David Hildebrand BCBIA. The Tenth World Congress On Brain Injury. Nature Photographer Capturing Life through an Optimistic Lens

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1 BRITISH COLUMBIA S VOICE FOR THE BRAIN INJURY COMMUNITY Winter 2013 David Hildebrand Nature Photographer Capturing Life through an Optimistic Lens Story Page 14 BCBIA Celebrates New Chapters Story Page 8 The Tenth World Congress On Brain Injury Story Page 10

2 Brain Injury Paraplegia Quadriplegia Spinal Cord Injury Reduced legal fees on brain injury, paraplegia and quadriplegia cases WE HANDLE ALL OF THE EXPENSES FREE Consultation. If no recovery, no legal frees or expenses. Helping brain injury victims and their families for over 40 years. ICBC claims only "The efforts of your highly competent legal team resulted in my seriously injured brain damaged son being looked after and financially 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 BERNIE SIMPSON, C.M. Member Order of Canada Recipient of the Queen s Jubilee Medal Eloisa De Lorenzo Awarded in Washington, D.C. on behalf of Brain Injury Survivors E. ANTHONY THOMAS Extensive experience in motor vehicle cases for 20 years LOW LEGAL FEES With over 40 years experience handling exclusively motor vehicle injury claims Surrey/Delta Office th Street, Delta, BC Ph: Vancouver Office 808 Nelson Street, Suite 1512, Vancouver, BC Ph: TOLL FREE: Throughout BC (24 hrs Emergency Service)

3 Message from the Editor Janelle Breese Biagioni Greetings! The days are shorter and the holidays will be here before we know it. It s a great time of year to gather for playing board games, watching movies, or sharing a pot of homemade soup. Winter has a way of keeping us indoors and close to one another. It can also be responsible for people developing cabin fever and getting a bit testy with one another. Do what you can to get outside periodically for some fresh air and a change of scenery. It will lighten your mood for sure! In this issue of Headline, we have an article on the BCBIA gala which was held on November 14th and a piece from FVBIA about Dave Hildebrand featured the cover for this issue. Check out his phenomenal work! I have also included suggestions for using up that turkey and keeping gift-giving to a small expense. Along with the darker days and colder temperatures, winter brings unpredictable weather and driving conditions. Be sure you take all the safety precautions when driving a vehicle (get snow tires) or walking at night (i.e. wear reflective clothing). Stay safe. In closing, I wish you all a wonderful holiday season. Take the time to live, love, laugh, and play safely! Looking forward to serving you in 2014! Cheers, Janelle Breese Biagioni Sudoku The 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 Solution on page 21 Comic Credit: Written by: The Blue Sheet Club & Illustrated by: Erin Shuttleworth headline 3

4 headline is published quarterly by Mike Rossiter 5851 Kittiwake Drive Richmond, BC V7E 3P1 for ad space call Editor Janelle Breese Biagioni 2031 Gourman Pl Victoria, BC V9B 6A9 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 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: or her at: mlr@telus.net (Please put HEADLINE in subject line of ) Government Resources Regional Health Authority s ABI Coordinators: Fraser Health - Aquired Brain injury Program Interior Health Authority , Contact Name: Deborah Preston Acquired Brain Injury Program, Northern Health Call Vancouver Coastal Health Authority Vancouver Island Health Authority , Contact Name: Judith Armstrong Enquiry BC-to locate Provincial Government Departments Lower Mainland Outside Lower Mainland Victoria Ministry of Advanced Education, Training and Technology: Open Learning Information: In and Outside Lower Mainland Student Loan Information: Lower Mainland Outside Lower Mainland select 1 then 5 Public Guardian & Trustee of British Columbia: West Hastings St. Vancouver, BC V6B 3L3 Victim s Info Line: Adult and Youth Addiction Services: Lower Mainland Outside Lower Mainland Community Resources BC Coalition of People with Disabilities Advocacy Access Program for assistance with provincial and federal disability benefits Lower Mainland Outside Lower Mainland Bus Pass for Persons with Disabilities and Seniors Lower Mainland Outside Lower Mainland Tim Readman, Executive Director Stroke Recovery Association of BC Phone: Toll Free: Cerebral Palsy Association of BC Lower Mainland Voice and TTY Outside Lower Mainland Community Brain Injury Program for Children & Youth in BC Toll Free Epilepsy BC Lower Mainland Outside Lower Mainland Victoria Information Services Vancouver headline 4

