The 'Kel Strong' Mabatah Foundation Gala Changes Lives For Individuals Impacted by Brain Injuries

Welcome back to Great Day. After a Welcome back to Great Day. After a life-threatening attack, my next guest life-threatening attack, my next guest life-threatening attack, my next guest turned adversity into action, and now turned adversity into action, and now turned adversity into action, and now he's helping others to do the same. he's helping others to do the same. he's helping others to do the same. Colubia Mabata is the founder and Colubia Mabata is the founder and Colubia Mabata is the founder and president of the Kel Strong Mabata president of the Kel Strong Mabata president of the Kel Strong Mabata Foundation, and he's turning his Foundation, and he's turning his Foundation, and he's turning his personal journey into a mission to help personal journey into a mission to help personal journey into a mission to help traumatic brain injury survivors. traumatic brain injury survivors. traumatic brain injury survivors. Joining him is Jorge Esia, a Kell Strong Joining him is Jorge Esia, a Kell Strong Joining him is Jorge Esia, a Kell Strong scholarship recipient, and Christy scholarship recipient, and Christy scholarship recipient, and Christy Huard, chairwoman of the foundation's Huard, chairwoman of the foundation's Huard, chairwoman of the foundation's gayla committee this year. Good morning. gayla committee this year. Good morning. gayla committee this year. Good morning. >> Good morning. Um, we want you, Kell, to >> Good morning. Um, we want you, Kell, to >> Good morning. Um, we want you, Kell, to to to recount your story because it's to to recount your story because it's to to recount your story because it's it's it's just like it's something that it's it's just like it's something that it's it's just like it's something that movies are made of, but it was real movies are made of, but it was real movies are made of, but it was real life. Uh, born and raised in Houston. life. Uh, born and raised in Houston. life. Uh, born and raised in Houston. You started playing tennis at 5 years You started playing tennis at 5 years You started playing tennis at 5 years old, and you were among one of the top old, and you were among one of the top old, and you were among one of the top tennis players. tennis players. tennis players. >> Yes. Yes. Um, I was among one top tennis >> Yes. Yes. Um, I was among one top tennis >> Yes. Yes. Um, I was among one top tennis players. Um, and then so after after I players. Um, and then so after after I players. Um, and then so after after I finished college, you know, I I play in finished college, you know, I I play in finished college, you know, I I play in the pro tour for about a year or so. the pro tour for about a year or so. the pro tour for about a year or so. >> Before that, even you you you went to uh >> Before that, even you you you went to uh >> Before that, even you you you went to uh King Kade High School. Yeah, Kade High King Kade High School. Yeah, Kade High King Kade High School. Yeah, Kade High School. Um, Con High School and then I School. Um, Con High School and then I School. Um, Con High School and then I went to Purdue. I got a scholarship to went to Purdue. I got a scholarship to went to Purdue. I got a scholarship to Purdue after King Kaid and then uh I Purdue after King Kaid and then uh I Purdue after King Kaid and then uh I transferred to TCU. So that's why I transferred to TCU. So that's why I transferred to TCU. So that's why I finished my collegiate career. Um, then finished my collegiate career. Um, then finished my collegiate career. Um, then I pursued it was always my dream to play I pursued it was always my dream to play I pursued it was always my dream to play on the pro tour. So I did that about for on the pro tour. So I did that about for on the pro tour. So I did that about for a year or so, but I decided to retire a year or so, but I decided to retire a year or so, but I decided to retire from the sport because I had I had two from the sport because I had I had two from the sport because I had I had two elbow surgeries while I was at at elbow surgeries while I was at at elbow surgeries while I was at at Purdue. So bothering me at the time. So Purdue. So bothering me at the time. So Purdue. So bothering me at the time. So I decided to do something else and that I decided to do something else and that I decided to do something else and that something else was to get involved in my something else was to get involved in my something else was to get involved in my dad's family business back home.

