BC Royal Purple’s BrainLove Stitch & Glue Retreat
A Silent Struggle Video Series: Stories for Caregivers
A Silent Struggle Video Series: Stories for Caregivers
Brain injuries are not isolated events that have a single impact – their ripples extend beyond the survivor. Some of the under told stories are of the parents, siblings, partners, neighbours, children, and chosen family that rise up to support the survivors through recovery. These caregivers often make big adjustments to their own lives and begin their own journey. Each of these stories are unique beacons of hope and human resilience in the face of overwhelming change.
The BC Brain Injury Association in partnership with Roll.Focus. are honoured to bring you eight unique stories of caregivers, a part of the Stories for Caregivers […]
Call for Abstracts – 11th Annual Concussion Research Symposium
Canadian Concussion Centre (CCC) – Call for Abstracts
The Canadian Concussion Centre at the Toronto Western Hospital is holding its 11th Annual Concussion Research Symposium entitled “Update on Research and Care of the Concussion Spectrum of Disorders” on April 26, 2024. This symposium will be of major interest to the members of the Canadian Society of Medical Evaluators.
This year’s conference will be hybrid and can be attended online by Zoom or in person at the BMO Education & Conference Centre located in the Krembil Discovery Tower, Toronto Western Hospital. The Symposium usually has about 20 research presentations and attracts about 150 attendees.
Who are the speakers?
The keynote speakers include the […]
Aneurysmal Subarachnoid Hemorrhages (aSAH) Patient and Caregiver Advisory Board Opportunity
The Center for Information and Study on Clinical Research Participation (CISCRP ) is an independent non-profit organization, dedicated to including the voice of the community in the clinical research process. As part of our mission, we regularly engage with affected individuals and families through patient (or community) advisory board meetings, global surveys, and workshops to include the community voice in research endeavors.
At this time, CISCRP, together with a pharmaceutical company, is planning a virtual standing patient and caregiver advisory board meeting for Aneurysmal Subarachnoid Hemorrhages (aSAH). Over the course of a year (12 months) there will be up to 4 meetings and possibly online surveys to gather patient […]
Invitation to Survivors, Family Members, and Caregivers
Exclusive Invitation to Survivors of Brain Injury, Family Members, and Caregivers
In January 2024, we launch the “125 Days to Say Yes!” campaign. This initiative is a transformative drive designed to catalyze support and swift action towards the realization of the National Strategy on Brain Injury Act (Bill C-277) with the government of Canada. The campaign coincides with the 125 days the House of Commons will be sitting from January to December in 2024.
As we prepare for the campaign, we invite survivors of brain injury, family members, and caregivers to be the driving force behind this movement by sharing their journey. The campaign involves sharing photos and short videos of […]
People With Disabilities Getting Left Behind in Canada’s Housing Crisis
CBC has reported people with disabilities are getting left behind in Canada’s housing crisis. Why? With an increased demand for housing, along with the rising cost to purchase or rent, folks living with the financial constraints of disability income are getting left behind. We do need to think about housing for individuals with all abilities and remove the barriers to accessing a forever home.
Ensure Inclusive Housing for All Abilities in Canada!
Every Canadian deserves a place to call home, regardless of their abilities. Let’s join hands to address the housing needs of individuals with disabilities and create a more inclusive society.
? Accessible Design: It’s time to […]
Moderate to Severe Brain Injury as a Chronic Condition
Brain Injury Canada issued a statement announcing the momentous collaboration with Canadian Traumatic Brain Injury Research Consortium (CTRC) to produce a position paper calling for the official classification of moderate to severe Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) as a chronic condition in Canada.
This announcement represents a significant milestone in the recognition and proposed designation of moderate to severe TBI, an issue that affects Canadians of all ages. The condition primarily arises from motor vehicle collisions among the younger population and falls among the elderly, making it the leading cause of death and disability in children, youth, and adults under the age of 40.
The collaboration […]
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 […]
First Diagnosed Case of CTE in Female Professional Athlete
The family of Heather Anderson, Australian rules footballer, donated her brain to the Australian Sports Brain Bank following her death in November 2022. Anderson was 28 years old.
