Head injury victim receives provincial award for public speaking

After spending 75 days in the hospital for treatment related to a serious head injury, Tyler Lisacek never imagined he would end up travelling 5,000 kilometres to share his story with other young people.

These days, the 19-year-old Dunvegan resident said the experience of doing so - including the feedback he has received along the way - has inspired him to consider public speaking as long as he can.

"If I can, I would love to continue," he told The Review. "It's not every day a young person can meet someone like me, so why not run with it as much as possible?"

Lisacek was cycling about one kilometre from his home on July 4, 2005 when he was struck by an SUV traveling at about 92 kilometres per hour. Though he had a bicycle helmet with him, he was not wearing it at the time.

Thirteen years old at the time, Lisacek suffered a massive brain trauma and spent some time in a coma. Once awoken, he began an extensive rehabilitation process, which included physiotherapy, occupational therapy and speech therapy, among others.

"Pretty much, I got my body working again," he said, noting he suffered for years from severe memory loss and tremors in his hands. To this day, he cannot participate in certain sports or ride ATVs.

"The brain was damaged all over, everything is affected," Lisacek continued. "It's like having to start your life over again... my memory only came back after the first few years."

As he was being discharged from the hospital, Lisacek was asked if he would like to share his story with other youth. He agreed, beginning a journey which has now culminated in 160 hours, 42 presentations, and speaking to more than 8,000 people.

For his initiative, called the Voice of Injury Prevention, Lisacek was called to Toronto last week to receive the Ontario Medal for Young Volunteers from the province's Lieutenant Governor.

"Over the years, I've gotten pretty good at it," he said of his public speaking. "I talk about what happened to me, what I had to do, and how I'm still being affected. I don't want anyone else to have to go through that."

Lisacek has also partnered with the Ottawa chapter of ThinkFirst, a non-profit organization dedicated to the prevention of brain and spinal cord injuries. He said he tells his peers to do exactly that - think first - before getting on a bicycle without a helmet.

He also reminds them that there's always hope, even in the worst situations. And though it was sometimes difficult to continue with his public speaking tour, Lisacek said he has been encouraged by his friends and strangers along the way.

"I felt better when a parent approached me one day and said to me, 'My kids talk about you all the time. You're a sign of hope, you give people hope.'"

These days, Lisacek is enrolled in a variety of courses at Heritage Academy in Ottawa, including physics, history, small business, and arts and design. He said he would like to try graphic design and photography in the future.

"I'll do the presentations as long as I can, and volunteer as much as I can," he added.