dad's family business back home. dad's family business back home. >> Let's just make it very clear your >> Let's just make it very clear your >> Let's just make it very clear your Nigerian background. You were always Nigerian background. You were always Nigerian background. You were always going to have something else to do going to have something else to do going to have something else to do because business is one of those things because business is one of those things because business is one of those things that was important uh to your family. that was important uh to your family. that was important uh to your family. And so um yes, you went back home to And so um yes, you went back home to And so um yes, you went back home to Nigeria to take part in the business. Nigeria to take part in the business. Nigeria to take part in the business. And so one night 2014, you were closing And so one night 2014, you were closing And so one night 2014, you were closing up at work in Nigeria. And what up at work in Nigeria. And what up at work in Nigeria. And what happened? happened? happened? >> Yes. So I was closing up. I just walked >> Yes. So I was closing up. I just walked >> Yes. So I was closing up. I just walked back from the um from from work. Um I back from the um from from work. Um I back from the um from from work. Um I went inside. I lived on a compound. So I went inside. I lived on a compound. So I went inside. I lived on a compound. So I live at the back of the compound. So I live at the back of the compound. So I live at the back of the compound. So I went as soon as I got back, I I went went as soon as I got back, I I went went as soon as I got back, I I went outside. I went outside to call my mom outside. I went outside to call my mom outside. I went outside to call my mom cuz I usually call and check on her, see cuz I usually call and check on her, see cuz I usually call and check on her, see how she's doing. Then um after I talked how she's doing. Then um after I talked how she's doing. Then um after I talked to her, I went back inside and about 20 to her, I went back inside and about 20 to her, I went back inside and about 20 minutes later, I ate some food. About 20 minutes later, I ate some food. About 20 minutes later, I ate some food. About 20 minutes later, I heard some loud bangs minutes later, I heard some loud bangs minutes later, I heard some loud bangs at the door. At first, I thought it was at the door. At first, I thought it was at the door. At first, I thought it was my security cuz sometimes they come and my security cuz sometimes they come and my security cuz sometimes they come and check on me. But these these bangs are check on me. But these these bangs are check on me. But these these bangs are different. Once I once I realized different. Once I once I realized different. Once I once I realized someone's trying to break down my door, someone's trying to break down my door, someone's trying to break down my door, I I I padlocked the door. Then I ran to I I I padlocked the door. Then I ran to I I I padlocked the door. Then I ran to the back of my house and called the the back of my house and called the the back of my house and called the police, people that usually escort me. police, people that usually escort me. police, people that usually escort me. But the line was busy. So I kept calling But the line was busy. So I kept calling But the line was busy. So I kept calling and calling, but the line was busy. So I and calling, but the line was busy. So I and calling, but the line was busy. So I came back in the same room. The loud the came back in the same room. The loud the came back in the same room. The loud the bands were getting louder. And I was bands were getting louder. And I was bands were getting louder. And I was just praying hoping that let them let just praying hoping that let them let just praying hoping that let them let them break let them not break down those them break let them not break down those them break let them not break down those door until I get help.

