Brain Injury Canada 13th Annual...

1

Brain Injury Canada 13th Annual Conference 2017, Toronto, ON • Programme

September 27, 28, 29, 2016Chestnut Conference Centre,

89 Chestnut St, Toronto, ON M5G 1R1

CONFERENCE PROGRAMME

Brain Injury Canada 13th Annual Conference

Supported by Dr. Daniel C. Andreae

Presenting Sponsor

2

Brain Injury Canada Annual Conference 2017, Toronto • Programme

2015-2016 Board of DirectorsLes directeurs du conseil d’administration 2015-2016

Executive / Exécutif

Co-President - Dr. Rick Riopelle, MD

Co-President - Barb Butler

Board Members / Directeurs du c.a.

Dr. Vikas Dhawan, DC

Dr. Angela Colantonio, PhD

Frank McNallyKim McDonald-Taylor

Jason LyeSuzanne McKenna

Denise Unhola

Executive Director / Directeur général

Harry Zarins

440 Laurier Ave. West, Suite 200, Ottawa, Ontario, K1R 7X6Toll free: 1-866-977-2492

Local calls: (613) 762-1222Fax: (613) 782-2228

E-mail: [email protected]: www.braininjurycanada.ca

At the founding meeting in July 2003 in Montreal, Quebec, members from brain injury associations from coast to coast, representing survivors, their families, and professionals identified the need to create the Brain Injury Association of Canada. Brain Injury Association of Canada changed its name in 2013 to Brain Injury Canada.

Our mandate is to improve the quality of life for all Canadians affected by acquired brain injury and promote it’s prevention. As well, Brain Injury Canada is dedicated to facilitate post-trauma research, education and advocacy in partnership with national, provincial/territorial and regional associations and other stakeholders.

Lors de la réunion de fondation, en juillet 2003 à Montréal, Québec, les membres des associations de traumatisme crânien d’un océan à l’autre, représentant les victimes, leurs familles et les professionnels on pu identifier la nécessité de créer l’Association canadienne des lésés cérébraux.Notre mandat est d’améliorer la qualité de vie de tous les Canadiens touchés par un traumatisme et d’en promouvoir la prévention. En outre, l’Association canadienne des lésés cérébraux est dédicacée à faciliter la recherche post-traumatique, l’éducation et la sensibilisation en partenariat avec des organismes nationaux, provinciaux et territoriaux ainsi que les associations régionales et les autres parties prenantes.

Man

date

Man

dat

THANK YOU TO OUR MAJOR SPONSORS, MONTHLY DONORS AND ALL DONORS.“No donation is too

small and no donation is too big.”

ASSOCIATION SUPPORTERS

Dr. Daniel AndreaeGovernor General Caring Canadian Award Recipient 2014

McColl-Early Foundation

3

Photo: Sgt Ronald Duchesne, Rideau Hall © Her Majesty The Queen in Right of Canada represented by the Office of the Secretary to the Governor General

(2016) / © Sa Majesté la Reine du Chef du Canada représentée par le Bureau du secrétaire du gouverneur général (2016)

As patron, I am delighted to extend greetings to everyone in attendance at the 13th annual Brain Injury Canada Conference.

My wife, Sharon, and I are sports enthusiasts, and as such, we know well the devastating impact that brain injuries can have. Such injuries affect the individual directly, certainly, but in many cases, they can also have an impact on their families, loved ones and caregivers.

There is still so much to discover to unlock the mysteries of the

human brain, which is why it is so important to establish partnerships, exchange information and share resources. Thanks to your determination and that of your partners, each day brings us closer to fully understanding how the brain works.

Thank you for all that you do for the health of Canadians. I wish you a wonderful conference.

David Johnston 2016

À titre de président d’honneur, c’est un plaisir de saluer celles et ceux qui prennent part au 13e congrès annuel de Lésion cérébrale Canada.

Comme vous le savez, mon épouse, Sharon, et moi sommes des passionnés de sports. Nous sommes donc très sensibles aux effets dévastateurs que peuvent entraîner les lésions cérébrales. Celles-ci affectent les personnes qui en souffrent et, dans de nombreux cas, elles ont également des répercussions sur leurs familles, leurs proches et ceux qui les soignent.

Nous avons encore tellement à découvrir pour élucider les mystères

du cerveau humain, d’où le besoin d’établir des partenariats, d’échanger de l’information et de mettre les ressources en commun. Grâce à votre détermination et à celle de vos partenaires, nous en apprenons chaque jour davantage sur son fonctionnement.

Merci pour tout ce que vous faites pour la santé des Canadiennes et des Canadiens. Je vous souhaite un excellent congrès.

David Johnston

2016

4

September 27–29, 2016

Dear Friends:

I am pleased to extend my warmest greetings to everyone

attending the annual conference of Brain Injury Canada.

Established in 2002, Brain Injury Canada offers support services to the more than

160,000 Canadians who sustain a brain injury annually. Through its awareness and

research programs, the agency aims to reducing the incidence of injury and its

consequent personal and economic burdens. This convention provides delegates

with the latest information on brain injury research and treatments while giving

survivors and their families a chance to share their stories with one another.

I would like to commend the conference organizers for putting together an

informative program for all those in attendance. Your dedicated efforts and advocacy

on behalf of brain injury patients and their caregivers are deeply appreciated.

On behalf of the Government of Canada, please accept my best wishes for a

productive and successful meeting in Toronto.

Sincerely,

The Rt. Hon. Justin P.J. Trudeau, P.C., M.P.

Prime Minister of Canada

Du 27 au 29 septembre 2016

Chères amies, chers amis,

Je suis heureux de présenter mes salutations les plus chaleureuses à

celles et ceux qui prennent part à la conférence annuelle de Lésion

cérébrale Canada.

Créée en 2002, Lésion cérébrale Canada offre des services de soutien à plus de

160 000 Canadiens qui subissent des lésions cérébrales chaque année. Grâce à ses

programmes de recherche et de sensibilisation, l’organisme vise à réduire l’incidence

des blessures et les conséquences personnelles et économiques de celles-ci. Cette

conférence fournit aux participants les plus récents renseignements sur la recherche

et les traitements associés aux lésions cérébrales et permet aux survivants et à leurs

familles de raconter leur histoire.

Je félicite les organisateurs d’avoir mis sur pied un programme informatif à

l’intention de tous les participants. Je vous remercie sincèrement de défendre avec

engagement les intérêts des victimes de lésions cérébrales et des personnes qui les

soignent.

Au nom du gouvernement du Canada, je vous souhaite une rencontre des plus

fructueuses et productives à Toronto.

Cordialement,

Le très hon. Justin P.J. Trudeau, C.P., député

Premier ministre du Canada

5

Premier of Ontario - Première ministre de l’Ontario

September 27 - 29, 2016

A PERSONAL MESSAGE FROM THE PREMIER

On behalf of the Government of Ontario, I am delighted to extend warm greetings to everyone attending the 13th Annual Brain Injury Canada Conference.

I recognize the many challenges of living with Acquired Brain Injury (ABI) — including physical hardship, loss of livelihood and emotional isolation.

I thank Brain Injury Canada for hosting this conference. By bringing together survivors with experts from all disciplines, we can understand more regarding neuroplasticity and gain other fresh insights on the human brain. We can also hear, first-hand, about the journey of people who have survived ABI.

By working together, we can help improve the quality of life of people living with ABI and help those who care for them.

To everyone, thank you for helping to ensure the success of this conference.

Please accept my best wishes.

Kathleen Wynne Premier

Premier of Ontario - Première ministre de l’Ontario

Du 27 au 29 septembre 2016

MESSAGE DE LA PREMIÈRE MINISTRE DE L’ONTARIO

Au nom du gouvernement de l’Ontario, je suis heureuse de transmettre mes plus chaleureuses salutations aux participants et aux participantes de la 13e édition du congrès annuel de Lésion cérébrale Canada.

Je sais que les personnes atteintes d’une lésion cérébrale acquise sont confrontées à de nombreux défis, dont des problèmes physiques, une perte de revenus et un isolement affectif.

Je remercie donc l’association Lésion cérébrale Canada d’avoir organisé ce congrès. En réunissant des survivants d’une lésion cérébrale acquise et des spécialistes de différentes disciplines, nous pouvons mieux comprendre la neuroplasticité et apporter un éclairage nouveau aux discussions portant sur le cerveau humain. Il est alors également possible d’entendre le récit de l’expérience de personnes qui ont survécu à une lésion cérébrale acquise.

En unissant nos efforts, nous arriverons à améliorer la qualité de vie des personnes atteintes d’une lésion cérébrale acquise ainsi que de leurs proches.

Merci à chacun et à chacune d’entre vous de votre contribution au succès de ce congrès.

Veuillez accepter mes meilleurs vœux.

La première ministre de l’Ontario,

Kathleen Wynne

Brain Injury Canada 13th Annual Conference 2017, Toronto, ON Brain Injury Canada 13th Annual Conference 2017, Toronto, ON

7

A special message from Dr. Daniel Andreae

A message from our 2017 Conference Committee

It is my great privilege to welcome everyone to Brain Injury Canada’s 2017 Annual Conference in Toronto, Ontario. Brain Injury Canada is a leading organization in providing education and support to survivors and their families, researchers, practitioners and advocates. Focusing as well on prevention and assistance in navigating care services, Brain Injury Canada is needed more than ever with approximately 160,000 people per year dealing with a brain injury as well as affecting their families, friends and colleagues.

This conference features inspiring speakers such as Norman Doidge, Christine Elliott, Michael H. Thaut, Jonathan Goodman and Adrian Owen as well as a range of leading edge sessions covering topics such as the latest research and neuroscience advances, family

issues, prevention, concussions, clinical approaches and paediatric brain injuries among others. Above all, this semi annual conference offers hope that progress is being achieved each and every day. Here in Toronto, you will have a chance to renew old acquaintances and make new friends from across the country. To see that many people are affected on many levels and are as dedicated as you to working together. It is an honour to be the lead sponsor of this terrific conference which I am convinced will be both highly informative and memorable.

