A Newfoundlander who suffered a traumatic brain injury in British Columbia in 2003 is using his experience as a springboard to spread the word about brain injuries. Nick Mercer was an active and athletic student pursuing his master’s degree in Victoria, BC, when his life took a turn. During his studies he trained for the local triathlon team, but suffered severe brain damage when he hit a tree while out on his bike. His helmet, which was shattered in the crash, saved his life, but the injury landed him in the hospital in a coma. The injury he suffered was life-threatening, but all brain injuries are considered serious. Mercer returned home in 2010 and remains active and athletic. Although the injury still affects his speech, it hasn’t stopped him from hosting a Concussion Talk podcast to spread the word about brain injuries. It brings together various experts in the field to enable people to better understand the effects of brain injuries. So far, he has spoken with 136 experts on his podcast.
