Blog Archives - Brainstreams

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:

Globe and Mail Intimate Partner Violence and […]

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

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

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 […]

Medically Assisted Dying & People in Poverty

wheel chair

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 […]

BC Brain Injury Association Seeks Volunteers

Bruce Willis Diagnosed with Aphasia

In March 2022, Bruce Willis’ family announced on social media that he is stepping away from a long career as an actor following a diagnosis of aphasia. Willis’ family, in the past, had made comments on the actor’s memory challenges. The Los Angeles Times reported that in recent years, accommodations were made on film sets because of these struggles.

Willis began his career in theatre and then became known on television in the hilarious series Moonlighting, with Cybil Shepherd. He advanced his acting career from television to the big screen and appeared in approximately 150 movies, including Die Hard and Pulp Fiction.

Aphasia impacts a person’s ability to understand language. The individual […]

The Road Ahead: Next Exit Hope! For Ages 5 and Up.

Little ones thrive on structure and routine. They also need fun, joy, mud puddles, and life to be carefree. When a parent or sibling, or a loved one sustain a brain injury those carefree days disappear – in an instant.

Children as young as five years of age are aware of significant changes at home. They may not understand or be able to put into words how they feel, what they are afraid of, or even know what to ask, but they too, will be impacted by a brain injury in the family. It impacts everyone.

Fraser Valley Brain Injury Association (FVBIA) intends for the booklet The Road Ahead: Next Exit Hope! For Ages 5 and Up to help families […]

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 aim to support employers who are not familiar with an acquired brain injury. Returning to meaningful activity, including employement when possible, is a central goal for many individuals who has 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 […]