Back to the Future by Debra Erickson

There’s the family, there’s the appointments and then there’s the accelerated world events of late. Your head spinning? Mine too! One thing for sure, as Bob Dylan sang, is: “The Times – They are a Changin’.”

My schedule doesn’t fully allow for it and recent aches and pains have had me doubting the plan, but I went ahead and booked a flight home to Terrace B.C. to visit family and check in on my 94-year-old dad.

Sometimes there’s no real purpose to the trip except it feels like an […]

Oh Canada! by Debra Erickson

I’m pouring real Canadian Maple syrup on my pancakes this morning, listening to The Tragically Hip and wearing a toque.

Why? Because I’m Canadian! Not sure if you’ve been watching the news or not but never before has our identity as Canadians been threatened like it has in recent days.

I’m well aware of the two forbidden topics: politics and religion. Let’s consider this a healthy dialogue on well- being and leave it at that! Because really, that’s what it comes down to: moving in a positive direction despite everything going on around us.

It was about two years post-accident while I […]

Life is Like a Box of Chocolates by Debra Erickson

We’re all familiar with Forrest Gump’s words in the 1994 movie “Life is like a box of chocolates.”

I have purged my cupboards from all tempting holiday treats. Some boxes of chocolate still had a few pieces remaining but out they went, temptation removed!

As I hang my new calendar for 2025, I look at twelve clean pages, void of scribbles plans or deadlines. I cautiously lift the lid off the new year, peering at the months, wondering what each one will hold?

I’m not a believer in New Year’s Resolutions. For many of us dealing with chronic pain and cognitive impairment, just getting out of bed some days is a triumph! I […]

Sounds of the Season by Debra Erickson

Maybe it’s Mariah Carey’s “All I want for Christmas” that gets your adrenaline going and your shopping list done. Brenda Lee singing “Rockin’ around the Christmas Tree” is the motivation I need to do my decorating. Of course, there’s the slow sipping of my eggnog tunes like Bing Crosby’s “White Christmas” and Anne Murray’s “Silver Bells”.

Whatever your Holiday playlist, one thing’s for certain: music moves us! Regardless of what stage you’re at in brain injury recovery, music is a well proven therapeutic tool. I wouldn’t recommend Alvin and the Chipmunks if you’re struggling with brain confusion. Best to choose the Holiday fireplace channel and a much calmer […]

A Case of Mistaken Identity by Debra Erickson

I would have to say that nine times out of ten when I’m introduced to someone, they will say: “you look very familiar”. This is always followed by: where do you work? Where do you live? Are you related to …etc. I tell people I’m a twin, which is true so they automatically assume they must have seen my twin – until I tell them it’s my brother and he is much larger than me! It can be challenging to describe who we really are. I suppose I could be someone’s doppelganger, but I prefer to be known for who I really am!

This month there will be […]

Mind Those Margins by Debra Erickson

I see it coming, the month of September. Why do I hold my breath when I reach to turn the calendar forward to the next page? I think it’s because September is a lot like my storage closet under the stairs. If I could open it slowly, one day at a time, I could breathe easily. Instead, the next four months will tumble out like a giant Tsunami. School, Thanksgiving, Halloween, Christmas, music lessons, gym programs, soccer sign-ups. Enough to make one feel like you’re treading water for dear life!

My trips to the grocery store leave me in a blurred state of confusion. […]

On Friday, July 26, the world watched as the Olympic Games were officially opened in Paris, France. Two hundred and six countries are taking part. For the first time ever, the ceremonies took place outdoors. Ninety boats formed a parade down the Seine transporting 6,800 athletes over six kilometres of river.

It was indeed a grand beginning to the games. The exuberant mood of our Canadian athletes was wonderful to see. Not one person had yet entered into competition and that didn’t seem to matter. It was just the joy of taking part. It reminded me of what the spirit of the […]

Priorities for Quality of Life after Traumatic Brain Injury

UBC researchers and community stakeholders have published a paper on the Priorities for Quality of Life After Brain Injury and an informative infographic.

It is known that individuals who have sustained a brain injury may experience changes to their quality of life (QOL). To date there has been limited patient-oriented research to understand the priorities for quality of life following a traumatic brain injury (TBI). This research aimed to explore the priorities using a group consensus building method.

Click the link to access the publication:
Priorities for quality of life after traumatic brain injury

Grewal J, Citton K, Sing G, Biagioni JB, Schmidt J (2024) Priorities for quality of life after […]

Summer Migrations by Debra Erickson

Last week anxious travelers watched as WestJet mechanics negotiated on a tentative deal. It resulted in 1,078 flights being canceled and over 100,000 frustrated customers stranded in cities across Canada.

Have you ever experienced airport anxiety? We all know it’s part of the travel experience to have flights canceled […]

Mother’s Metamorphosis by Debra Erickson

We will take a moment this month to wish Happy Mother’s Day to the person who fills that role in our lives. It is a role that is always changing. We find ourselves flexing and stretching through the years to straddle the demands of home and work. Throw a Traumatic Brain Injury into the mix and all bets are off!

Why Write a Blog?

~By Debra Erickson

May 16, 2008, I was heading up our city’s Bike to Work Week. While cycling home from my office that day, I was hit by a truck. The vehicle fled the scene and left me unconscious at the side of the road.

That split second forever altered my life. Two and a half years in neurological rehabilitation, chronic pain, fatigue, and confusion marked my daily life. Navigating the strange new landscape of Traumatic Brain Injury was lonely and difficult. Even my husband of thirty-three years could not understand my behaviour and sadly our marriage ended. My journey is only one story. There […]

Brain Injury Survivor Reunites with Neurosurgeon After 17 Years

In 2006, Michael Coss and his family were traveling the Coquihalla highway when their van left the road. Michael sustained a traumatic brain injury.