5 Gifts of Your Time & Talent are Priceless Most people I know live on a predictable income and have to find cost-saving measures when shopping at Christmas. As well everyone wants the gift they offer to another to have meaning and value. I encourage you to look at your time and talents to give as gifts to friends and family. These are often overlooked as a consideration, but I assure you that the recipient will be touched by your thoughtfulness. Giving of your talents and time is simple, free, and really shows the person that you care about them. Use the coupon below (cut out and photocopy as many as you need) and commit to doing something with or for the person you are giving the gift to. Here are some suggestions: Yard work (cut the grass, pull weeds, rake the leaves, build a fence, help decorate) Lend your skills (child minding, housecleaning, running errands, pet sitting) One-time event (breakfast in bed, homemade dinner, batch of cookies, bread) Give of your talents (photography, painting or drawing, makeup or hair, manicure/pedicure) Good old elbow grease (clean the refrigerator, clean the garage, wash the car inside and out) Your family and friends will be thrilled to have the investment of your time and talents as a gift this year. Be wacky. Be wild. Be creative. Whatever it is you decide, give the gift with joy, confidence and commitment. Make sure you smile when they cash it in! Merry Christmas: This coupon is good for With love, I N T E R N E T Resources Headline is a proud supporter of Learn Connect Find BC Brain Injury Association www. bcbraininjuryassociation.com Campbell River Head Injury Support Society Fraser Valley Brain Injury Association Brain Trust Canada Nanaimo Brain Injury Society Powell River Brain Injury Society Prince George Brain Injured Group Society Brain Injury Resources Ontario Brain Injury Association Brain Injury Association USA South Okanagan Similkameen BI Society Victoria Brain Injury Society The Perspective Network The TBI Chat Room G.F. Strong Rehab BC Eplilepsy Society Headway Centre Howe Sound Rehabilitation Services Society Northern Brain Injury Association headline 5

6 Eleven Canadians Win Prestigious Caregiving Awards Toronto, Ontario October 23, 2013 Eleven Caadians have won prestigious awards recognizing them as exceptional caregivers. Six of the winners are family caregivers and five are professional caregivers. Bruce Ireland of Milton, Ont., Hugh Finlay of Napanee, Ont., Ken Wong of Markham, Ont., Mary Burtt of Bedford, N.S., Mary Anna McKay of Victoria, B.C., and Toshiko and Hideo Kajiwara of Vancouver B.C. have all been awarded Canada Cares Caregiver Awards in the family caregiver category. Amy Furey of Harbour Main, NL, Alejandro Carlisle of Toronto, Ont., Parvaneh Bakhshi of Toronto, Ont., Marciel D. King of River Peace, AB, and Debbie Schwab of West Kelowna B.C. were awarded Canada Cares Awards in the professional caregiver category. The awards were presented at Canadian Home Care Association Summit in Gatineau-Ottawa on October 29 and details about the winners will be shared through community organizations and media from coast to coast. Presented by Canada Cares ( org), a not-for-profit program that supports and salutes caregivers of all kinds across the country, the ACQUIRED BRAIN INJURY (ABI)?... with an ABI, a One-Day Functional Capacity Evaluation is 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 the multiple symptoms associated with Acquired Brain Injury... The 3-DAY ABI WORK CAPACITY ASSESSMENT WILL GATHER OBJECTIVE INFORMATION REGARDING: Physical ability to perform work tasks Cognitive skills to complete work demands Behavioural skills to participate in work relationships Call us for more information headline 6 OT CONSULTING/TREATMENT SERVICES LTD Lougheed Highway, Vancouver, BC V5M 2A4 T: F: E: consult@otconsulting.bc.ca Canada Cares Caregiver Awards were provided at both a regional and national level. Award nominees were chosen by a national committee of caregivers and health professionals, according to criteria such as caregiver strength, commitment to care, community involvement and compassion. As part of the program, Canada Cares teamed up with We Care Home Health Services to grant one caregiver the Canada Cares One Wish Award, valued at $10,000. In submitting nominations, people were asked to describe why their nominated caregiver is deserving of recognition and what they would do with the $10,000 prize. Napanee s Hugh Finley will be presented with the One Wish Award. The number of caregivers in Canada is rapidly increasing, with current estimates pegged at over five million, said Caroline Tapp-McDougall, Chair of Canada Cares. We re proud to support and recognize caregivers from coast to coast for their tireless, selfless efforts to help improve the lives of others. For more information about the Canada Cares Caregiver Awards and a full list of winners, visit www. canadacares.org. Canada Cares is a not-for-profit program that involves a virtual community, grassroots events, and caregiver coaching program. It has been created through a unique partnership between healthcare organizations and businesses across the country, including Canadian Red Cross, Saint Elizabeth Health Care, The Canadian Abilities Foundation, Kohler Canada, MV-1 Canada, Zoomer Wireless, Stroke Recovery Canada, We Care Home Health Services, Lifestage Care, Invacare Corporation, Spectrum Health Care, Ability Online, Canadian Caregiver Coalition, Alzheimer Society of Toronto, Caregiving Matters, Brain Injury Association of Canada and many others. community therapists Building skills. Empowering people. Community Integration Driver Rehabilitation Functional Capacity Evaluation OTs, PTs, SLPs, RAs Metro Vancouver, Fraser Valley, Van. Island, Sea-to-Sky , Ext Henning Drive, Burnaby, BC V5C 6N5 Community Therapist Headline ad C.indd :06 AM

