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7/31/2019 Headline Magazine: Summer 2012
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BRITISH COLUMBIAS VOICE FOR THE BRAIN INJURY COMMUNITY Summer 2012
Sometimes allyou need is aD.I.M. light of
hope.Jessica Brandts Story
Page 8
ApartmentBasedServices
Story Page 18
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"The efforts of your highly competent legal
team resulted in my seriously injured brain
damaged son being looked after and
nancially secured for the rest of his life.
We are most grateful. I particularly
appreciate Mr. Simpson coming to
Korea to help set up the care
for my son"
- J. HWA
Brain Injury
Paraplegia
Quadriplegia
Spinal Cord Injury
BERNIE SIMPSON, C.M.Member Order of Canada
Recipient of the Queens Jubilee Medal
Eloisa De Lorenzo Awarded in Washington, D.C.on behalf of Brain Injury Survivors
Reduced legal fees on brain injury, paraplegia and quadriplegia cases
WE HANDLE ALL OF THE EXPENSESFREE Consultation. If no recovery, no legal frees or expenses.
Helping brain injury victims and their families
for over 40 years.
E. ANTHONY THOMASExtensive experience in motor vehiclecases for 20 years
www.simpsonthomas.com
Surrey/Delta Office
7253 120th Street,Delta, BC
Ph: 604-591-8885
VancouverOffice
808 Nelson Street, Suite 1512,Vancouver, BC
Ph: 604-689-8888
TOLL FREE: Throughout BC 1-800-668-3788
(24 hrs Emergency Service)
LOW LEGAL FEESWith over 40 years experience handling exclusively motor vehicle injury claims
ICBC claims only
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SudokuThe rules of Sudoku are simple. Place a digit
from 1 to 9 in each empty cell so every row, every
column, and every 3 x 3 box contains the digits 1 to 9.
Solution on page 21
headline 3
Message from the EditorJanelle Breese Biagioni
Greetings!
1 6 8
3 9
2 4 6
8 4 3 6 14 7
3 1 5 7 8
7 6 4
5 1
8 4 2
I am happy to say that the dreary days of winterseem to be well behind us. With the sunshine andgorgeous skies, its such a joy to head outdoors
and enjoy some fun. Now is the time to break outthe scooters, skateboards and bikes for the family
dont forget all the cool gear, including helmets, thatis needed to keep you and your loved ones safe.
June is Brain Injury Awareness Month. What can
you do to raise awareness in your neighbourhoodand community about brain injury and prevention?
Take a few minutes from your day and write a letterto the local newspaper. Readers will be interested
to hear your experience or that of someone youknow. The personal stories of families and individ-
uals who are living with the outcome of a brain injuryare inspirational and educational. They can also be
heartbreaking; however, the power of story is oftenunderestimated. Share your story today you neverknow who will garner hope or make a decision to
do something different that may save his or her lifebecause of something you said.
In this issue, we have information on the upcom-
ing conference of the Brain Injury Association ofCanada. Also take note of the call to action for each
of us to join in the proposed global picnic, which isintended to educate the world and increase aware-
ness. Its a great way to collectively spread the wordon prevention, rehabilitation and worldwide research
that is taking place.
In closing, I wish you all a warm and fun-lled sum-
mer. Enjoy all the outdoors has to offer and do whatis needed to stay safe.
Cheshire Homes Society of B.C.
Wheel, Walk, Run for
Brain Injury Awareness MonthJune 17th, 2012
Lumbermans Arch (Stanley Park), VancouverRegistration to the event is free of charge.
Please visit www.cheshirehomes.ca for moreinformation on the event, and to register
for the Wheel, Walk and Run!
Contact: 604-540-0686, admin@cheshirehomes.ca
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headline 4
headlineis published quarterly by
Mike Rossiter
5851 Kittiwake Drive
Richmond, BC V7E 3P1
Editor
Janelle Breese Biagioni
2031 Gourman Pl
Victoria, BC V9B 6A9
Email: headlinenews@shaw.ca
HEADLINE welcomes letters and relevant
articles for publication, and reserves the right to
edit any accepted submissions for clarity and length. A
signature, address, and telephone number are required.
Please contact Janelle Breese Biagioni
for copy deadlines.
Mike Rossiter and HEADLINE editors take no
responsibility for, nor do they necessarily agree
with, the opinions contained in articles, letters
or advertising.
Contact Janelle Breese Biagioni
at 250-592-4460 for information.
CHANGE OF ADDRESS?We would like to keep our
mailing list up-to-date!
If you have moved or would like to
be on the mailing list, please
contact Mary Lou at: 604-274-1251
or email her at: mlr @t el us .n et(Please putHEADLINEin subject line of email)
40981507
Government Resources
Regional Health Authoritys ABI Coordinators:Fraser Health - Aquired Brain injury Program-604-520-4175Interior Health Authority-250-870-4664,Contact Name: Deborah PrestonAcquired Brain Injury Program, Northern Health
Call 250-565-7393Vancouver Coastal Health Authority-604-714-4159Vancouver Island Health Authority- 250- 370-8699,Contact Name: Judith ArmstrongEnquiry BC-to locate Provincial Government Departments Lower Mainland 604-660-2421 Outside Lower Mainland 1-800-663-7867 Victoria 250-387-6121Ministry of Advanced Education, Training and Technology:Open Learning Information: In and Outside Lower Mainland 1-800-663-1633Student Loan Information: Lower Mainland 604-660-2610 Outside Lower Mainland 1-800-561-1818- select 1 then 5
Public Guardian & Trustee of British Columbia: 700-808 West Hastings St. Vancouver, BC V6B 3L3Victims Info Line: 1-800-563-0808Adult and Youth Addiction Services: Lower Mainland 604-660-9382 Outside Lower Mainland 1-800-663-1441
Community Resources
BC Coalition of People with DisabilitiesAdvocacy Access Program for assistance with provincial and
federal disability benefitsLower Mainland 604-872-1278Outside Lower Mainland 1-888-663-1278
Bus Pass for Persons with Disabilities and SeniorsLower Mainland 604-682-0391Outside Lower Mainland 1-888-661-1566
Tim Readman, Executive DirectorStroke Recovery Association of BCPhone: 604-688-3603 Toll Free: 1-888-313-3377www.strokerecoverybc.ca
Cerebral Palsy Association of BCLower Mainland Voice and TTY 604-515-9455
Outside Lower Mainland 1-800-663-0004Community Brain Injury Program for Children & Youth in BCToll Free 1-877-451-5511www.cbip.bc.ca
Epilepsy BCLower Mainland 604-875 6704Outside Lower Mainland 1-866-374-5377Victoria 250-475-6677
Information Services Vancouver604-875-6381
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headline 5
Fatigue is a major issue for individuals living with a
brain injury. Many of the people I have worked withexplain it as hitting the wall at some point in the day.