Michael was fortunate to have tremendous family support and to fall under the care of Dr. Jean-Francois Chevalier in Kamloops. Dr. Chevalier gave the family a grim prognosis and recommended Michael be transferred back to the lower mainland to be closer to his wife and children. Michael’s parents also relocated from Quebec to British Columbia to help with his care.

Years later, after enduring intensive rehabilitation, including physical therapy, occupational therapy, and speech therapy, and against all odds, Michael is doing amazing. He declared to his dad some […]

Music and Guitar aid in Brain Injury Survivor’s Recovery

Allan Boss, a CBC radio producer living in Alberta, credits music and guitar playing to aiding in his recovery following a brain injury.

Music has been found to have a variety of beneficial effects on brain injury recovery in several ways, including emotional and psychological support, cognitive stimulation, motor rehabilitation, speech and language recovery, mood enhancement and stress reduction, and social interaction and engagement.

Boss also credits ‘resilience and grit’ for his recovery. He states “I’m sure that music and guitar were a big part of why my brain healed as well as it did. As I’ve learned, music enhances neuroplasticity — the brain’s ability to adapt and change due to training and experience. […]

Voices of Brain Injury (VBI)

Voices of Brain Injury (VBI) was founded during COVID-19 with the aim of bridging the gap between the general public and the brain injury community.

We conduct online interviews with brain injury survivors, healthcare workers, caregivers, and family members; VBI hopes to help raise awareness of the challenges that survivors face, while also giving individuals a platform to share their stories and inspire others.

Our team was grown to 25 volunteers from across the world, contributing by conducting interviews, writing research and informative posts, hosting webinars and various other projects.

To learn more about us, visit our site, Voices of Brain Injury. Follow @voicesofbraininjury on Instagram […]

Call for Stories!

BC Brain Injury Association (BCBIA) is celebrating 40 years of service. Over the years, many stories of survivors overcoming adversity have been shared. These stories are powerful. As part of our celebration, BCBIA is actively seeking inspirational stories from individuals and families living with a brain injury to publish on Brainstreams.

We know that rehabilitation and recovery is a very long process. People need hope, encouragement, and unlimited cheerleaders to rebuild life after brain injury. It is our intention to share stories of triumph and success to inspire and give hope. Join us and share your story today.

Click here to enlarge poster.

Story Submission Guidelines:

We […]

Blind Sighted by Anne Mok – TEDxSFU

“Life is either a daring adventure or nothing at all.”

~ Helen Keller (1880 – 1968)

Anne Mok

Helen Keller, after becoming ill at the age of two, which resulted in her becoming deaf and blind, grew up to become a world-renown author, disability rights advocate, political activist, and lecturer. In an eerie similarity, at the tender age of three, Anne Mok began experiencing vision challenges and she too, has grown to become an amazing woman dedicated to creating change.

“I’m a digital storyteller seeking beauty with purpose and inspiration to the visually impaired community to make the view accessible.”

In her TEDxSFU talk,

Michael Coss Mentors UBC Healthcare Students

Michael Coss

To know Michael, is to know his favourite quote, “Anything is possible, if you believe.”

As part of Michael’s ongoing commitment to making continued physical and cognitive progress, he is mentoring three healthcare students from the University of British Columbia (UBC).

The Interprofessional Mentors Health Program at UBC, requires Michael to make a nine-month commitment to share his experience navigating the Healthcare system over the last 16 years.

The program brings together students from different health disciplines to learn from mentors living with a chronic condition or a disability or who is a caregiver. The groups are self-directed and bring together four students and the mentor during the Fall and Winter Terms.

Michael says, […]

Anything is Possible

We’re excited to announce our next event of ‘Anything is Possible’ is scheduled for Saturday, October 29th at 4pm (EST). We are thrilled to be joined by speakers, Sheldon Guy, and Janet Omstead. Please see the poster attached for additional information. The story of Sheldon Guy can be seen here on this link, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5QlQ8aQPnDM.

As you have previously joined our zooms or expressed interest, we wanted you to be the first to know.

Availability is limited, so make sure to sign up on Eventbrite using the link provided: https://www.eventbrite.ca/e/anything-is-possible-a-conversation-about-traumatic-brain-injury-5-tickets-305554009267

This event is organized by The GenWell Project, a NFP that addresses the issues of […]

FVBIA Employers Guide to ABI 2022

The Fraser Valley Brain Injury Association (FVBIA) have recently developed some important resources.

The Employers Guide to ABI 2022 aims to support employers who are not familiar with an acquired brain injury. Returning to meaningful activity, including employment when possible, is a central goal for many individuals who have sustained an acquired brain injury. Having purpose, connections, and being able to contribute to one’s community is important for everyone, especially for those folks who are working to redesign their life.

FVBIA’s Employers Guide to ABI provides valuable information on how the brain is impacted and some simple tips on how to assist employees with ABI to be successful in the workplace.

Additional Resources:

The Journey […]

What is this video about?

Cultivating Kindness is the story behind Opportunity Landing, a non-profit society dedicated to developing and maintaining a space for inclusive, accessible community gardens in Langley BC.

Juliet Henderson-Rahbar, is a board member of the BC Brain Injury Association, and the Leader for Connect Communities in Langley—a place where people who’ve survived a life-altering brain injury can begin to redesign their lives in the community. Earlier this year, Juliet came across an article on Opportunity landing in the Langley Advance Times https://www.langleyadvancetimes.com/news/new-langley-community-garden-gets-test-run-this-spring-at-twu/.

After seeing the design and the nearby location, Juliet knew this inclusive, outdoor space accessible to the people supported at CONNECT would be a tremendous opportunity. Like everyone else, CONNECT had just completed the first year […]

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