7 Victoria s Mary Anna Mckay Recipient Of Award Mary Anna McKay was one of eleven Canadians honoured by Canada Cares Resource Network, which acknowledges friends, family members and professionals for their efforts in providing care and support in their community. Mary Anna is the recipient of the Family Caregiver, Western/Northern Region Award with the caption of A Role Model. Gilbert, Mary Anna s husband suffered a stroke in 1997 at the age of 63. He had been renovating their home at the time. Mary Anna lovingly took on the role of supporter, medical advocate, renovation assistant, personal care manager and driver. In addition to caring for her husband, Mary Anna has been a media spokesperson and guest speaker for a variety of support groups. She served as president of the Victoria Stroke Recovery Association, a branch of the Stroke Recovery Association of B.C. for two years and sat on the board for another 4 years. She is very involved in the Family Caregiver Network in Victoria. Mary Anna and her husband are recognized for their dedication to one another and positive outlook on life. They reside in Victoria, British Columbia A Person With a Brain Injury ~by Tammy Randall We are all born the same. We may have different upbringings and we may have different experiences, but we all have a brain. And when, or if, our brain becomes injured or damaged our lives change. People who are lucky in life who do not experience these things absolutely do not understand, You can be educated, even have degrees, If you meet someone with a brain injury you do not understand. People with a brain injury are more likely to speak out of term, say inappropriate things, take medication or learn to control their tempers. You do not understand everything is new again. Depending on which part of the brain is damaged, you may have trouble learning, concentrating or paying attention. That does not make you dumb It s funny how people with brain injury do not judge they have common sense to understand and enough education to want to learn. 30 years of experience helping brain injured victims and their families. Joe Murphy, Q.C. Joe Battista, Q.C. J. Scott Stanley Derek Mah Steve Gibson Brian Brooke Irina Kordic Kevin Gourlay Angela Price-Stephens Tina Petrick Leyna Roenspies Alex Sayn-Wittgenstein Jeffrey Nieuwenburg Murphy Battista LLP T: Toll-free Fax E: murphy@murphybattista.com West Georgia Street Box 11547, Vancouver Centre Vancouver, BC V6B 4N7 Skunkworks Creative Group Inc. Murphy Battista Logo Refresh FINAL (Rawlinson Bold) March 19, 2012 headline 7

8 Celebrating New Chapters Cocktail Fundraising Gala for Brain Injury Thursday, November 14, 2013 Vistas 360, Renaissance Vancouver Harbourside Hotel The New BCBIA BC Brain Injury Association (BCBIA) celebrated new chapters as a recently merged organization with Pacific Coast Brain Injury Conference Society, and raised money for projects. We continue our journey according to our newly defined mission. Our mission is to be the agent of change providing leadership for developing, driving and implementing a provincial strategy in BC to improve the lives of people who live with acquired brain injury. At the Cocktail Fundraising Gala, Michel McDermott and Kyle Donaldson of Breakfast Television, led the evening in great style while Woolysock entertained the crowd with their soul jazz. Julia Zarudzka, BCBIA President, Elizabeth Baron, BCBIA Secretary and Gala Co-Chair, and Jeff Boniface, BCBIA Co-Vice President and Gala Co-Chair, gave opening remarks thanking people for attending and encouraging them to participate in the fundraising activities. David Roche, the guest speaker for the evening, shared his story and talked about the growth of a community being rooted in the good work of its people. He shared moments of grace that are building blocks of change which were profound, hilarious and sometimes both! Cheshire Homes Society of British Columbia Acceptance, Empowerment, Independence, Opportunity Providing Transitional, Slower Stream and Apartment Based Rehabilitation Programs for Acquired Brain Injury since Cheshire Homes Society of BC, Head Office # th Avenue New Westminster, BC, V3M 1X4 Phone: (604) a member of the Leonard Cheshire Disability Global Alliance Jeff Boniface, OT Boniface Consulting Occupational Therapy Services community integration case management return to work t: info@bonifaceconsulting.ca headline 8