Sincerely

Dr. Dan Andreae

Barb Butler Angela Colantonio

Dr. Dan Andrae

Welcome conference delegates.The planning committee would like to welcome you to the

Brain Injury Canada annual conference being held this year in Toronto, Ontario. We have gathered an impressive group of talented speakers who all share a passion for the work they do in the field of brain injury.

We would like to express our thanks to Dr. Dan Andreae for his continuing support of our conference, to Harry Zarins, Brain Injury Canada for the work he does to make this conference a reality, to Gail Mores and Aisha Mian, March of Dimes Canada for all of the clerical and logistical help, to Ron Foreman from Empower You for keeping our website up to date with conference information, to Steve Walters from Profile Direct Marketing Inc., Vaudreuil Dorion, QC for his work in producing the document you now hold in your hand and the Board of Brain Injury Canada, friends

and families for their untiring help, support and advice in planning and arranging this meeting.

We hope that you will enjoy our conference and that your interaction with your colleagues from many different provinces will stimulate a creative exchange of ideas and will be personally rewarding. It is in the sharing of ideas and thoughts that we all become stronger.

Barb Butler, Angela Colantonio, Suzanne McKenna, Kim McDonald-Taylor,

Jason LyeConference Planning Committee

Suzanne McKenna Kim McDonald-Taylor Jason Lye


8

Colleagues:

We would like to welcome you all to our annual conference in Toronto, Ontario. We are so pleased that you have taken time from your busy lives to join us here as we network and learn from our speakers and from each other.

Over the last two to three years, the strategic directions of Brain Injury Canada that are overseen by its individual Board members have begun to align, to things learned emerging from its Conferences that bring together brain injury survivors and their caregivers, health and social services professionals both in academia, and community-based groups, and researchers to share their experiences and to set the stage for this collective to design and implement the way forward in the interests of improved outcomes for all persons with the lived experience of brain injury, and indeed the economy of all Canadian jurisdictions.

Such synergy from sharing, in the words of Paul Born (Tamarack Institute), has opened doors, has drawn us together, has built a sense of belonging and celebrating together, all converging to translate to acting together. The evidence that this collective action-oriented direction is occurring is bountiful.

Such synergy has resulted in growing recognition for our collective contributions that has translated, commencing 2016, to executive committee member representation on the Canadian Traumatic Brain Injury Research Consortium,

and professional participation in generation of contemporary best practice guidelines for all aspects of moderate to severe traumatic brain injury including inclusive community living.

Both contributions hold considerable promise for Brain Injury Canada, and the collective that guides it, as a key action-oriented voice for the stated value proposition of improved outcomes for persons with the lived experience of brain injury through our Conferences, our Impact Pathways Ahead, our informed advocacy activities as a member of Neurological Health Charities Canada, and as a pan-Canadian brain injury knowledge hub for change through inclusive community engagement and empowerment.

All of the above will be the fulsome takeaway from the 2016 Toronto Brain Injury Canada Conference, September 27-29, 2016

Barb Butler Rick Riopelle

Co- Presidents, Brain Injury Canada

A message from Brain Injury Canada Co-Presidents

Barb Butler Rick Riopelle

Brain Injury Canada 13th Annual Conference 2017, Toronto, ON • Programme Brain Injury Canada 13th Annual Conference 2017, Toronto, ON • Programme

9

Tuesday September 27 PROGRAMME STARTS 8.30am in the COLONY BALLROOM EAST

8:30 - 9:00 ............... Welcome

9:00 - 9:30 ............... Anthony Aquan-Assee B.Sc., M.Ed. - Toronto, Repetitive Brain Injuries: My Journey to Alternative Treatments - In 1997 Anthony sustained a severe traumatic brain injury following a serious motorcycle accident and remained in a coma for 2 weeks, with many life threatening injuries. In 2013, Anthony sustained two additional traumatic brain injuries while at work. Following these three very serious brain injuries, a neuropsychologist guided Anthony to use Alternative Treatments during his rehabilitation. Anthony’s story will highlight how Neurofeedback and Laser Therapy helped him recover the capacity to function effectively and return to his teaching career despite the overwhelming odds against him.

9:30 - 10:00 ............. Michelle Bartlett, southern New Brunswick An Unexpected Fork in the Road - Prior to Michelle’s brain injury, she led a busy life. She was a supervisor at a local call center. She lived with her aging parents in their two hundred year old “family homestead” and she was planning her wedding and her life with her future husband then the fork in the road. Michelle suffered a severe anoxic brain injury 2 days after major open heart surgery in Saint John New Brunswick. She lapsed into a coma for 10 days and her family was told she was brain dead with no hope of recovery. She was sent to palliative care and within days started to wake up. Michelle will share her story of determination in the face of adversity. This is the story of the importance of a good support system and how family and friends can assist a survivor in their recovery from a life threatening injury.

10:00 - 10:30 ........... Jonathan Ross Goodman- Montreal, Fear or Awe - Life after a TBI- The aggressive, hard driving executive, at the time the CEO of hugely successful drug distributor Paladin Labs Inc., he had just sealed one of Paladin’s biggest acquisitions ever. While taking a celebratory bicycle ride with fellow employees in the hills north of Montreal, he fell off his bike and hit his head. Despite wearing a helmet, the result was a serious traumatic brain injury. Five years after the accident, Mr. Goodman is back with entrepreneurial enthusiasm for his latest venture. Since returning to work, he sold Paladin Labs for a ten-figure sum and started a new publicly traded pharmaceutical business called Knight Therapeutics Inc. with a billion dollar market capitalization. Like all Traumatic Brain Injured, at first glance you’d never know he’s been through and continuously struggles with a near life-ending trauma.

10:30 - 11:00 ........... Nutrition Break sponsored by BrainWorks - Colony Ballroom West - Please visit our exhibitors. 11:00 - 11:30 ........... Session A- Lisa Engel BKin, MScOT, OT Reg. (Ont.) PhD (candidate) - University of Toronto,

Financial Management After Brain Injury - This presentation is to describe the current understanding of financial management experiences of people living with brain injury. Although this is an important aspect of everyday life for people living with brain injury, there is little literature on this topic. We know that errors in managing finances, such as paying bills and budgeting, can have costly effects for brain injury survivors and their families, assessments and interventions. We will invite audience perspectives about the preliminary developed framework in order to further the understanding of this important everyday life area after brain injury. Session B- Dr. Jennifer L. Tomes Department of Psychology, Mount Allison University, “Concussion: An Example of A Return to School Protocol”- Many post-secondary institutions have adopted formal return to play protocols for athletes who have experienced a concussion, but policies for concussed students returning to their academic work are far less common. This session will provide a description of the Mount Allison Return to School protocol. The protocol provides information, strategies, and resources for concussed students, and also gives information to their professors and instructors. This session will involve presenting an overview of how and why the protocol was developed, details about the nature of the program, and information about how the protocol has been received by both students and faculty.

Colony BallroomEast

Colony BallroomEast

Colony BallroomEast

Colony BallroomCentre

Colony BallroomEast


10

Tuesday September 27 continued

11:30 - 12:00 ........... Session A – Jennifer Hendry, Clinical CoordinatorBrain Injury Services and Step Up! ABI Recovery and Cosmo Mannella- Case Facilitator for Brain Injury Services, Hamilton, Cluttered Spaces- Hoarding and ABI - Interest about hoarding, sparked by media attention, has implications for individuals who are labelled “hoarders”; what was once hidden behind doors, is now a public fascination. In recent years, the redefinition of hoarding as a mental health disorder has increased that awareness. Hoarding is a complex and complicated mental health disorder that affects the

person and others in their environment. This presentation will provide a brief overview of hoarding, a review of the current literature pertaining to hoarding and ABI, and suggested interventions. A case study will demonstrate the barriers of and successes with select interventions with an individual who sustained a brain injury and displayed hoarding behaviours through the transition from a residential program to a community apartment.

11:30 - 12:00 ........... Session B- Alana Tibbles- University of Toronto, Substance abuse impedes recovery of attention after moderate-severe brain injury- Psychoactive substances like alcohol and marijuana have temporary effects on the brain, and several lines of research indicate that abuse of these substances can have lasting deleterious effects. We examined whether such lasting effects might have a negative impact on recovery in the event of traumatic brain injury (TBI), and we focused on attentional recovery given known effects of marijuana on attention. Substance abusers did indeed have a poorer recovery even though they were not currently abusing. Our findings suggest that substance abusers (of both alcohol and marijuana) are a particularly vulnerable population in TBI: not only are they at increased risk of sustaining a TBI, they are also at increased risk for poorer recovery. The findings have particular import given the changing legal context for marijuana, which may mean more users in the future.

12:00 - 1:00 ............. Lunch - Colony Ballroom Central - Please visit our exhibitors.

1:00 - 1:45 ............... Dr. Micheal Thaut- University of Toronto, How the Neuroscience of Music has Shaped Clinical Applications for Brain Rehabilitation - In the past 25 years, research in the basic and clinical neuroscience of music has been able to discover many transfer functions how music and rhythm based therapeutic exercises can effectively assist in brain rehabilitation. Research has shown breakthrough results for motor recovery, speech and language training, and cognitive rehabilitation. By adapting a scientific theory model of studying the brain basis of music perception and cognition, these non-musical transfer functions have been well documented for stroke, Parkinson’s disease, dementia, developmental disabilities, etc. Clinical adaptations to ABI/TBI rehabilitation are in widespread use and offer an excellent integrative approach to motor, speech/language, and cognitive functions. However, the research base for this population has not been as well developed as with other conditions. The clinical techniques have been standardized and codified since 1999 in Neurologic Music Therapy which differs from traditional music therapy and generic music and health practice. The presentation will give an introduction to the theory and research in clinical music neuroscience, applications to ABI/TBI rehabilitation in Neurologic Music Therapy, and opportunities for cross-disciplinary collaborations.

1:45 - 2:30 ............... Kara Stanley, Simon Paradis and Joe Stanton- Halfmoon Bay, B.C., Fallen: A Musical Journey of Trauma and Recovery - Kara Stanley and Simon Paradis with the musical accompaniment of Stanton Paradis -In 2008, Simon Paradis fell, severing his spinal cord, fracturing skull bones and suffering global trauma to the brain from an arterial bleed. A craniectomy was performed and he was put in an induced coma, the outcome of his injuries uncertain. A professional musician prior

to his accident, Simon has once again returned to playing music live with his good friend Joe Stanton, forming the duo Stanton Paradis. Together they will musically accompany Kara as she narrates their story, outlining in this interactive and embodied presentation the critical role music played in Simon’s awakening and ongoing recovery.