door until I get help. door until I get help. >> Cuz at that moment, you figured it was >> Cuz at that moment, you figured it was >> Cuz at that moment, you figured it was somebody who was trying to come in to do somebody who was trying to come in to do somebody who was trying to come in to do something bad. something bad. something bad. >> Yeah. that I thought they were kind of I >> Yeah. that I thought they were kind of I >> Yeah. that I thought they were kind of I thought they were kind of kidnapping me thought they were kind of kidnapping me thought they were kind of kidnapping me because kidnapping is very rampant in because kidnapping is very rampant in because kidnapping is very rampant in Nigeria especially I was there during Nigeria especially I was there during Nigeria especially I was there during espec I I was there during Christmas espec I I was there during Christmas espec I I was there during Christmas time so that's a prime time so I was time so that's a prime time so I was time so that's a prime time so I was like but then they kept kicking kicking like but then they kept kicking kicking like but then they kept kicking kicking eventually they kicked it down they eventually they kicked it down they eventually they kicked it down they kicked the door down and about four or kicked the door down and about four or kicked the door down and about four or five of them entered um one threw the TV five of them entered um one threw the TV five of them entered um one threw the TV down like he was mad about something and down like he was mad about something and down like he was mad about something and one one person they they all had weapons one one person they they all had weapons one one person they they all had weapons but there's one guy there's one person but there's one guy there's one person but there's one guy there's one person that was holding that had a gun like a that was holding that had a gun like a that was holding that had a gun like a long rifle once I saw it I put my hands long rifle once I saw it I put my hands long rifle once I saw it I put my hands up. Um, and then that's that's when he up. Um, and then that's that's when he up. Um, and then that's that's when he said, "What's that to me that I never said, "What's that to me that I never said, "What's that to me that I never forget?" Pointing the gun right around forget?" Pointing the gun right around forget?" Pointing the gun right around my face. He said, "You know, you're my face. He said, "You know, you're my face. He said, "You know, you're going to die turn, right?" Then he asked going to die turn, right?" Then he asked going to die turn, right?" Then he asked me, "Okay, where's the money?" So, I me, "Okay, where's the money?" So, I me, "Okay, where's the money?" So, I point to where the money was, but it's point to where the money was, but it's point to where the money was, but it's only like $100. Um, which is nothing. only like $100. Um, which is nothing. only like $100. Um, which is nothing. And I know that I know that they know And I know that I know that they know And I know that I know that they know they know that we're a big company in they know that we're a big company in they know that we're a big company in Nigeria. So, I must have access to Nigeria. So, I must have access to Nigeria. So, I must have access to thousands of US dollars. So, knowing thousands of US dollars. So, knowing thousands of US dollars. So, knowing that, I since I lived on compound, I was that, I since I lived on compound, I was that, I since I lived on compound, I was like, "Listen, I can take you to the uh like, "Listen, I can take you to the uh like, "Listen, I can take you to the uh to the office to get you as much money to the office to get you as much money to the office to get you as much money as you want. Just don't kill me." But as you want. Just don't kill me." But as you want. Just don't kill me." But no, he that's when he told me he said, no, he that's when he told me he said, no, he that's when he told me he said, "No, shut up. Get down on the ground on "No, shut up. Get down on the ground on "No, shut up. Get down on the ground on your hands and knees." So that at that your hands and knees." So that at that your hands and knees." So that at that that let me know that okay, they didn't that let me know that okay, they didn't that let me know that okay, they didn't come for money. They came to kill me.

come for money. They came to kill me. come for money. They came to kill me. Like he like like he said, they think, Like he like like he said, they think, Like he like like he said, they think, "Okay, we might as we might as we take "Okay, we might as we might as we take "Okay, we might as we might as we take what we can take before we end his what we can take before we end his what we can take before we end his life." So I did exactly what what they life." So I did exactly what what they life." So I did exactly what what they told me. I got down on my ground on my told me. I got down on my ground on my told me. I got down on my ground on my hands and knees. I closed my eyes hands and knees. I closed my eyes hands and knees. I closed my eyes thinking, "Okay, I'm never going to see thinking, "Okay, I'm never going to see thinking, "Okay, I'm never going to see my mom again. Never going to see my dad my mom again. Never going to see my dad my mom again. Never going to see my dad again. Never going to see my sister again. Never going to see my sister again. Never going to see my sister again." Cuz I I thought they could blow again." Cuz I I thought they could blow again." Cuz I I thought they could blow my brains out. my brains out. my brains out. >> Yeah. But then I but all I don't know >> Yeah. But then I but all I don't know >> Yeah. But then I but all I don't know how long I was unconscious but all of a how long I was unconscious but all of a how long I was unconscious but all of a sudden I regain consciousness but I was sudden I regain consciousness but I was sudden I regain consciousness but I was on my back when I tried to get up um on my back when I tried to get up um on my back when I tried to get up um when I real when I real when I real on on my back. When I try to get up I on on my back. When I try to get up I on on my back. When I try to get up I couldn't get up. Um when I try to yell couldn't get up. Um when I try