They also explain that when it hits, they cant think,
they cant take in any information, their eyes glazeover and they may not be able to retrieve the words
that they want to say.
A lot goes into getting through the day for all of us.However, for those adding rehabilitation and recovery
into the mix, getting from sunrise to sundown can bedaunting. In working together, we examine where he
or she is spending their energy and compare that towhat is of utmost importance to them. Its not uncom-
mon to hear they dont have enough juice to do allthey want or need to do during waking hours.
I ask clients to list their priorities of what is important
to them and then to list what they think they should bedoing. An example would be a mom who is striving tofunction in her familys life as she did prior to a brain
injury. Looking after a family (e.g. school activities,childcare, couple time) and operating a household
(e.g. cleaning, laundry, meals, grocery shopping etc.)is a big job and demanding at the best of times. For
a wife and mother, who is also a survivor of braininjury, its not uncommon for her to feel frustrated and/
or overwhelmed because she does not have enough
energy to complete these tasks. She may also bechallenged with difculty in initiating tasks, or lack theability to problem-solve or follow-through or to deter-
mine priorities. So for her to feel successful in com-pleting her day, it is necessary to look at the energy
budget she has and help her to spend it where it isneeded most.
If cooking for her family is important however, doinglaundry and cleaning the house robs her of the energy
she needs to plan, prep and cook a meal, then thedesire to cook for her family is likely to be set aside.
She may be left feeling sad, frustrated, disappointed,and upset with herself. In order for her to maintain
the energy she needs to do the meal, she is going to
What is Your Energy Budget?By Janelle Breese Biagioni
have to take the energy from some other area of herlife. Its just like shopping. She only has so much to
spend (in this case, its energy) so she needs to spendit where its important to her. If she can have someone
else clean the toilets and do the vacuuming then sheshould. She can then take that reserve of energy and
put it towards cooking for her family.
Its important to remember that things are subject tochange during recovery and rehabilitation. What a
person cannot do today, they may be able to do insix months, one year or more. So for my hypothet-
ical mom, she may have to borrow energy from thehousekeeping tasks to cook for her family today, but
in a few months she may have more energy and couldresume some of the housekeeping, if not all of it.
You can make a list or use a diagram as I have here.List the activities that are part of your day. I have
selected just a few. You could have more categor-ies. Within each category list all the tasks you do. So
under rehabilitation, you may have speech therapy,pool therapy and physiotherapy. Under household,
things like cooking, cleaning, laundry will be pre-dominate. When I review the listed categories for my
hypothetical mom, I would NOT advise her to take anyenergy from her rehabilitation to fuel family activ-
ities. But I would suggest she shop in the householddepartment for energy that can used to care for her
family, if thats what is important to her. The logic ofcourse is that rehabilitation will lessen down the roadand she will have that energy to use elsewhere, but
for now, its a priority.
How do you spend your energy? Is it where you wantit to be or are you expending energy in areas where
others could take over or on tasks you dont needto do right now? Remember, nobody has more than
100% energy to spend, so we all have to spend itwisely.
Rehabilitation
Work
Family
Household
Headline is also available in PDF format.If you would like a copy sentto your email address contactMary Lou by email at: mlr@telus.netPlease add Headline to the subject line
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April 17, 1982 signalled a new era beginning forCanadians with disabilities, as Canadas new Con-stitution came into force. In the Charter of Rightsand Freedoms, Canada made a constitutional com-mitment in Section 15 to equality before and underthe law for those living with disabilities. (Section15 came into force in 1985.) Canadas constitutionwas the rst to include equality rights protection ofpeople with disabilities.
Canadians with disabilities, including Yvonne Petersand Jim Derksen, went to Ottawa to convince theTrudeau government to include people with dis-abilities in the Charters Section 15, Equality Rights.The original draft of Section 15 omitted people with
disabilities. Canadians with disabilities believedinclusion in the Charter of Rights and Freedomshad both symbolic and legal value. Looking backon the work of 30 years ago Peters states, Clearly,our efforts helped to achieve a signicant legal vic-tory, which marked a new social consciousness ofdisability rights. I am deeply honoured to have hadthe opportunity to play a small role in this importantvictory.
In 1981, when the Charter was being negotiated,disability was viewed more as a medical issue thana human rights or legal issue. However, throughthe Council of Canadians with Disabilities (CCD), anational group working for an inclusive and access-ible Canada, people with disabilities were forgingnew approaches to disability. With the inclusion ofdisability in the Constitution, people with disabilitiescreated a new arena, constitutional law, where theycould inuence how Canadian governments treatedpeople with disabilities.
CCD is playing an important role in advancingCanadian jurisprudence on equality rights. CCD
intervened in the Andrews case, the rst Section 15case heard by the Supreme Court of Canada. Withthe Andrews case, CCD began to explain to theCourt how Section 15 supports a vision of substan-tive equality which overcomes unintended, as wellas intended, barriers.
When VIA Rail attempted to put inaccessible pas-senger rail cars into service, CCD, through theTransportation Committee chaired by Pat Danforth,challenged VIAs actions through the court andwon a victory for all Canadians needing accessibletransportation, thanks to the protection afforded inthe Charter of Rights and Freedoms. Danforth wasat the Supreme Court on March 23, 2007, when the
Court, in the VIA Rail decision, said an emphaticNO! to new barriers.
Last month in the Moore case, CCD shared itsperspective with the Supreme Court about how toeffectively accommodate students with disabilities inthe public school system.
The inclusion of disability in the Charter has an ef-fect beyond the courtroom. When Vangelis Nikiasapproached the Bank of Canada about makingaccessible currency, the Bank was open to addingtactile cues to Canadas money to make it more
usable by people with vision impairments; becausethey knew that Section 15 of the Charter compelledthem to address the barrier created by inaccessiblemoney. The Canadian accessible currency repre-sents a tangible example of changing our environ-ment to make it more accessible and more inclusivefor all, regardless of how they recognize and handlepaper money, states Vangelis Nikias, CCDs CRPDProject Manager.
CCD celebrates the anniversary of the Charter andall those who have been using it to remove barriersto the full and equal participation of people withdisabilities, states Tony Dolan, CCD Chairperson.April 17 is an important anniversary which we mustcelebrate every year.