Colony BallroomEast

Colony BallroomEast

Colony BallroomEast


11

Tuesday September 27 continued

2:30 - 3:00 ............... Cheryl Jones- Ottawa, Music Therapy: Working Towards Functional Rehabilitation Goals Following an Acquired Brain Injury - Music’s unique and effective stimulus for the injured brain is well supported with research. This presentation will discuss music therapy and its application to rehabilitation goals following ABI. These goal areas include speech, motor, and cognition. Music therapy may also be used to address psychosocial needs. Video case study examples will be included.

3:00 - 3:15 ............... Break - Colony Ballroom West - Please visit our exhibitors.

3:15 - 3:45 ............... Session A- Lyn Williams-Keeler-Ottawa, Is Survival Literature Sometimes Born in the Wake of Brain Injury? - This presentation will demonstrate that biographical and autobiographical books, such as Fallen and Wondering Who You Are and March Forth, just to name a few recently published volumes written by survivors of brain injury and/or their loved ones, who are inescapable witnesses to the anguish and frustration of recovery, are reflective of the basic principles of survival literature. This literature is written from the perspective of what psychologist Jeffrey Jay would refer to as “a terrible knowledge” that is unique to the experience of the individual survivor and his or her loved ones. The contribution to the genre of survival literature is motivated by what Holocaust authors dubbed “a moral mandate” to ensure greater understanding about the trauma of brain injury and, as with survival literature universally, is characterized by moral courage delineated in the story of struggle, sacrifice and reintegration – on the survivor’s terms.

3:15 - 3:45 ............... Session B- Angela Chao- Toronto, Survivor story- Concussion Awareness- Angela shares her story of how her art and artistic endeavours helped in her recovery- Since her very first concussion several years ago, Angela’s purpose in life has taken a drastic shift, she was inspired to create art as a way of dealing with her feelings. She has discovered/personally experienced a huge sense of release over the years, as feelings such as depression, anxiety and sadness simply melt away with each paint stroke. While Angela still faces many challenges, she is determined to overcome mental and emotional high and lows through art therapy. Angela considers it a privilege to have the opportunity to raise awareness of the issues that victims of concussions face, educate others in similar situations and also inspire them to find strength, value and happiness in themselves.

3:45 - 4:15 ............... Session A - Cecile Proctor- U of New Brunswick, Return to Productive Leisure – Art as Therapy – Cecile’s current research, with Dr. Lisa A. Best at the University of New Brunswick examines risk factors associated with satisfaction with life in brain injury survivors. In July 2008, as a result of a vehicle pedestrian accident, Cecile’s mom, Wendy Proctor suffered a traumatic brain injury in Kingston, Ontario. She struggled with emotional liability, anger issues, and often found it difficult to express how she is feeling. Since many forms of therapy are quite expensive it was important to look into everyday alternatives. Stories and art from various survivors across the country will be presented as examples of how art can become a positive outlet for survivors.

3:45 - 4:15 ............... Session B - Maude Laguë-Beauvais, Ph.D., McGill University Health Center, Montreal General Hospital, TBI Patients Neuropsychological Screening in Acute Care and Disability Level Prediction Using the Frontal Assessment Battery (FAB) - Identifying neuropsychological symptoms early post TBI is necessary in order to properly guide the patient at discharge and start rehabilitation as early as possible.

Colony BallroomEast

Colony BallroomEast

Colony BallroomEast




12

Wednesday September 28

8:30 - 9:00 ............... Christine Elliott, Ontario’s first patient ombudsman. The Patient Ombudsman was officially proclaimed in July 1 2016, allowing her office to receive and respond to complaints from patients and caregivers about public hospitals, long-term care homes and community care access centres. In advance of the office opening, Patient Ombudsman hosted four consultation sessions across Ontario and sent a survey to patients and stakeholders, inviting the public to shape the organization’s Values, Mission and Vision. Christine Elliott will discuss the key findings from these consultation sessions and the organization’s response to the results.

9:00 - 9:45 ............... Dr. Adrian Owen – U of Western Ontario, Cognition After Serious Brain Injury: What Has Neuroimaging Told Us? In recent years, rapid technological developments in the field of neuroimaging have provided new methods for revealing thoughts, actions and intentions based solely on the pattern of activity that is observed in the brain. In specialized centres, these methods are now being employed routinely to detect consciousness and even to communicate with some behaviorally non-responsive patients who clinically appear to be comatose or in a vegetative state. In this talk, Dr. Owen will compare those circumstances in which neuroimaging data can be used to infer consciousness in the absence of a behavioural response with those circumstances in which it cannot. This distinction is fundamental for understanding and interpreting patterns of brain activity in various states of consciousness (including anaesthesia), and has profound implications for clinical care, diagnosis, prognosis and medical-legal decision-making after severe brain injury.

9:45 - 10:00 ............. Nutrition Break - Colony Ballroom West - Please visit our exhibitors.

10:00 - 10:45 ........... Survivor Showcase-Inspirational Stories of Resilience after TBISession A1- Stephen Gregory- Toronto- Banana and Laundry Rehab, Stephen will show how everyday tasks can be used to help with the restoration of one’s cognitive functioning. In this lecture Stephen will break down how these two tasks of baking banana bread and doing laundry can be analyzed in order to bring the rehabilitation of cognitive functioning down to a level that everyone can understand. There are many ways in which these relatively simple tasks can be used to help with the restoration to the executive functioning of the brain. Practical examples will be used in order to illustrate this point of further thinking beyond the task itself to high level issues.

10:00 - 10:45 ........... Session A2- Rosalyn Fast- Vancouver, B.C., Sweep it under the rug…no one will know and no one will care- Walking into the house, the presenter saw there was a new phone message to listen to. “This is a message for Mrs. Fast - this is the General Hospital Emergency Room calling. Your husband has been in a car, oh, I mean bike accident, please call us.” Her husband had been injured: Would this injury affect Mrs. Fast? The definitive answer was and is “Yes”.We have a general understanding of the impact an injury has on the injured person but we may not understand how it affects the people around them. Often caregivers are forced to attend to their injured family member with little time for themselves. Their feelings are minimized and “swept under the rug”. This presentation focuses on the presenter’s concurrent journey to her husband’s recovery: A journey that has taken many a turn including a recent acknowledgement of the stress and hurt that occurred from his cycling accident 19 years ago.

10:00 - 10:45 ........... Session B- Ivona Berger, McMaster University, “Investigating Self-Reported Versus Objectively-Measured Sleep Disturbance in Youth with Concussion”- Sleep disturbances following a concussion affect 30%-70% of people. As the dilemma remains as to what is the best method to measure sleep disturbance in youth post concussive injury, this study explores how sleep actigraphy data compare to self-reported sleep disturbance outcomes measured with a questionnaire.

Colony BallroomEast

Colony BallroomEast

Colony BallroomEast

Colony BallroomEast



13

Wednesday September 28 continued

10:45 - 11:30 ........... Survivor Showcase-Inspirational Stories of Resilience after TBI Session A1- Sergio Di Giovanni- the founder of Qcard Inc., Managing life after brain injury. Sergio will share his inspiring story, including his successes, the motor vehicle accident that changed his life forever, and the journey which lead him to develop Qcard : a smartphone app designed to help manage life after brain injury. “After my rehabilitation ended, I felt like I was left alone to live in a world of chaos, trying to manage it with solutions that were not built for me”. It was these frustrations that lead him back to his technical roots, utilizing his personal insight into his disability and started to think of a better solution for himself. “I knew if I had the right tool, one that would adapt to my new-found inabilities while still utilizing my strengths, I could regain control of my life. Today I find myself more organized then ever, I’m getting things done and it feels great! Now it’s my goal to help others live a better life with executive dysfunction.”

10:45 - 11:30 ........... Session A2- Betty-Ann Buott and Mark Selvidge Wolfville, N.S, Brain Injury and Stigmas- This isa story of one young man’s journey through the trial and tribulations of overcoming a brain injury. But more importantly the stubbornness and tenacity of this young man and his family to overcome physical limitations and the limitations placed on him by others. Throughout his life journey Mark has dealt with social, emotional, physical and online bullying. He has persevered beyond this by testing the limits of his abilities and refusing to accept the status quo. Through his persistence and perseverance, along with the support of his family and counsellor, Mark pushes beyond the parameters society has placed upon him. He refuses to allow himself to be stigmatized.

10:45 - 11:30 ........... Session B- Anmol Biaja, University of Toronto, Sleep assistive technology in patients with brain injury- Sleep disorders in patients with stroke or traumatic brain injury (TBI) are highly burdensome and are associated with disability. An assistive technology framework emphasizes the need for continuous effort in the application of knowledge to support application of broad range of devices, strategies and practices to ameliorate disabilities. The aim of this review was to appraise the key concepts and applications of assistive technologies to manage sleep disorders in persons with stroke and TBI. We suggest developing sleep assistive technologies that take into consideration functional deficits. Practice guidelines can structure communication between the occupational therapist, patient, and significant other, facilitating patient self-determination concerning managing sleep disorders.

11:30 - 11:45 ........... Sandhya Mylabathula and Swapna Mylabathula - University of Toronto-Concussions in Canada- Concussions are a serious concern in Canada and around the world, and have been receiving increased attention in the media. The effects of concussions can be devastating – including an array of affective, neuropsychological, psychological, and physiological symptoms, social effects, and they can often have substantial economic impacts due to absence from work and for treatment and management. Unfortunately, many questions still remain unanswered, and Canadians are not getting the support they need and deserve. This talk, Sandhya and Swapna will deliver a version of their recent TEDx talk where they discuss their journey as researchers and advocates, provide tools for anyone who

11:45 - 1:15 ............. Awards Sit Down Luncheon - Colony Ballroom Central - Please visit our exhibitors.

