Breckenridge Man Credits Colorado History For Brain Injury Recovery

CBS4 is starting a new tradition this season called "The 12 Days of Christmas." For the 12 days leading up to Christmas, CBS4 will introduce viewers to some remarkably giving people. They are with foundations or organizations, and CBS4 wants to spotlight their passion for helping other people and hopefully share with viewers what this season is all about -- giving.

BRECKENRIDGE, Colo. (CBS4) - A young man from Breckenridge almost didn't make it to see last Christmas, but it's surprising to see how far he's come in a year. The history of the state of Colorado has inspired a remarkable road to recovery.

"Through college my friends used to joke that I was a history dork, history buff, all about Colorado and quirky facts," brain injury survivor Chad Zanca said.

But to understand Chad's love for Colorado, one needs to go to New Zealand, where Chad was on a surfing trip when he was assaulted by two gang members.

"I woke up in the hospital," he said.

Chad doesn't remember getting hit, but he thinks he was jumped from behind.

"Pretty much right above my ear; blunt injury, blunt force trauma," Chad said.

"He had suffered three seizures in three hours, which is not a good thing," Chad's mother Pat Zanca said. "Some of them were quite prolonged in time."

"I was in the hospital for seven weeks in New Zealand; the recovery was pretty brutal," Chad said. "At first it was tough to even talk."

"He spoke like a toddler at 24 years old. Like a toddler, like a baby," Pat said.

"Slurring my speech, that was a big problem I have; and saying larger words. To articulate that, that was tough for me," Chad said.

Chad made his way back to Colorado and began intensive therapy. That's when he decided to do something with his love for the state's history.

"He'd mentioned this two years ago saying, 'I might build a calendar' " Chad's father Peter Zanca said. "You need to pursue this; this is going to be a really good rehab for you."

"Just doing the research and looking at different maps and graphs and all sorts of Colorado history, fun stuff," Chad said. "My mind wanted to learn more. It wanted to improve itself."

That's maybe the most impressive part about Chad's journey. His calendar is sold at bookstores throughout the state this holiday season.

But Chad is not too far removed from his traumatic injury.

"I think my last seizure was about a year ago," he said.

"His motivation got him through. He wanted to be fine and he is fine," Pat said.

"This was, producing this, doing the research, so many hours, countless hours; to produce this made my brain heal faster," Chad said.

Chad is giving part of his profits to the Brain Injury Alliance of Colorado, an organization that helped with his recovery.

"For his recovery, with the injury, you have to wait. It'll come. You will be better -- time, patience, love and support; you'll be okay," Pat said.

To purchase a 2012 Calendar with "365 Colorful Facts about Colorado," visit: http://www.thecoloradocalendar.com/purchase.html

About The Brain Injury Alliance of Colorado

The Brain Injury Alliance of Colorado is the only statewide non-profit exclusively dedicated to brain injury. Our mission is to improve the quality of life for individuals with brain injuries and their families and support programs to prevent brain injuries. Visit biacolorado.org, and consider purchasing the 365 Colorful Facts About Colorado 2012 Calendar. (10% of proceeds go to the Brain Injury Alliance of Colorado.)