9 Live Auction The Winning Bids! There were prizes galore and guests helped serve the interests of all affected by acquired brain injury in BC. Congratulations to our winners! Flight for two anywhere in the World (up to $1,200 maximum) and one night s accommodation and breakfast at the Fairmont Airport Vancouver Flights sponsored anonymously and B&B sponsored by Fairmont Hotels and Resorts Sold for $1,450 to Angela Wright Holland America Cruise for two (ocean view) to Alaska, Caribbean/Mexico, or New England/Canada Sponsored by Chuck Jung & Associates Sold for $2,050 to Tracy Baxter Live Art by Adam Briggs Sponsored by BCBIA Sold for $375 to Izumi McGruer Original Artwork by Yehouda Chaki Sponsored by Murray Nichol Sold for $400 to Jacqueline Purtzki Winning Balloons Guests purchased balloons for the chance to win one of the great prizes below. At the end of the evening, balloons were popped and the winners collected their prizes. Congratulations to all winners! Two tickets for Canucks vs. Dallas this Sunday, November 17th (2 available) Sponsored by: Boniface Consulting Occupational Therapy Services Two tickets for the Vancouver Symphony Orchestra Bronfman, Beethoven and Brahms this Monday, November 18th Sponsored by: Boniface Consulting Occupational Therapy Services Afternoon Sailing Experiences (5 available) Sponsored by Vancouver Sailing Club Two-Day Sailing Course Sponsored by Vancouver Sailing Club 15-Minute Discovery Flight Sponsored by King George Aviation Four Touchdown Endzone Tickets, 2014 Regular Season Home Game Sponsored by BC Lions Necklace made from Chinese Fresh Water Pearls, Citrine, Quartz and Other Gemstones Sponsored by New Day Consultants, Deborah St. Jean - Maple Ridge One-Month Membership at Richmond Olympic Oval (4 available) Sponsored by Richmond Olympic Oval A Night for Two in a One-Bedroom Suite Sponsored by Renaissance Vancouver Harbourside Hotel Business Portrait Session 10 Photos Sponsored by Brian Hawkes Executive Photography Art Piece by Chris Waind Sponsored by Chris Waind Fabulous Gift Basket Sponsored by Foster Walker Gifts of Distinction Thank you to our generous sponsors who were part of making the fundraising event so successful. Diamond: Maryn and Associates Silver: Simpson, Thomas and Associates WorkSafe BC Bronze: Canadian Magnetic Imaging Classic LifeCare Connect David Roche, Keynote Speaker and Inspirational Humorist Kazlaw Laxton Gibbens and Company Murphy Battista LLP Whitelaw Twining Law Corporation Supporter Plus: McComb Witten Supporter: BC Rehab CGM Lawyers David Doig and Associates Hanson Wirsig Matheos Lawyers Mind Your Brain Paine Edmonds Lawyers Parley Services Webster and Associates BRITISH COLUMBIA S VOICE FOR THE BRAIN INJURY COMMUNITY Winter 2013 David Hildebrand Nature Photographer Capturing Life through an Optimistic Lens Story Page 14 BCBIA Celebrates New Chapters Story Page 8 The Tenth World Congress On Brain Injury Story Page 10 Want us to send a copy of Headline to your ? Headline is also available in PDF format. If you would like a PDF copy, contact Mary Lou by at: mlr@telus.net Please add Headline to the subject line headline 9

10 THE TENTH WORLD CONGRESS ON BRAIN INJURY The International Brain Injury Association s (IBIA) Tenth World Congress on Brain Injury will take place in San Francisco, California from March 19 22, Listed below are the Pre-Congress Workshops and Keynote and Plenary Speakers. Be sure to register early for this exceptional event online at Pre-Congress Workshops: Concussions in Sports Chair: Michael McCrea Clinical Management of Disorders of Consciousness: Toward an International Consensus Chairs: Joe Giacino & John Whyte Neuromodulation Chair: Ross Zafonte Neuropsychiatry of TBI Chairs: Jonathan Silver & Thomas McAllister IPBIS: Pediatric/Adolescent Rehabilitation Using Neurotechnology Chair: Ronald Savage Evidence-Based Virtual Rehabilitation after Acquired Brain Inury Chairs: Enrique Noe Sebastian & Roberto Llorens Rodriguez Post-Traumatic Headache Chair: Nathan Zasler Keynote and Plenary Speakers: A Phased Developmental Approach to Neurorehabilitation Research: The Science of Knowledge Building John Whyte The Science of Knowledge: Problems and Prospects of Translational Brain Injury Research Donald Stein Neuroimaging of TBI: How Focal Lesions Disrupt Brain Networks Erin Bigler New Approaches to Assessing Cognition after Serious Brain Injury Adrian Owen traumatic brain and spinal cord injury Regaining Your Quality Of Life is our goal. We work together with your rehabilitation team to ensure that you receive the best possible rehabilitation while at the same time securing full, lifetime compensation for you and your family. Our experienced team offers specialized expertise with a human touch. Give us a call and then decide. Free initial consultation Serving clients worldwide who have been injured in BC Suite W Georgia Street Vancouver BC V6E 4A2 Flexible appointment times & locations convenient for you Handle all legal expenses Tel: Fax: Toll Free: ddoig@daviddoig.com specialized expertise with a human touch headline 10