1:15 - 2:00 ............... Dr. Michael Cusimano-St. Michael’s Hospital- Energy Drinks, Alcohol, Sports and Traumatic Brain Injuries among Adolescents - TBI remains a disabling and common condition and the consumption of alcohol, energy drinks, and alcohol mixed with energy drinks further increase the odds of TBI among adolescents.

Colony BallroomEast

Colony BallroomEast


Colony BallroomEast

Colony BallroomEast


14


2:00 - 2:30 ............... Session A- Wendy Digout, Caitlyn MacDonald, Alex MacDonald, A Family Concussed- Antigonish. NS. - Wendy is a psychologist who is currently transitioning back to work following a two-year absence because of post-concussion syndrome. During this two-year period, her daughter Alex also had two concussions. Wendy will review the history of her concussion(s) and her recovery trajectory. Her oldest daughter Caitlyn will provide her perspective on how life changed for her & Alex and on what it was like trying to be a “normal” teen while living with the chaos and responsibility a child must endure when a parent recovers from illness. Caitlyn and Wendy will describe the emotional, social and financial implications for families living with concussions. They will discuss what worked for their family and will share their ideas that may help others cope and survive their “new reality”. It is this family’s belief that by supporting children and families through recognizing the day-to-day struggles (and joys) they experience, healthcare providers can minimize stressors so that clients can then focus more fully on their own recovery. Caitlyn has coined this journey as one of “moving from adversity to empowerment”. This presentation will benefit healthcare providers, other survivors and their caregivers by providing tools that may help families living with concussion recover with stronger family relationships, better coping strategies, & hopefully a quicker recovery for all. Eleven-year-old Alex will also be present for questions after the presentation.

2:00 - 2:30 ............... Session B- Stanley Zhang, Recognizing the symptoms of mental illness following concussions in the sports community: a need for improvement- A cross-sectional survey was conducted among youth athletes, parents, coaches and medical professionals across Canada. Participants were asked to identify, from a list of options, the symptoms of a concussion. The proportion of identified symptoms (categorized as physical, cognitive, mental health-related and overall) as well as participant factors associated with symptom recognition were analyzed.

2:30 - 2:45 ............... Break - Colony Ballroom East - Please visit our exhibitors.

2:45 - 3:15 ............... Session A- Geoffrey Sing- Victoria B.C. Brain Injury, Continuum of Care- Until we develop a 100% foolproof method to prevent brain injuries, we will always have new survivors of a brain injury who need rehabilitation and life skills support on their road to recovery. The support sector to survivors of a brain injury must find innovative means to be able to support as many survivors as possible to assist them to live successfully after their brain injury. This presentation will address the Continuum of Care of Support for survivors of a brain injury that the Brain Injury Services with the Cridge follows to work themselves out of a job. Strategies will be shared in regard to the steps taken in developing appropriate housing, teamed with meaningful community involvement to prepare survivors to live independently and successfully. There will also be discussion in regard to brain injury and homelessness and the need to appropriately house survivors and provide meaningful activity for them now or there will be a greater detrimental cost to society later.

2:45 - 3:15 ............... Session B- Caroline Arbour-Hospital du Sacre- Coeur de Montreal, Sleep in the Early stages of ABI- Increased sleep need is frequently reported after mild traumatic brain injury, but its cause(s) remain elusive. This study examined sleep/wake patterns following mTBI and their associations with pain, co-morbidity often associated to insomnia.

Colony BallroomEast


Colony BallroomEast



15


3:15 - 3:45 ............... Session A – Somerleigh Lasko- Hamilton, The Time is Now, your Brain is how: Concussion education for young adults - A recent study found that 56% of athletes would not report concussion symptoms in order to stay in the game. With this statistic, how many concussions are actually happening? What can be done to stop this trend? Brain Injury Services has developed an interactive workshop, specifically for senior elementary students, that teaches them about brain function, what a concussion does to the brain, what the symptoms of a concussion are, as well as the steps to recovery. The workshop also touches on second impact syndrome and the risk of returning to school or play too soon. It includes statistics on concussion prevalence, solid reasons for helmet and equipment safety, and fun interactive activities about the brain. The students also receive ideas for ongoing learning on these highly publicized topics, as well as resources for further education and prevention. This presentation will describe the workshop curriculum, give examples of interactive activities, and share the learning gained through the implementation of over 400 workshops in the Haldimand, Norfolk, Brant, Hamilton and Niagara regions.

3:15 - 3:45 ............... Session B –Ian Burkovskiy- Dalhousie University, Deactivation of the Cannabinoid Two Receptor in CNS Injury- Central nervous system (CNS) injury, such as traumatic brain injury or stroke, is known to increase susceptibility to infections that adversely affect clinical outcome. This impaired immune response to infection is termed CNS injury-induced immune deficiency syndrome (CIDS). Cannabinoid receptor 2 (CB 2 R) has been implicated in modulation of the immune system, suggesting that pharmacologically targeting this receptor may be therapeutically beneficial in treatment or prevention of CIDS. The main objective was to investigate the therapeutic potential of cannabinoid drugs in prevention and treatment of post CNS injury immunodeficiency.

3:45 - 4:00 ............... Break - Colony Ballroom West - Please visit our exhibitors.

4:00 - 4:30 ............... Session A- Sareh Zarshenas – University of Toronto, Inpatient Rehabilitation in patients with TBI: Most Frequent Treatments and Functional Outcomes by Age - Inpatient rehabilitation (IR) is one of the main elements in the continuum of care in patients with TBI. Occupational Therapy (OT) and Physical Therapy (PT) are considered as two key disciplines in IR program for TBI patients. This research will describe the components of treatment and outcomes of IR by age in patients with TBI who were treated in Canadian setting.

4:00 - 4:30 ............... Session B- Emily Nalder- University of Toronto, Developing a research agenda to address the long-term needs of individuals with acquired brain- Increasingly, acquired brain injury (ABI) is being considered as a chronic health condition. Participation restrictions, such as the inability to work or manage one’s finances, can persist for years after the initial injury. Furthermore, healthcare and support needs to enable community integration can change over time as individuals and their family members age. This presentation will describe the results of a two-day meeting engaging brain injury survivors and families, service providers, and researchers, in discussions to identify and prioritise research directions with the explicit goal of enhancing the long-term community integration of individuals with ABI.

4:30 - 5:00 ............... Session A-Amanda Gregory- Hamilton, Functional Fitness to maintain Independence- Clients at Brain Injury Services have made substantial physical gains after participating in a nine week exercise program. This program is geared to decrease falls, increase lower body strength, to increase endurance and overall fitness level. Video clips in this presentation will illustrate the transformation from fragile, weak or unsteady to strong, confident and able.

Colony BallroomEast

Colony BallroomEast



Colony BallroomEast


16


4:30 - 5:00 ............... Session B- Anthony Tapper, Identifying Chronic Cognitive Problems in Team Sport Athletes with a history of Sports-related Concussion- Current clinical tests for concussions have been ineffective at identifying chronic cognitive effects. In contrast, dual-task paradigms that stress cognitive resources appear to identify persisting cognitive problems in individuals with a history of concussion who are symptom free. The goal of the present research was to compare performance on clinical and experimental neurocognitive tests in team sport athletes with and without a history of concussion.

Thursday September 29, 2016

8:30 - 9:15 .............. Mark Bayley University of Toronto and Bonnie Swaine University of Montreal, Update on Development and Implementation of the INESSS-ONF Clinical Practice Guideline for the Rehabilitation of Adults with Moderate to Severe Traumatic Brain Injury in Canada- The goals of this presentation are to provide an update of the development and implementation of this Clinical practice guideline (CPG) for moderate to severe traumatic brain injury (TBI) including: 1. The guideline content- The CPG consists of 20 sub-sections including key components of optimal TBI rehabilitation systems and assessment and rehabilitation of specific brain injury sequelae. The presentation will highlight the key best practices amongst the 266 recommendations of which 11 are considered fundamental and 107 priority for implementation. 2. The implementation strategy planned for Ontario and Québec clinical settings and the website to facilitate use of the CPG by all. 3. Process indicators have also been developed to assist in measuring implementation success. 4. Aspects of the interactive website will be presented.

9:15 - 9:30 ............... Nutrition Break - Colony Ballroom West - Please visit our exhibitors.

9:30 - 10:00 ............. Session A- Deborah Dee, BMT, FAMI – Executive Director, Powell River Brain Injury Society - Powell River BC, Age Specific Prevention Interventions. What types of interventions are appropriate and at what age should these interventions be introduced?- This session will present the programs used by the Powell River Brain Injury Society (PRBIS) and explain the reasons behind the choice of interventions and age brackets. Grade 4 and 5 students receive an interactive presentation annually and Grade 11 students participate in the P.A.R.T.Y. program with the PRBIS in partnership with fire, ambulance, police, and hospital health care professionals. Statistics of the programs will be presented and a discussion will touch on next steps research to determine long-term efficacy of the programs.

9:30 - 10:00 ............. Session B- Dr. Cameron Marshall, Examining the Similarities in Self-Reported Symptoms in Chronic Whiplash and Post-Concussion Syndrome - Both concussion and whiplash are attributed to an acceleration-deceleration mechanism and studies examining each condition by itself demonstrate a very similar symptom presentation. This study was the first of it’s kind to compare chronic concussion and chronic whiplash patients side by side to gain better understanding of the similarities and differences between these two supposedly different conditions.

Colony BallroomEast


Colony BallroomEast



17

Thursday September 29 continued - All sessions in Colony Ballroom East

10:00 - 10:30 ........... Suzanne McKenna, Champlain System Navigator for Acquired Brain Injury - Anytime, Anywhere, Anyone – A Brain Injury Does Not Discriminate! - A brain injury is not an event or an outcome. It is often the start of a misdiagnosed, misunderstood traumatic or acquired brain injury. Individuals who sustain brain injuries require timely access to expert care, specialized rehabilitation, lifelong management and individualized services and support to live healthy, independent and satisfying lives. The presentation will deal with the challenges brain injury survivors, and caregivers face and how an active Canadian network will support and give hope to those who need it. Suzanne will focus on where we have come from to where we are today, and where we have to go to keep moving forward.

