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Brainstreams > News Articles
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News Articles

BC Government Proclaims June as Brain Injury Awareness Month

Brain Injury Awareness Month

In Canada, Brain Injury Awareness Month is an observance held in June each year, with the aim of raising awareness about brain injuries and their impact on individuals and communities.

The British Columbia government has proclaimed June as Brain Injury Awareness month. The campaign seeks to educate the public about the causes, prevention, treatment, and rehabilitation of brain injuries, as well as to support those affected by them.

Brain injuries can result from various causes, including trauma from accidents, falls, sports-related incidents, and violence. They can also occur due to non-traumatic causes such as strokes, brain tumours, infections, and certain medical conditions. The numbers of brain injuries occurring in […]

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Bootlegger & Canadian Royal Purple BC Join Together to Raise Funds

Canadian Royal PurpleWe’re extremely thankful to the staff and customers of Bootlegger, who in partnership with the Canadian Royal Purple BC, raised over $2,600 to support Brainstreams. On behalf of those we serve, thank you!

Every year, the Canadian Royal Purple raises funds during the month of March for Brain Love.  This annual campaign is launched in conjunction with International Brain Awareness Month and Brain Health Month in Canada. The provincial lodges of Royal Purple work hard to raise funds and awareness about the importance of brain health and brain injury prevention.

In Canada, June is Brain Injury Awareness month, and the lodges will assist our Brain Injury Associations to distribute information […]

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Technology for Living

Technology for Living “We work with people with disabilities.” 

Technology for Living (TFL) is dedicated to helping people in BC with limited movement, and physical disabilities reduce barriers to participation in their home and community.

Provincial Respiratory Outreach Program (PROP)

For over 20 years, PROP has supported individuals who require ventilatory assistance to move into and continue living independently in their communities. Our team of Respiratory Therapists provide equipment, supplies, education, and ongoing support both remotely and in the home, no matter where you are in BC. Our team of Biomeds keeps our equipment up-to-date, safe, and available for the over 700 members we serve across BC.

We have extensive experience facilitating transfers from hospitals, care facilities, and rehabilitation […]

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GF Strong Adult Concussion Services (GFACS)

GF Strong Adult Concussion Services (GFACS)

The GF Strong Adult Concussion Services (GFACS) offers 2 streams of service:

  1. GFACS Group Education Session 
  • An Occupational Therapist provides group-based education about concussion recovery and self-management skills.
  1. GFACS Rehabilitation Program
  • Time-limited concussion treatment emphasizing self-management for clients with prolonged concussion symptoms.

How to refer: All referrals must be made by a Physician or Nurse Practitioner. This program does not accept self-referrals. Please see the link below for the referral form and more information about the program: http://www.vch.ca/Locations-Services/result?res_id=811

Referral criteria: must live within VCH, aged 18+ years old, diagnosis of concussion/mTBI less than 1 year ago. Individuals with ICBC or Worksafe BC related injuries […]

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Become a Charity Champion!

“It’s not how much we give, but how much love we put into giving.” ~Mother Teresa

We hope this message finds you well. We wanted to let you know about a new monthly donation campaign we’re starting up in March and invite you to participate.

Monthly donations are a great way to make a big impact and help us achieve our goals for the year. With your help, we can continue our work to create educational content on Brainstreams. Each month, Brainstreams has approximately 6,000 visitors to the website with an estimated 85% being new users. This tells us that survivors of brain injury, their families, caregivers, friends and support team are looking […]

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National Letter Writing Campaign to Support Bill C-277

logos_ CGB, Brain Injury Canada, Brainstreams, CBISAsk Your MP to Support Bill C-277

In addition to having you sign e-Petition #4266, MP MacGregor requires the support of your local Member of Parliament.

We do all the work for you! Go here  to enter your name, email address, and postal code and we will do the rest. When you click on ‘Add Your Voice‘ at the bottom of the screen, the letter will automatically be sent to your MP (selected by your postal code), the Prime Minister, Health Minister, and other appropriate decision-makers.

Bill C-277 is an initiative of the CGB Centre […]

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National Strategy on Brain Injury – Sign e-Petition #4266

Establish a National Strategy on Brain Injury

We need 500 signatures – Click here to sign!

Support Bill C-277

It’s estimated more than 165,000 new cases of traumatic brain injury annually occur in Canada, and an estimated national prevalence of over 1.5 million cases (Brain Injury Canada, n.d.). These statistics are grossly understated given the thousands of brain injuries resulting from concussions, intimate partner violence, violence among the homeless, individuals incarcerated, combat injuries and those surviving an opioid/stimulant poisoning that are not diagnosed, treated, or tracked medically. Constituents, Canada-wide, are struggling to navigate a siloed system, preventing access the services and supports they need.

NDP MP Alistair MacGregor of […]

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Call for More Research on Intimate Partner Violence and Brain Injury

Domestic ViolenceResearchers 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 […]

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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 […]

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Get EMPOWERED in Your Post Concussion Recovery – Part 1

Yoga stretch touching the floor 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 […]

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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 […]

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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 20th

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

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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 […]

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Neurotrauma Consultant Fired Following Evaluation of Tua Tagovailoa

Tuo Tagovailoa, quarterbafootball 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 […]

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  • Children walking arm in arm

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 […]

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  • group of young people with arms around each other

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 […]

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  • We are hiring

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 […]

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  • bike lane on city road

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 […]

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  • hands touching

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 […]

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  • damaged headlight

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 […]

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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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