JOSH MORROS #351 - BIO
Just 2 years, 4 months and 28 days ago, at 16 years old, I lay in a comatose state at Intermountain Medical Center in Jordan, Utah for 24 days with a severe traumatic brain injury. I was given very little chance of survival because lack of brain activity. If I awoke from the coma, my parents, who were trying to comprehend the prognosis, were told to prepare for extreme disabilities that would require full time nursing care for the rest of my life. Prior to my accident, my young career allowed me to capture over 200 podium finishes with 108 being on the top step in first place. I was expected and proving to be the next big thing in the Off-Road MX Racing World. Achieving the feat of becoming the youngest professional in Off-Racing history, being chosen to ride and represent the USA in the prestigious International Six Days Endo (ISDE)(Olympics of off-road racing), along with being a factory contracted rider, I thought I had the world in the palm of my hands. Then one day, at the blink of an eye, a crash going 80 mph plus on that desert course in a Natl’ Hare & Hound competition, changed my whole world. In that moment, which I didn’t understand or comprehend at the time, my life gained true meaning.
The Journey began. My once over achieving personality started to fight for restoring hope and overcoming the physical and mental challenges….THE REALITY OF THE RECOVERY PROCESS. The love of the sport gave me the will and determination allowing progress at an unexplainable rate, getting me back on the bike within 4 months after the accident, striving to achieve one of the greatest comebacks in Off-Road history. Doctors have called my recovery miraculous, and credit a lot of it to my nutrition before and after the accident, not to mention their quick assessment of my needs. I have been more fortunate than 99% of people with similar brain injuries like mine. Doctors tell me that only 1% of people that have had brain injuries like I sustained get back to my level of functioning. Within the last 2 years, 4 months and 26 days, I have had to learn how to walk, talk and start schooling at the beginning; I am almost done with high school and looking forward to receiving my diploma. From learning the basics, I also had to retake my driving exam and driving test. In 2009 a year after my accident, I rode and finished the race I nearly died in the year prior. I also competed in approx 10 races in 2010. Disappointed at the beginning that I was not on top of the podium, I quickly realized being a champion was not just about winning, it was about the message. I have spoke to several youth groups in hopes of giving them inspiration. I have helped others in my sport with the challenges of recovery, which is something I will always continue to do..
I was spared and restored for something that a 1st place trophy could never give me, and that is to give back by helping others that have lost hope, and promote awareness by forming a foundation called THE BRAIN INITIATIVE (T.B.I). The purpose of T.B.I. is to let others know they are not alone in the journey back from their injury. Every 23 seconds someone in the US sustains a brain injury. Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) is a silent yet serious epidemic currently leaving 5.3 million Americans with disabilities, 100,000 which are our veterans. Then there are our children and athletics that do not get treated for a mild concussion and continue to play sports, resulting in a TBI or death. There is a need for understanding the effects, like the fact that even a mild concussion puts one at a higher risk of memory loss, Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s disease.
I believe I have gone beyond the impossible through proper nourishment, treatment and exercise. I believe I show the true meaning for “DETERMINATION” and can be a good role model for my fans, young and old. Having several goals, I plan to campaign selected race series, along with reaching out to community senior centers, youth centers/schools and hospitals. I also want to make a DVD that can be handed out with each purchase of an off-road vehicle that promotes awareness, preparation, prevention, safety and treatment, including a simple test that can be performed to indicate if a minor crash has caused a concussion. My biggest goal for 2011 is to ride my road bicycle from my hometown in Reno, Nevada to Vienna, Pa., where the Brain Injury Association of the United States of America is located, to promote awareness and my personal story.
Brain injuries are very serious and life changing for Americans of all ages. This is a conversation that has been started and needs to be continued until more awareness and more resources are available.
www.johnmorros351@hotmail.com
joshmorros.com
thebraininitiative.org
“IT WAS ALL ABOUT THE WIN…..NOW IT’S ALL ABOUT THE JOURNEY”
2010 – STARTED, “THE BRAIN INITIATIVE’ FOUNDATION
2009 – “POWER TO RECOVER” REACH OUT PROGRAM, INSPIRE OTHERS WITH ADVERSITY
2008 - SURVIVED A TRAUMATIC BRAIN INJURY August 16, 2008
2008 – TURNED PRO (April 11, 2008) – YOUNGEST EVER IN HISTORY OF OFF-ROAD MX RACING TO ACCOMPLISH THIS TASK.