10:30 - 10:45 ........... Canadian Traumatic Brain Injury Research Consortium funded by CIHR Institute of Neurosciences, Mental Health and Addiction and Ontario Neurotrauma Foundation, Dr. Rick Riopelle from Brain Injury Canada, and serving on the Executive Committee of the Consortium, will explain this programmatic model for building an inclusive culture of investigator-led clinical research and scientific training and mentoring.

10:45 - 11:45 ........... Dr. Norman Doidge, New Neuroplastic approaches to Brain Injury. - The science is called neuroplasticity, and it develops from a growing understanding that the human brain – for centuries thought a fairly fixed and unregenerative organ – is in fact capable of much more significant self-repair and healing. Not only that, but much of the healing can be stimulated by conscious habits of thought and action, by teaching the brain to “rewire itself”.

11:45 - 12:00 ........... PERSONAL INJURY PRACTICE IN 2020 – Charles Gluckstein, What you need to be prepared for the future. - As we move from the information age to artificial intelligence we encounter increased distractions and new demands from technology in our lives. The area of transportation is nearing the greatest challenges and changes since the advent of the combustible engine. From today and into the future technology companies are aiming to take human error out of transportation. The effect on accidents, insurance, health care, and other industries will be profound. Are you ready for the future?

12:00 - 1:00 ............. Lunch - Colony Ballroom Central. Please visit our exhibitors.

1:00 - 4:30 ............... Women and Brain Injury Inaugural Gender Symposium Traumatic brain injury (TBI) is associated with permanent cognitive, physical, psychological, and social dysfunction and carries major personal and economic repercussions, yet historically, lack of knowledge has led to widespread misdiagnosis and inadequate treatment. It is estimated that 30% of reported cases of TBI occur among women, but little research exists exploring their healthcare experiences and psychosocial outcomes, despite evidence identifying significant sex and gender differences in outcomes. This lack of gendered information seriously inhibits diagnosis and appropriate intervention across the care continuum, affects the development and provision of appropriate healthcare services, and leaves women vulnerable to poor psychosocial outcomes and ongoing challenges such as increased rates of mental illness, disability, substance use, unemployment, and poverty. The purpose of this half day symposium is to raise awareness around the need for gendered TBI research, increase understanding of specific challenges and areas of concern for brain injured women and girls, and provide current research results in a variety of focus areas relevant to healthcare professionals, researchers, service users and persons with lived experience. A panel of speakers, including representatives from the healthcare and knowledge communities along with women living with brain injury, will address biological, psychological, and social concerns across a range of contexts, providing valuable insight into the health needs and lived experiences of brain injured women and girls, enabling a wide range of care practitioners

Sponsored by

...see over


18

to effectively respond to this disadvantaged population. Our goal is to contribute to brain injury research and healthcare by providing invaluable gender-sensitive knowledge and key information for setting research and healthcare agendas. Speaker List & General TopicModerator: Angela Colantonio , PhD, OT. Reg. (Ont)., CIHR Research Chair in Gender Work and Health, Director, Rehabilitation Sciences Institute, University of Toronto Katherine Snedaker, LCSW, Executive Director, Pink Concussions- The Invisible Population Within the Invisible Injury Reema Shafi , B.Sc. OT, MA.Psych. University of Toronto: Sex differences in the brain and neuroimaging Dr. Jocelyn Harris, Assistant Professor, McMaster University, Mental health challenges among women with TBI Dr. Emily Nalder, Assistant Professor, University of Toronto: CommunityIntegration for brain injured women Dr/ Tatyana Mollayeva, University of Toronto. Traumatic brain injury due to assault at the Ontario workplace Vanessa Amodio, M.Sc.OT, Heather Bruch, M.Sc.OT - Using the narratives ofOntarians with a work-related traumatic brain injury to inform injury prevention: A mixed methods approach. Nneka MacGregor , LL.B., Executive Director, WomenatthecentrE: Strangulation and brain injury in women survivors of intimate partner violence Dayna Jones, M.A., Tracey Joseph, B.Sc.University of Toronto- Battered and brain injured: reviewing the impact of brain injury on women survivors of intimate partner violence. Halina (Lin) Haag, MSW, RSW, Wilfrid Laurier University. TBI in women survivors of domestic violence

Dr. Angela Colantonio

Katherine SnedakerDr. Emily Nalder

Vanessa Amodio

Reema ShafiDr. Tatyana Mollayeva

Heather Bruch Dr. Jocelyn Harris

Nneka MacGregor

Dayna Jones

Tracey Joseph

Halina (Lin) Haag

Brain Injury Canada 13th Annual Conference 2017, Toronto, ON • Speaker Biographies Brain Injury Canada 13th Annual Conference 2017, Toronto ON • Speaker Biographies

19

Vanessa Amodio, OT Reg. (Ont.)

Vanessa Amodio completed her BA in Psychology from Ryerson University and MSc. in Occupational Therapy from the University of Toronto in 2015. Her Masters research project involved using the injury narratives to understand the environmental and occupational context at the time of a work-related brain injury. She is currently a member in good standing with the Canadian Occupational Therapists of Ontario (COTO). Vanessa is employed in the auto sector, assessing and treating individuals who have

a diagnosed traumatic brain injury. As well, she leads falls prevention classes in the community to promote health and engagement among seniors.

Ivona BergerIvona Berger has just completed her final year in the Bachelor of Health Sciences (Honours) program at McMaster University. Throughout her undergraduate career she has developed an interest for many aspects of concussion research. She is currently investigating sleep disturbances in youth with concussion as a Research Assistant at CanChild under Carol DeMatteo’s supervision. Her passion and advocacy for disability research was fuelled by her time with Special Olympics and the Parapan

Am Games. She hopes to continue helping others by contributing to this field of knowledge and through her future endeavours.

Anmol BiajarAnmol Biajar is a research placement student at the Toronto Rehabilitation Institute, completing her placement in the Acquired Brain Injury Research Lab. She is a fourth year student at the University of Toronto, working to obtain her HBSc, with a major in Biology for Health Sciences and a double minor in Chemistry and Psychology. She will graduate in June 2016 and plans to pursue a career in the healthcare field.

Heather Bruch, OT Reg. (Ont.)

Heather Bruch completed her Master’s degree in Occupational Science and Occupational Therapy from the University of Toronto in 2015. She holds an undergraduate degree in Kinesiology and Physical Education from Wilfrid Laurier University. Heather currently works as an Occupational Therapist, and hopes to one day focus her work on individuals who have experienced an acquired brain injury.

M. Betty Ann Buott, MEd.

M. Betty Ann Buott is a counsellor in private practice in Wolfville, NS. She is a single parent of three children who struggles herself with stigmas. Born in to a large poor family, the youngest of twelve, she overcame society’s belief that she couldn’t achieve to become a counsellor in a successful private practice. She utilizes a strength based approach, with warmth and compassion, to empower her clients to take back control of their lives.

Ian BurkovskiyIan Burkovskiy has received a BSc in Neuroscience at Dalhousie University. Currently, he is in the final year of a PhD program at Dalhousie, focusing his research in the fields of Pharmacology and Anesthesia. His research interests include CNS injury, neuroinflammation and cannabinoids. In parallel to his studies, he produces a TV show on Bell’s network that brings the latest scientific and technological advances to the general public. His goal is to pursue a medical degree and combine his research ambition with clinical practice.

Anthony Aquan-Assee, M.Ed., B.Ed., B.Sc.

Anthony (www.anthonyaquan-assee.com) works in Toronto as a teacher, author and motivational speaker. He is a recipient of The Courage to Come Back Award from The Centre for Addictions and Mental Health and his story was featured in Reader’s Digest. Anthony is the author of “Second Life, Second Chance: A Teacher’s Chronicle of Despair, Recovery and Triumph”, winner of an award for independent authors; “Starting Over: A Survivor’s Guide” and his fiction fantasy novel, “Vendeka’s Creed”.

Eight years after his accident, Anthony graduated from the University of Toronto with a Master of Education in Applied Cognitive Science.

Caroline Arbour, RN, PhD

Caroline Arbour is a regular researcher at the Hôpital du Sacré-Coeur de Montréal and an assistant professor at the Faculty of Nursing at the Université de Montréal. Her current work focuses on understanding the repercussions of persistent pain on sleep and other pathological states of consciousness such as coma in the context of traumatic brain injury.

Michelle Bartlett

In March 2004 Michelle suffered a severe anoxic brain injury 2 days after major heart surgery at the Saint John Regional Hospital. Michelle was 36 at that time. She spent 12 days in a coma and the MRI showed no brain activity and she was taken off life support and moved to pallitive care.Slowly Michelle woke up and her recovery over the years has been amazing. She has discovered and accepted her “new life”with an appreciation to be given a second chance

Michelle is the Saint John and area Representative for Brain Injury Canada and lives with her 11 year old cocker spaniel (Molly) in St Stephen, New Brunswick.

Mark Bayley, MD, FRCPC

Dr. Mark Bayley is Medical Director of the Brain and Spinal Cord Rehabilitation Program at the Toronto Rehabilitation Institute. He is an Associate Professor at University of Toronto. He is holder of the Saunderson Chair in Brain Injury Research. Dr. Bayley has research interests in how the best evidence can be implemented into practice. He is co-author of the Best Practice Guidelines for the Management of Persistent Symptoms after Mild Traumatic Brain Injury. He is one of the Principle investigators of the

INESSS-ONF and the INCOG-International Cognitive rehabilitation guidelines. He will coordinate the concussion clinic at Toronto Rehab.

SPEAKER BIOGRAPHIES


20

Angela ChaoAngela Chao has worked as a camera assistant in the Toronto Film industry for the past 10 years. Her credits include ‘KickAss 2’, ‘Robocop’, ‘My Big Fat Greek Wedding 2,’ ‘The Strain’, CW’s ‘Beauty and the Beast’, and ‘Combat Hospital’, just to name a few. Angela’s life as an artist started after her first concussion. Her paintings have been featured in galleries and have won her several major contests, including a trip to Australia and New Zealand. Angela’s raises awareness through featured

publications, including the Toronto Guardian, Best magazine, BlogTo, Mississauga News and an ad campaign with Mercedes AMG.