For more information contact:
Yvonne Peters, CCD Human Rights Consultant 204-832-0681 Jim
Derksen, CCD Human Rights Committee Member 204-786-7937
Pat Danforth, Chairperson CCD Transportation Committee
250-383-4443
Vangelis Nikias, CRPD Project Manager 613-240-5730
Laurie Beachell, National Coordinator 204-947-0303
Constitutional Equality Rights: People with
Disabilities Still Celebrating 30 Years LaterFor Immediate Release April 17, 2012
Suite 400 - 601 West BroadwayVancouver, BC V5Z 4C2
toll free 1.800.590.SALT
t. 604.871.4306
health
Group Homes Support Home Sharing Rehabilitation
www.saltgrasshealth.com
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Blue skies, birds singing and beautiful blossom arecommon elements of summer. Gathering with familyand friends for a BBQ or picnic are wonderful waysto pass the time. Follow these steps to ensure thatyour food stays safe and healthy to eat:
1. Splish, splash! Soap and water are powerful
safety agents ~ always wash your hands beforepreparing food and wash the work area too.
2. Stay cool! Ensure you have plenty of time forcooking food in advance and for those items to ad-equately chill in the refrigerator.
3. 40 is the magic number! Perishable foods includ-ing meat, poultry, sh, eggs and salads need to bekept chilled at 40 degrees F. Tip: Your cooler willstay colder longer if it is packed full.
4. Dont let food hang around! Dont leave food sit-ting on the counter to pack in a cooler later. It should
go straight from the refrigerator to the cooler.5. Watch the raw foods! Pack raw meats, poultry orseafood on the bottom of a cooler so that it minimiz-es the risk of dripping on other foods. Be sure to usegood Ziploc bags or sealed containers to store rawitems.
6. Watch the clock! Take out food (e.g. fried chicken)should be eaten within one hour of picking it up and
perishable food should be used within two hours ifun-refrigerated.
7. Liquids and solids shouldnt mix! Beveragesshould be kept in a separate cooler.
8. Travel sizes work best! Condiments like ketchup,mustard and mayo should be stored in smaller con-
tainers.
9. When in doubt toss it! It is important to dis-card picnic leftovers, especially if they have beenunrefrigerated for more than two hours and it is aMUST to discard marinades that have touched rawmeat.
10. Check and double check! Have a checklist andtake the following with you: garbage bags, disin-fecting wipes, paper towels, tin foil, fresh bags tostore cooked meat in (discard meat if un-refrigeratedfor more than two hours), and extra plates or platters
to serve cooked meat on (dont use the same dishthat was used for the raw meat).
When cleaning up, be sure to thoroughly wash thecooler, dishes and reusable bags with hot, soapywater. For current recommendations on food safety,including tips on proper storage, barbecuing andpreparation of foods, visit Canada Food InspectionAgencys website at www.inspection.gc.ca.
Ten Tips for Food Safe Picnics
30 years of experience
helping brain injuredvictims and their families.
Murphy Battista LLP
T: 604.683.9621
Toll-free 1.888.683.9621
Fax 604.683.5084
E: murphy@murphybattista.com
2020 - 650 West Georgia Street
Box 11547, Vancouver Centre
Vancouver, BC V6B 4N7
www.murphybattista.com
Joe Murphy, Q.C. Joe Battista, Q.C. J. Scott Stanley
Derek Mah Steve Gibson Brian Brooke
Irina Kordic Kevin Gourlay Angela Price-Stephens
Alex Sayn-Wittgenstein
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headline 8
A day is made up of countless moments. Somethat are exciting, some that are usual, emotionalor even meaningful, but it only takes a singlemoment to dramatically change your life. Thatmoment for me, took place on a cold and icynight.
On December 6, 2009 at 1:58 a.m., I misread inmaking the dark turn before my end destinationpoint, Trinity Western University. This resulted inan almost fatal collision into Trinity Westerns mainwater source - the schools nearby pump house. Iwas found unconscious, in a vegetative state. From
that point forward I fought for any kind of life formyself. This ght lasted a painful not one but twomonths, with my loved ones by my side every day.
I had my eyes open but there was no life behindthem. I was initially a level three out of a possibleten on the Glasgow Coma Scale. The GlasgowComa Scale or GCS is a neurological scale thataims to give a reliable, objective way of recordingthe conscious state of a person for initial as well assubsequent assessment; I was as close to dead,as I could reach. Since that day its been an extreme
battle with its periods of highs and extreme lows.Ive endured but in time have overcome. Reachingthe light at the end of the tunnel.
I have learned how your attitude towards recoverycontrols your true outcome. When I began using apositive mindset I saw that I then truly progressed.I believe it is very important to have both inspirationand motivation. Teens are often guarded, like I wasmyself, although if they have a true form of inspira-tion that they can RELATE to, they can then BE-LIEVE in their own recovery possibilities.
I wished I could have had the opportunity and ad-vantage in talking to someone who had previouslyand recently walked my shoes and I would like achance to council future patients at G.F Strong. IfG.F Strong is not the avenue, I will have to makethis dream a reality in some other direction.
Mentoring and giving advice was always my strongpoint. Before my injury, I had planned on going toschool to be a psychologist and work through myfuture patients issues. I dreamed of answering theirquestions and offering advice and helpful strategiesto work through their difculties. I feel that now Iwould have the ability to offer that same support,only better because I would have the experienceand I too, walked the road of recovery and had theexact same challenges.
When youre faced with something you know youwere meant to do, something youre passionateabout, it makes it easy in deciding where your timeshould be spent. I know now how important and cru-cial inspiration and motivation is in recovery. I feel Icould offer that and make a huge difference. To bean outlet for true recovery. This is only the begin-ning.
One of my absolutefavourite quotes states,You cant climb to
the top, if you dontstart from the bottom.Right now, Im at thebottom, but with hardwork in getting mystory out there andknown, I can thenstart making the dif-ference I was meant
to make.
Sometimes all you need is a D.I.M. light of hope.Determination, Insperation and Motivation - Jessica Brandt
RaincoastCommunity Rehabilitation
Services wher e you live, work and play
2392 Kingsway tel: 604.444.3770
Vancouver, BC fax: 604.444.3729
V5R 5G9 toll free: 1.800.535.9988
info@raincoastrehab.ca www.raincoastrehab.ca
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Brain injury is devastating. Lives are turned upside down.
We offer not just a house, but homes for people at all levels of abilities,a foundation to build relationships and be connected to the community.
Our transitional and residential rehab programs are developed and guidedby rehab professionals, designed for each individuals unique needs
and implemented on a daily basis.
CONNECTs mission is simple...to make lives better.
