“I want people to know that LYB is available as a space for community, continued healing, and resources.” - Nick Aguilera (he/him)
Meet LoveYourBrain Volunteer, Nick Aguilera!
Nick (he/him) cares deeply about making bicycling better for people of all ages and abilities. Nick sustained a TBI on a bike ride last July. He spent about 1.5 months in the hospital, followed by weeks of outpatient care. In his words, “LoveYourBrain and the Ride for Resilience campaign have provided great community, resources, and connection to me as I have healed.”
This year Nick is supporting our 3rd annual Ride for Resilience, fueled by his desire to help others safely walk, bike, and roll around their communities and deeply care for their brains while they’re at it!
We sat down to learn more about what inspires Nick to support our community:
How did you get involved with LoveYourBrain and what does the LYB community mean to you??
I experienced a Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) on a bike ride in July 2021. I was connected with LoveYourBrain by staff at Craig Hospital and immediately followed LYB on social media. I signed up to participate in the Ride For Resilience discussion group in Spring 2022. Connection to others who have also experienced TBI while bicycling, as well as LoveYourBrain’s resources and advocacy, helps me know I am not alone as I continue healing and adapting post-TBI. I love talking to and learning from others’ experiences as they return to bicycling.
I want everyone who is healing after TBI to also know they are not alone.
As a Ride for Resilience volunteer, tell us a bit more about your experience volunteering for the Ride for Resilience and how you're supporting LYB!
As Accessibility and Advocacy Chair, I have helped LoveYourBrain connect with bicycle advocacy organizations and members of the bicycle industry. I’m helping the team compile tips and advice for people to create accessible + inclusive rides AND advocate for accessibility and inclusivity in bicycling more broadly.
How has volunteering for LYB impacted you?
I continue to benefit from my connection to LoveYourBrain and folks I met during last year’s Ride For Resilience, even if we just follow each other on Strava!
I’ve always cared deeply about making bicycling safe, accessible for people of all ages and abilities and help do so through my job at PeopleForBikes. I’m happy to help LoveYourBrain connect to organizations and resources in the bicycle advocacy space to amplify and strengthen LoveYourBrain’s work.
What advice would you give to someone interested in volunteering for LYB?
Check out the Ride For Resilience website and get involved in your community! Check out the community rides already happening around the country. Want to make a ride happen near you? Reach out to LYB directly!
LoveYourBrain shares other volunteer opportunities on their website for ways to help beyond Ride For Resilience. Check them out! And tell your friends, loved ones, and community about LoveYourBrain’s work.
What motivated you to volunteer for LYB?
I want others to have the same community support I’ve felt talking about and returning to bicycling after TBI.
I want people to know that LYB is available as a space for community, continued healing, and resources. Ride For Resilience is especially great for people who have suffered TBI through bicycling. I want all people who ride bikes to work together to create safe places to ride and know how to support each other after an accident or collision.
Connect with Nick at our community rides in Boulder, CO - and - learn how you can support as a volunteer!