An estimated 2.8 million people in the US sustain a Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) annually. Of them: 50,000 die, 282,000 are hospitalized, and 2.5 million are treated and released from an emergency department.
The ‘Kel Strong’ Mabatah Foundation’s mission is to help create a better future for those impacted by traumatic brain injuries through financial support for treatment and services on their journey to recovery. Kel Matabah sustained a traumatic brain injury after he was brutally attacked more than 10 years ago while in Nigeria. At TIRR Memorial Hermann, Kel had to relearn how to walk, speak and do many tasks he was no longer able to do. Not only did Kel learn to do these things again, but his intense therapy gave him the opportunity to compete and win bodybuilding competitions all around the United States. His journey inspired him to establish the ‘Kel Strong’ Matabah Foundation to help others at TIRR Memorial Hermann.
The ‘Kel Strong’ Mabatah Scholarship is a donor funded scholarship that provides individuals with 15 therapy sessions or assistance towards out-of-pocket costs for a maximum of $7,500. The scholarship will support 15 sessions of one therapy discipline (i.e. PT, OT, or SLP) at TIRR Memorial Hermann.
The ‘Kel Strong’ Matabah Foundation hosted its 4th annual tennis tournament fundraiser last fall at Kinkaid High School, where Kel attended and played tennis. The money raised is providing funding for these scholarships. The Kel Strong Foundation is supporting eight scholarships (the most since the foundation was started) this year and has funded more than $150,000 since 2020.
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