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BC Brain Injury Association Celebrates 40 Years of Service

The BC Brain Injury Association (BCBIA) Celebrates 40 Years of Service & Forms a Strategic Alliance with the CGB Centre for Traumatic Life Losses

Brainstreams.ca is the official website of the BC Brain Injury Association (BCBIA). We are excited to announce fourty years of service in British Columbia. BCBIA was founded in 1982 and incorporated in 1983.

Throughout the years, BCBIA has been the voice of the brain injury community, evolving from providing direct services to joining forces with the Pacific Coast Brain Injury Conference Society (PCBICS) in 2012, to becoming the provincial resource for online education and networking through Brainstreams.ca.

BCBIA is evolving again. We have formalized a Strategic Alliance with the Constable Gerald Breese Centre for Traumatic Life Losses (CGB) under the leadership […]

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Concerns with ICBC Enhanced Care Model

ICBC coverage concerns in regard to the Enhanced Care Model

The Cridge Centre for the Family Brain Injury Program and the BC Brain Injury Association is most concerned in regard to the issues raised in this article.  Innocent crash victims must be fully protected and compensated by ICBC and its Enhanced Care Model.  The BCBIA will be bringing this story forward to appropriate authorities at ICBC and those others concerned about the Enhanced Care Model.

Should you or those within your network experience similar, perceived unfair treatment or support from the ICBC Enhanced Care Model, please let us know.  Send concerns or issues to: Geoff Sing care of – info@nullbrainstreams.ca.

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Cultivating Community

Cultivating Community is Cultivating Kindness

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 […]

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Concussion Awareness Week in B.C. Sept. 26th – Oct. 2nd.

British Columbia hosts its first annual Concussion Awareness Week.

September 26th to October 2nd is British Columbia’s first annual Concussion Awareness Week.  The BC Injury, Research and Prevention Unit (BCIRPU) and Concussion Awareness Training Tool (CATT) have partners to run a campaing aimed at raising awareness about concussion and to encourage British Columbians to learn how to prevent, recognize, respond to, and manage this invisible injury.

Each year in BC, 600 individuals are hospitalized for a a concussion, and an estimated 14,500 visit the emergency departments.

In an article from BCIRPU, Dr. Shelina Babul is quoted, “When well-managed, approximately 70 to 85 per cent of concussions will resolve without complication,” says Dr. Shelina Babul, associate director and sports injury specialist […]

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Accessible Voting In Canada

Canada Flag Parliament Buildings Ottawa

All citizens of voting age have the right to vote. For the election to be fair, and for the voice of Canadians to be heard, there is a responsibility to ensure voters are given every opportunity to exercise their rights.

Who can vote? To vote in Canada, the individual must be 18 years or older, a Canadian citizen and be able to provide acceptable proof of identity and address. It’s important to keep Elections Canada up to date with any change of address.

What is accessible voting?

Accessible voting ensures Canadians who are eligible to vote, have access to cast their ballot when an election takes place. When choosing where polling […]

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Brain Injury Housing Needs Survey

Family Advocates for Brain Injury Survivors

The Family Advocates for Brain Injury Survivors is a committee of the CGB Centre for Traumatic Life Losses.

The purpose of the committee is to determine affordable and accessible housing and support solutions for individuals living with a brain injury. Specifically, the members are comprised of parents, survivors, family representatives, and research students with a vested interest in the development of “Forever Homes” with supports for survivors of brain injury.

Roles and Responsibilities

  • Identify ways to raise awareness and come up with strategies to achieve better housing support.
  • Research the current housing and living supports available for individuals with disabilities.
  • Collaborate with survivors and families to […]
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Intimate partner violence and brain injury: the invisible disability meets the silent pandemic.

The Cridge Centre for the Family 1 in 4 women in Canada will experience intimate partner violence (IPV) in their lifetime. In Canada, it is estimated that more than 200,000 women a year receive brain injuries inflicted by their intimate partners, with up to 92% of IPV incidents involving hits or punches to the head or face, banging of the head against a hard object, or strangulation. It is reported that for every one NHL player who sustains a concussion in sport, 5,500 Canadian women sustain the same injury from IPV.  Survivors of IPV are at an increased risk of experiencing adverse medical health outcomes such as post-traumatic stress disorder, depression, anxiety […]

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National Hidden Disability Symbol

A National Hidden Disability Symbol:                                    It is time. It is right. It is needed. 