to yell couldn't get up. Um when I try to yell for help I couldn't yell. for help I couldn't yell. for help I couldn't yell. >> They brutally beat you. >> They brutally beat you. >> They brutally beat you. >> Yeah. I I don't know. I didn't know what >> Yeah. I I don't know. I didn't know what >> Yeah. I I don't know. I didn't know what was on me. So I I all I heard a car pull was on me. So I I all I heard a car pull was on me. So I I all I heard a car pull up to the back of my house. So I thought up to the back of my house. So I thought up to the back of my house. So I thought they come back. So I I pretend I closed they come back. So I I pretend I closed they come back. So I I pretend I closed my eyes and pretend like I was dead. my eyes and pretend like I was dead. my eyes and pretend like I was dead. Like I'm sure I thought that it was the Like I'm sure I thought that it was the Like I'm sure I thought that it was the police. Once the police found me, they police. Once the police found me, they police. Once the police found me, they picked me up, put in the back of the picked me up, put in the back of the picked me up, put in the back of the truck, and that's the last thing I truck, and that's the last thing I truck, and that's the last thing I remember until uh a week later after I remember until uh a week later after I remember until uh a week later after I woke up out of my coma um after my first woke up out of my coma um after my first woke up out of my coma um after my first Benji first benji surgery. Benji first benji surgery. Benji first benji surgery. >> You had your major surgery in Nigeria. >> You had your major surgery in Nigeria. >> You had your major surgery in Nigeria. Then you came to Houston to have Then you came to Houston to have Then you came to Houston to have subsequent surgeries. You know, the subsequent surgeries. You know, the subsequent surgeries. You know, the first thing when you wake up, your your first thing when you wake up, your your first thing when you wake up, your your body wasn't your body anymore. And so body wasn't your body anymore. And so body wasn't your body anymore. And so there's all kinds of things you have to there's all kinds of things you have to there's all kinds of things you have to deal with, the physical healing, but deal with, the physical healing, but deal with, the physical healing, but also the emotional healing of what also the emotional healing of what also the emotional healing of what happened to you.

happened to you. happened to you. >> Yeah. No, I was completely no um after >> Yeah. No, I was completely no um after >> Yeah. No, I was completely no um after my injury I was completely paralyzed my my injury I was completely paralyzed my my injury I was completely paralyzed my whole right side. Um I couldn't speak. whole right side. Um I couldn't speak. whole right side. Um I couldn't speak. Um, so for the past, you know, 10, 11 Um, so for the past, you know, 10, 11 Um, so for the past, you know, 10, 11 years, I had to learn how to how to do years, I had to learn how to how to do years, I had to learn how to how to do how to walk again, how to talk again, how to walk again, how to talk again, how to walk again, how to talk again, and how to use my my arm again. Yeah. and how to use my my arm again. Yeah. and how to use my my arm again. Yeah. And it's still to this day, I'm still And it's still to this day, I'm still And it's still to this day, I'm still posture because posture because posture because >> a lot of people will say like, you know, >> a lot of people will say like, you know, >> a lot of people will say like, you know, when you go through something like this when you go through something like this when you go through something like this is that the first thing that enters your is that the first thing that enters your is that the first thing that enters your mind is what you can't do. But then soon mind is what you can't do. But then soon mind is what you can't do. But then soon the clouds lift and you start thinking, the clouds lift and you start thinking, the clouds lift and you start thinking, let me think about what I can do. And let me think about what I can do. And let me think about what I can do. And what you can do, wow, you you thought, what you can do, wow, you you thought, what you can do, wow, you you thought, you know, physical therapy of course was you know, physical therapy of course was you know, physical therapy of course was a part of your comeback and you you a part of your comeback and you you a part of your comeback and you you entered your first like bodybuilding entered your first like bodybuilding entered your first like bodybuilding competition. uh you were the only competition. uh you were the only competition. uh you were the only competitor in the adaptive category. So competitor in the adaptive category. So competitor in the adaptive category. So like you were going to win by default, like you were going to win by default, like you were going to win by default, but so you decided I'm just gonna but so you decided I'm just gonna but so you decided I'm just gonna compete against everybody and you compete against everybody and you compete against everybody and you actually placed second overall. So you actually placed second overall. So you actually placed second overall. So you pushed yourself to your limits and you pushed yourself to your limits and you pushed yourself to your limits and you also showed other people that what also showed other people that what also showed other people that what happened to you doesn't define you. It's happened to you doesn't define you. It's happened to you doesn't define you. It's the fight and the try that matters most the fight and the try that matters most the fight and the try that matters most and you never know what's going to and you never know what's going to and you never know what's going to happen from that. You ended up winning, happen from that. You ended up winning, happen from that. You ended up winning, but you also turned your pain into but you also turned your pain into but you also turned your pain into purpose by founding the Kellstrong purpose by founding the Kellstrong purpose by founding the Kellstrong Babata Foundation in 2020. What does Babata Foundation in 2020. What does Babata Foundation in 2020. What does that foundation seek to do?

