Hot Topics Archives - Brainstreams

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

Navigating 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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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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Update on the BC Recovery Benefit and people receiving Ministry assistance

FEBRUARY 18, 2021 by DABC

DABC has been informed that clients currently receiving Ministry assistance (PWD, Income Assistance, Hardship Assistance), will automatically receive the BC Recovery Benefit – there is now no need to apply for the BC Recovery Benefit separately.

The following information comes directly from the Ministry:

“As of February 2021, the BC Recovery Benefit will be automatically paid to people on income, disability or hardship assistance and people receiving the senior’s supplement who were receiving assistance by the Ministry of Social Development and Poverty Reduction (SDPR) in December 2020 or January 2021.

• SDPR clients will receive the full BC Recovery Benefit amounts of $500 for single people an $1,000 for single-parent families and two-parent families.

• SDPR clients will […]

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MyGuide Concussion

What is MyGuide Concussion?

MyGuide Concussion website provides current best practice knowledge to help adults with concussion manage symptoms, develop skills and confidence to take action in their recovery and feel empowered to get back to their life after a concussion.

Click on image to view it larger

Developed by a team of experienced clinicians and content experts, MyGuide Concussion provides a personalized guide for each user on:

Introduction to common symptoms and concussion recovery basics

Guidance for gradually returning to activities

Strategies for becoming a self-manager

Tips for navigating the health care system

How is MyGuide Concussion unique?

While there are a number of websites […]

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Online Survey: We want to hear from you if a car crash resulted in brain injury

We want to hear from you!

If you sustained a brain injury in a car crash after April 1, 2019, we are keen to hear your experiences, thoughts, feelings and advice.

We invite you to please use this new online survey to tell us your story.

Our intent is to collect meaningful stories that reflect survivors’ experiences in navigating the new ICBC Accident Benefits Coverage. We will collate the information and identify common themes, share a summary of it with ICBC, and use it to inform next steps.

We want to identify opportunities for improvement and hear your thoughts about additional information or activities that can support survivors in navigating […]

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Recovering from a Car Crash? Explore your Treatment, Benefit and Settlement Options.

Have you been injured in a crash and you are recovering but things aren’t going as planned? Changes to ICBC’s Accident Benefits Coverage has shifted focus from financially compensating injuries to a care-based system. There’s now more money available for your medical care, treatment and rehabilitation expenses, as well as wage loss if you’re unable to work.

Effective April 1st, 2019: Find all of the changes to the ICBC Accident Benefits coverage by clicking the link.

If you are a BC resident and were injured in a car crash after April 1st, 2019, this final blog post in our series […]

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ICBC’s New Accident Benefits Coverage: Your Step-by-Step Guide.

Have you been injured in a crash and think you might have a concussion or brain injury? Are you wondering what to do next?

ICBC recognizes that receiving medical treatment as soon as practically possible is critically important in these cases. They have therefore improved Accident Benefits, as well as changed the insurance process to ensure their top priority — you, their customer — get the care and support needed.

Effective April 1st, 2019: Find all of the changes to the ICBC Accident Benefits coverage by clicking the link.

If you are a BC resident and were injured in a car crash after April 1st, […]

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ICBC’s New Accident Benefits Coverage: What you Need to Know.

In 2017, there were 350,000 motor vehicle crashes in British Columbia that were reported to ICBC. Of those, 95,000 resulted in injuries to a driver, passenger, pedestrian or cyclist.

ICBC identified that accessing medical treatment as soon as practically possible is crucial in these instances. Thus, they have improved Accident Benefits. They also changed the insurance process to ensure their top priority — you, their customer — get the care and support you need.

Effective April 1st, 2019: Find all of the changes to the ICBC Accident Benefits coverage by clicking the link.

Click on the plus symbols beside the questions below to learn […]

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Brain injury recovery resource list: new services have been added

Searching for services to support recovery from a brain injury can be overwhelming. We’ve created an online list of resources to help people recovering from brain injury access the supports they need. You can find this list of 300+ services (we call it a “Repository” for short) by clicking on the Resources menu item. You can search for information on a wide variety of helpful services ranging from support groups to rehab services, to housing options and financial assistance. We have also included services that help individuals return to life, such as […]

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Hot Topics

Shining a light on Brain Injury Awareness Month Across Canada

Navigating Your Recovery Journey

Part 1: ICBC Accident Benefits Coverage

What is this video about?

What is MyGuide Concussion?

How is MyGuide Concussion unique?

We want to hear from you!

Click on the plus symbols beside the questions below to learn […]