2008 - QUALIFIED FOR ISDE JR. TROPHY TEAM.
2008 - EARNED #3 PLATE IN THE NATIONAL HARE & HOUND SERIES.
2008 – BITD Laughlin U.S. Hare Scrambles ---1st OA Champions/1st Open Pro
2007 – National #8 Open-A HARE & HOUND Series
2007 – NATIONAL AMA 250A HARE & HOUND CHAMPION
2007 – 12 Hrs. of Glen Helen --- 1st OA Champions
2006 – 1ST PLACE O.A. CHAMPION MRANN SERIES–YOUNGEST T O FINISH OVER ALL AT AGE OF 14.
2006 – SILVER LINING: REMOUNT PROJECT (rebuilding home for elderly philanthropist)
2005 – NATIONAL CHAMPION 85cc – WORCS SERIES.
2005 – 2ND PLACE NATIONAL SUPERMINI – WORCS SERIES.
2005 – SUMMIT CHRISTIAN CHURH YOUTH GROUP ROLE MODEL
2004 – 2ND PLACE NATIONAL SUPERMINI – WORCS SERIES.
2004 – SKY TAVERN JUNIOR SNOWBOARDER
2003 – 2ND PLACE NATIONAL 80cc EXPERT – WORCS SERIES.
2003 – 7TH GRADE BASKETBALL STARTER AND WRESTLING TEAM 1ST STRING
2002 – CHAMPION 80cc EXPERT— MRANN SERIES.
2002 – 3RD NATIONAL 80cc EXPERT – WORCS SERIES.
2002 – YOUTH FOOTBALL CENTER
2001 – CHAMPION 60cc EXPERT— MRANN SERIES.
2001 – YOUTH FOOTBALL QUARTERBACK AND RUNNING BACK
Just 2 years, 4 months and 28 days ago, at 16 years old, I lay in a comatose state at Intermountain Medical Center in Jordan, Utah for 24 days with a severe traumatic brain injury. I was given very little chance of survival because lack of brain activity. If I awoke from the coma, my parents, who were trying to comprehend the prognosis, were told to prepare for extreme disabilities that would require full time nursing care for the rest of my life. Prior to my accident, my young career allowed me to capture over 200 podium finishes with 108 being on the top step in first place. I was expected and proving to be the next big thing in the Off-Road MX Racing World. Achieving the feat of becoming the youngest professional in Off-Racing history, being chosen to ride and represent the USA in the prestigious International Six Days Endo (ISDE)(Olympics of off-road racing), along with being a factory contracted rider, I thought I had the world in the palm of my hands. Then one day, at the blink of an eye, a crash going 80 mph plus on that desert course in a Natl’ Hare & Hound competition, changed my whole world. In that moment, which I didn’t understand or comprehend at the time, my life gained true meaning.
The Journey began. My once over achieving personality started to fight for restoring hope and overcoming the physical and mental challenges….THE REALITY OF THE RECOVERY PROCESS. The love of the sport gave me the will and determination allowing progress at an unexplainable rate, getting me back on the bike within 4 months after the accident, striving to achieve one of the greatest comebacks in Off-Road history. Doctors have called my recovery miraculous, and credit a lot of it to my nutrition before and after the accident, not to mention their quick assessment of my needs. I have been more fortunate than 99% of people with similar brain injuries like mine. Doctors tell me that only 1% of people that have had brain injuries like I sustained get back to my level of functioning. Within the last 2 years, 4 months and 26 days, I have had to learn how to walk, talk and start schooling at the beginning; I am almost done with high school and looking forward to receiving my diploma. From learning the basics, I also had to retake my driving exam and driving test. In 2009 a year after my accident, I rode and finished the race I nearly died in the year prior. I also competed in approx 10 races in 2010. Disappointed at the beginning that I was not on top of the podium, I quickly realized being a champion was not just about winning, it was about the message. I have spoke to several youth groups in hopes of giving them inspiration. I have helped others in my sport with the challenges of recovery, which is something I will always continue to do..