that foundation seek to do? that foundation seek to do? >> Oh, this it seeks to we provide >> Oh, this it seeks to we provide >> Oh, this it seeks to we provide financial uh support for other people financial uh support for other people financial uh support for other people that had traumatic brain injuries um to that had traumatic brain injuries um to that had traumatic brain injuries um to to help them on recovery process due to to help them on recovery process due to to help them on recovery process due to physical therapy, occupational therapy physical therapy, occupational therapy physical therapy, occupational therapy and speech therapy. um for people that and speech therapy. um for people that and speech therapy. um for people that you know either either either they can't you know either either either they can't you know either either either they can't either they don't have health insurance either they don't have health insurance either they don't have health insurance or they have very limited insurance or or they have very limited insurance or or they have very limited insurance or the insurance the insurance the insurance >> because sometimes insurance will take >> because sometimes insurance will take >> because sometimes insurance will take care of the initial surgeries and things care of the initial surgeries and things care of the initial surgeries and things but after that it's a lifelong you know but after that it's a lifelong you know but after that it's a lifelong you know maintenance if you will and Jorge you maintenance if you will and Jorge you maintenance if you will and Jorge you were nodding your head uh during several were nodding your head uh during several were nodding your head uh during several of things he said like that that that of things he said like that that that of things he said like that that that first moment when you wake up and first moment when you wake up and first moment when you wake up and realize what happened but let's back up realize what happened but let's back up realize what happened but let's back up to how it happened for you something to how it happened for you something to how it happened for you something very simple that a lot of us have done very simple that a lot of us have done very simple that a lot of us have done you were in your car couldn't find your you were in your car couldn't find your you were in your car couldn't find your phone but you were driving. phone but you were driving. phone but you were driving. >> Yes, ma'am. I was driving. >> Yes, ma'am. I was driving. >> Yes, ma'am. I was driving. A friend called me and said, "Hey, can A friend called me and said, "Hey, can A friend called me and said, "Hey, can you pick me up since we live like five you pick me up since we live like five you pick me up since we live like five houses down?" I was like, "Why not? houses down?" I was like, "Why not? houses down?" I was like, "Why not? I'mma go pick them up." and school was I'mma go pick them up." and school was I'mma go pick them up." and school was near work. So it was a a short distance near work. So it was a a short distance near work. So it was a a short distance from work to to school. So I decided to from work to to school. So I decided to from work to to school. So I decided to put everything in my bag and go pick him put everything in my bag and go pick him put everything in my bag and go pick him up. But I'm pretty sure you feel naked up. But I'm pretty sure you feel naked up. But I'm pretty sure you feel naked without your phone. So as without your phone. So as without your phone. So as >> it was in the car, but it was in the >> it was in the car, but it was in the >> it was in the car, but it was in the back seat. and you're like, "Let me I'm

back seat. and you're like, "Let me I'm back seat. and you're like, "Let me I'm just going to reach over and and get just going to reach over and and get just going to reach over and and get again." A lot of us guilty of doing again." A lot of us guilty of doing again." A lot of us guilty of doing that. Uh reach back to get it. And by that. Uh reach back to get it. And by that. Uh reach back to get it. And by the time you turned back around, the time you turned back around, the time you turned back around, >> what happened? >> what happened? >> what happened? >> So, I saw cars moving from the passenger >> So, I saw cars moving from the passenger >> So, I saw cars moving from the passenger back seat. So, I was like, "Oh, it's I back seat. So, I was like, "Oh, it's I back seat. So, I was like, "Oh, it's I assumed it was my green light." So, I assumed it was my green light." So, I assumed it was my green light." So, I just went for it and boom, accident just went for it and boom, accident just went for it and boom, accident happened. happened. happened. >> Yeah. And you had unbuckled your seat >> Yeah. And you had unbuckled your seat >> Yeah. And you had unbuckled your seat belt because you could reach back better belt because you could reach back better belt because you could reach back better for your phone for your phone for your phone >> to get the further reach. I unbuckled my >> to get the further reach. I unbuckled my >> to get the further reach. I unbuckled my seat belt. seat belt. seat belt. >> What was the impact on your body? >> What was the impact on your body? >> What was the impact on your body? >> The impact on my body. I can't find I >> The impact on my body. I can't find I >> The impact on my body. I can't find I can't walk. I can't cook. I can't do can't walk. I can't cook. I can't do can't walk. I can't cook. I can't do basic regular human activities basic regular human activities basic regular human activities >> yet. yet. >> yet. yet. >> yet. yet. >> Very important yet.

>> Very important yet. >> Very important yet. >> I can't do all that stuff yet. But >> I can't do all that stuff yet. But >> I can't do all that stuff yet. But you there's always a way. Like you said you there's always a way. Like you said you there's always a way. Like you said before, you really have to think about before, you really have to think about before, you really have to think about this. So I have to think about I have to this. So I have to think about I have to this. So I have to think about I have to plan my schedule. plan my schedule. plan my schedule. >> Yeah. What has it meant to you to be the >> Yeah. What has it meant to you to be the >> Yeah. What has it meant to you to be the recipient of the scholarship from the recipient of the scholarship from the recipient of the scholarship from the Kel Strong Foundation? >> The SK The Strong Foundation >> The SK The Strong Foundation allowed me to really allowed me to really allowed me to really focus on everyone. like yeah it did help focus on everyone. like yeah it did help focus on everyone. like yeah it did help me in the physical level me in the physical level me in the physical level but I feel like with the accident you but I feel like with the accident you but I feel like with the accident you learn more how to learn more how to learn more how to really observe and learn about family really observe and learn about family really observe and learn about family other people other people other people >> what's really important in life >> what's really important in life >> what's really important in life >> what is really important in life about >> what is really important in life about >> what is really important in life about yourself yourself yourself >> like whenever I step I really have to.

>> like whenever I step I really have to. >> like whenever I step I really have to. Okay, Okay, Okay, pay attention. If I step too far, I pay attention. If I step too far, I pay attention. If I step too far, I could fall back. If something is could fall back. If something is could fall back. If something is bothering me, I must do something about bothering me, I must do something about bothering me, I must do something about it. it. it. >> We always say in the moment. You are >> We always say in the moment. You are >> We always say in the moment. You are always in the moment when a lot of us always in the moment when a lot of us always in the moment when a lot of us are sometimes thinking someplace else. are sometimes thinking someplace else. are sometimes thinking someplace else. Uh Christie, you went to Cancade with Uh Christie, you went to Cancade with Uh Christie, you went to Cancade with Kell. So, um how did you find out? I'm Kell. So, um how did you find out? I'm Kell. So, um how did you find out? I'm sure you had found out what happened to sure you had found out what happened to sure you had found out what happened to him, but then finding out about the the him, but then finding out about the the him, but then finding out about the the foundation and what they're doing, what foundation and what they're doing, what foundation and what they're doing, what made you decide, I want to be involved. made you decide, I want to be involved. made you decide, I want to be involved. >> Um, I I also played on the tennis team >> Um, I I also played on the tennis team >> Um, I I also played on the tennis team at at Conincaid and Kell told me about at at Conincaid and Kell told me about at at Conincaid and Kell told me about his tennis tournament that he throws in his tennis tournament that he throws in his tennis tournament that he throws in the fall the fall the fall >> and so I was like, "Well, I'll play in >> and so I was like, "Well, I'll play in >> and so I was like, "Well, I'll play in it." And then um I played one year and it." And then um I played one year and it." And then um I played one year and then the next year I was like, "Kel, then the next year I was