the positives that I could not see sometimes," Harris said. "Its an up and down slope. We have good days and bad days."
Aiding the alliance in their goal to improve the quality of life people experience after brain injury and educating the public about brain injuries, the clam jam hopes to gain a large turnout and donations. The event will include soda, clams and buffet, cash bar, live music by many local performers, a tricky tray and more.
"We are hoping to raise awareness for alliance," said Braun. "And to help everybody — not just for Scott Harris — there are a lot of Scott Harris’ out there."
Tickets for the Clam Jam are $35 per person. For more information or to purchase tickets call Erin Braun at 201-230-3354 or Kathi Unangst at 201-486-2788.
For more information on the Brain Injury Alliance of NJ visit bianj.org.