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IMPACT Brain Injury Canada Newsletter FALL ISSUE NOVEMBER 2017 BRAIN NOISE DR. DAN ANDREAE ACHIEVEMENT AWARD ON HITTING 50 FILTERS WILL CLEAN THE AIR AND OTHER THINGS WWW.BRAININJURYCANADA.CA LESSONS FROM THE UNDERGROUND This is an exciting time at Brain Injury Canada. With a new leader in place and a number of new board members coming on, we will busy planning for the future of the organization. Impact Newsletter has been a core communication tool for Brain Injury Canada and we are thrilled to offer the latest edition. We have a great collection of articles from across the country. We encourage our readers to submit their own articles for future editions. professional articles on rehabilitation, acquired brain injury, injury prevention, personal interest, profiles of courage and updates and events from provincial and local associations. Send articles to [email protected] FALL AT BRAIN INJURY CANADA THIS ISSUE INCLUDES: BRAIN INJURY CANADA HEADS TO "THE HILL"

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Page 1: Green Simple Classroom Newsletter - Brain Injury Ass'n · Brain Injury Canada newsletter. It has admittedly been awhile since we have sent a newsletter out as we have been doing a

IMPACTBrain Injury Canada Newsletter

F A L L I S S U E N O V E M B E R 2 0 1 7

BRAIN NOISE

DR. DAN ANDREAEACHIEVEMENT AWARD

ON HITTING 50

FILTERS WILL CLEAN THEAIR AND OTHER THINGS

W W W . B R A I N I N J U R Y C A N A D A . C A

LESSONS FROM THE UNDERGROUND

This is an exciting time at Brain Injury Canada.  With a new leader in place and a number of new board members coming on, we will busy planning for the future of the organization.  

Impact Newsletter has been a core communication tool for Brain Injury Canada and we are thrilled to offer the latest edition. We have a great collection of articles from across the country.

We encourage our readers to submit their own articles for future editions.  professional articles on rehabilitation, acquired brain injury, injury prevention, personal interest,  profiles of courage and updates and events from provincial and local associations. 

Send articles to [email protected]

FALL AT BRAIN INJURY CANADATHIS ISSUE INCLUDES:

BRAIN INJURY CANADA HEADS TO "THE HILL"

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Dear Impact Readers:

You have before you the latest edition of the Brain Injury Canada newsletter. It has admittedly been awhile since we have sent anewsletter out as we have been doing a lot of work behind the scenes to do the work of the association.

Since our last publication we have after an intensive search hired a new executive director whom you will meet formally elsewhere in thenewsletter.  Michelle McDonald was the shining star among all those we interviewed and Brain 

Letter from the Editor

Injury Canada is in good hands with her now steering the ship.

Also elsewhere you should find the announcement of our AGM, I encourage you all to attend via the telephone or your computer. We will at that meeting be announcing new board members who will be joining the board team.

As autumn has made its presence known all over the country we can only hope winter takes its time getting here this year. My apologies if you are a huge fan of snow and cold but I prefer leaves and pleasant breezes!

Whatever the weather, as always, stay safe.  

Cheers.

Barb Butler,  Editor

We welcome contributions for Impact Newsletter. Please send your article to [email protected].  Please note: The Editor

retains the right to edit all submissions prior to publication. 

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I am thrilled to be including my first welcome to our Brain Injury Canada Newsletter readers. Thank you to everyone for their warm welcome!  I am so honoured and excited to be working on behalf of those living with the effects of brain injury.  

While I am not new to the field of brain injury, I am new to the national perspective, but I have already begun building connections across the country. It has been a busy couple of months, 

Greetings from the Executive Director

while I have been gaining a historical perspective of the organization, but also developing policies and procedures to enable the organization to move forward on a strong foundation.  In the coming months, I will be working with the board to build a strategic vision for the next 5 years and how Brain Injury Canada can be a better about collaborating with the provincial ABI organizations and other partners in the areas of advocacy, education and awareness.

Concussions are in the spotlight right now, and we plan to work with this to bring more education and awareness around concussions, and appropriate return-to-learn and return-to-play guidelines.  We also want to ensure moderate and severe brain injuries are not lost to this spotlight. Those voices need to be heard.  Affordable housing, access to quality long-term care options, return to work options, accessibility, family/caregier respite and support and tax benefits are just some of the key needs.  