like, "Kel, then the next year I was like, "Kel, let's let's make this bigger." So we did let's let's make this bigger." So we did let's let's make this bigger." So we did and then and then and then >> the next year we made it huge. And then >> the next year we made it huge. And then >> the next year we made it huge. And then after that tournament, he looks at me after that tournament, he looks at me after that tournament, he looks at me and goes, "Christrissy, I want to throw and goes, "Christrissy, I want to throw and goes, "Christrissy, I want to throw a gayla." a gayla." a gayla." >> Yeah. >> Yeah. >> Yeah. >> And tag, you're it. >> And tag, you're it. >> And tag, you're it. >> I was like, "All right, here we go." >> I was like, "All right, here we go." >> I was like, "All right, here we go." >> And tell us what we're going to get from >> And tell us what we're going to get from >> And tell us what we're going to get from this gay because every ticket sold makes this gay because every ticket sold makes this gay because every ticket sold makes a difference, but tell us what's is also a difference, but tell us what's is also a difference, but tell us what's is also going to be a fun time for people to do going to be a fun time for people to do going to be a fun time for people to do something great for others.

something great for others. something great for others. >> It's it's really a fun party. So, we do >> It's it's really a fun party. So, we do >> It's it's really a fun party. So, we do a fashion show and our models are the a fashion show and our models are the a fashion show and our models are the scholarship recipients and we have scholarship recipients and we have scholarship recipients and we have designers that donate their time and designers that donate their time and designers that donate their time and outfits for all of our recipients. We do outfits for all of our recipients. We do outfits for all of our recipients. We do a fashion show and then it's just a big a fashion show and then it's just a big a fashion show and then it's just a big old party. Yeah. old party. Yeah. old party. Yeah. >> Dancing, music, drinks, food, all of it. >> Dancing, music, drinks, food, all of it. >> Dancing, music, drinks, food, all of it. >> Yeah. And celebrating life. Okay. Jorge >> Yeah. And celebrating life. Okay. Jorge >> Yeah. And celebrating life. Okay. Jorge was by the way, we're in the video right was by the way, we're in the video right was by the way, we're in the video right here, but when you said it was just a here, but when you said it was just a here, but when you said it was just a big old party, Jorge, we're going to big old party, Jorge, we're going to big old party, Jorge, we're going to come back out to you. Okay. Yeah. He's come back out to you. Okay. Yeah. He's come back out to you. Okay. Yeah. He's like He's like, "Yeah, you're you're like He's like, "Yeah, you're you're like He's like, "Yeah, you're you're ready to start dancing, my friend." ready to start dancing, my friend." ready to start dancing, my friend." Yeah. Yeah. Yeah. >> Jorge is a great dancer. >> Jorge is a great dancer. >> Jorge is a great dancer. >> Yeah. Yeah. But, uh, let me wrap up with >> Yeah. Yeah. But, uh, let me wrap up with >> Yeah. Yeah. But, uh, let me wrap up with um, you know, so many times people go, um, you know, so many times people go, um, you know, so many times people go, "Oh, well, they survived. Okay, good." "Oh, well, they survived. Okay, good." "Oh, well, they survived. Okay, good." But every second of your life, you're But every second of your life, you're But every second of your life, you're reminded of the value of life and that reminded of the value of life and that reminded of the value of life and that you still have it and that you're going you still have it and that you're going you still have it and that you're going to do the most with it. What lessons to do the most with it. What lessons to do the most with it. What lessons have you learned by watching these two? have you learned by watching these two? have you learned by watching these two? >> Similarly, >> Similarly, >> Similarly, what really matters in life and it's the what really matters in life and it's the what really matters in life and it's the people you surround yourself with and people you surround yourself with and people you surround yourself with and what you can do for others. And so, I'm what you can do for others. And so, I'm what you can do for others. And so, I'm more than happy to contribute my time more than happy to contribute my time more than happy to contribute my time and efforts and everything um to support and efforts and everything um to support and efforts and everything um to support the cause and help some really good the cause and help some really good the cause and help some really good people live their life.

