Blue Shirts & Green Thumbs

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Communities Who CareStory Page 10

BRITISH COLUMBIA’S VOICE FOR THE BRAIN INJURY COMMUNITY Fall 2011

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BERNIE SIMPSON C.M. E. ANTHONY THOMAS Member Order of Canada Dealing extensively with Motor Vehicle Recipient of the Queen’s Jubilee Medal Accident Cases for over 15 years

Our firm handles motor vehicle injury claims exclusively.• Free consultation• Low legal fees by percentage• Reduced legal fees on major cases• Home and hospital visits• We handle all expenses• Service in all languages including support staff who speaks Punjabi, Hindi, Cantonese, Mandarin, Korean, Vietnamese, French, Italian• No recovery, No fees or expenses

Choosing a lawyer to represent you may be the single most important decision of your life!

We can help you get your life back on track.

Head OfficeSuite 1512 - 808 Nelson St.Vancouver, B.C. V6Z 2H2604-689-8888 (24 Hours)Fax 604-684-1881

Surrey/Delta Office604-591-88857253 - 120th St., Delta, B.C. V4C 6P5www.simpsonthomas.com

BRAIN DAMAGE • QUADRIPLEGIA & PARAPLEGIA • WRONGFUL DEATH • HEAD INJURY • SPINAL CORD • WHIPLASH

Major ICBC Injury Claim Lawyers Who CareDEALING EXCLUSIVELY WITH MOTOR VEHICLE CLAIMS FOR CLOSE TO 40

YEARS“The hiring of your firm following our tragic MVA will be a time for gratefulness & appreciation never to be forgotten”

Katherine V. (mother of a child who suffered a severe brain injury)

SudokuThe rules of Sudoku are simple. Place a digit

from 1 to 9 in each empty cell so every row, every column, and every 3 x 3 box contains the digits 1 to 9.

Solution on page 22

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Message from the EditorJanelle Breese Biagioni

Greetings!

Headline is also available in PDF format.If you would like a copy sent to your email address contact Mary Lou by email at: mlr@telus.netPlease add Headline to the subject line

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Albeit late, summer finally arrived and was spec-tacular! If we could find a way to stall the winter weather from arriving, I’d be a very happy person. I do have to say that I don’t mind the autumn weath-er. It is wonderful to see the magnificent colours that explode during the season. Be sure to take some time to get outdoors and photograph or paint some of your favourite scenes… you will be amazed at what you can create!

In this issue we have an update on the Pacific Coast Brain Injury Conference and encourage you to visit the website www.pcbic.org often for con-tinual updates. Once again the conference will be

held in Vancouver with two locations (Victoria and Kamloops) hosting satellite conferences at the same time. A little change this year is that the feed will be two-way which means that Victoria and Kamloops will each present one session that will be broadcast to the main conference and one satellite. Amazing!

This issue also provides an update on David Mc-Guire and the Run to Remember cause. David is running across the country to raise money and in-crease awareness about brain injury. Follow David’s progress at www.runtoremember.com. David will be sharing his story at the Pacific Coast Brain Injury Conference. His story is inspiring and touching.

In closing, as we move towards the cool weather, take time to enjoy the magnificence around you. Breathe deeply, laugh loudly, and dance like nobody is watching!

Your Partners in Service ®

Since 1981

GERALDINE (GERRI) R. STRAUS, LL.B., CSSC

Phone 604.628.9898 / 1.800.263.8537 Fax 604.608.1014 E-mail straus@henderson.ca

701 West Georgia Street, Suite 1500 • Vancouver, British Columbiawww.henderson.ca

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headlineis published quarterly by

Mike Rossiter5851 Kittiwake Drive

Richmond, BC V7E 3P1

•

EditorJanelle Breese Biagioni

2031 Gourman PlVictoria, BC V9B 6A9

Email: headlinenews@shaw.ca

•

HEADLINE welcomes letters and relevant articles for publication, and reserves the right to

edit any accepted submissions for clarity and length. A signature, address, and telephone number are required.

Please contact Janelle Breese Biagioni for copy deadlines.

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Mike Rossiter and HEADLINE editors take no responsibility for, nor do they necessarily agree with, the opinions contained in articles, letters

or advertising. Contact Janelle Breese Biagioni

at 250-592-4460 for information.

