Camp Courageous is deeply saddened by the passing of Kay Graber, 89, of Mt. Vernon, Iowa. Kay was an extraordinary trailblazer — a woman who blazed countless paths so that thousands of others could follow.

A lifelong educator, Kay dedicated many years to teaching before becoming Director of Community Relations for the Grant Wood Area Education Agency. In that role, she helped shape the educational landscape of Eastern Iowa for 25 years, building vital relationships between the state, local schools, and the communities they served.

The paths of Camp Courageous and Kay Graber first crossed in 1980, when the Graber family’s lives changed dramatically following a devastating jeep accident that left their son, Mark, comatose with a brain stem injury and paralyzed from the neck down. After experts determined there was little hope for rehabilitation, Kay brought Mark home, hired a nurse and physical therapist, and devoted herself to his care, personally tending to him on weekends. Mark lived another three years before passing away from pneumonia, but during that time Kay transformed personal tragedy into powerful advocacy.

Recognizing the lack of information and resources for families facing brain injury, Kay organized a support group that grew into a statewide movement. She later helped establish what became one of the founding chapters of the Brain Injury Association of America. Through her advocacy, education, and tireless leadership, Kay gave a voice to countless individuals and families navigating life after brain injury.

In 1980, Camp Courageous joined with many families — including the Graber family — to help organize and give birth to the Brain Injury Association of Iowa, an all-volunteer organization committed to building partnerships across the state to serve Iowans with brain injuries, their families, caregivers, professionals, and communities. Together, they worked toward a better future through prevention, advocacy, education, research, and support.

During these early years, Camp Courageous began offering dedicated Brain Injury Week programming, bringing together campers who shared similar challenges and experiences. Families such as Clark and Shirley Lane of Humboldt, whose son Bill continues to attend Brain Injury Week, helped shape the foundation of this growing movement. Early planning meetings were often held in living rooms — including gatherings during RAGBRAI — where passionate advocates envisioned how to start, build, and grow the Brain Injury Association of Iowa.

National awareness around brain injury grew significantly following the 1981 assassination attempt on President Ronald Reagan, when Press Secretary Jim Brady suffered a catastrophic brain injury. Moments like these amplified the voices of advocates such as Kay, helping bring greater attention to the needs of survivors and their families at both state and federal levels.

Kay’s extraordinary service earned widespread recognition. She was honored by KCRG as a “9 Who Care” recipient and later represented Iowa in Washington, D.C., where she received a national Jefferson Award for public service — a fitting tribute to her lifelong dedication to helping others.

Kay Graber was truly one of a kind. Her legacy lives on in the values she instilled, the love she shared freely, and the countless lives she touched. Camp Courageous extends its heartfelt sympathy to her husband, Cot, her sons David and Jack, and to all family members and friends who mourn her loss while celebrating a remarkable life.