Blog - Brainstreams

Ode to an Egg by Debra Erickson

Not sure what got me thinking about eggs. It could be the merry chirping of the robins out my window at 6:00 a.m. each morning. Maybe it’s the repetitive statement from our American neighbors that the price of eggs has skyrocketed. Most likely it’s the Easter treats piled high on store shelves and my favourite, Cadbury Mini Eggs!

As I prepared a potato salad for a family dinner last weekend, I began to ponder the similarities between eggs and our human brains as I peeled and sliced them into the […]

The Election is Called – Let’s Keep Brain Injury on the National Agenda

The federal election has been officially called for April 28, 2025. Over the next several weeks, political leaders will be talking about tariffs, global issues, and economic policies—all of which will dominate the headlines. But amidst all the noise, we cannot afford to let the conversation around brain injury fade into the background.

In the last Parliament, all political parties voiced their support for a National Strategy on Brain Injury. Now, with this election upon us, it’s time […]

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 […]

A Tribute to John Simpson

To truly appreciate the power of advocacy in the brain injury community, we must recognize the profound impact John Simpson had on all of us. He paved the way for significant change, and it was an honour to have known him. Saying goodbye is heartbreaking.

John passed away on February 17, 2025, at the remarkable age of 89. How fitting that it was Family Day, as John was not only a cherished member of his own family but also a guiding figure—a ‘father’—to so many in the brain injury community.

Since 1982, John was a leading force in developing services for individuals with acquired brain injuries (ABI) in British Columbia. His compassion […]

GF Strong Virtual Workshop Understanding Traumatic Brain Injury

Join G.F. Strong Rehabilitation for this informative virtual workshop. Registration is required. If family members are attending on different devices, please ensure each person registers individually. The link for the actual meeting will be sent directly to registrations. Click here or on the poster to register.

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 […]

Acquired Brain Injury Included in the Minister of Health’s Mandate Letter

We are very excited to report that acquired brain injury has been included in the BC Minister of Health’s mandate letter.

The inclusion of acquired brain injury (ABI) in the BC Minister of Health’s mandate letter is a significant milestone for several reasons:

Recognition of ABI as a Public Health Priority

Mandate letters outline the government’s core priorities and signal areas of focus for a minister’s term. By including ABI, the government explicitly acknowledges it as a critical public health issue, elevating its importance alongside other pressing concerns.

Policy and Funding Implications

Mandate letters often set the stage for policy development and […]

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 […]

Participants Needed for BC Caregiver Study

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 […]

Letters to Myself by Debra Erickson

This month, on November 11th, we’ll take two minutes to pause, reflect on the sacrifice made by those who have served during times of conflict. I make a point each year of going through the old black and white photos I have of relatives who were in the army.

There’s an old photo from WW1 of my grandfather. He lied about his age so he could join the Canadian Army. After training camp, he was shipped overseas for a brief stop in England. The photo is taken as he sits next to a buddy looking down on the rest of the soldiers on deck. He […]

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 […]

Provincial Strategy for Brain Injury Support and Advocacy Needed Now by Janelle Breese Biagioni

This post is in response to the recent announcement regarding involuntary care under the Mental Health Act. I want to acknowledge the thoughtful work that has gone into developing this important strategy, aimed at supporting individuals with complex mental health and addiction challenges, including those with acquired brain injuries. The goal of creating safer, healthier communities is one that we can all support.

However, it is crucial that the enforcement of involuntary care be reserved for only the most extreme circumstances. To truly address the challenges faced by individuals with brain injuries and concurrent disorders, we must find a balance between crisis response and preventative […]

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 […]

Ten Priorities for Research Addressing the Intersections of Brain Injury, Mental Health, and Addictions: A Stakeholder-Driven Priority-Setting Study

Ten Priorities for Research Addressing the Intersections of Brain Injury, Mental Health and Addictions: A Stakeholder‐Driven Priority‐Setting Study

Kennedy, C.J., Woodin, E., Schmidt, J., Biagioni, J.B., & Garcia-Barrera, M.A. (2024). Ten Priorities for Research Addressing the Intersections of Brain Injury, Mental Health, and Addictions: A Stakeholder-Driven Priority-Setting Study. Health Expectations, 27, e14136.

Researchers from the University of Victoria, the University of British Columbia, and community stakeholders recently published a study on a health research priority-setting process. This process aimed to identify, prioritize, and produce a community-driven list of […]

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!

The Impact of Brain Injury on One’s Inner Calendar

Forgetting something here and there usually isn’t a problem. It happens to everyone.

Memory loss is often associated with aging. People say things like, “My memory isn’t what it use to be.” But what if you were in your 20s and as a result of a traumatic brain injury, your memory was significantly impacted.

Sheila Willis of Alberta, shares her story of traumatic brain injury and the challenges of her inner calendar shifting as a result. Although she was in her early 20s when she was injured, she did not receive a diagnosis of post-concussive syndrome until her late 40s.

Sheila Willis’ story highlights the challenges faced by individuals […]

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