CHANGE OF ADDRESS?We would like to keep our

mailing list up-to-date! If you have moved or would like to

be on the mailing list, pleasecontact Mary Lou at: 604-274-1251

or email her at: mlr@telus.net(Please put HEADLINE in subject line of email)

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Government Resources

Regional Health Authority’s ABI Coordinators:Fraser Health - Aquired Brain injury Program-604-520-4175Interior Health Authority-250-870-4664,Contact Name: Deborah PrestonAcquired Brain Injury Program, Northern Health Call 250-565-7393Vancouver Coastal Health Authority-604-714-4159Vancouver Island Health Authority- 250- 370-8699,Contact Name: Judith ArmstrongEnquiry BC-to locate Provincial Government Departments• Lower Mainland 604-660-2421• Outside Lower Mainland 1-800-663-7867• Victoria 250-387-6121Ministry of Advanced Education, Training and Technology:Open Learning Information:• In and Outside Lower Mainland 1-800-663-1633Student Loan Information:• Lower Mainland 604-660-2610• Outside Lower Mainland 1-800-561-1818- select 1 then 5Public Guardian & Trustee of British Columbia:• 700-808 West Hastings St. Vancouver, BC V6B 3L3Victim’s Info Line:• 1-800-563-0808Adult and Youth Addiction Services:• Lower Mainland 604-660-9382• Outside Lower Mainland 1-800-663-1441

Community Resources

BC Coalition of People with DisabilitiesAdvocacy Access Program for assistance with provincial and federal disability benefitsLower Mainland 604-872-1278Outside Lower Mainland 1-888-663-1278

Bus Pass for Persons with Disabilities and SeniorsLower Mainland 604-682-0391 Outside Lower Mainland 1-888-661-1566

Tim Readman, Executive DirectorStroke Recovery Association of BCPhone: 604-688-3603 Toll Free: 1-888-313-3377www.strokerecoverybc.ca

Cerebral Palsy Association of BCLower Mainland Voice and TTY 604-515-9455Outside Lower Mainland 1-800-663-0004

Community Brain Injury Program for Children & Youth in BCToll Free 1-877-451-5511www.cbip.bc.ca

Epilepsy BCLower Mainland 604-875 6704Outside Lower Mainland 1-866-374-5377Victoria 250-475-6677

Information Services Vancouver604-875-6381

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Columbia Speech & Language Services Inc.Providing speech and language services to children and adults throughout the Lower Mainland & Fraser Valley since 1987

1316 - 750 West Broadway Vancouver, B.C. V5Z 1J3

T: 604.875.9100E: cslsi@telus.net

Treatment aimed at community reintegration

Part 3 of Greg’s Diary

February 7, 2000Today, I looked professional and was ready to go. After months of hospitals, therapists, psychologists, neurologists and being fol-lowed by insurance adjusters, I was bursting to get back in the classroom.

This morning, at 6:45 AM, the owner of a loud knock at my front door, was a short bearded man who looked like a cheap, lazy courier. From my front porch, I heard his car radio blaring God knows what, from behind its closed windows. Reluctant to enter this four wheeled disco, I really had no choice and was soon sitting in the back of a rusted, blue, 94 Toyota station wagon on my way to work for the first time in a long while. This car was filled with parcels and tons of video tapes all rattling around the back seat and rear storage department. The unapologetic driver introduced himself as Harold and told me that I could sit in the front seat if I wanted, “Before we hit the highway.” As I referred to it as the suicide seat, he shrugged his shoulders and said with a classy reply, “Suit yourself, you gotta get to work somehow don’t ya? Suit yourself!” I stayed in the back where I thought I would be the least uncom-fortable.

The car laboured towards the highway and our one hour drive to Orangeville District Secondary School. My feet suddenly became aware of glass and more plastic objects sneaking out from under my back seat. These plastic objects were VHS video tapes. My curi-

osity always wins me over, as it did today and I caught a glimpse of a couple of their titles. Good thing I was wearing my glasses, or maybe not. ‘Gay Girls all the Time’ and ‘Wild and Naked’ made me giggle out loud. Harold was embarrassed when he realized that I had noticed this passion of his when he replied, “It’s something that I enjoy, but don’t worry it won’t affect my driving tal-ents. My twin brother who will be picking you up after work today likes that stuff too and he is even a better driver than me”.