 

Consider becoming an ally and join the movement for a national Hidden Disability Symbol in Canada.

Co-founders of the Hidden Disability Symbol (HSDC) movement are: Maeri Perra, Communications Manager, Brain Injury Society of Toronto, Michelle McDonald, Executive Director, Brain Injury Canada, and Laura Brydges, Member of the hidden disability community, and Administrator, facebook.com/HiddenDisability.

This team has prepared a communication kit for individuals or organizations to release before August 24, 2021.

The kit includes:

  1. Media release for local media outlets.
  2. Letter to […]
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Campbell River Head Injury Support Society

Campbell River Head Injury Support SocietyThe breathtaking community of Campbell River is world-renown for a few things. Located on the east coast of Vancouver Island, it is a short 1.5 hour drive from Nanaimo, and boasts pristine scenery and wildlife, snow-capped mountains, and claims the title of Salmon Capital of Canada. This thriving city is on the Salish Sea and has an abundance of Chinook, Coho, and Sockeye Salmon; residents and visitors can enjoy fishing year-round.

In addition to low crime and low unemployment rates, this city ensures its community members thrive by providing important services. In particular, the Campbell River Head Injury Support Society (CRHISS) serves nearly five hundred survivors of brain […]

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Video Series Part 4 – Motor Vehicle Brain Injury

Navigating Your Recovery Journey

Part 4: Being Active in Your Own Recovery

What is this video about?

The BC Brain Injury Association (BCBIA) has created a series of short videos (6-11 minutes each) that highlight scenarios that we think are important for individuals and families to have information about, as they navigate ICBC’s Accident Benefit Coverage system.

When ICBC introduced changes to its Accident Benefits Coverage in April, 2019, we knew that many people would have questions, particularly if they had suffered a brain injury as a result of a motor vehicle accident.  We started out by creating a series of blog posts intended to help provide information to our stakeholders about the claims […]

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Video Series Part 3 – Motor Vehicle Brain Injury

Navigating Your Recovery Journey

Part 3: Support Organizations and Services

What is this video about?

The BC Brain Injury Association (BCBIA) has created a series of short videos (6-11 minutes each) that highlight scenarios that we think are important for individuals and families to have information about, as they navigate ICBC’s Accident Benefit Coverage system.

When ICBC introduced changes to its Accident Benefits Coverage in April, 2019, we knew that many people would have questions, particularly if they had suffered a brain injury as a result of a motor vehicle accident.  We started out by creating a series of blog posts intended to help provide information to our stakeholders about the claims process.

The entire […]

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Fathers and Sons

father and son walking
Small actions, big rewards.

For those of you who have children, you no doubt wonder, as I did, how they are faring living with a parent with an ABI. Ours is a unique situation as our now teenage son doesn’t know his dad any other way than with the ABI. It’s a mixed blessing, I’m sure. He didn’t know how dad struggled with him as a child, knowing that his child’s brain and body was often quicker than his own would allow. Our son is thoughtful, conscientious, and aware of everything. Always has been. And that’s a tough match for the parent who isn’t so quick and sure […]

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Video Series Part 2 – Motor Vehicle Brain Injury

Navigating Your Recovery Journey

Part 2: Treatment Provider Options

What is this video about?

The BC Brain Injury Association (BCBIA) has created a series of short videos (6-11 minutes each) that highlight scenarios that we think are important for individuals and families to have information about, as they navigate ICBC’s Accident Benefit Coverage system.

When ICBC introduced changes to its Accident Benefits Coverage in April, 2019, we knew that many people would have questions, particularly if they had suffered a brain injury as a result of a motor vehicle accident.  We started out by creating a series of blog posts intended to help provide information to our stakeholders about the claims process.

The entire video […]

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Intimate Partner Violence & Brain Injury

 

Shining a light on Brain Injury Awareness Month Across Canada

VICTORIA, B.C. June 2021:

June is Brain Injury Awareness Month in Canada. 452 Canadians suffer a serious traumatic brain injury every day. This amounts to nearly one person every 3 minutes, equaling almost 165,000 serious brain injuries per year. This does not include concussions, non-traumatic brain injuries, military injuries, or unreported cases.

