LOUISVILLE, Ky. — Emalee Aldridge, 27, understands a traumatic brain injury can be devastating.

About 5 years ago, her brother-in-law was riding a bike when he fell and hit his head on a rock. She said he was rushed to the hospital, fell into a 3-month long coma and had to re-learn how to walk. He had a serious traumatic brain injury.

“It changed his life forever. He was a really successful financial adviser. The effects of the brain injury caused him to lose his job,” Aldridge explained.

He now requires constant care and has a hard time with social skills, she said. “It impacted him really severely.”

Since her brother was wearing a helmet, she said it saved his life.

“The helmet absolutely prevented the injury from being fatal.” Aldridge said. “Without it, he absolutely would not have survived.”

Through the use of helmets, Chiropractor Patrick Lowe hopes to help Kentucky kids stay safe. He paid for 500 red and blue bike helmets out of his own pocket and gave them away to kids at a community event he and his team hosted earlier this spring in Louisville.

This was the third year of helmet giveaways. It was all to raise awareness of traumatic brain injuries.

“If one of these 500 helmets can prevent one kid from having even a mild brain injury, that could affect their school year. Not only their life, but their school year,” said Lowe, the owner of Lowe Chiropractic & Wellness. “It’s worth it. We want to help one kid make a big difference.”

The Centers for Disease Control said Traumatic Brain Injury is a major cause of death and disability in the U.S. Over 223,000 people were hospitalized in 2019, but there were 64,000 TBI-related deaths in 2020. The National Library of Medicine says over 1.7 million people in the U.S. suffer from TBI.

“I want to help parents have this as a resource so parents can get what they need so there’s not a concern.” Lowe said as he held one helmet in his hand. “They can let their kids go do things. They can ride skateboards, they can do all the stuff. Just wear a helmet. They’re cool!”

The way Aldridge sees it, this is deeply important, and it matters to many people.

“It’s so personal and so deep to my heart. I think being able to team up with Dr. Lowe and actually prevent this from happening in the future is why it’s so important to me.” Aldridge explained. “And because I want people to live their happiest, most independent and best lives.”

They’re all hoping these helmets protect every child who wears one. Lowe said he will do the event again next year.