In Langley call In Lake Country call
Janette Jackman Christy McKeating 604-534-0705 250-469-9358janettej@connectcommunities.ca christym@connectcommunities.ca
Please visit our website at www.connectcommunities.ca
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The doctors told me I would never walk, I have nocontrol over my left side and here I am skiing. When
I am on the hill, I dont feel like a brain injury sur-vivor, I feel like everyone else up there. This is what
Ashley recounts of his experience with Rehab on the
Mountain. When you speak to Ashley about Rehabon the Mountain, you can feel the radiating energy ofa proud accomplished man. It is an unbelievable joy
to overcome your fears and realize that you can dothings you never dreamed possible Ashley says as
he energetically shared with me his story of learn-ing to ski. Ashley has participated in the ski portion
of the Rehab on the Mountain program three times.The rst time I was on the hill, I fell a lot, but thatdidnt stop me. I continued to practice and by the
second time I was out there, I became the king of
the bunny hill. By the third trip, I was shocked at mylevel of stamina. I didnt need to rest between runs,I could just keep on going and I was skiing blue and
green runs said Ashley.
Rehab on the Mountain is a specialized UniversalRehabilitation Service Agency (URSA) program that
provides opportunity for brain injury survivors to goon ski trips, white water rafting, snow shoeing, cross
country skiing, and hiking. These types of recrea-tion and leisure activities challenge the participants
abilities to problem solve and navigate the commun-
ity in a safe manner with staff support. This initiativebegan in the winter with a ski camp three years ago.Since then the program has expanded to include
both winter and summer sports. Our goal is to goout to the mountains at least three times per yearsays Mari-Anne Godlonton, Coordinator of URSAs
Rehab on the Mountain program.
Rehab on the Mountain is a great opportunity tohave a t mind and body. The health benets to
participation in this program are numerous. Many ofour participants use aids to assist them with walking.
When on the ski hill they are able to work on theirjoint mobility and exibility. Stamina and cardio-
vascular endurance also play a big factor in theseoutdoor activities. Although some participants might
not be able to ski or hike for hours, they are able totake short breaks and build this staying power.
The main goal of URSAs brain injury support pro-gram is to promote independent living. When we
take participants on these trips they are able to workon these skills. Participants are given an itinerary of
when and where they need to be each day. We work
with them to be able to be on time for each event.This includes packing their bags for the trip andgetting ready on their own each morning. Setting an
alarm clock, independently ordering meals at res-taurants, practicing paying for items, and taking ac-
countability for ones own learning are all essentialgoals our participants achieve during their Rehab on
the Mountain describes Mari-Anne.
Most of the Rehab on the Mountain adventures
Rehab on the MountainUniversal Rehabilitation Service Agency
Columbia Speech &Language Services Inc.Improving Communication Throughout Your Life.T: 604.875.9100 E: info@columbiaspeech.com
columbiaspeech.com
After brain in jury, trouble with speaking, listening, reading, writing orwith social communication is common. We are here to help.
Assessment and treatment of speech, language and swallowing
disorders in eight languages, for children and adults Sessions at home, at school or at your worksite in locations
throughout the Lower Mainland and Fraser Valley or at our offices Family education and caregiver training
Expert witness assessments and reports Communication devices and alternative communication methods
Trouble
expressing
yourself?
We can help!
Cheshire Homes Society of British Columbia
Acceptance, Empowerment,Independence, Opportunity
Providing Transitional, Slower Stream andApartment Based Rehabilitat ion Programs forAcquired Brain Injury since 1984.Cheshire Homes Society o BC,Head Ofce #202 625 5th AvenueNew Westminster, BC, V3M 1X4Phone: (604) 540-0686www.cheshirehomes.ca a member of the Leonard Cheshire Disability Global Alliance
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have been on the hills of Sunshine Village andwould not have been possible without the support of
Rocky Mountain Adaptive Sports Centre. Thanks tothe donation of time and adaptive equipment from
RMASC, our participants have made numerous con-nections at the ski hill and within the town of Banff
itself. RMASC has supported each and every tripwith Rehab on the Mountain. The hikes largely take
place in the Kananaskis and Banff area. Rehab onthe Mountain participants have also been able to try
snow shoeing and cross country skiing at the Can-more Nordic Centre. All of these opportunities have
broadened the participants community connectionsand offered them the experience of social reintegra-
tion into the community. The social aspect of thesetrips is very important too explains Ashley. Its reallife. You get to have dinner after with your peers and
instructors; you get to share your experiences andbrag about your accomplishments. With the right
equipment and the right people by your side, you
can do anything you dream of.
Universal Rehabilitation Service Agency is a Calgary
based, non-prot charitable agency, establishedin 1985. URSAs objective is to meet the needs of
individuals with disabilities in community settings.URSAs mission is to develop and provide opportun-
ity for individuals with disabilities to attain a personallevel of achievement and excellence in life.
URSA celebrated 25 years of service in communityrehabilitation in 2010. URSAs mandate is to provide
services where no other services exist. As such,we have developed a wide continuum of services
ranging from in-home support, 24 hour staffed resi-dences, day programs and Camp URSA. URSA pro-
vides services to a variety of individuals including;children and adults with developmental disabilities,
brain injury survivors, and aboriginal services.
To learn more about Rehab on the Mountain, howyou can become involved or to make a nancial
contribution, call 403-272-7722 today!
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Why Is Inline Skating Safety Important?Inline skating has exploded in popularity. Skaters can befound most everywhere that bicyclists, skateboarders,and joggers go. This greatly increases the chances of
painful collisions.
Most of the many thousands of inline skating injur-ies that happen each year are to skaters whoarent wearing safety gear. The most com-monly injured body parts are the hands andarms, although abrasions to other areasof the body are common. Most seriously,head injuries can plague skaters whodont wear helmets.
Gear GuidelinesAlways wear safety gear and
make sure you have it onproperly anytime you go in-line skating. Heres a rundownof what youll need when youskate:
Helmet. A helmet is a mustevery time you skate. Itsthe most important piece of safety equipment. Bicyclehelmets are better than nothing, but you really shouldinvest in a helmet designed specically for inline skatingor skateboarding. These come down lower in the back,toward the base of the skull, for maximum protection in
the event of a backward fall. Plus, they just look cooler.Helmets must t properly. Helmets that are too large orimproperly fastened can come off during a fall. If youneed t or sizing tips, ask when you buy the helmet. Andalways fasten chin straps snugly under your chin so thehelmet doesnt move around.
Skates. Youll want a sturdy pair of inline skates, withplenty of ankle support. One way to check if skates offerthe support you need is to feel the plastic of the boot. Ifyou can squeeze it, the material is not strong enough.Be sure to get skates that match your needs whetheryoure planning on racing, competing in freestyle events
or just casually rolling down the boardwalk.