The remaining 55 minutes was spent in silence and disbelief. I closed my eyes and especially my mouth. Where did Nurith find this driving service? I would sure find out soon, but I had more important things to conquer.

Greg Goldberg is a survivor of brain injury, author and speaker. To learn more about Greg, or to sub-scribe to his monthly newsletter, visit www.tbitalks.com.

Greg’s Diary~Greg Goldberg

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A seed was planted at a meet-ing when Janelle Breese Biagioni, Community Program Coordinator, mentioned to Shelley Morris, CEO of The Cridge Centre for the Family, that it would be wonderful to have a small plot of land where clients could plant a vegetable garden. Ms. Morris quickly offered up a sec-tion of Cridge property, which was fenced and previously prepped with nutrients for a garden.

Much like the story of Jack and the Beanstalk, the idea of offer-ing clients a place to grow organic vegetables to enhance their daily diets sprouted quickly and grew into a project much larger than anyone had anticipated. The Cridge team, clients and community partners recognized the opportunity to socialize and build skills through growing organic foods while enjoying the thera-peutic benefits of fresh air, sunshine and getting one’s hands in the dirt as a blue ribbon concept and something absolutely magical!

THE BLUESHEET CLUB ~ Greg Goldberg

If a garden is a friend that you can visit anytime, then the Bluesheet Club certainly has a new mem-ber joining their support group.

Once, an empty patch of grass full of potential, this now rich soiled and germinating vegetable gar-den, tended to by devoted members of the Blue-sheet Support Group in Victoria BC, is producing much more than hearty vegetables. It has bonded together, brain injury survivors, stroke survivors and community members all striving towards producing something the entire team is very proud of.

In early April of 2011, The Bluesheet Club, a surviv-ors support group run by The Mary Cridge Manor, was gracefully offered a large plot of fenced land located just outside of the Cridge Seniors Resi-dence Centre to start a group garden, which is now benefiting the garden volunteers team and the com-munity as well.

So many individuals with a love for gardening are getting in-volved to make this a success. “This garden is bringing people together. I see it every day. Sur-vivors, their family and friends and even community volunteers are now involved,” exclaimed a community resident who lives on Haultain Ave, just steps away from the garden area. “We built it and they came”, exclaimed a group of working gardeners, jokingly quoting a line from the famous movie, ‘Field of Dreams’.

Facilitated by brain injury sur-vivor and group developer, Greg Goldberg, he was more than excited to get the project off

the ground and immediately started developing an action plan. “There were so many elements to think about that went into the plan. Of course, what and when to plant was important, but that certainly didn’t overshadow other factors to be considered. Were the members of the support group able to handle the physical demands of such a task? Would they stay devoted? Could we have access to information and experienced volunteer gardeners to further our gardening knowledge? What about a budget to start and maintain the garden? These were all questions that needed to be dealt with be-fore starting the project.”

With a great deal of support from the entire team at the Mary Cridge Manor, members of The Cridge Centre for the Family, the hard work by a team of novice gardeners and experienced volunteers from Lifecycles, a non-profit organization dedicated to cultivating food and initiating action and urban sustainability here in Victoria, all of the progress is unfolding like the healthy vegetable bud.

Avid gardener and Bluesheet Club member, Robin B, while absorbing the warm sun during a routine check of one of the many vegetable rows, ex-claimed, “These onions won’t make me cry. In fact, all of these vegetables are just simply making me smile.” Now that’s what contentment is all about.

ANOTHER IMPORTANT FOOD GROUP

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28 years of experience helping brain injured victims and their families.

T: 604.683.9621 Toll-free 1.888.683.9621 Fax 604.683.5084E: murphy@murphybattista.com 2020 - 650 West Georgia StreetBox 11547, Vancouver CentreVancouver, BC V6B 4N7

Joe Murphy, Q.C. Joe Battista, Q.C. J. Scott Stanley

Wes Mussio Steve Gibson Brian Brooke

Derek Mah Kevin Gourlay Angela Price-Stephens

Irina Kordic Eric L. Goodman

~ Danielle Stevenson

Much of the garden’s success is directly attributed to the generous support of Danielle Stevenson at LifeCycles. Danielle and her team have devoted countless hours to educating Greg and the Blue-sheet Club members on the “what, where, when and how” of gardening.