Christine ElliottChristine Elliott is a graduate of Western University Law School and was called to the Ontario Bar in 1980. She practised law as a partner with Flaherty Dow Elliott & McCarthy until 2006, when she was elected as the MPP for Whitby-Ajax in a by-election. She was subsequently re-elected as the MPP for Whitby-Oshawa in 2007, 2011 and 2014. During her years at Queen’s Park Christine brought forward two private member’s bills, which resulted in Select Committees on Mental Health and

Addictions and on Developmental Services. In December, 2015, Christine was appointed by the provincial government as the first Patient Ombudsman for the Province of Ontario. Christine has been an advocate for vulnerable people for many years and has served as a volunteer with many community organizations, including the Grandview Children’s Centre and Durham Mental Health Services, which named one of their homes in her honour. She has also served on the board of directors of the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society and the Toronto Symphony Orchestra. Christine is the co-founder and a director of the Abilities Centre, a sports, recreation and arts facility for people of all abilities located in Whitby.Christine lives in Whitby, Ontario with her three sons, John, Galen and Quinn.

Rosalyn FastRosalyn Fast is an educator who enjoys presenting because she is exposed to new environments and thus is researching, learning and sharing new ideas and concepts enhancing her quest for life long learning. . Presenting has allowed her to travel to new places, to meet new people and share her family’s story. With life’s heightened stress after the crash, Rosalyn’s life was in overdrive; enough time has gone by that she can now focus on herself. She is now spending her time working part time in an

adult day centre setting. Recently she has completed monitoring Therapeutic recreation students on practicum. Her passions include reading, swimming, yoga therapy and taking on life’s new challenges.

Sergio Di GiovanniSergio Di Giovanni, founder of Qcard and Brain Injury Survivor, will share his inspiring story, including his successes, the motor vehicle accident that changed his life forever, and the journey which lead him to develop Qcard : a smartphone solution designed to improve the quality of life for those living with memory and cognitive impairment.After college he started a web design firm, which married his passion for technology and design. The business prospered

quickly & by age 23, he had an international clientele and several investment properties. His life was full of promise. However, In 2005, at age 29, his life changed in an instant. He was involved in a serious motor vehicle accident that resulted in a brain injury. Each day presented new barriers and trying to manage his life demands proved too difficult, which lead him to lose everything he worked so hard for.In attempts to overcome his struggles with executive functioning, he became increasingly frustrated trying to rely on memory and planning aids that were designed for “non-impaired” users. It was these frustrations that lead him back to his technical roots, utilizing his personal insight into his disability and started to think of a better solution for himself.He will demonstrate the power of Qcard and how it relates to everyday living, highlighting features that make Qcard a superior coping tool and show the audience why users around the world are raving about it. www.Qcard.ca

Angela Colantonio, PhD, OT Reg. (Ont.)

Angela Colantonio is a professor in the Department of Occupational Science & Occupational Therapy, and the inaugural Director of the Rehabilitation Sciences Institute, Faculty of Medicine, University of Toronto; an Adjunct Scientist of the Institute for Clinical Evaluative Sciences and a Fellow of the Canadian Academy of Health Sciences, the American Congress of Rehabilitation Medicine, and the American College of Epidemiology. Dr. Colantonio received her PhD in epidemiology

and public health from Yale University, an MHSc in Community Health from the University of Toronto, and a BSc in Occupational Therapy, also from the University of Toronto.

Dr. Michael CusimanoDr. Michael Cusimano is a Neurosurgeon at St Michael’s, UHN and Sickkids and a full Professor of Neurosurgery, Education and Public Health at University of Toronto. He is the Nominated Principal Investigator and leader of the Canadian Brain Injury and Violence Research Team and the former Vice President at Think First Canada (now Parachute Canada). He has broad research interests include Clinical research in neurosurgery (e.g. cognition and memory, cerebellum, pituitary, and brain

tumours, aneurysms, NPH, QOL, coma etc), cognitive neurosurgery, injury prevention, traumatic brain injury, and medical education. As the founder and director of the Injury Prevention Research Office, he is tremendously passionate about keeping us healthy, especially keeping our brains healthy.

Deborah DeeDeborah Dee is the Executive Director of the Powell River Brain Injury Society. She has held this position for the past 13 years. The Society provides support and services to the Powell River Regional area and the “Head’s Up Crew” provide educational presentations to school children and the general population. Deborah has created many programs whose aims are to increase quality of life and provide skills and tools for healthy and productive living. Deborah holds a Bachelor Degree in Music Therapy from Capilano University and is a Fellow of the Association for Music and Imagery.


21

Jonathan GoodmanThe aggressive, hard driving executive – at the time the CEO of hugely successful drug distributor Paladin Labs Inc. – had just sealed one of Paladin’s biggest acquisitions ever. Taking a celebratory bicycle ride with fellow employees in the hills north of Montreal, he fell off his bike and hit his head. Despite wearing a helmet, the result was a serious brain injury.Two-and-a-half years after the accident, Mr. Goodman is back with entrepreneurial enthusiasm for his latest venture. Since

returning to work he sold his company for a eight figure sum and started a new drug distribution business called Knight Therapeutics. At first glance you’d never know he’s been through a near life-ending trauma. Come and hear his inspiring story.

Amanda Gregory Amanda Gregory is a certified senior fitness instructor. She has ten years of experience working with children with a mental health diagnosis as with individuals with brain injury. Amanda’s passion for physical fitness follows her retirement from competitive soccer and her awareness of the limited opportunity to participate in sport for those with disabilities. Amanda worked in residential care for individuals with brain injuries for many years, teaching skills and improving clients’

quality of life and physical fitness. In her current role, Amanda is responsible for the development and implementation of recreation and leisure programs at Brain Injury Services.

Halina (Lin) Haag Halina (Lin) Haag is a doctoral student at Wilfrid Laurier University’s Faculty of Social Work. She is exploring the gendered experiences of traumatic brain injury (TBI) and the barriers and facilitating factors influencing mental health and utilization of healthcare services encountered by brain inured women survivors of intimate partner violence. As someone with lived experience of TBI, she has been engaged as a guest speaker and panelist addressing issues of disability, brain injury, and

marginalization for a variety of international academic, professional, and community-based organizations.

Jocelyn Harris Jocelyn Harris is an Assistant Professor in the occupational therapy program at McMaster University. She graduated from the McMaster OT program in 1995 and has a Masters and PhD in Rehabilitation Sciences from the University of British Columbia with a focus on stroke recovery. Jocelyn completed a post-doctoral fellowship at the Toronto Rehabilitation Institute specializing in women and traumatic brain injury. Her research focuses on treatment interventions that will maintain and

promote recovery for individuals following stroke and traumatic brain injury.

Jennifer Hendry Jennifer Hendry is an honours graduate of York University and has been with Brain Injury Services in Hamilton since 1997. She currently holds the position of Clinical Coordinator, a role which focuses on client skill development and intake coordination for the Step Up! ABI Recovery service. Jennifer is currently completing a Graduate Diploma at McMaster University in Clinical Behavioural Sciences with a focus on Applied Behavioural Analysis and she is a contributing instructor in the

Rehabilitation Therapist Certificate program at McMaster University.

Wendy Digout, M.A.

Wendy is a psychologist who has recently transitioned back to work and is almost 3 years post-concussion. Over the past two years, her daughter Alex also had two concussions. Wendy will discuss the effect her concussion has had on her children and family life and Caitlyn, her oldest daughter, will provide her perspective on living with two family members after concussions. She will talk about how life changed for her and Alex, and about what it was like trying to be a “normal” teen while living with the chaos and responsibility a child must endure when a parent recovers from illness. Caitlyn and Wendy will describe the emotional, social and financial implications for families living with concussions. They will provide tips and tools that may a will benefit healthcare providers, survivors and caregivers by providing tools that healthcare providers and families can implement which may help families living with concussion recover with stronger family relationships, better coping strategies, and hopefully a quicker recovery for all. Eleven-year-old Alex will also be available to answer questions about her experiences.

Lisa Engel, PhD Candidate, MSc OT, OT Reg. (Ont.)

Lisa Engel is a registered Occupational Therapist (OT Reg. (Ont.)), PhD candidate in the Rehabilitation Sciences Institute (University of Toronto), and trainee at the Rotman Research Institute (Baycrest, Toronto, ON). She completed her Bachelor of Kinesiology & Health Studies at the University of Regina (2005) and her Masters of Science in Occupational Science & Occupational Therapy at the University of Toronto (2007). Prior to starting her PhD in 2012, she worked as an Occupational

Therapist in Nanaimo, British Columbia. Her doctoral research regarding financial management in populations with possible cognitive impairments, including brain injury survivors, emerged from her clinical experiences.

Steve GregorySteve Gregory grew up in a rural part of Ontario and had a variey of broadening experiences such as living overseas for 3 years. Steve excelled scholastically and started his Masters in engineering on the second best scholarship in the country he had an accident in which he was a 3 on the Glasgow Coma Scale. His recovery challenged his beliefs and strength of character to the maximum possible. Steve has undertaken writing about his experiences in an analytical fashion in order to help others.

These may be found at www.thejouryneytipsandtales.com as well as www.afterabirehab.com

Charles E. GlucksteinCharles was called to the Ontario Bar in 1999 and specializes in insurance litigation which encompasses personal injury, disability matters, occupier’s liability issues, product liability and medical malpractice. Charles commands a thorough knowledge of all relevant Automobile Legislation, providing trusted experience for all aspects of dispute resolution, which include mediation and arbitration. Currently, Charles is the Past President of the Ontario Trial Lawyers Association. Charles

served as a Director of the Brain Injury Association of Toronto from 1998- 2001. He also provided counsel to the Active Living Alliance of Ontario for individuals with a disability from 2002-2004.


22

Cheryl Jones, MMT, NMT-F, MTA

Cheryl is currently a PhD candidate at the University of Toronto (Music and Health Sciences). She is a member of the Collaborative Program in Neuroscience and a Fellow of Robert Unkefer Academy of Neurologic Music Therapists. She maintains a private practice in Ottawa, Ontario. Cheryl has been an invited guest lecturer to numerous conferences and universities regarding her work in ABI. Her clinical work has been featured in Allison’s Brain, a bestseller at Frieson Press, and in two CBC radio

documentaries. Cheryl can be reached at [email protected].

