Raising awareness

Ever since April of 2015, the lives of Mamou resident Chasity Monier’s family changed forever when her son, Alex Wilson, was in a horrific accident that resulted in a traumatic brain injury. Monier shares, “Anyone that knows me, knows I always try to raise awareness and funds when possible for Traumatic Brain Injury each March because of my sweet boy Alex.” She shares this year was a little different, as Alex had been extremely sick for the past few months.
However, Monier declares, “Amazing things always happen when I least expect it. This was just an unexpected blessing. This year, a little girl that I have never even met personally before heard about Alex’s story and how I was raising awareness, as well as funds to donate to people just like Alex. Well not, only did she make me my own special pair of brain injury awareness earrings, she also made some extras and starting selling them to raise funds. She set her initial goal at $100 and she didn’t stop there. She kept pushing and having her family members post on social media about her mission.”
Aubree Rodriguez, the nine-year-old daughter of Dylan Rodriguez and Lacey LeJeune of Eunice, raised a total of $400 and had her aunt, Jessica Foret of Mamou, send the money to Monier to donate it to the cause.
Monier shares, “I just want to take a minute to say to little Aubree, ‘Thank you so much from the bottom of my heart. You are truly a little angel and your parents have done an amazing job with you. Keep on pushing for the things that you believe in. You have already made a huge difference just by this one kind act and I know that you will continue to do good things in this world. It truly touches my heart to know that there are still kind people in this world especially someone so young. It gives me hope in our next generation.’”
Alex’s fight through his traumatic brain injury sadly ended when he passed away on Sunday, April 2, before he could meet Aubree. Monier says, “Even though he is gone I will continue to raise awareness and continue to keep his memory alive. I am completely heartbroken. He really was my entire world. The days will never be the same without my beautiful boy here with me.”