11 IPBIS: Can Advances in E-health Improve Assessment, Intervention, and Outcomes for Children with TBI and their Families? Vicki Anderson It s Not Only the Injury that Matters, but also the Kind of Head Jennie Ponsford The International Brain Injury Association provides Brain Injury Resources including the following Brain Injury Fact Sheet. Brain Injury Facts Worldwide Of all types of injury, those to the brain are among the most likely to result in death or permanent disability. Brain injury is the leading cause of death and disability worldwide. Traumatic brain injury is the leading cause of seizure disorders. The World Health Organization (WHO) adopted standards for the surveillance of central nervous system injury in United States Annually: One million Americans are treated and released from hospital emergency departments as a result of traumatic brain injury (TBI). 230,000 people are hospitalized and survive 80,000 people are estimated to be discharged from the hospital with some TBI-related disability 50,000 people die An estimated 5.3 million Americans are living today with disability related to traumatic brain injury. Most studies indicate that males are far more likely to incur a TBI as females. The highest rate of injury occurs in between the ages of years. Persons under the age of 5 or over the age of 75 are also at higher risk. BRITISH COLUMBIA S VOICE FOR THE BRAIN INJURY COMMUNITY Winter 2013 David Hildebrand Nature Photographer Capturing Life through an Optimistic Lens Story Page 14 BCBIA Celebrates New Chapters Story Page 8 The Tenth World Congress On Brain Injury Story Page 10 Want us to send a copy of Headline to your ? Headline is also available in PDF format. If you would like a PDF copy, contact Mary Lou by at: mlr@telus.net Please add Headline to the subject line Europe In the European Union, brain injury accounts for one million hospital admissions per year. Causes of Traumatic Brain Injury Motor Vehicle Crashes account for 50% of all TBIs. This includes autos, trucks, motorcycles, bicycles, and pedestrians hit by vehicles. The leading causes of TBI vary by age: falls are the leading cause of TBI among persons aged 65 years and older; transportation is the leading cause of TBI among persons under the age of 65 years. Estimates suggest that sports related brain injury accounts for close to 300,000 injuries each year, with winter sports such as skiing and ice-skating accounting for close to 20,000 brain injuries. Consequences of Brain Injury Brain Injury can cause many kinds of physical, cognitive, and behavioral/emotional impairments that may be either temporary or permanent. Impairments may range from subtle to severe. Brain injury may result in seizure disorders. Brain Injury is a public health concern that demands ongoing epidemiological study, increased efforts to prevent injuries from occurring, and research to advance medical options and therapeutic interventions. Trouble expressing yourself? We can help! After brain injury, trouble with speaking, listening, reading, writing or with 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 Columbia Speech & Language Services Inc. Improving Communication Throughout Your Life. T: E: info@columbiaspeech.com columbiaspeech.com headline 11

12 Make Your Life s Story Better with Journaling by Barbara Stahura, CJF (Originally published in Brain Injury Journey, April/May 2013) When a hit-and-run driver left my husband, Ken, with a brain injury just nine months after our wedding in 2003, I was thrown into the chaos of caregiving with no training and no advance notice. Horrendous months followed, as Ken struggled to recover as much of his abilities and his former self as he could. I struggled to care for him (and not so much for myself) while picking up the parts of our life he had formerly handled. A counselor told me I had secondary traumatic stress, a condition I had never heard of, but she was right. Fortunately, I had earlier discovered a practice that became my saving grace during this time. Over the years, I had kept a journal periodically, and the day after Ken s accident, I began journaling in earnest. My journal went everywhere with me hospital, in- and outpatient rehab, doctor s appointments and I filled pages every day. This was almost instinctive, since my confusion, anger, and grief desperately needed an outlet. As I later discovered, telling the story of these days and especially my feelings about them to the pages of my journal was one of the best things I could have done. Unknown to me at the time of Ken s accident, expressive writing, or writing down our thoughts and feelings about an experience, has been shown in numerous studies to provide therapeutic benefits for body, mind, and spirit. A journal is an excellent place for this kind of writing, since its pages accept whatever you have to say without judgment or criticism. As Kathleen Adams, LPC and founder and director of The Center for Journal Therapy, says, In moments of ecstasy, in moments of despair, the journal remains an impassive, silent friend, forever ready to console, to confront, to contain, to cheer on. Its potential as a tool for holistic mental health is unsurpassed. In your journal, you need not be concerned with being a good writer, nor about spelling or grammar. No prior experience is needed. All you need is to give yourself permission to write, and to write as honestly at you can. Take precautions to keep your journal paper or electronic private, and you can pour out your heart, dive deep into your soul, headline 12 Raincoast Community Rehabilitation Services where you live, work and play 2392 Kingsway tel: Vancouver, BC fax: V5R 5G9 toll free: info@raincoastrehab.ca and find release and healing. From there, you can begin to envision the possibilities of your new, post-injury story. Everything is Story All human beings are born storytellers, and being injured or being a caregiver doesn t change that. We live by story and literally could not survive without it. In fact, Brains are organs of story, changing to match the needs of their environment, and specialized to understand story, store story, recall story, and tell story, writes Lewis Mehl-Madrona, MD, PHD, in his book Healing the Mind Through the Power of Story: The Promise of Narrative Psychiatry. Everything is story, including our identities, our selves, our meanings and purposes, our theories about the world. After a brain injury dramatically alters the familiar story of your life, it becomes crucial to discover and create a new story if healing is to take place. Learning to move from your former story to your current one literally changes your life, as well as your brain. You function better, empower yourself, and open the door to positive change. For instance, say you continually yearn for the way you and your life used to be prior to the brain injury. By focusing on your old story what you have lost and what you can no longer do you lock yourself into a painful place where healing is not possible. But when you find a way to create or discover a new story what you still have, can create, and are able to accomplish your life moves forward. Use Your Journal to Start Making Changes Anita Roddick, the late founder of The Body Shop, said, Every change begins with story. And you can begin the changes required by your post-injury life in the pages of your journal. The first step is to begin writing stories of your current life, in small pieces over time (you can journal effectively in only five to ten minutes a session). Then you can envision possibilities for the future and slowly move forward toward making them a reality. You may be surprised at the many possibilities, large and small, that open up to you. The way you tell your story need not be fancy or particularly creative (although you can later revise your journal entries into something more formal if you like). The idea is to let the words flow to the page with as little editing or censoring as possible. This allows your subconscious thoughts to come to the surface, bringing to light nuggets of insight and inspiration that can offer hope, healing, and a way forward. (One caution, though: If writing about a traumatic experience makes you feel excessively frightened or apprehensive, please do not write just then. Wait until you re feeling stronger or can talk with a therapist.)