Nneka MacGregor, LL.B.

Nneka is the founder of the Women’s Centre for Social Justice, better known as WomenatthecentrE. Incorporated in 2008, the organization remains the only non-profit network created by and for women survivors of gender based violence. Members use the lessons learned from their lived experience to raise awareness, engage in social action and participatory research and work to eradicate all forms of violence against women.

Cosmo Mannella Cosmo Mannella is a case facilitator for Brain Injury Services. He has been working in the field of acquired brain injuries since 2000. Prior to joining Brain Injury Services, he worked in the developmental disability field since 1984. Cosmo promotes client advocacy, delivery of quality service and a common sense approach in assisting his clients.

Cameron Marshall, DC, FRCCSS(C)

Dr. Marshall is a Fellow of the Royal College of Chiropractic Sports Sciences and the founder and current president of Complete Concussion Management Inc., a clinical network of medical facilities for the purpose of concussion diagnosis, management, and rehabilitation. Dr. Marshall conducted his past research in collaboration with the famous University of Buffalo concussion research team and is currently working on several publications utilizing the CCMI national concussion

database. Dr. Marshall is also a treating clinician at LiveActive Sport Medicine in Toronto.

Dayna Jones

Dayna Jones is a second year Occupational Therapy student and a member of the Acquired Brain Injury Research Lab at the University of Toronto. Dayna holds a masters of communication and culture in the Joint Program at York and Ryerson Universities and studied sociology at the University of Victoria. A true Vancouver Island native, Dayna enjoys spending time outdoors running, cycling, and with her golden doodle Mark.

Tracey Joseph Tracey Joseph is a second year student completing her masters of science in Occupational Therapy and a member of the Acquired Brain Injury Research Lab at the University of Toronto. Tracey is originally from Ottawa and holds a bachelor’s degree in integrated life and health science with a minor in neuroscience and mental health from Carleton University. Tracey is an avid reader, tech lover, and mom of a beautiful 8-year-old boy.

Somerleigh Lasko Somerleigh Lasko, born and raised in Norfolk County, studied teaching, achieving a Masters in Education from Niagara University in Lewiston, New York. Somerleigh eventually found her niche working with adults living in the community with a brain injury. She is a rehabilitation facilitator with Brain Injury Services. Somerleigh has dedicated the past five years researching concussions and brain injury as well as educating children, adults, and seniors about brain health and injury

prevention. She has been involved with the success of Brain Injury Services’ interactive school awareness and concussion prevention program. The program has been offered in the Haldimand, Norfolk, Brant, Hamilton, and Niagara region to over 400 groups.

Maude Laguë-Beauvais Dr. Maude Laguë-Beauvais is a neuropsychologist in the Traumatic Brain Injury Program of the Montreal University Health Center (Montreal General Hospital) since 2011 and an assistant professor at McGill University in the Department of Neurology and Neurosurgery. Through multiple collaborations her areas of research include neuropsychological test validation in acute care settings, the impact of TBIs on vision as well as links between aging and TBIs.

Suzanne McKennaSuzanne McKenna is a trusted and accomplished Champlain System Navigator for Acquired Brain Injury (ABI). Drawing on her personal experience as a caregiver of a 26 year old son with a traumatic brain injury for 8 ½ years, she actively encourages the dissemination of best practice in the care and support of ABI survivors, their families and caregivers. She was the recipient of the Champlain CCAC’s 2012 Service Delivery Excellence award and is recognized in the community as a leader in the ABI field

for being innovative, making outstanding contributions and forging new ground in the Champlain region. Suzanne also received the 2014 OACCAC Award for Excellence as an inspiration touchstone for their teammates and for their colleagues, both at the regional and provincial levels. Suzanne is committed to setting performance and customer service quality standards and providing exceptional service. Since 2011, Suzanne has lead the way in designing a program that helps families and survivors deal with the challenges of caregiving and living with an ABI. Suzanne’s strong leadership has created new opportunities to make connections with various community organizations, link those in need with the right services at the right time, and raise awareness about the needs of people living with an ABI and their caregivers. Suzanne’s research has also identified gaps in service and has proven to be a valuable resource. She is an advocate for changing the current “one size fits all” model of service delivery to a model where the injured get the specialized care they need. Suzanne is steadfast in her commitment to the objectives of the ABI System Navigator initiative – which was developed and funded by the Local Health Integration Network (LHIN).


23

Dr Emily Nalder, PhD, BOccThy (Hons)

Dr Nalder is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Occupational Science and Occupational Therapy at the University of Toronto and holds the March of Dimes, Paul J.J. Martin Early Career Professorship. She completed a Bachelor in Occupational Therapy with first class honours, and her PhD in Rehabilitation Science at the University of Queensland in Australia; and her postdoctoral fellowship in cognitive rehabilitation at the Rotman Research Institute at Baycrest. Her research seeks to

understand the processes influencing experiences of community reintegration after ABI; and how cognition influences participation in everyday life.

Cecile ProctorCecile Proctor is working towards her Masters in Psychology at the University of New Brunswick under the supervision of Dr. Lisa Best. She is also the provincial contact for the Brain Injury Canada. She plans to continue her education to join the field of Neuropsychology. Ms. Proctor was the recipient of the 2014 Volunteer of the Year award, from the Brain Injury of Canada. Her family’s story is published in the 2014 Chicken Soup for the Soul: Recovering from Traumatic Brain Injury.

Dr. Adrian OwenProfessor Adrian M. Owen is currently the Canada Excellence Research Chair (CERC) in Cognitive Neuroscience and Imaging at the University of Western Ontario, Canada. His work combines structural and functional neuroimaging with neuropsychological studies of braininjured patients. His most recent work, reported in the journals Science (2006), The New England Journal of Medicine (2010), and The Lancet (2011) has shown that functional neuroimaging can reveal conscious awareness in

some patients who appear to be entirely vegetative, and can even allow some of these individuals to communicate their thoughts and wishes to the outside world. These findings have attracted widespread media attention on TV, radio, in print and online and have been the subject of several TV and radio documentaries. Adrian Owen has played multiple editorial roles including 8 years as Deputy Editor of The European Journal of Neuroscience.Since 1990, Prof. Owen has published over 290 articles and chapters in scientific journals and books.

Simon ParadisA graduate of Concordia University’s Integrative Music Arts program, Simon has been playing in blues, rock, country and roots bands across Canada for 30 years. He has appeared on numerous recordings as a session guitar player and producer. Simon began developing his skills as a songwriter eight years ago in the wake of a life-altering accident. In 2014, his duet project, Stanton Paradis, released “Good Road Home”, a CDof original acoustic material. Most recently, Simon has recorded “Mouthful

of Stars”, a debut full-band CD of original music written by Simon and his wife, Kara Stanley.

Tatyana Mollayeva, PhD

Tatyana Mollayeva completed PhD studies on the topics of sleep in traumatic brain injury in the faculty of rehabilitation science and neuroscience at the University of Toronto in 2015. She holds a medical degree from the Moscow Medical Academy and specialization in epidemiology of infectious diseases from the Turkmen State Medical University. She has worked in sleep medicine since 2004, and is an active member of the American Academy of Sleep Medicine and the Canadian Sleep Society. Dr.

Mollayeva’s current research interests include etiology of sleep dysfunction in acquired brain injury and extent to which it relates to functional outcomes.

Sandhya Mylabathula MSc., PhD student

andSwapna Mylabathula MDPhD Student

The twins are students at the University of Toronto. Inspired by sport medicine courses and their favourite sport – hockey – they developed aPrivate Member’s Bill to create a Comprehensive Strategy to Address Concussions in Canada. They are honoured to have received recognition for their work,

including as two of the fifty most influential Torontonians and the Dr. Jane Gillett Award. They were also excited to deliver a recent TEDx talk, at the TEDx Youth Toronto event (2014). They continue to research concussions and speak on concussions, leadership, and community engagement in various avenues.

Mark SelvidgeMark Selvidge, is a 26 years old, TBI survivor .with an entrepreneurial spirit. He has pushed through many of life’s struggles and limitations imposed upon him by society.He was born in to a low income family the oldest of two children. He was a normal kid until 2001 when his life took a turn. At the age of 10, two days before his eleventh birthday he and his family were involved in a motor vehicle accident which claimed the life of his younger sister. From that time on Mark has exceeded

the expectations that everyone thought he could achieve. And he continues to do so...Mark battles against being stigmatized every day!


24

Katherine Snedaker, LCSW

Katherine Snedaker, LCSW, Executive Director, founded PINKconcussions, a non-profit focused on female concussion from sports, abuse, accidents, and military service. She produced the first National Summit of Female Concussion and TBI at Georgetown School of Medicine. She has presented at scientific conferences across the US and in Europe. She has a frequent guest on ESPN, NBC CT and scores of national radio shows discussing concussion.

Katherine received her Masters in Social Work from Fordham University. After both her sons suffered concussions, Katherine began to research the work of current concussion experts. In 2009, she founded SportsCAPP.com highlighting free resources for youth sports teams for concussion education and policy. As a social worker in two concussion clinics, Katherine worked with many young female athletes. In 2013, Katherine founded PINKconcussions.com, a non-profit to focus on female concussions across sport, abuse, accidents and military service. Katherine also partnered with Clemson University to conduct and publish a study of female and male athletes’ experience of concussion. Katherine also has produced four sidewide conferences to train school nurses/staff in best practices to help students and lower risk of liability for the schools. She has presented on concussion across the US. Katherine chairs the Technology Work Group for PASS (Protecting Athletes and Sports Safety) Initiative at National Council on Youth Sports Safety, Inc.

Anthony Tapper, Ph.D. candidate

Anthony is a Ph.D. candidate at the University of Waterloo in the Kinesiology-Neuroscience department. He spent the past two years completing his Master’s degree at Waterloo with a focus on understanding the chronic cognitive effects of concussions in athletes. While completing his degree, Anthony competed as a member of the University of Waterloo Varsity Men’s Hockey team. Anthony also spent four seasons in the Ontario Hockey League as a member of the Mississauga St. Michaels Majors. He

hopes his research can provide insight into the long-term effects of concussions and be used to improve the cognitive return-to-play guidelines.

