Ben Vereen hosts fundraiser for brain center

Vereen hosts fundraiser for $32M brain center
By PEGGY HARRIS – 24 minutes ago

LITTLE ROCK, Ark. (AP) — Because of his own injuries, Ben Vereen seems like a natural to highlight a fundraiser for an institute that researches brain damage, but it took an introduction from the woman who walks his dog to make it happen.

Vereen was in Little Rock on Friday to visit hospital patients and raise money for a $32 million center at the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences. The Psychiatric Research Institute, opening in December, is one of a few centers that offer outpatient and inpatient care, research and education in one setting.

A car crash June 9, 1992, damaged an artery in Vereen's brain. He suffered a stroke the same day and that night was hit by a sport utility vehicle and thrown 130 feet while walking along the Pacific Coast Highway.

"The doctor said it would be at least three years before I would even walk again," Vereen said in a telephone interview from New York City before his trip to Arkansas. "They told me that I should start thinking about another career."

Ten months later the Tony winner was back on Broadway, performing opposite Gregory Hines in "Jelly's Last Jam" and later performed in "Fosse."

Now he dedicates much of what he does to others. He said he wants those suffering from brain injury, post-traumatic stress disorder and mental illness to know he's with them in their battle to take back their lives.
click post title for more