13 You may be surprised by what you discover. In my journaling groups for people with brain injury and family caregivers, many participants have reached new levels of understanding. They tend to realize hidden strengths and, over time, find more acceptance of their situation and use that place as a lift-off point into their future. Not all insights produced by journaling are dramatic. But they don t have to be, either. By simply letting yourself write whatever comes to mind, you will amass the story of your life over time, in all its juicy, dull, glorious, and mundane details. And as you continue, you will notice patterns, trends, and recurring thoughts, which you can change as needed yes, by writing about the changes you want to see and how you will make them happen. Benefits of Journaling Journaling with the intention of personal growth empowers you. It also offers an opportunity for self-exploration and self-expression that simply talking or thinking cannot do. The results of studies of expressive writing show that it can enhance physical health and strengthen the immune system; produce long-term, positive changes in mood; boost working memory (which can improve performance at school or work); and improve your social and work life. For someone with a brain injury, it can also Enhance written and verbal communication skills Stimulate cognitive and executive skills (following direction, organizing, planning, sequencing, attention, processing, etc.) Promote post-injury self-awareness (deficits and strengths) Assist in planning for the post-injury future Promote dialogue and understanding with family members and others Encourage self-expression after a trauma and major life disruption Prepare for community re-entry Offer community and support when done in a facilitated group. Journaling offers a kind of self-expression and selfempowerment that traditional post-brain injury therapies do not. By recording our words on the page, our journal becomes a kind of container, holding our stories and making them more manageable. Journaling is an effective, simple way by which you can make your story your life better. Barbara Stahura, certified journal facilitator, is co-author, along with Susan B. Schuster, MA, CCC-SLP, of After Brain Injury: Telling Your Story, the first journaling book for people with brain injury. Editor of Brain Injury Journey, she presents journaling workshops around the country to people with brain injury, family caregivers, and others, and is a member of the faculty of the Therapeutic Writing Institute and the Lash & Associates speakers bureau. She lives in Indiana with her husband, Ken Willingham, a survivor of TBI. PAINE EDMONDS L.L.P. PERSONAL INJURY LAWYERS Steve Heringa Brad Garside LET OUR EXPERIENCE WORK FOR YOU I.C.B.C. CLAIMS BRAIN INJURY SPINAL INJURY DISABILITY INSURANCE Free Initial Consultation, Home and Hospital Visits No fees until you collect Call us now or toll free law@paine-edmonds.com headline 13

14 Dave Hildebrand Capturing Life through an Optimistic Lens By Carol Paetkau, ED, Fraser Valley Brain Injury Association As I recently sorted through some of the beautiful photographs produced by the members of the Fraser Valley Brain Injury Association (FVBIA) PhotoClub in Abbotsford, British Columbia, I was struck by one in particular; the image of an exuberant looking tiger that seemed like he was sticking his tongue out at the world. I had lots of amazing pictures from the group s excursion to the local zoo to choose from for FVBIA s newsletter but I kept coming back to this one in particular. I couldn t resist finding out more about the man who was able to record the joyful spirit of this brief moment in time with his lens. In doing so, I discovered that most of the images captured by Dave Hildebrand s camera seem to reflect this talented man s optimistic viewpoint in spite of dealing with incredible adversity after suffering devastating brain and spinal cord injuries in Before his injury, Dave was an active man working in construction installing deck railings, overhead doors, gutters, soffit, and siding. Dave occasionally played pick-up hockey, skied and hiked as well as being involved in church with men s ministry. His two sons were attending University and Dave was living on his own after separating from his wife four months prior to the event that would change their lives. On February 24, 2009, Dave was at work making up and installing deck railing. After lunch he was on a second story deck measuring for cutting railings to size when he inexplicably fell, landing on his head. Dave suffered numerous facial bone fractures, skull fractures, bleeding in the lining of his brain, a traumatic brain injury, vertebrae fractures, rib fracture, headline 14 neck fractures, lacerations on his forehead, and other injuries. They almost lost me was Dave s response to how the injury impacted on his family. Dad was no longer able to work. He remained in Royal Columbian Hospital for two weeks where he had a plate surgically installed in his neck (-C5 -C6 -C7). Dave describes life as being difficult the first two years, especially the first few months. Nobody told me what to expect from my brain injury which was only one of the many challenges he faced. Fortunately his girlfriend was able to stay with him for the first month until he was able to manage with homecare support provided through WorksafeBC twice a week to clean his suite and take him for shopping as needed as he was unable to drive until June of that year. Being able to drive didn t mean that the effects of the acquired brain injury he sustained in the fall were gone. He had balance issues for about two years. Back seats of moving vehicles can still be an issue as being jostled too much makes him feel ill and very tired. Noise and lights bothered him a lot for the first three years, and noise still does to a certain degree. Dave says I do not handle stress very well. It tires me out and overwhelms me very easily. He recognizes that he has much less energy and needs a nap every day in order to deal with the challenges caused by an acquired brain injury. I have to be very careful to pace myself and not overdo things I get frustrated with my lack of energy, especially when I see people who need help, and I can t help them like I d like to.

