Four years ago yesterday, Tim Berta was on a bus headed to Florida for a baseball tournament when the bus carrying him and his teammates crashed, leaving seven dead. Berta survived but suffered a traumatic brain injury.
He will speak to Ohio University tomorrow as part of Communication Sciences’ Disorders and Awareness Week, hosted by OU’s chapter of National Student Speech Language and Hearing Association.
“We really want to have a lot of people here to welcome him,” said Maddie Wilson, president of NSSLHA.
Berta will speak about his accident and his experience with communication disorders since he was injured in the bus crash.
“He’s a fellow student and is going through all the same things we’re going through, plus his accident,” Wilson said.
ESPN will also be on hand to cover his speech at 7 p.m. in the Baker University Center Ballroom.
In a written statement, Berta said he is “looking forward to sharing (his) severe traumatic brain injury experience/challenges with Ohio University.”
Events will also be held today in Baker Center Theatre from 12 to 3 p.m.
“The point of the week was to make people aware of communication disorders,” Wilson said.
Participants will have a chance to learn about communication disorders and be eligible to win prizes for participating in activities. One activity will consist of people drinking a thick liquid to imitate the effects of a swallowing disorder, Wilson said.
Prizes include a “Chipotle four pack” and other items from Uptown businesses.
“Not only are people going to learn something, but there’s prizes too,” Wilson said. “I just really hope students come out and support this event.”
Dean of Students Ryan Lombardi will also make an appearance and take a 15-minute vow of silence where he will only be able to communicate using communication aids, such as a specially designed iPod application for people with communication disorders.
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