We have number of new board members coming on and we are in strong position to move Brain Injury Canada forward.  Most importantly,  I want to hear from you.  Please feel free to connect with me through email at [email protected]

Looking forward to finishing out 2017 strong, and making 2018 the best year yet for Brain Injury Canada.

Michelle McDonald - Executive Director

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You may have seen some tweets and Facebook posts on October 16 & 17th as Dr. Rick Riopelle from our Board of Directors  and I met with Members of Parliament in Ottawa as part of a delegation to advocate for an Action Plan for Brain Health.  

To give a bit more background, Brain Injury Canada is proud to be a member of Neurological Health Charities Canada (NHCC).  NHCC is a coalition of organizations that represent people with brain diseases, disorders and injuries across Canada. The purpose of NHCC is to provide leadership in evaluating and advancing new opportunities for collaboration around advocacy, education and research to improve the quality of life for people affected by brain conditions.

In 2009, the Government of Canada committed $15 million over four years to fund the National Population Health Study of Neurological Conditions, which was the most comprehensive study of neurological conditions ever conducted in Canada as it engaged 130 researchers from 30 academic and non-academic institutions across Canada. As well as input from 177,000 Canadians with neurological conditions and their families/caregivers.

Findings from the four-year study were released in September 2014 in the report Mapping Connections: An understanding of neurological conditions in Canada. It provides a new overview about brain conditions in Canada, and enabled NHCC to make the following recommendations in developing Action Plan for Brain Health:

Brain Injury Canada Heads to Parliament Hillby Michelle McDonald

Build on study findings and tackle important identified research gaps:

Target knowledge deficits in data & epidemiological research re ALS, dystonia, Huntington’s disease, muscular dystrophy, spinal cord injury & traumatic brain injury. Study the impact of brain conditions on Indigenous, Inuit and Métis populations. Examine how having both neurological and mental health conditions negatively impact accessing health services and develop strategies to overcome this serious problem.

 continued

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Brain Injury Canada Heads to Parliament Hill - continued

 continued

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Increase federal funding of investigator-led research with an emphasis on fundamental brain health research. Test a better model of integrated care for brain conditions in carefully selected demonstration projects as recommended by Mapping Connections Project.

Brain Injury Canada Heads to Parliament Hill - continued

Take immediate action to improve the lives of all Canadians affected by brain conditions and others on the following policy changes:

Look at ways to immediately increase income security through changes to CPP-D, EI sickness benefits, disability tax credits.Assure any future Canadian Disability Act protects the rights of Canadians with brain conditions Consider guaranteed annual income or a national disability insurance program. Support families/caregivers by making caregiver tax credits refundable and increasing the value of caregiver benefits. Partner with the provinces & territories to develop a national pharmacare program that is accessible to all Canadians. Ensure any future national dementia strategy involves and protects all Canadians living with dementia.  .

On October 16th and 17th a delegation of representatives from NHCC member organizations met with Members of Parliament and Senators to discuss the findings of the study and to gain their support on our recommendations.  The NHCC report has been submitted to the finance committee and we will work hard to ensure it is seriously considered for the 2018 budget.

 Brain Injury Canada supports the NHCC in urging the Government of Canada to commit to developing a Canadian Action Plan for Brain Health to improve the lives of the four million Canadians living with brain conditions and their families through increased brain health research and meaningful care and supports.

 If you want more information about Neurological Health Charities Canada, please visit their website at www.mybrainmatters.ca Links: National Population Health Study of Neurological Conditions Mapping Connections: An understanding of neurological conditions in Canada

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Brain Noise

Have you suffered a head injury, postconcussive syndrome, stroke, or any other condition that has affected your brain waves? IF SO... you might be able to relate to this post.   

 What is "BRAIN NOISE?"  I can only explain it as I have experienced it.  This happened to me over Christmas.  I was visiting with a friend.  The talk was lively, loud and fun.  You know the conversations you have when you try to fit everything in a short amount of time.  Following this 

by Vicki Homes - Prince Edward Island

visit we were in the lobby meeting up with people who stopped by to drop something off for us.  The conversation was fast, going in all directions and highly emotional.  These two events happened one after the other, covering a time span of 2 1/2 hrs.  After it was all over I went back to mom's apt.   My brain was in overdrive.  All I felt was noise.  Note that I did not say I heard noise!  I felt noise!  

