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 […]

YOGA for Post Concussion Recovery – Part 2

Yoga stretch touching the floor

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 […]

Canadian Royal Purple Organizes Canada-Wide Purple Thursday on October 20th

Canadian Royal Purple Purple Thursday

Canadian Royal Purple Organizes Canada-wide Purple Thursday on October 20^th

“Stop the Violence” and “Paint Your Town Purple” have become key slogans for the Canadian Royal Purple. October 20^th, 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

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 […]

Neurotrauma Consultant Fired Following Evaluation of Tua Tagovailoa

Tuo Tagovailoa, quarterba football head injury ck 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 […]

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 […]

The Road Ahead: Next Exit Hope! For Ages 11 and Up.

Preteens, teens, young adults are navigating a new path for themselves. These tender years are fraught with pressures in school, post secondary education, career options and more. It’s a lot. Add into the mix the sudden changes from a parent, sibling, or loved one sustaining a brain injury and their world is completely turned upside down.

What is a brain injury and how will it impact my loved one? These are prominent questions. What does it mean for me and how do I fit into this new life with them? These are the questions that are asked in silence.

Fraser Valley Brain Injury Association (FVBIA) intends for the booklet The Road Ahead: Next Exit Hope! For Ages 11 and […]

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 […]

Vulnerable Road-User and ICBC No-Fault Insurance

In British Columbia, we encourage people to enjoy outdoor activities. Whether you bike, skateboard, ride a scooter, or walk, everyone is asked to abide by safety rules and to ‘share the road’.

Did you know that as a participant of these activities you are considered a vulnerable-road user, and if involved in a crash with a motor vehicle, you may be faced with implications from ICBC’s No-Fault Insurance? Neither did Vancouver resident, Ben Bolliger.

Last year, Bolliger, was hit by a car as he traveled in a designated bike lane through a controlled intersection. To his dismay, and to everyone else who has read the Victoria Times Colonist newspaper article, Mr. Bolliger received a bill from ICBC for more than $3700 […]

Virtual Caregivers Support Group

When a person suffers from a Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI), their loved ones are catapulted into the caregiver role to support and look after their injured family member. Relationships, responsibilities, and roles shift suddenly, which can be confusing and overwhelming for the non-injured caregiver.

Chuck Jung Associates and Fraser Valley Brain Injury Association will be launching a Virtual Caregivers Support Group in March of 2022. From March to August of 2022, the group will meet monthly for 90-minutes to engage in discussions to provide important information and teach skills that will help caregivers negotiate and manage a new role in their life. These groups are free of charge.

WHAT? Monthly Caregiver Support Group

WHERE? Virtual

WHEN? 6-Monthly […]

Concerns with ICBC 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.

Click here to read the full article on Jess […]

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 […]

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 […]

Intimate partner violence and brain injury: the invisible disability meets the silent pandemic.

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 […]

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:

Media release for local media outlets.
Letter to […]

Campbell River Head Injury Support Society

Campbell River Head Injury Support Society The 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 […]

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 […]

News Articles

Call for More Research on Intimate Partner Violence and Brain Injury

Article:

YOGA for Post Concussion Recovery – Part 2

Get EMPOWERED in Your Post Concussion Recovery – Part 1

Kris Letang Suffers a Second Stroke

Canadian Royal Purple Organizes Canada-Wide Purple Thursday on October 20th

Medically Assisted Dying & People in Poverty

Neurotrauma Consultant Fired Following Evaluation of Tua Tagovailoa

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

The Road Ahead: Next Exit Hope! For Ages 11 and Up.

FVBIA Employers Guide to ABI 2022

Additional Resources:

Vulnerable Road-User and ICBC No-Fault Insurance

Virtual Caregivers Support Group

Concerns with ICBC Enhanced Care Model

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

British Columbia hosts its first annual Concussion Awareness Week.

Accessible Voting In Canada

What is accessible voting?

Intimate partner violence and brain injury: the invisible disability meets the silent pandemic.

National Hidden Disability Symbol

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

Campbell River Head Injury Support Society

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?

Video Series Part 3 – Motor Vehicle Brain Injury

Navigating Your Recovery Journey

Part 3: Support Organizations and Services

What is this video about?