Joe StantonA singer/songwriter and acoustic fingerstyle guitarist, Joe has performed in the U.S. National finger picking championships and was a finalist in the Kerrville Folk Festival’s New Folk songwriting contest. Joe’s acoustic guitar style has been likened to his heroes, Leo Kottke, Chet Atkins, Bruce Cockburn, and his songwriting has resulted in our solo cd’s, all receiving radio airplay in Canada, the US , Europe and Australia, and earning him two BCCMA award nominations . Over the years Joe has

performed all over Canada, the U.S. and Europe.

Bonnie Swaine, PhD, Centre de recherche interdisciplinaire en réadaptation du Montréal métropolitain (CRIR) and Université de Montréal, Québec

Bonnie Swaine is a Full Professor in the physiotherapy program at the School of Rehabilitation, Faculty of Medicine, Université de Montréal. She is also the Scientific Co- Director & Researcher of CRIR, the Center for interdisciplinary rehabilitation research of greater Montréal. Her research interests focus on the evaluation of the quality of rehabilitation services for persons with a brain injury and intervention effectiveness as well as the

relation between suicide and brain injury. She is one of the Principle investigators of the INESSS-ONF clinical guideline development and adaptation project.

Kara StanleyA graduate of UBC’s MFA program in creative writing, Kara Stanley lives, works and plays on the Sunshine Coast with her musician husband, Simon Paradis. Her writing has been published in Fugue, HipMama and Paste and she is a contributing songwriter to the 2013 Stanton Paradis CD “Good Road Home” and the 2015 Simon Paradis CD Mouthful of Stars.” Fallen: A Trauma, a Marriage, and the Transformative Power of Music, which made the list of CBC’s Best Books of 2015, is her

non-fiction account of her husband’s life-altering accident that resulted in a severe brain and spinal cord injury and the role music plays in his ongoing recovery.‘

Reema Shafi Reema Shafi is a second year PhD student at the University of Toronto. Her clinical and research interests lie in understanding the impact of neurological deficits on functional outcomes following traumatic brain injury, especially as they relate to recovery, rehabilitation and community re-integration. As a clinician, she has extensive experience in community rehabilitation where she provides occupational therapy services to the neurologically compromised population. With her

background in behavioural neuroscience, she has the formal education and research experience to understand the complexities of the neurobiology of behaviour. More recently, she has undertaken an exploratory retrospective analysis of resting-state neuroimaging data to explore variability in functional connectivity between groups stratified by sex and concussion. She is interested in persuing this scientific exploration of sex- and gender-based differences in neural activation patterns and relate it to functional outcome within the context of rehabilitation sciences and application to the clinical world.

Geoff Sing Geoff Sing is and has been the Manager of Brain injury Services for The Cridge Centre for the Family for the past 16 years. Presently they support over 5o survivors in Greater Victoria in residential settings and vocational pursuits, with a team of 60 employees / contractors. As well, Geoff is a stereotypical survivor of a brain injury. In 1979, at 18, he was in a serious car crash that left him unconscious for seven days. As well, during his youth he experienced a number of concussions while playing various youth sports – yes, he has crossed the “stupid line” too

many times…. Geoff is married, has a daughter in 2nd year university and a son in grade 8.


25

ConferenCe Thank Yous

a BIG Thank You To everYBodY who has helped To make ThIs ConferenCe happen and a GreaT suCCess.

Many people have contributed to the success of our Toronto 2016 Conference. In particular we would like to thank:

Our conference committee: Angela Colantonio, Kim McDonald-Taylor, Suzanne McKenna, Jason Lye, Barb Butler and Harry Zarins.

Our operations committee: Gail Mores, Barb Butler, and Harry Zarins.

Social Media: March of Dimes Canada and Harry Zarins

Webmaster: Ron Foreman, Empower You Web Solutions

Graphic Design: Stephen Walters, Profile Direct Marketingand to all our hardworking volunteers

Lyn Williams-KeelerMs. Williams-Keeler has been certified as a clinical psychotherapist by the Ontario Association for Counsellors, Consultants, Psychometrists, Psychotherapists since 1996.From_1991 to 1998,she worked as a Research Associate at the Royal Ottawa Hospital, now the Royal Ottawa Mental Health Centre She is published in the areas of attachment related therapy, treatment, and assessment for PTSD, for both individuals and couples, with numerous presentations at international conferences in psychotraumatology. Lyn has been

awarded the designation of Fellow by the American Academy of Experts_In Traumatic Stress and in Canada, she is a certified clinical Traumatologist.She was recently awarded the Diamond Jubilee Medal for her service to Canadian veterans.

Sareh Zarshenas, PhD student

Sareh Zarshenas is a PhD student at Rehabilitation Sciences Institute, University of Toronto. She is a registered occupational therapist and her overall research interests involve Neurological disorder, content of rehabilitation pathways, and also interventions that impact outcomes following acquired brain injury

Stanley ZhangStanley Zhang is a Clinical Research Coordinator and foreign medical doctor. As a coordinator in the Injury Prevention Research Office at St. Michael’s Hospital, he is passionate about injury prevention in general and traumatic brain injury in particular. He is also actively involved in a number of other Dr. Michael Cusimano’s research projects including pituitary disorders and brain tumors.

Michael H. Thaut, Ph.D.

Michael H. Thaut received his PhD in music with a cognate minor in movement science in 1983 and his masters in music 1980, both from Michigan State University. He also studied at the Mozarteum Music University in Salzburg, Austria. He holds a German Diploma degree in psychology/education. At Colorado State University (CSU) he was Professor Music since 1986-2015 and Director of the School of the Arts 2001-2010. He received a joint appointment as Professor of Neuroscience in 1998. He

was Director of the Center for Biomedical Research in Music since 1994. Since 2016 he is Professor of Music with cross appointments in Neuroscience and Rehabilitation Sciences at the University of Toronto where he directs the Music and Health Research Collaboratory (MaHRC) and the Masters/PhD programs in Music and Health Sciences. He has been a Visiting Professor in medical and music schools around the world (Germany, Italy, USA, Japan), and 2010-2012 was chancellor of the SRH University System in Germany.

Alana Tibbles, MSc

Alana is at the University of Toronto, completing her MSc in Rehabilitation Science and is a part of the Collaborative Program in Neuroscience (CPIN). Her undergraduate degree is an Honours BSc Double Major in Biology and Psychology from Western University. Her current thesis is on how substance abuse affects cognitive recovery after traumatic brain injury. Other recent research includes hospital-to- school transitions in paediatric acquired brain injury and neurofeedback as a form of cognitive rehabilitation post-stroke.

Dr. Jennifer L. TomesDr. Jennifer L. Tomes is an Associate Professor and Head of the Department of Psychology at Mount Allison University. She is a cognitive psychologist, with a specialization in human memory. She has recently begun investigating the long-term impact of concussion on autobiographical memory and other cognitive processes. As a result of her work with concussion, Jennifer spearheaded the development of a formal academic protocol for concussed students at Mount Allison University.


26

Where would you go for support,if you or a loved one acquired a brain injury?

about it! please give your support.

Every year, 50,000 Canadians sustain brain injuries.

• Each day, over 100 individuals sustain a brain injury

• Families provide the majority of care for people with brain injuries.

• Every year in Canada, over 60 children will die as a result of bicycle related injuries, the majority from brain injury.

Who supports them? We do, with your help.

We are Brain Injury Canada.

DONATE TO Brain Injury Canada Other $__________ $2,500 $1,000 $500 $125 $50

Name __________________________________________________________

Address ________________________________________________________

_______________________________________________________________

Email __________________________________________________________

Date ___________________________________________________________

I wish to have my name included as a donor in print and electronic materials, including the Brain Injury Canada website.

I wish to remain anonymous in donor recognition listings.

Mail or fax this form to the address below, or donate online at www.canadahelps.orgCall our number for a secure fax line.

I would like to make my gift with:

Personal cheque, enclosed Corporate cheque, enclosed

Post-dated cheque(s), enclosed

Visa Mastercard

Card #

Expiry Date: __________________

Signature: ________________________________________________________________________

Yes, I would like to become a member of the Brain Injury Canada Monthly Giving Plan.

Please begin deducting $__________ on the 15th day of __________(month), ________(year)

from my credit card (info above).

All gifts to Brain Injury Canada qualify for income tax deduction.Registered Charity Number: 862771540RR0001

Brain Injury Canada, 440 Laurier Ave. West, Suite 200, Ottawa, Ontario. K1R 7X6 Tel: 1-866-977-2492. www.braininjurycanada.ca

Dr. Daniel AndreaeGovernor General Caring Canadian Award Recipient 2014


27

Notes

AWA R D SO F D I S T I N C T I O N

Best Lawyers International

Disability Hall of Fame Award

King Clancy Humanitarian Award

LEXPERT Zenith Award

LEXPERT Ranked

Canada’s Leading Lawyers

Law Society of Upper Canada

Specialists in Civil Litigation

Martindale-Hubbard

Preeminent Lawyers

Highest Legal Abilities and

Ethical Standards

“Peter has graduated high school! A perfect opportunity to thank you before the proud tears flow as I write.”

“When my family was in a car accident that left Peter, my then 8 year old son

with a brain injury, life became all about him. We lived our lives for many years

with no direction. After many tests and doctor visits with no results, we found

Gluckstein Lawyers. Our family dynamic changed, we had someone in our

corner that understood. A burden lifted from my heart.”

— The Caperchione Family, Niagara, Ontario

Advocacy that makes a differenceContact us for your complimentary, no-obligation consultation today.

TOrOnTO 416.408.4252 | nIAGArA 905.228.6169 | TOLLFrEE 1.866.308.7722

S P O N S O R S H I P

Proud Presenting Sponsor of

The 2016 Brain Injury Canada Annual Conference

BIAC2016-Ad_cmyk.qxp_art 2016-08-27 12:10 PM Page 1

Brain Injury Canada 13th Annual...

Documents

Transcript of Brain Injury Canada 13th Annual...