HOW DOES BRAIN NOISE FEEL?  It feels like your brain is screaming for quiet.  In that moment you cannot take one more piece of information in.  And I meanthat literally. I could not answer any questions.  I could not think?  I was shaky, on the verge of tears and on my way to a panic attack.  I breathed through it and physically I had to shut my eyes, and cover my face.  It felt like I was protecting myself from an assault.  I huddled in my chair and closed my eyes and covered my face.  I did not want... NO! That is wrong.  I could not let one more thing filter in. No sound, no light, no conversation.  My brain needed to recover from all theBRAIN NOISE!

It will be close to five years since my accident and I had no idea that I would end up struggling for so long.  My brain was injured and it has healed in many ways. But in some ways it has not.  BRAIN NOISE is one symptom that lingers.  A symptom that can be stated simply.  It is the times when your brain is on overload. Too much noise!  

- continued

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Brain Noise - continued

Too much stimulation, too many lights, too much activity. It is all just too much.  Although you can't hear the noise, you feel it with every fibre of your being.  You just want it to stop! Quiet, rest, and more quiet is the only thing you can do. And breathe. Breathe in and out slowly! A self-calming technique that works. Christmas was great and although I needed more sleep and had this experience,I would do it again.  Even with a brain injury, you have to keep living.  You can't avoid noise.  BUT you have to allow yourself the time to rest and regroup.  BRAIN NOISE is deafening.  But it is physical.   I look forward to sharing my experiences with the hope that I will help others.  

OCTOBER 18 - 19 2018

BRAIN INJURY CANADA NATIONAL CONFERENCE

SAVE THE DATEOTTAWA, CANADA

More info to come at www.braininjurycanada.ca

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Annual General Meeting

BRAIN INJURY CANADA 2017

MONDAY NOVEMBER 13, 2017 6:30 PM - 8:00 PM

The AGM will take place via webinar.  All invited to register and attend.

Please visit  www.braininjurycanada.ca/annual- general-meeting to register now.

Register to attend the annual meeting of the members of the Corporation. Presentation will include: year in review; report from the Board of Directors and Executive Director; review of Financial Statements; election of new Board of Director members; corporation name amendment.

By registering to attend the AGM, you will considered a voting member and will be able to vote interactively on agenda items.

Please direct any questions to Michelle McDonald, Executive Director – [email protected] or 613-762-1222 to Toll-free 1-866-977- 2492

Monday November 13, 2017 6:30 pm - 8:00 pm

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Dr. Daniel Andreae selected for the Lifetime Achievement Award by the International Association of Top Professionals (IAOTP).

TORONTO, ONTARIO - 9 Aug, 2017 - Dr. Daniel C. Andreae, Adjunct Professor at the University of Waterloo and Professor at the University of Guelph Humber was just recently selected for the International Association of Top Professionals (IAOTP), prestigious Lifetime Achievement Award for 2018.

While inclusion with the International Association of Top Professionals is an honor in itself, only a few members are chosen for this distinction based on their years of experience in the field, professional accomplishments, academic achievements, leadership abilities, and contributions to their communities.  These are truly incredibly talented professionals who have dedicated their life to their work and have had a lifetime of achievement and success!

Dr. Andreae will be honored at the 2017 IAOTP’s Annual Award Gala, at the Ritz Carlton in Battery Park NYC for being selected not only for the Lifetime Achievement Award, but he was also selected as “Top Professor of the Year.” IAOTP will be announcing his selection for both distinctions and he will be receiving the Sapphire Diamond Crystal piece engraved for his Lifetime of Achievement and Success. Stephanie Cirami, President of IAOTP stated “Choosing Dr. Andreae for this award was an easy decision for our panel to make.  He is brilliant, extraordinary, and an inspiration to not only other Professors but has also been a successful Doctor. Dr. Andreae is in a class of his own and we are honored to have him with our organization.  All honorees are invited to attend the IAOTP’s annual award gala at the end of this year for a night to honor their achievements.

more information, visit: www.iaotp.com/award-gala.

Dr. Andreae is being recognized for having over 2 decades of professional experience in higher education, and for devoting such a significant part of his life and career to researching and educating those affected by Neurodegenerative Diseases.  

