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 […]
Become a Charity Champion!
“It’s not how much we give, but how much love we put into giving.” ~Mother Teresa
We hope this message finds you well. We wanted to let you know about a new monthly donation campaign we’re starting up in March and invite you to participate.
Monthly donations are a great way to make a big impact and help us achieve our goals for the year. With your help, we can continue our work to create educational content on Brainstreams. Each month, Brainstreams has approximately 6,000 visitors to the website with an estimated 85% being new users. This tells us that survivors of brain injury, their families, caregivers, friends and support team are looking […]
National Letter Writing Campaign to Support Bill C-277
Ask Your MP to Support Bill C-277
In addition to having you sign e-Petition #4266, MP MacGregor requires the support of your local Member of Parliament.
We do all the work for you! Go here to enter your name, email address, and postal code and we will do the rest. When you click on ‘Add Your Voice‘ at the bottom of the screen, the letter will automatically be sent to your MP (selected by your postal code), the Prime Minister, Health Minister, and other appropriate decision-makers.
Bill C-277 is an initiative of the CGB Centre […]
National Strategy on Brain Injury – Sign e-Petition #4266
Establish a National Strategy on Brain Injury
We need 500 signatures – Click here to sign!
It’s estimated more than 165,000 new cases of traumatic brain injury annually occur in Canada, and an estimated national prevalence of over 1.5 million cases (Brain Injury Canada, n.d.). These statistics are grossly understated given the thousands of brain injuries resulting from concussions, intimate partner violence, violence among the homeless, individuals incarcerated, combat injuries and those surviving an opioid/stimulant poisoning that are not diagnosed, treated, or tracked medically. Constituents, Canada-wide, are struggling to navigate a siloed system, preventing access the services and supports they need.
NDP MP Alistair MacGregor of […]
Blind Sighted by Anne Mok – TEDxSFU
“Life is either a daring adventure or nothing at all.”
~ Helen Keller (1880 – 1968)
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.”
Call for More Research on Intimate Partner Violence and Brain Injury
Researchers are calling for more research on brain injury and domestic violence.
Many will equate concussion with sports-related injury. But a concussion can be sustained from a punch to the face or someone’s head being hit repeatedly against the wall or the floor.
Halina Haag, a social worker and PhD candidate in social work at Wilfrid Laurier University and Dr. Carmela Tartaglia, a neurologist with the Canadian Concussion Centre in Toronto, in a recent article, share the need to do more research on the impact of brain injury for women. For the Globe and Mail article, click on the link below.
Article:
YOGA for Post Concussion Recovery – Part 2
Last week you were introduced to a missing piece in concussion recovery, Empowerment.
Now let’s chat about why a concussion specific YOGA program can provide that missing piece.
In Yoga we change our mindset, allowing self acceptance and discovery. We practice intentions or mantras, essentially new ways to talk to ourselves.
In Yoga we practice breathing and grounding techniques to get a handle on a frantic nervous system and to create safety in our minds and bodies.
In Yoga we practice movement flows which improve spinal mobility, strength, and posture. Special attention is given to the neck in this concussion specific practice.
In Yoga we build overall strength and resilience which creates courage […]
Get EMPOWERED in Your Post Concussion Recovery – Part 1
Occupational Therapist/Yoga Instructor Shelley Latendresse coaches you through a 12 week Yoga based post concussion recovery program. Could this be the missing piece in your healing journey? Read on…
Often people with persistent concussion symptoms are on THE SEARCH, searching for any possible treatment that might work to get them back to feeling normal. But somehow they can end up feeling scattered, more confused, overloaded, and not sure what’s working for them.
Others may feel STUCK despite treatments. They may struggle with life outside of appointments and therapy. They can begin to feel like they have lost their identity and their life. They […]
Kris Letang Suffers a Second Stroke
Kris Letang, 35, defenseman for Pittsburgh Penguins suffered a stroke – his second stroke to be exact.
Letang, a native of Montreal, Quebec, recognized and reported the symptoms to the training staff, who in turn, got him immediately to hospital.
In 2014, Kris Letang sustained his first stroke and was out of the game for about two months. The cause of the first stroke was due to a small hole in the wall of his heart. Everyone is born with this condition, but it generally closes on its own.
We wish Kris Letang all the best in his recovery and his return to the game of hockey.
Click here for the full article […]
Tribute to Michael Rossiter
The Brain Injury Community is extremely saddened by the passing of Michael (Mike) Rossiter on November 23, 2022.
The one thing you could not do when you were with Mike was keep a frown on your face. Mike, dubbed “The Happy Fellow” by his wife, Mary Lou, was always smiling, and he made it his personal mission to make people smile and laugh right alongside him.
Although Mike was born and raised in Vancouver, he moved to Terrace with his young family, where he operated Totem Press with his partners. Mike also invested time into his community. In Terrace, he served on the Terrace City Council and on the board for […]
Michael Coss Mentors UBC Healthcare Students
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 […]
Canadian Royal Purple Organizes Canada-Wide Purple Thursday on October 20th
Canadian Royal Purple Organizes Canada-wide Purple Thursday on October 20th
“Stop the Violence” and “Paint Your Town Purple” have become key slogans for the Canadian Royal Purple. October 20th, the third Thursday in October, will be recognized as Canadian Royal Purple’s first annual Purple Thursday.
“Our campaign is two-fold this year,” says National President, Sandi Lougheed of Beechy, SK. “We will engage in a major education and awareness campaign […]
Medically Assisted Dying & People in Poverty
A shocking 4 in 10 Canadians living in poverty are also individuals living with a disability. On October 8, 2022, Global News aired The New Reality report which states that it is poverty, rather than pain, that is driving individuals to choose medically assisted death.
Last year, the federal government expanded eligibility for folks who are NOT terminally ill for medically assisted death. In March, it is anticipated further expansion will include individuals living with mental illness.
Click here for the full video.
The controversary is not about individuals who are terminally ill and choose medically assisted dying. This report is about individuals with a disability who are […]
Neurotrauma Consultant Fired Following Evaluation of Tua Tagovailoa
Tuo Tagovailoa, quarterback for the Miami Dolphins, stumbled and fell, hitting the back of his head on the ground during the September 25th game.
The unffiliated neurotrauma consultant, who evaluated Tagovailoa, cleared him to return to play in the third quarter. As a result of what several sources declared to be “several mistakes” made during the evaluation, the neurotrauma consultant has been fired.
The quarterback played again on September 29th in the Dolphins’ home loss to the Cinncinati Bengals. Tagovailoa struck his head again during this game when tackled. Tagovailoa was immediately taken off the field and assessed and has now been sidelined indefinitely.
Click here for the full […]