In a paper published on June 30th, outlining the findings of Anderson’s post-mortem analysis declares she is the first female to have Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy (CTE). CTE is a disorder associated with repetitive head injuries, often related to sports or military activities.
Anderson was diagnosed with one concussion; however, her family suspected she may have had four additional concussions not diagnosed. She also was in the military for nine years and engaged in amateur martial arts for three years – neither of these activities resulted in […]
Researcher Strives to Make TBI Care More Equitable
Ensuring brain injury services are equitable requires a comprehensive approach that addresses various aspects of access, affordability, awareness, and support.
Services must meet the needs of diverse populations affected by brain injury. This means we must develop culturally sensitive outreach programs, support groups, and educational materials to ensure that services are accessible and relevant to individuals from different cultural backgrounds.
A researcher from Toronto is striving to ensure TBI services are equitable. Samira Omar, graduated with a PhD in rehabilitation sciences from the University of Toronto’s Temerty Faculty of Medicine.
Her research lies at the intersection of equity, rehabilitation science and racism — with a focus on rehabilitation care for Black-identifying people with traumatic brain […]
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 […]
BC Government Proclaims June as Brain Injury Awareness Month
Brain Injury Awareness Month
In Canada, Brain Injury Awareness Month is an observance held in June each year, with the aim of raising awareness about brain injuries and their impact on individuals and communities.
The British Columbia government has proclaimed June as Brain Injury Awareness month. The campaign seeks to educate the public about the causes, prevention, treatment, and rehabilitation of brain injuries, as well as to support those affected by them.
Brain injuries can result from various causes, including trauma from accidents, falls, sports-related incidents, and violence. They can also occur due to non-traumatic causes such as strokes, brain tumours, infections, and certain medical conditions. The numbers of brain injuries occurring in […]
Bootlegger & Canadian Royal Purple BC Join Together to Raise Funds
We’re extremely thankful to the staff and customers of Bootlegger, who in partnership with the Canadian Royal Purple BC, raised over $2,600 to support Brainstreams. On behalf of those we serve, thank you!
Every year, the Canadian Royal Purple raises funds during the month of March for Brain Love. This annual campaign is launched in conjunction with International Brain Awareness Month and Brain Health Month in Canada. The provincial lodges of Royal Purple work hard to raise funds and awareness about the importance of brain health and brain injury prevention.
In Canada, June is Brain Injury Awareness month, and the lodges will assist our Brain Injury Associations to distribute information […]
Technology for Living
“We work with people with disabilities.”
Technology for Living (TFL) is dedicated to helping people in BC with limited movement, and physical disabilities reduce barriers to participation in their home and community.
Provincial Respiratory Outreach Program (PROP)
For over 20 years, PROP has supported individuals who require ventilatory assistance to move into and continue living independently in their communities. Our team of Respiratory Therapists provide equipment, supplies, education, and ongoing support both remotely and in the home, no matter where you are in BC. Our team of Biomeds keeps our equipment up-to-date, safe, and available for the over 700 members we serve across BC.
We have extensive experience facilitating transfers from hospitals, care facilities, and rehabilitation […]
GF Strong Adult Concussion Services (GFACS)
GF Strong Adult Concussion Services (GFACS)
The GF Strong Adult Concussion Services (GFACS) offers 2 streams of service:
- GFACS Group Education Session
- An Occupational Therapist provides group-based education about concussion recovery and self-management skills.
- GFACS Rehabilitation Program
- Time-limited concussion treatment emphasizing self-management for clients with prolonged concussion symptoms.
How to refer: All referrals must be made by a Physician or Nurse Practitioner. This program does not accept self-referrals. Please see the link below for the referral form and more information about the program: http://www.vch.ca/Locations-Services/result?res_id=811
Referral criteria: must live within VCH, aged 18+ years old, diagnosis of concussion/mTBI less than 1 year ago. Individuals with ICBC or Worksafe BC related injuries […]
Call for Stories
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 […]