Twin Falls, Idaho (KMVT-TV) One local Idaho woman is on the first leg of a 7,500 mile trip from Boise to Washington D.C. with a goal of raising attention for patients with traumatic brain injuries.

Back in 2010, Pamela's Dowd's daughter Brenna suffered a sudden, medically unexplained anoxic brain injury following some retina repair surgery.

After 16 months by her side, Brenna tragically passed away.

Now two years after the loss of her daughter, Pamela has set out on a mission to help bring about a change in how patients with brain injuries are treated.

And to also tell her daughters story. but that's not what her trip is all about...

Dowd is also hoping to encourage other families in their quest for better therapy conditions for patients with brain injuries.

Dowd made the first stop of the trip here in Twin Falls this Monday.

We sat down and spoke with her and asked her what changes she would like to see for patients with traumatic brain injuries.

“We need a national dialog on brain injury rehabilitation and how we treat people. I want to end the practice of warehousing people with a brain injury. I want to end the term, “persistent vegetative state”. People are not vegetables.” Said Pamela Dowd.

Once in Washington. Pamela hopes to meet with members of Congress and discuss the problems facing the rehabilitation and care of patients who suffer from a traumatic brain injury.

If you would like to learn more about Pamela and Brenna’s story you can log onto their website at www. luvurbrain. com