Re-printed from Digital Journal. www.digitaljournal.com

- continued

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Dr. Daniel Andreae selected for the Lifetime Achievement Award by the International Association of Top Professionals (IAOTP). - continued

As a dynamic, results-driven leader, Dr. Andreae has demonstrated success not only in academia but has also been an outstanding community advocate and true visionary of his time.  He believes that “Education is not just an intellectual exercise; it is most effective when the head meets the heart and knowledge can be applied to enhance the quality of one’s life on all levels; educational, physical, spiritual and social.”

Dr. Andreae’s dedication to the profession, his originality of thought and his passion for educating himself and those around him has led him to teach over forty-five different subject courses at the college and university level.  His focus has been related to psychology but Dr. Andreae’s approach has been to heal a person as a whole.  He feels that as you begin to address the needs of the individual as a whole; students can begin to grasp hold onto their abilities, hopes and aspirations.  He combined theory with life experiences and has been successful giving his students the confident exploration of ideas, free critical thinking and personal growth.  Dr. Andreae’s involvement in neurodegenerative causes has made him also realize that education and research around the brain is crucial, and has led to the management of conditions and enhanced quality of life. This applies to a wide range of issues from Alzheimer's, autism, traumatic brain injuries, and Tourettes Syndrome.

Born in Canada, Dr. Andreae holds a Doctorate of Education from the University of Toronto and Doctorate of Science specializing in neuroscience.  His Masters in Clinical Social Work was earned at Wilfrid Laurier University.  Prior to attending the Wilfrid Laurier University, Dr. Andreae earned his Bachelor’s Degree in Psychology from York University in Toronto. As a result of studying with the Benson Henry Mind Body Institute in Boston, affiliated with Massachusetts General Hospital, Dr. Andreae was granted membership in the Harvard Medical School Post Graduate Association.

Re-printed from Digital Journal. www.digitaljournal.com

- continued

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Dr. Daniel Andreae selected for the Lifetime Achievement Award by the International Association of Top Professionals (IAOTP). - continued

Throughout his illustrious career,  Dr. Andreae has received numerous awards and accolades for his outstanding leadership and commitment to Psychology and Higher education.  He has been recognized worldwide and he remains active in his community.  For 2018 he is being considered for the Man of the Year Award and Lifetime Achievement Award by the International Association of Top Professionals.  For 2017 he was selected as Top Professor of the Year in Higher Education by the International Association of Top Professionals and is being included in Marquis Whos Who in the World where he will appear on their front cover of their first magazine edition.    In 2016 he graced the front cover of Elite Magazine and was the 2015 recipient of Oxford Who’s Who Tier of Excellence Award, Lifetime Accomplishment Recipient, and Covington Who’s Who Professional of the Year. In 2011 he was named Faculty and Staff Mentor of the Year and Faculty of Psychology of the Year.  Recipient of the Distinguished Teaching Award at the University of Waterloo, and two time recipient as Faculty of the Year at the University of Guelph Humber.  In 2010,  Dr.  Andreae received the prestigious Ontario Medal of Good Citizenship presented by the Lieutenant Governor for his work as a transformational leader in the social work profession.  In 2008 he received the Lyall Hallman Social Work Award. In 2007 received an Honorary Doctorate of Laws from Assumption University for contributions to health care.  In 2006 named Canadian Social Worker of the Year and recipient of Champion of Change Award presented by the Chair of the International body, Princess Yasmin Khan.  He also received the Outstanding Service Award for Leadership by the Alzheimer Society of Toronto and Inaugural June Callwood Outstanding Volunteer Award Presented by the Premier; Queen Elizabeth Diamond Jubilee Medal and Canada 125 Medal. In 2001 named Laurier’s Alumnus of the Year, The Brain Injury Association of Canada Award of Merit, and Ontario Social Worker of the Year for 1999.

Dr. Andreae’s community involvement includes being the first Executive Director of the Alzheimer Society of Toronto, and Chair of the Patrons Council of the Society. 