Check your skates before you put them on. Make surethat wheels and brakes are in good shape and tightly
secured. If wheels or brakes are misshapen or worn,replace them right away. Check that any buckles are in
proper working order. Always buckle up yourskates and keep them nice and snug
when you skate.
Pads. Cuts, scrapes, and sprained orbroken wrists are a constant danger to
inline skaters. At a minimum youll wantto wear knee pads, elbow pads, and wristguards every time you skate. Knee andelbow pads should have a cushioned in-terior with a hard plastic shell to protectagainst scrapes. Wrist guards shouldbe made from rigid plastic that holds
the wrist securely in place in the event ofa fall. All pads should t properly and be
securely fastened at all times.
Other Gear. Some skaters like to wear longpants and long-sleeve shirts below theirpads for extra protection against scrapesand cuts. Light gloves can keep your n-gers safe. Lastly, tted mouthguards are agood idea in any activity that might involvefalls or collisions.
Where and When to SkateChoosing the right place to skate cango a long way toward preventing injur-
ies, particularly for beginner or rst-time skaters. Whenyoure learning to skate, try to pick an area that is free ofobstacles and other people, such as empty parking lots,unused tennis courts, or an expanse of smooth pave-ment with grass beside it, like a bike or other recrea-tional trail. (Grass alongside the pavement will give youa soft place to fall as you learn to skate.)
Once your skills have advanced a little, you might wantto consider heading to an indoor or outdoor skatingrink before moving on to a skate park or trail. Rinks aregenerally kept clean and free of debris and obstacles.Although they may be crowded, the ow of trafc is
controlled and monitored so you can get used to skatingnear other people.
Skate parks generally offer simpler features for noviceskaters, as well as more advanced features for experts.Be honest about your abilities, and never try to take ona ramp or bowl until youre a good enough skater totackle them safely.
Avoid sidewalks and roads as much as possible.Theyre the sites of roughly half of all inline skatinginjuries. Try to use recreational trails. If you must usesidewalks or roads, never skate in trafc; be courteous
KidsHealth.orgExplains the Importance of Inline Skating Safety
Headline is also available in PDF format.If you would like a copy sentto your email address contactMary Lou by email at: mlr@telus.netPlease add Headline to the subject line
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Personal Injury ICBC
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Bill Morley
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604 631 3127
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Focused on your needs
to pedestrians, bicyclists, and anyone else you mightencounter; and always use crosswalks to get acrossstreets.
Wherever you skate, be sure there are no potholes,cracks, or other obstacles. Make certain the area is dryand free of wet leaves, oily patches, or ice. Never skateat night, and try to avoid skating at dusk, when hazardsare more difcult to see and youre less visible to others.Never skate when its raining or snowing, as this will
make surfaces slippery and increase your chances ofgetting hurt.
Before You Start SkatingBetter skaters have more fun and are less likely to getinjured. Consider taking a lesson from a trained in-structor or experienced skater before you try skating onyour own. Know how to turn, control speed, stop, andskate with your head up so you can recognize and avoidobstacles and other people. Practice falling on grassor a gym mat so that when a real fall happens youll beprepared to fall the right way.
Each time you head out, warm up with a gentle 5-minuteskate and then stretch to keep your muscles and jointsloose. This will help you avoid muscle tears and pulls.
Double-check to make sure you have all the necessarysafety gear and that it is all being worn properly. Checkto make sure your helmets chin strap is fastened andsnug.
If youre planning to skate on a trail, know how far youintend to go and how long it will take you to get back.Tell a family member or friend where youre going andhow long you will be gone.
While SkatingBe aware of your surroundings at all times. Know whereother skaters, pedestrians, bicyclists, and joggers are,and be sure to give them plenty of space to avoid col-lisions. If youre skating in a skate park, practice goodetiquette by waiting until the area is clear and its yourturn to skate.
Stay to the right when skating on sidewalks, bike paths,and trails. If youre going to pass another person, do soon the left, and let them know you are coming by yellingout, On your left! Only pass when its safe and there isroom enough for you and the other person.
Watch out for changing conditions due to weather orother factors. Just because the pavement is smooth inone spot doesnt mean it will be smooth a hundred yardsahead. If you feel like youre approaching an area with awet, oily, or cracked riding surface, slow down until youare sure its safe to proceed.
Dont skate while wearing headphones unless you arein a controlled environment. Listening to music whileskating will make it difcult to hear trafc, pedestrians, orother skaters.
Try to nd a friend or friends to skate with. This will notonly be more fun, but youll also be able to look out forone another and get help in the event of an emergency.If you and your skating partners skate on a trail or side-walk, make sure to form a single-le line.
A Few Other RemindersNever get towed behind a car, bike, or other vehicle.This is a sure-re way to seriously hurt yourself.
If youre skating outside on a sunny day, dont forget toapply sunscreen.
Stay in control at all times. Losing control is the leadingcause of inline skating injuries.
If you plan to skate on private property, make sure youhave the owners permission to do so.
Be courteous and polite to other skaters and anyoneelse you might encounter while skating. This will helpyou avoid confrontations and help prevent the possibil-ity of skating being banned in your area. You can havea great time skating, but do whatever you can to make
sure everyone else has a great time too.To view this article in full visit: http://kidshealth.org/teen/safety/sports_safety_inline.html
This information was provided by KidsHealth, oneof the largest resources online for medically reviewedhealth information written for parents, kids, and teens.For more articles like this, visit KidsHealth.org or Teen-sHealth.org. 1995- 2012 . The Nemours Foundation/KidsHealth. All rights reserved.
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The Brain Injury Global Picnic started from a luciddream back in January. The founder, Annie Ricketts,understood that she needed to unite every braininjury and disability organization the world over, on
one single day, in one multi-location event.With a group of dedicated people, who are alsoliving with disabilities, this plan is gathering momen-tum.
The people who have gathered to make this eventhappen are passionately driven to make this worlda better place for people with all kinds of disability,and they want to start by waking the world up. Theirgoal is twofold; they want to create cultural changetowards disability, and they want to educate theworld and to raise awareness so that others dont fall
through the many cracks that currently exist withinour systems.
They are asking for people to share a sandwich,and to think about their message. The Global PicnicGroup is asking people to register where they will
be having that sandwich on their website, so theycan start to change the world. Picnics can be heldanywhere and by anyone; the only thing that is be-ing asked is that they are all held on 30 June.
Annie Ricketts said, The more people who join us,the more interest we can create in the media. Weneed people to register their picnics as soon as pos-sible at www.biglobalpicnic.org because it is thesenumbers that will encourage the media to take aninterest in what we are doing. The sooner we cangain the support of the press, the longer we have toshare our messages. We need long-term coverageto reach as many people as possible.