15 In spite of his difficult journey, Dave is still able to view his world through an optimistic lens. When asked What have been the things that have made your recovery positive Dave listed off a number of experiences including learning about brain injury, discovering new talents and abilities, receiving counselling, meeting many new and wonderful friends, Fraser Valley Brain Injury Association and being treated well by WorksafeBC. I would probably be very depressed and lonely if not for the Fraser Valley Brain Injury Association. I have made many new friends, attended conferences on brain injury, have had opportunity to participate in programs made possible by funding from various sources, and found a place of acceptance and appreciation. Dave actively participates in many of Fraser Valley Brain Injury Association s groups and programs. Take a Break H P L O D U R P T R W L U S S R Q Z J E K X S R A T S R Y A P M H M T Y R I F N I B I I G U E U W Z S A S J E F J N N G G E A Q C C K A E P K S R K Z O I Z X N N N J E N H V Z Y L E L R W R B B G Y S I O H O C I R H P R V U F B W I E P Y O T R C G F B X I P Z T E J D E W B O U N A T T V I O K X S L R P S I Z Z T B P H K H O Y N R E P N T U Y M N H N S G O Y S P Y Q Y R P C C D M J S E L D N A C N M O G T A T T A R E E A C O O K I E S D Q L J L O E I H S A K C S J S A N T A I J E O Y B X W V G Y N Q O H R R I K S L B P F T B O Y M I I O B T R L H C Q T E W X Y Z N A I L S T N B E I A A O Y H S D G O S D L W E M L A D H R R T Y G G N U W S I K H H M W X R N I O R B I H I I J J L X N K Q V O T A I L M Z Y O O L T Y O H Z J D T E E R T S G G R Q K W N K H C D X K E S L E I G H A B U F J O S M Bows Girls Skating Boys Holiday Sleigh Candles Lights Snow Carols Midnight Stars Christmas Milk Tinsel Concert Nativity Toys Cookies North Pole Tree Cranberry Polar Express Turkey Decoration Ribbon Wrap Elves Rudolph Gifts Santa headline 15

16 Through the Pay it Forward: Health and Wellness for ABI program, Dave has been involved with cooking classes, a weekly walking group, photography and art groups where he s discovered [he has] an eye for photography and that he can paint. He also regularly joins in at the Recipe Exchange Group, Spa day when it s offered as well as Coffee and Chat groups. Dave was not able to return to his previous career and has not worked since his injury. He was sent for work retraining which was unsuccessful so he was pensioned by WorksafeBC. His income is less than his pre-injury employment which is a significant adjustment for survivors and families after someone is injured. The pressure of trying to return to work can be overwhelming for many people with acquired brain injuries who struggle just to get through their day. Life is easier now that I have been retired by Worksafe. I regularly get out for photography and FVBIA programs when they are available. My relationship with my girlfriend has remained intact, I regularly attend the weekly drop-in, go for coffee with friends, and see my sons regularly. However, I often struggle with feeling less than whole and not being a productive member of society like I used to be, a comment made by many people recovering from an acquired brain injury. headline 16 Productivity certainly takes on a new meaning for people after brain injury. Dave is still very productive in different ways than he was pre-injury but his contributions to society are just as valuable. Mary McKee, FVBIA Case Manager comments that Dave is always willing to help out. He is an excellent role model and has phenomenal empathy for people going through the learning process after brain injury. Dave s willingness to share his experiences and knowledge to support others in a gentle yet firm manner is invaluable. He is able to put things into perspective for them in a way that people who have never experienced brain injury just can t. Dave s name has been put forward by the board of Fraser Valley Brain Injury Association for election to the board at the Association s Annual General Meeting. He has a new opportunity to help people with acquired brain injuries by being their voice at FVBIA board meetings. He also mentored children in nature photography at FVBIA s Young at Arts Summer Camp at the Blue Heron Reserve and has been asked to do the same thing with the Blue Heron s other children s camps in the future. I have a new role to fill, that of being a help and encouragement to others with a brain injury, as much as my energy will allow anyway.