Re-printed from Digital Journal. www.digitaljournal.com

- continued

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Dr. Daniel Andreae selected for the Lifetime Achievement Award by the International Association of Top Professionals (IAOTP). - continued

In addition, he has been the longest serving President of the social work profession in Ontario, board member of the Psychology Foundation of Canada and is the Chair of the Advisory Council for the Weizmann Institute of Science- Canadian division.  He is a member of the Ontario Association of Social Workers; Alzheimer Society of Metropolitan Toronto and  has built province-wide coalitions,   and worked closely with elected officials and senior civil servants to lead a 10-year campaign to establish social work as a regulated profession in Ontario. This successful campaign culminated with legislation that protects and benefits Ontarians led to the creation of a College of Social Work to regulate the profession. Dr. Andreae has also supported what are called "town to gown" public lectures at Laurentian University in Sudbury, Ontario. These are free and open to the public where interesting experts are invited to give a lecture and answer audience questions, called the Dr. Dan Andreae Presidential Lecture for Living in Healthy Communities.  Speakers have included Dr. James Orbinski, who on behalf of Doctors Without Borders, accepted the  Nobel Prize, Dr. Norman Doidge who has written bestselling books on the brain and brain plasticity, Olympic winners in skiing and skating and Stephen Page, singer for the group Bare Naked Ladies on mental health issues are also in attendance.

When Dr. Andreae is not working he enjoys Travel, history, politics, current events, anthropology, psychology, baseball, visiting stadiums when in a new city and collecting rare signatures of notable people in science, music, history, television and sports.

For more information on Dr. Andreae please visit: http://leadingmengala.weizmann.ca/dr-daniel-c-andreae

Watch his Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HGd1NBQk7UU

On behalf of all Brain Injury Canada, we congratulate Dan on this very well deserved award and are honoured to have his support as Honorary Patron.  

Re-printed from Digital Journal. www.digitaljournal.com

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On Hitting 50

When I had my brain injury at 36 I would never have imagined I would now be here, alive today, writing a blog, advocating for other brain injury survivors and their families, plus all the other things that make up Michelle.

I had myself dead, living in a nursing home or at the very least reliant on others for food, housing, social and financial support.  I have been fortunate!

Many survivors get stuck in their brain injury world and who can blame them.  We live with it 24/7.  There is no treatment  to cure a brain injury.  Only prevention. We search and search for an answer to the question that research and doctors have yet to answer.

When you finally comprehend this it’s like your world has caved in around you.  The person you once knew as your sibling, parent, friend, spouse, cousin even yourself does not exist  Who wouldn’t be scared and frustrated?  Angry? Confused? That sounds logical to me.

I have always compared a brain injury to a finger print or a snowflake. Each one is different but with similarities..  The brain is the most complex organ in the body yet the one science knows the least about.   The good news is they are learning more and more each day.  I am learning more and more each day... Never give up 

by Michelle Bartlett - New Brunswick

Michelle  Bartlett suffered a severe anoxic brain injury in 2004  two days after open heart surgery.  Due to the severity of her brain injury she was not expected to recover but has advanced in her recovery further than anyone anticipated. Michelle was the recipient of the 2016 Award of  Merit from Brain Injury Canada. https://howabraininjurycanchangeyourlife.tumblr.com/

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Upcoming EventsBrain Injury Canada is proud to be an exhibitor at the upcoming Post-Trauma Community Re-Integration Conference in Ottawa on Friday November 24, 2017.  Come by and say hello!

We welcome contributions for Impact Newsletter. Please send your article to [email protected].  Please not: The Editor retains

the right to edit all submissions prior to publication. 

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Filters will clean air and other things

At the start of my brain injury, I was plagued by double vision.  To combat this problem, for a while I wore an eye patch, covering my left eye.  It helped…  One day a group of kindergarten kids were passing by me with their teacher.  A boy pointed at me, “Mrs Jones, there is a pirate.”  She jokingly replied to him. “Yes, and he’s going to take your gold.”  In this case, there was no need for the boy’s comment to be filtered since the comment was 

BRAIN INJURY CANADA 2017

The AGM will take place via webinar.  All invited to register and attend.

Please visit  www.braininjurycanada.ca/annual- general-meeting to register now.

By Tyrone Bell  - Alberta

based on youthful innocence.  There was no problem with the boy making the comment and I was not embarrassed.