She went on to say, We have One dream - TwoGoals. There are many organizations in the world
who have been working tirelessly, sometimes formany decades, to improve the lives of people livingwith disability, and their careers. We want to raisethe tempo by uniting all of these voices. By shar-ing, we add energy to what we are all doing; we addripples that go out into the pond. One little stonemakes one little ripple. Given that the wind may bein the right direction, or many throw in a pebble atthe same time, a great wave can grow. We gaina greater voice - not a louder one, but a greaterone.
The Brain Injury Global Picnic group are also invit-ing organizations and individuals to have a voice byadding content to their website. All contributions maybe emailed to global.picnic@aol.com.
Annie Ricketts said, The dream, the idea, is anincredibly simple one. Hold out your hand; pullsomeone else up, is the core of the message beingshared by Annie. She said, Just a few minutes is allit takes to show the world who you are.
ACQUIRED BRAIN INJURY (ABI)?. . . with an ABI, a One-Day Functional Capacity Evaluationis not enough to determine ability to return to work . . .
INTRODUCING THE 3-DAY ABI WORK CAPACITY ASSESSMENT...a longer assessment allows for a comprehensive evaluation of themultiple symptoms associated with Acquired Brain Injury....
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T he Brain Injury Global Picnic
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Pac if ic Coas t Brai n Inj ur y Con fer encewww.pcbic.org
BC Br ain Injury Ass oci ati onwww. bcbraininjuryassociat ion.com
Campbell River Head Injury Support Societywww.crhead.ca
Fras er Val ley Brai n Injury As so ci ati onwww.fvbia.org
Br ai n Trust Ca nad awww.braintrustcanada.comwww.protectyourhead.com
Na nai mo Brai n Injury Soci etywww.nbis.ca.
Powell River Br ain Injury Soc ietywww.braininjurysociety.ca
Princ e Geor ge Brai n Injured Group Soc ietywww.pgbig.ca
Brai n Inj ury Res ou rceswww.braininjuryresources.org
Ontario Brain Injury Associationwww.obia.on.ca
Br ain Injury Ass oc iat ion US Awww.biausa.org
Sout h Oka na gan Similka meen BI Soci etywww.sosbis.com
Victoria Brain Injury Societywww.vbis.ca
The Perspective Networkwww.tbi.org
The TBI Chat Roomwww.tbichat.org
G.F. Strong Rehabwww.gfstrong.com
BC Eplilepsy Soci etywww.bcepilepsy.com
Head way Cen treHow e Sou nd Re hab ili ta ti on Servi ce s Soc iety
www.howesound.netNo rthe rn Brai n Inj ury As so ci at ion
www.nbia.cawww.thinkfirst .ca
www.brainstreams.ca
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2012 Brain Injury Associationof Canada Conference
The Brain Injury Association of Canadas 2012 AnnualConference will be in the city of Ottawa, September26-28, 2012. The conference venue will be the NationalArts Centre in the heart of Ottawa . This years confer-ence has attracted a record number of abstracts from
both the Canadian and the American brain injury com-munities. As well, as in previous conferences, many ofour presenters will be rst time presenters.The conference will also have presentations from youthsurvivors and will feature francophone presentations.The preliminary list of presenters will be released onour website at www.biac-aclc.ca. Conference informa-tion which includes hotels can be found at http://biac-aclc.ca/en/annual-conference/. Book your rooms earlyto avoid disappointment. The accommodations arevaried and will suit a wide variety of tastes.
I look forward to seeing you in Ottawa. If you have any
questions do not hesitate to email me at barbbutler@biac-aclc.ca
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Fraser Valley BrainInjury AssociationsPathway to Hope Galawas held at the North-view Golf and CountryClub on SaturdayMarch 31, 2012. Theevent was attendedby 120 people whoenjoyed an evening ofentertainment, magic
and dancing.This annual fundraising dinners theme was AnEvening of Magic. In keeping with the conceptof making magical things happen for people withacquired brain injuries, the gorgeous venue wasbrightly decorated in teal, purple and black by Frivo-lous Kate Events and Valley Weddings.
Guests were greeted at the door by ConstableMark Levesque of the RCMP, dressed in his redSerge uniform and treated to the jazz stylings ofThe Usual Suspects band as they mingled duringcocktail hour.
Members of The Usual Suspects band - Joe Mar-kovitch, Gary Feldm, Jeff Shoub, Nathan Fox andAlex Jackson are very talented and accomplishedmusicians who have performed with top echelonperformers and recording artists. They are knownfor their amazing harmonies and vocal arrange-ments, tight instrumentation, lively stage presence,and musical diversity. Musical styles include classicrock, R&B, Motown, jazz, klezmer whatever getspeople moving their feet and onto the dance oor!
Alex Jackson worksas a RehabilitationConsultant for theCrime Victim As-sistance Programand WorkSafe BCin the Return toWork program andhas a long historyin the eld of ac-quired brain injury.The band was verygenerous with their
time and we thank them very much for keeping ourtoes tapping throughout the evening.
The emcee for the evening was Ryan Walter,President of the American Hockey Leagues Abbots-ford Heat Hockey Team. Ryan was named theyoungest NHL captain in his second of four seasons,went on to play nine seasons with the MontrealCanadiens, winning a Stanley Cup in 1986, andnally returned to his home town to play his last twoyears for the Vancouver Canucks. Fans were able to
see a Stanley Cup championship ring up close andpersonal!
A highlight of the evening was when John Simpsonpresented the Simpson Family award to Kathy andDoug Rutz. The rest of the Rutz family came out infull force to support them, which was wonderful tosee. Kathy and Doug Rutzs lives changed foreverwhen their son Travis was injured during a race inTerra Haute, Indiana. As a family they have nevergiven up on the road to Travis recovery all while Tra-vis himself has deed all odds. They have not onlybecome advocates for their son but unknowingly
become a voice for so many other families acrossthe province in similar circumstances as well.
The Simpson Family Award is named for John andMorna Simpson. This award is presented annually tothe family of a person with an acquired brain injurywhove demonstrated they are strong supporters oftheir loved one and the brain injury community as awhole. This family is nominated by members of thecommunity.