I was spared and restored for something that a 1st place trophy could never give me, and that is to give back by helping others that have lost hope, and promote awareness by forming a foundation called THE BRAIN INITIATIVE (T.B.I). The purpose of T.B.I. is to let others know they are not alone in the journey back from their injury. Every 23 seconds someone in the US sustains a brain injury. Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) is a silent yet serious epidemic currently leaving 5.3 million Americans with disabilities, 100,000 which are our veterans. Then there are our children and athletics that do not get treated for a mild concussion and continue to play sports, resulting in a TBI or death. There is a need for understanding the effects, like the fact that even a mild concussion puts one at a higher risk of memory loss, Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s disease.
I believe I have gone beyond the impossible through proper nourishment, treatment and exercise. I believe I show the true meaning for “DETERMINATION” and can be a good role model for my fans, young and old. Having several goals, I plan to campaign selected race series, along with reaching out to community senior centers, youth centers/schools and hospitals. I also want to make a DVD that can be handed out with each purchase of an off-road vehicle that promotes awareness, preparation, prevention, safety and treatment, including a simple test that can be performed to indicate if a minor crash has caused a concussion. My biggest goal for 2011 is to ride my road bicycle from my hometown in Reno, Nevada to Vienna, Pa., where the Brain Injury Association of the United States of America is located, to promote awareness and my personal story.
Brain injuries are very serious and life changing for Americans of all ages. This is a conversation that has been started and needs to be continued until more awareness and more resources are available.
www.johnmorros351@hotmail.com
joshmorros.com
thebraininitiative.org
“IT WAS ALL ABOUT THE WIN…..NOW IT’S ALL ABOUT THE JOURNEY”
2010 – STARTED, “THE BRAIN INITIATIVE’ FOUNDATION
2009 – “POWER TO RECOVER” REACH OUT PROGRAM, INSPIRE OTHERS WITH ADVERSITY
2008 - SURVIVED A TRAUMATIC BRAIN INJURY August 16, 2008
2008 – TURNED PRO (April 11, 2008) – YOUNGEST EVER IN HISTORY OF OFF-ROAD MX RACING TO ACCOMPLISH THIS TASK.
2008 - QUALIFIED FOR ISDE JR. TROPHY TEAM.
2008 - EARNED #3 PLATE IN THE NATIONAL HARE & HOUND SERIES.
2008 – BITD Laughlin U.S. Hare Scrambles ---1st OA Champions/1st Open Pro
2007 – National #8 Open-A HARE & HOUND Series
2007 – NATIONAL AMA 250A HARE & HOUND CHAMPION
2007 – 12 Hrs. of Glen Helen --- 1st OA Champions
2006 – 1ST PLACE O.A. CHAMPION MRANN SERIES–YOUNGEST T O FINISH OVER ALL AT AGE OF 14.
2006 – SILVER LINING: REMOUNT PROJECT (rebuilding home for elderly philanthropist)
2005 – NATIONAL CHAMPION 85cc – WORCS SERIES.
2005 – 2ND PLACE NATIONAL SUPERMINI – WORCS SERIES.
2005 – SUMMIT CHRISTIAN CHURH YOUTH GROUP ROLE MODEL
2004 – 2ND PLACE NATIONAL SUPERMINI – WORCS SERIES.
2004 – SKY TAVERN JUNIOR SNOWBOARDER
2003 – 2ND PLACE NATIONAL 80cc EXPERT – WORCS SERIES.
2003 – 7TH GRADE BASKETBALL STARTER AND WRESTLING TEAM 1ST STRING
2002 – CHAMPION 80cc EXPERT— MRANN SERIES.
2002 – 3RD NATIONAL 80cc EXPERT – WORCS SERIES.
2002 – YOUTH FOOTBALL CENTER
2001 – CHAMPION 60cc EXPERT— MRANN SERIES.
2001 – YOUTH FOOTBALL QUARTERBACK AND RUNNING BACK
1/15/2011 5:03pm
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