Format of Program

Assemblies are 45 minutes in length and vary according to the age of the audience. Assemblies are provided to schools free of charge. Each assembly features the following:

Informative Presentation - A healthcare professional explains the basic anatomy of the central nervous system and the permanent physiological changes caused by a brain or spinal cord injury. Students learn common causes of these injuries, ways to prevent them, and who is most at risk. Also stressed is the fact that these injuries are permanent, but are often predictable and preventable.

Compelling Testimony - A survivor of a traumatic brain or spinal cord injury provides the most effective and memorable component of the program. A ThinkFirst Voices for Injury Prevention (VIP) speaker describes life before their injury, explains how their injury occurred and how it could have been prevented and shares what it's like to be young and live with a disability. Students listen closely when a peer says, "I can't feel or move my legs anymore," "Dating is really different now," "I don't use the bathroom the way I used to," "If I'd worn my seat belt, I wouldn't be paralyzed," or "I never thought this would happen to me."  ThinkFirst of Greater Kansas City VIP speakers are carefully selected for their ability to identify with and motivate young audiences.

Also available at assemblies for kindergarten through 2nd grade is “Street Smart,” the Safety Superhero cartoon. “Street Smart” delights young children and gives them valuable safety tips they can use in everyday life.

A Question and Answer session follows the VIP speaker testimony.