Pathway to Hope Gala
community therapistsBuilding skills. Empowering people.TM
604-681-9293, Ext 153#207-5740 Cambie St. Vancouver, BC V5Z 3A6
www.communitytherapists.com
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A great line up of speakers followed. Kim Pember-ton, a Vancouver Sun news reporter, spoke abouther experiences raising a daughter with a braininjury. Kim is a mother to two daughters, Chloe, 20,and Hannah, 16. Hannah has a brain injury from aprenatal stroke which was discovered when she wastwo. Since then Ms. Pemberton has been activelylobbying for her daughter and helping Hannah toreach her full potential. Hannah is an accomplished
athlete and a charming, sociable teenager.FVBIA Artworks instructor, Lalita Hamill shared herexperiences after she and her family were in a caraccident in 2003, in which her husband Patrick wasseverely injured and sustained an acquired braininjury. At that time, Lalita had to become the soleprovider for her husband and daughter by plungingherself fulltime into her passionate need to createvisual art which she continues to this day.
Just when we thought the evening couldnt get anybetter, we were also privileged to enjoy two-time
World Champion Magician Shawn Farquhar. ShawnFarquhar has been entertaining audiences aroundthe globe for over two decades. His magic has beenseen on television shows like the X-Files and High-lander, in Motion Pictures like Spooky House andthe Fly II. His magic was astounding and had theaudience laughing in the aisles!
email : ddoig@daviddoig.com
Suite 1450
1188 W Georgia Street
Vancouver BC V6E 4A2
Free initial consultation
Serving clients worldwide
who have been injured in BC
Flexible appointment times &
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Handle all legal expenses
Tel: 604.687.8874
Fax: 604.687.8134
Toll Free: 877.687.8844
Regaining Your Quality Of Life is our goal. We work together
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Our experienced team offers specialized expertise with a human
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This wonderful evening was sponsored by SimpsonThomas & Associates, Vancouver Coastal HealthAuthority Acquired Brain Injury Supports, Unionof Psychiatric Nurses, Waterstone Lawyers Group,Mackenzie Marketing Consultants Ltd. And MediaSponsor: Star 98.3 and Country 107.1. Many otherssponsored and donated items for the balloon draw.Thank you to all of those who contributed, the galaplanning committee Harry Snyders, Revd Dave
Price and Loretto Stitillis and the FVBIA staff.
John Simpson presenting the
Simpson Family Award to the Rutz family.
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It is estimated there are up to 14,000 new brain injur-ies each year in British Columbia. Therefore, the needfor a range of services for people with Acquired BrainInjuries (ABI) is increasing. Navigating the health caresystem following a brain injury can be challengingfor survivors and their family members. It is CheshireHomes Society of British Columbias vision to providesupport to individuals with a brain injury by providingvarious services, specically apartment based servi-ces.
In 2003, as clients of King Edward House graduatedinto the community, we saw a need for an apartmentbased program. The Fraser Heights apartment block,which contains 28 units and is located around thecorner from King Edward House, seemed as though itwould be a natural t for such a program. This provedto be true when a number of clients we supportedbegan renting apartments in the complex.
In 2006, the Cheshire Homes Society of British Colum-bia responded to a call for proposals from VancouverCoastal Health Authority (VCHA) and B.C. Housing.The call was looking for an agency to develop apart-ment based support services for people with a braininjury, essentially replicating what we were alreadydoing in the Fraser Heights Apartment Program. Aftersuccessfully winning the bid, we slowly phased in the
program over a period of several months.
The Fraser Heights Apartment Program is subsidizedby B.C. Housing. Prospective tenants who qualify musthave Persons with Disability (PWD) status. In collab-oration with Vancouver Resource Society, CheshireHomes Society of British Columbia now supports 15
individuals living in the Fraser Heights Apartments.
How does someone access the program?The initial referral can come from the following agen-cies: Fraser Health Authority (FHA), Vancouver CoastalHealth (VCH), Insurance Corporation of BC (ICBC),WorkSafe BC, Crime Victim Services or a private fund-ing source.
What is the process to be accepted?We assess each candidate for admission and gatherthe information to determine the clients suitability forone of our programs. The purpose of the program is
to provide clients with the necessary skills to facilitatetheir maximum potential independence in all activitiesof daily living. Staff support does not include caregivingand clients are expected to perform all activities thatcan safely be done independently.
Our Model of Service Delivery Steps to IndependenceThe Society has a proven track record of successfullyre-integrating survivors of acquired brain injury backinto the community. Our mission is to assist individualsto achieve their optimal level of independence througha model of diminishing support.
The model of service delivery we have developedis called Steps to Independence. It has six steps ofsupport which diminish as a person gains greater in-dependence. The programs are tailored to meet a widevariety of rehabilitation needs as clients work towardtheir optimal level of independence. Clients are placed,and moved between the steps, based on their Level ofAbility.
The Six Steps of Support are:1.Transitional ProgramsThe Transitional Programs are residential settingswhere survivors live short-term. The environment pro-
vides 24 hour client support and supervision. Clientsare offered the necessary skills and strategies to reachtheir maximum independence in all areas of activitiesof daily living. Clients are expected to do as much asthey can for themselves. Staff support and assist whererequired.
2.Slower Stream ProgramsSlower Stream Programs are similar to TransitionalProgram; however, clients stay longer term. Ongoing24-hour personal support is provided to clients withcomplex health needs.
APARTMENT BASED SERVICES
A team of experienced professionals sensitive to
the needs of both the survivor and the family.
We travel to you
Suite 600-175 Second Avenue, Kamloops, BC V2C 5W1
T: 250.372.1221 TF: 1.800.558.1933E: hmz@hmzlaw.com
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David Marr Q.C. Tara Decker Kevin Cowan Corey Lencovic Joseph Zak
We care about your future
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Green Goddess DressingBy Ina Garten (Food Network)Ingredients1cupgoodmayonnaise
1cupchoppedscallions,whiteandgreenparts(6
to 7 scallions)
1cupchoppedfreshbasilleaves
1/4cupfreshlysqueezedlemonjuice(2lemons)
2teaspoonschoppedgarlic(2cloves)
2teaspoonsanchovypaste
2teaspoonskoshersalt
1teaspoonfreshlygroundblackpepper
1cupsourcreamDirectionsPlace the mayonnaise, scallions, basil, lemon juice,garlic, anchovy paste, salt and pepper in a blender
and blend until smooth. Add the sour cream andprocess just until blended. Refrigerate until ready to
serve.)
Summer RecipesHere are two refreshing and tasty salad dressing recipes for the summer. The CaesarSalad dressing is perfect to serve at a BBQ it does not contain any eggs! The GreenGoddess dressing is a beautiful green colour and has a wonderful basil avour. Bothdressings have a nice salty taste.