On the other hand, a brain injury survivor may be an adult whose “vocal filter” is damaged.  He or she is therefore inclined to make comments that are embarrassing and inappropriate for the time and place.  An example occurred while I was in the rehab program in the hospital. Some patients were in a session where current, world events were being discussed.   Much to everybody’s amazement, these exact words were addressed to the facilitator “you need to end now because I need to go to the washroom and pee like a racehorse”. If you have an air purifier at home, or an air filter in your car, they both make life so much easier.  The purifier facilitates the breathing of purified, filtered, smoke- free air.  It allows allergy sufferers easy breathing.  The filter does basically the same thing for car engines.  It provides clean air for combustion.  

The frontal lobe of the brain has the same cleaning effect on human speech.  This is where we make our decisions, solve problems, craft our planning and form emotional responses.  This area of the brain is also where we determine what to say and what not to say.  Whenever there is a brain injury and the frontal lobe is damaged, the survivor may exhibit setbacks in any of these areas.  An example is disinhibition.  This is where there is a complete lack of screening of what to say or not.  Whatever comes in the mind, is what is said.  This is frequently accompanied by poor memory, which is often a part of brain injury.  This further complicates things.  Apart from the comments being embarrassing and inappropriate, they may also be inaccurate.  In such a case, no attempt is made to tell a lie, but to fill in gaps.  

- continued

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Filters will clean air and other things - continued

This disposition points to a cognitive effect of brain injury. The survivor who is affected, may seem to be insensitive to the feelings of other people.  The condition is hard on any social interaction such as in families on marriages, on jobs and at school.  Very often, the result is much social upheaval, political incorrectness, isolation and job loss.  This is all because one’s brain injury could totally shred his or her verbal filter. 

BRAIN INJURY CANADA 2017

The AGM will take place via webinar.  All invited to register and attend.

Please visit  www.braininjurycanada.ca/annual- general-meeting to register now.

Mathew Hill is a 47-year old TBI survivor who now works as a Therapy Assistant in Alberta. His focus is neuro-rehabilitation, focusing on TBI/ABI recovery. He has been a paralegal and a coffee-roaster (14years). In addition to writing articles, Mathew helps to raise awareness of TBI’s by presenting to local high school classes on the dangers of brain injuries, as well as presenting a seminar onbrain injury rehabilitation and living life afterwards.

 This will be part 1 of 6 in the continuing article that Mathew Hill wrote to describe a way to approach life after surviving a severe TBI. It is not geared towards one specific method, but rather a way for each survivor to answer “Why did this happen?” and “How do Ideal with the changes?” It is offered with the intent of adding to the growing awareness, understanding and acumen for helping survivors in their lives post-TBI.

Mathew survived a serious, life-threatening Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) over thirty years ago. Today, when he present seminars on TBI recovery and rehabilitation or speaks with local high-school students on the consequences of choice, a person asks him the following question: “How long did it take you to recover?” His answer is always the same: “What is today’s date?” Because he is still recovering today as much as in those first few foggy days in the hospital after waking from a coma. Mathew is always sure to emphasize this point because for TBI survivors, recovery and rehabilitation are not measured in days, weeks, months or even years; they often measured in lifetimes. 

Lessons from the Undergroundby Matthew Hill - Alberta

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BRAIN INJURY CANADA 2017

Lessons from Underground by Mathew Hill

 A few years ago, when I first began presenting seminars on TBI recovery and rehabilitation, I became aware of an inherent, insidious fact concerning advances in medical science: there is a generation-long gap or delay (roughly 30 years) between the ability of medical science to keep people alive who otherwise would have died and the medical, social, personal and public acumen for understanding the challenges and hurdles those survivors will face in life after the hospital and rehabilitation. This acumen includes understanding and appreciating the feelings of regret, remorse and loss TBI survivors feel for the lives they once had and that are now gone.

And, too often, as in my case, those lives are taken away by a TBI due to an Otherwise innocent choice – in my case, it was the choice to ride a friend’s motorcycle around the block at a birthday party. 

Lessons from the Underground - continued

Please Note:

The opinions expressed in Impact, the newsletter of the Brain Injury Canada are those of the respective authors and not necessarily those of the Brain Injury Canada. Brain Injury Canada will not be liable for any damages or losses howsoever sustained, as a result of the reliance on or use by a reader or any other person of the information, opinion, or products expressed, advertised or otherwise contained here in. Where appropriate, professional advice should be sought.

DANIEL C. ANDREAE

McCOLL-EARLY FOUNDATION

Proud Supporters of Brain Injury Canada