17 While Dave s life after his injury has not gone back to the way it was, he is hopeful for the future and realizes that there are many exciting aspects of his new life. I manage quite well on my own though and have discovered that I can go on extended road trips, so that is definitely a part of my future plans. It gives me something to look forward to in life. The rest of us are looking forward to the beautiful photos that Dave is bound to produce through his optimistic lens during his travels. For others who are going through similar experiences, Dave shares some words of encouragement. Just remember, we are not victims, we are survivors. We will learn as much as we can about our injury, put the past behind us and discover our new life to live it to the fullest possible. If life gives you lemons, make lemonade. and you don t need to change my name [in this article]. I m proud of what I have survived and how far I ve come. Fraser Valley Brain Injury Association is a Community Partner of the United Way of the Fraser Valley and receives funding from Fraser Health Acquired Brain Injury Program, ICBC and the Province of British Columbia. You re in Good Hands. Our goal is to assist our clients by obtaining funding for all of their immediate needs in order to maximize their potential for recovery, while we proceed toward obtaining settlement or judgment that allows a sustainable and encouraging new future. Personal Injury & Insurance Law #1-505 Fisgard Street Victoria, BC V8W 1R For more information, contact: Barri Marlatt or Lorenzo Oss-Cech JOB #H CLIENT: HUTCHISON, OSS-CECH, MARLATT INSERTION DATE : SpRINg 2009 publication: HEADLINE MAg headline 17

18 Reflections By Janelle Breese Biagioni Winter is the time for comfort, for good food and warmth, for the touch of a friendly hand and for a talk beside the fire: it is the time for home. ~Edith Sitwell (Author, poet ) My preference is sunshine, warmth and flip flops. Having said that, as winter approaches I do get that nesting feeling. I enjoy making homemade soup, sitting by the fire, and getting cozy with my family. Not everyone is so lucky. Each of us lives on a budget. Oh, I know there are lots of famous people who have more money than they know what to do with, but the majority of people live on a predictable income. Some must live below that level of comfort as in many of our survivors of brain injury who struggle to pay rent, buy food and amenities on the grossly inadequate People with Disability (PWD) income. AND others are living even below that as in the homeless. Some of the survivors we know are among the homeless or barely escaped being there. Personal Injury ICBC Medical Negligence Vancouver Calgary Toronto Montreal Quebec New York London Johannesburg Tenacity Persistence Determination Free initial consultation Percentage fees available Focused on your needs Bill Morley Free home and hospital visits bmorley@fasken.com Funding for programs to serve the homeless is as inadequate as the funding for programs which serve survivors of brain injury. My focus here is not on advocating for any program or service. I simply want to encourage people to look at what they have, feel grateful for they have and what they do, and find some way to pay it forward this holiday season. Here are a few suggestions: 1. Give to the food bank even if it is a single tin of soup someone will benefit. 2. Go through your old clothes, coats, boots and blankets donate them to the homeless. 3. Repurpose gently used toys or household items to a group or local fire department to be passed on to someone who could use them. 4. If you can go without one meal and give that to someone who hasn t eaten for a while, you will survive and they will get some nourishment. 5. If you have nothing material to give or cannot afford to make any contribution, give of your time to a shelter, soup kitchen or food bank. This too is invaluable. 6. Smile as you walk past the homeless. Do it without judgment or question. They are just people. 7. Offer to help someone with housecleaning, child minding, or walking their dog. 8. Visit a senior home and listen to the stories they have. 9. Share your talents: Do you sing? Then sing. Do you sew? Sew. Do you cook? Cook. 10. Do you have good eyesight? Offer to read a book to someone isn t able to. 11. Buy one small item, wrap it up and drop it off on someone s doorstep without them seeing you. 12. When you go to bed and pull up the covers tonight, simply give thanks. headline 18

19 EXPECT THE UNEXPECTED Making lives better. For 20 years, CONNECT has transformed the way people with brain injury are served and supported in BC. Game changer. We see better outcomes because of our coaching supports and interdependent model. Locations in Lake Country and Langley. Undeniable economics. Transitioning residents into more independence saves an astounding amount of money over time as compared to a lifetime in care. In Langley call In Lake Country call Janette Jackman Christy McKeating janettej@connectcommunities.ca christym@connectcommunities.ca headline 19

20 FREE WEBINAR ON BRAIN INJURY AND LOSS Please register for Understanding Brain Injury and Loss on Jan 6, :00 PM PST at: Brain Injury has a profound effect on all members of a family. Grieving is a natural process and if not facilitated at the appropriate time it may be repressed, or become chronic, and potentially destructive. Grief is an expression of love and a normal human reaction to a significant loss. Unresolved grief will surface and have a negative impact on behaviours, and an individual s physical and/or emotional well-being. The losses following a brain injury cannot be minimized, nor can they headline 20 be grieved en masse. Each person in the family needs the opportunity to resolve their grief in their own time and in their own way. Join me for this FREE webinar to learn practical strategies to work through the grief process. After registering, you will receive a confirmation containing information about joining the webinar. Brought to you by GoToWebinar Webinars Made Easy