Eggless Caesar SaladDressing
By Anne Burrell(Food Network)
Ingredients
1cupgratedParmigiano,plusablockforshaving
2lemons,juiced
1garlicclove
2tablespoonsDijonmustard
3or4anchovyllets(*anchovypasteisagreat
substitute)
Extra-virginoliveoil
Koshersalt
DirectionsIn the bowl of a food processor add the 1 cup ofcheese, the lemon juice, 1 garlic clove, the mustardand the anchovies. Turn the machine on and let itrun for 15 to 20 seconds. As the machine is running,drizzle in 1/2 to 3/4 cup olive oil. Let the machine runfor an additional 15 seconds after the oil has incor-porated. Season to taste with salt.
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ReflectionsBy Janelle Breese Biagioni
Today you are You, that is truer than true.
There is no one alive who is Youer than You.by Dr. Seuss
One of the most common statements I hear fromsurvivors of brain injury is, Im not the same per-son anymore. I also hear similar statements fromfamily members, He (or she) is not the same personanymore. Life after a catastrophic injury is hard forsurvivors and family members alike, and acceptingthe changes often becomes a huge barrier when at-tempting to move forward in life.
Coming to terms with the changes in ones person-ality and/or how they function day-to-day can bedaunting. The individual struggling to accept howthey do things today vs. how they did things beforetheir injury is often told, You have to accept that theold you is gone. Easier said than done and reallyis that completely true? Are they really gone? I dontbelieve so. I think a more accurate statement is, The
way you function day-to-day is different and there-fore; how you do things has changed, but you are stillyou.
In my work with individuals, I strive to reconnect themwith the core pieces of their being that are still therepost injury. I do this by asking them to make a list oftheir values and beliefs on a piece of paper. Then Iask they take time to reect on each one and deter-mine if it is still true.
First of all, let me explain that values and beliefsare different although they overlap in life. A valueis something that you choose for yourself that de-nes who you are. For example, I value my time soits important to me to respect not only my time, butalso that of others. I abhor being late for anything orwasting other peoples time. A value is something thatcould change with personal experience or evolution inworldly views.
A belief is a principle we believe to be true and notlikely to change unless something provides proof
that the doctrine we have adopted is not true. Someexamples are: My personal belief is that family comesrst. It would be virtually impossible to convince meotherwise. Others may demonstrate to me that familyisnt important or does not take priority for them, butthat doesnt convince me that my belief is wrong. Anexample of when someone may change their beliefwould be if they believed that when we die, there isnothing more beyond. This belief may be challengedif they have a near death experience and in that ex-perience they gain knowledge of life after death andtherefore; change their core belief.
When I have asked others to take inventory of theirvalues and beliefs and to be honest as to whetherthose have changed or remained intact or have beendismissed since their injury, they are amazed to ndthat some (or all) of who they were before sustaininga brain injury is still there. It is how they function intheir day-to-day tasks or perhaps how they respondto situations that may have changed. So here is thechallenge if you feel the old you is gone forevermake a list of your values and beliefs and take timeto examine each one to see if it ts with you today. Ithink you may be surprised to nd you are still you.
For more information, contact:Barri Marlatt or
Lorenzo Oss-Cech
Personal Injury & Insurance Law
Youre in Good Hands.Our oal is to assist our clients by obtainin
fundin for all of their immediate needs
in order to maimize their otential for
recovery, while we roceed toward
obtainin settlement or judment that
allows a sustainable and encourain
new future.
#1-505 Fisgard Street
Victoria, BC V8W 1R3
250.360.2500
www.hom-law.com
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Abbotsford Carol Paetkau 604-557-1913 TF 1-866-557-1913
Acquired Brain Injury Society of the Yukon Anne-Marie Yahn 867-668-5283
Alberni Valley Head Injury Society/Port Alberni Linda Kenny 250-724-6772
Barriere/Merritt Terry-Lynne Stone 250-372-1799
British Columbia Brain Injury Association Deborah St. Jean 604-465-1783
Brain Trust Canada Laurie Denton 250-762-3233
Brain Trust Canada - Vernon Contact Marcie McLeod 250-307-6064
Bulkley Valley Brain Injury Association Joan LeClair 250-877-7723
Burnaby Chinese Brain Injury Support Group Angela Kan 604-877-8606
Campbell River Head Injury Support Society Shelley Howard 250-287-4323
Caribou Brain Injury Society Stacy Turcotte 250-392-7772
Chilliwack FVBIA 604-557-1913 TF 1-866-557-1913
Comox Valley Head Injury Society Cathy Stotts 250-334-9225
East Kootenay Brain Injury Association Susan Barth 250-417-6220
Fraser Valley Brain Injury Association Carol Paetkau 604-557-1913 TF 1-866-557-1913
Golden East Kootenay Brain Injury Association Debbie Gudjonson 250-344-5674
Kamloops Brain Injury Association Terry-Lynn Stone 250-372-1799
KBIA - Salmon Arm/Shuswap Contact Teresa Wolfe 250-833-0369
KBIA - Barriere/Merrit Contact Terry-Lynn Stone 250-372-1799
Langley/Aldergrove Brain Injury Support Group FVBIA 604-557-1913 TF 1-866-557-1913
Maple Ridge Support Group Ian Moore 604-944-9030
Mission FVBIA 604-557-1913 TF 1-866-557-1913
Nanaimo Brain Injury Society Mark Busby 250-753-5600
New Westminster Headway Gabrielle Pape 604.520.0130
B.R.A.I.N. (Brain Resource, Advocacy & Information Network) Tina Suter 604-540-9234
North Okanagan Shuswap Brain Injury Society (Salmon Arm/Shuswap) Robyn Coatta 250-833-1140
Northern Brain Injury Association Carmen Jose 1-866-979-4673
Peace Country Society for Acquired Brain Injury Linda Proctor 250-782-7519
Powell River Brain Injury Society Deborah Dee 1-866-499-6065
Prince George Brain Injured Group Society Alison Hagreen 250-564-2447 TF 1-866-564-2447
Sechelt/Sunshine Coast Brain Injury Support Group Susan Goddard 604-885-8524
South Okanagan Similkameen Brain Injury Society Dave Head 250-490-0613
Terrace Brain Injury Support Group NBIA 1-866-979-4673
TriCities Support Group Sandy Caverly 604-916-5027
Vancouver Headway Leah Pentilla 604.732.4446
Vancouver Survivors Support Group Lillian Wong 604-873-2385
Victoria Brain Injury Society Helen Lang 250-598-9339
West Coast Support Network Wanda McAvoy 250-726-7459
West Kootenay Brain Injury Association Kelly Johnson 250-304-1259
*Please email name and phone number changes to headlinenews@shaw.ca to ensure this list is kept as up-to-date as possible.
BC BRAIN INJURY ASSOCIATIONS &*This list updated Summer Issue, 2012. SupportGroups
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