people live their life. people live their life. >> Thank you. Thank you so much for doing >> Thank you. Thank you so much for doing >> Thank you. Thank you so much for doing this organization. I think I've shared this organization. I think I've shared this organization. I think I've shared with you before I had a a brain aneurysm with you before I had a a brain aneurysm with you before I had a a brain aneurysm that burst several years ago and didn't that burst several years ago and didn't that burst several years ago and didn't know how I was going to wake up on the know how I was going to wake up on the know how I was going to wake up on the other side. I was very blessed and I did other side. I was very blessed and I did other side. I was very blessed and I did my recovery was was not that long. Uh my recovery was was not that long. Uh my recovery was was not that long. Uh not very many residual things. Uh but we not very many residual things. Uh but we not very many residual things. Uh but we never know from one second to the next. never know from one second to the next. never know from one second to the next. You were just going to do a good deed You were just going to do a good deed You were just going to do a good deed and pick up a friend and then you know and pick up a friend and then you know and pick up a friend and then you know for you it was closing up a regular for you it was closing up a regular for you it was closing up a regular business night. We never know when life business night. We never know when life business night. We never know when life may take a turn. uh but you exemplify may take a turn. uh but you exemplify may take a turn. uh but you exemplify that that that saying that life is is is that that that saying that life is is is that that that saying that life is is is 5% what happens to you 95% what you do 5% what happens to you 95% what you do 5% what happens to you 95% what you do with it. So thank you for reminding all with it. So thank you for reminding all with it. So thank you for reminding all of us of us of us >> and I wouldn't be here without the two >> and I wouldn't be here without the two >> and I wouldn't be here without the two the two that viewed the whole thing the two that viewed the whole thing the two that viewed the whole thing happen. Thanks to them I'm here now. happen. Thanks to them I'm here now. happen. Thanks to them I'm here now. >> Yeah. They they to they saw the car >> Yeah. They they to they saw the car >> Yeah. They they to they saw the car accident happened accident happened accident happened and they basic they saw me struggling to and they basic they saw me struggling to and they basic they saw me struggling to get out. I was choking on my on my blood get out. I was choking on my on my blood get out. I was choking on my on my blood because I couldn't breathe. I broke my because I couldn't breathe. I broke my because I couldn't breathe. I broke my nose upon impact. So there are the nose upon impact. So there are the nose upon impact. So there are the reasons why I'm here now. So reasons why I'm here now. So reasons why I'm here now. So >> angels among us.

>> angels among us. >> angels among us. >> Yeah. >> Yeah. >> Yeah. >> I I have to say thank you. Thank you so >> I I have to say thank you. Thank you so >> I I have to say thank you. Thank you so much for everything. I have I have I have gone through a lot I have I have I have gone through a lot but but but I have to thank them. I have to thank them. I have to thank them. >> Yes. All right. The second annual Kel >> Yes. All right. The second annual Kel >> Yes. All right. The second annual Kel Strong Mabata Foundation Gayla is Strong Mabata Foundation Gayla is Strong Mabata Foundation Gayla is happening Saturday May 2nd at Big happening Saturday May 2nd at Big happening Saturday May 2nd at Big Brothers Big Sisters. Again, this is the Brothers Big Sisters. Again, this is the Brothers Big Sisters. Again, this is the foundation's biggest fundraiser of the foundation's biggest fundraiser of the foundation's biggest fundraiser of the year supporting Houstononians recovering year supporting Houstononians recovering year supporting Houstononians recovering from traumatic brain injuries. For from traumatic brain injuries. For from traumatic brain injuries. For tickets and more information, please tickets and more information, please tickets and more information, please visit kellstrongfoundation.com. visit kellstrongfoundation.com. visit kellstrongfoundation.com. kellongfoundation.com. kellongfoundation.com. kellongfoundation.com. And Kell is spelled there with a