The results of a recent survey conducted by brain injury associations across Canada revealed that approximately 61% of respondents found general lack of awareness about brain injury a key issue. These results demonstrate that we need to work harder to shine a light on the prevalence and intersectionality of brain injury.

Please be aware […]

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Video Series Part 1 – Motor Vehicle Brain Injury

blop pic woman driving title pictureNavigating Your Recovery Journey

Part 1: ICBC Accident Benefits Coverage

What is this video about?

The BC Brain Injury Association (BCBIA) has created a series of short videos (6-11 minutes each) that highlight scenarios that we think are important for individuals and families to have information about, as they navigate ICBC’s Accident Benefit Coverage system.

When ICBC introduced changes to its Accident Benefits Coverage in April, 2019, we knew that many people would have questions, particularly if they had suffered a brain injury as a result of a motor vehicle accident.  We started out by creating a series of blog posts intended to help provide information to our stakeholders […]

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The Faces of Brain Injury

Behind every brain injury diagnosis is a real person. We are pleased to share The Faces of Brain Injury, a series of digital posters sharing a brief snapshot into the lives of brain injury survivors.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Click on each name to view posters: Michael Coss, Toni King, Kresimir Kero, Tony Mok

While the journey of rehabilitation can be challenging, the individuals in our posters demonstrate through their photos and quotes, that the essence of who they are remains intact.

Join us in celebrating […]

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Shining a Light on Brain Injury

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

JUNE 1, 2021

Shining a light on brain injury in Canada

VICTORIA, BRITISH COLUMBIA – June is Brain Injury Awareness Month in Canada. 452 Canadians suffer a serious traumatic brain injury every day. This amounts to nearly one person every 3 minutes, equaling almost 165,000 serious brain injuries per year. This does not include concussions, non-traumatic brain injuries, military injuries, or unreported cases.

The results of a recent survey conducted by Canadian brain injury associations revealed that approximately 61% of respondents found general lack of awareness about brain injury a key issue. These results demonstrate that we need to work harder to shine a light on the prevalence and intersectionality of brain injury.

Through multiple digital platforms and events, Canadian brain injury associations are working […]

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Research Study: The Experiences of Self-Identity, Self-Awareness, and Occupational Engagement in Individuals with Traumatic Brain Injury

Dr. Julia Schmidt, PhD, BSC (OT) is the Principal Investigator of a new research study on the experiences of self-identity, self-awareness, and occupational engagement in individuals with traumatic brain injury.

Are you interested in sharing your experiences of life after traumatic brain injury? If so, your involvement includes completing five questionnaires and an intereview. Click here to view a larger image.

The questionnaires will take approximately 45 minutes and will ask you about:

  • demographic data (example: age)
  • issues related to your injury
  • how you perceive yourself
  • your abilities
  • your daily activities

The interview will take approximately 40 to 60 minutes and will ask you about:

  • your injury
  • how you perceive yourself
  • your […]
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Finding Purpose in What You Love

Between the Lines: Stories of Brain Injury Survivors – (Part 6 of 6)

person holding appleThis is the sixth post in Between the Lines: Stories of Brain Injury Survivors. If you missed the beginning of Tony’s Journey, click here to read it.

It’s been eleven years since Tony’s first stroke. In that time, he’s had his share of ups and downs–and learned some pretty big life lessons. “It’s all part of the process,” Tony says. In his view, recovery is a continuous, lifelong journey.

Throughout Between The Lines, Tony has shared his experiences and […]

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Slowing Down and Getting Back to Basics

Between the Lines: Stories of Brain Injury Survivors – (Part 5 of 6)

trees and oceanThis is the fifth post in Between the Lines: Stories of Brain Injury Survivors. If you missed the beginning of Tony’s Journey, click here to read it.

Before his first stroke, Tony was a busy guy. As a husband and father of two, Tony spent his days driving his kids to sports practice, cooking for the family, and in general being a pretty involved family man–on top of working a fast-paced full-time job.

When the stroke happened, all of that came to a […]

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The British Columbia Brain Injury Association
c/o Janelle Breese Biagioni
PO Box 37091 MILLSTREAM PO
Victoria, BC V9B 0E8

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Brainstreams.ca is an online education and networking site for the Brain Injury Community in B.C. and beyond. The material on this web site is provided for educational purposes only, and is not to be used for medical advice, diagnosis or treatment.
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