“LifeCycles is a nonprofit organization dedicated to cultivating awareness and initiating action around food, health, and urban sustainability in the Greater Victoria community. We work proactively to pro-mote and create personal, shared and community gardens, research, and educational activities and youth skills development programs. Through part-nerships we strengthen individual, community and global health. Current projects include the Fruit Tree Project, Grow a Row, Urban Agriculture Hub, Shar-ing Backyards and Growing Schools. Find out more at www.lifecyclesproject.ca.”

COMMUNITY KITCHEN ~ Mark Fournier

Shortly after the gar-den idea bloomed, the Cridge team quickly recognized an oppor-tunity to bring together another idea which was germinating in the background and that was the concept of developing a Community Kitch-en. Many of the members of the community garden are now learning how to run their own community kitchens.

A community kitchen is an arrangement where several people get together and pool their resour-ces and talents in order to prepare food for them-selves. Community kitchens provide participants with access to nutritious and delicious food and an opportunity to learn and socialize with others in their community. The Cridge Centre for the Family has partnered with the Rick Hansen Foundation and Camosun College to run this training. The kitchens compliment the community garden by providing a means to use produce effectively. Together these programs connect participants to the food they eat. Moreover, participants learn to work together and to create supportive communities.

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UNIVERSITY OF VICTORIA STUDY ~ Dr. Susan L. Tasker

Together with Dr. Susan L. Tasker from the Uni-versity of Victoria, we are conducting a study to evaluate the effectiveness of participation in the Bluesheet Club vegetable garden and the com-munity kitchen for adults living with a brain injury. Most especially, we are interested in finding out (1) if participation will lead to a measurable rehabilitation gain and improvement in the quality of participants’ lives and (2) if participation will lead to increased levels of self-sufficiency, health, and participation in other new learning or social inclusion opportun-ities and therefore possibly reduce dependency on primary caregivers, family members, and support persons.

Evidence supporting the benefits of program par-ticipation will contribute to the community support literature for persons living with brain injuries and will support community-driven care initiatives and requests for funding. Our hope is to secure fund-ing to continue offering these programs as a way to broaden the continuum of care available to persons living with a brain injury in the CRD.

REAP WHAT YOU SOW The Bluesheet Club Garden and Community Kitch-en are now enjoying a bountiful harvest for their efforts and looking forward to expanding the plan next year and want to encourage other communities to duplicate their project.

The team is looking forward to wrapping up the pro-ject with a “Pumpkin Festival” in late October, which will bring together all the team members and chil-dren from the Cridge Daycare, to enjoy food, fun, activities…. AND… an opportunity to handpick their own pumpkin from the Bluesheet Garden Pumpkin Patch!

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Brain injury is devastating. Lives are turned upside down.

We offer not just a house, but homes for people at all levels of abilities, a foundation to build relationships and be connected to the community.

Our transitional and residential rehab programs are developed and guided by rehab professionals, designed for each individual’s unique needs

and implemented on a daily basis.

CONNECT’s mission is simple...to make lives better.

InLangleycall InLakeCountrycall JanetteJackman ChristyMcKeating 604-534-0705 250-469-9358 janettej@connectcommunities.ca christym@connectcommunities.ca

Pleasevisitourwebsiteatwww.connectcommunities.ca

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Those of us who work with brain-injured survivors know that no community is immune from the effects of brain injury. Yet few communities support brain-injured survivors the way the community of Kam-loops does.

Every year in May or June, Manju Singh and Dr. Gur Singh hold the Celebrating Survival dinner; and each September they host the Gur Singh Invita-tional Golf Tournament. Both events support the Kamloops Brain Injury Association (KBIA), and both always sell out long before the event.

One of the most exciting things about these events, as far as KBIA is concerned, is that the funds raised go to the most difficult area of service provision for the brain-injured community—operational costs.

A team of experienced professionals sensitive to the needs of both the survivor and the family.

We travel to youSuite 600-175 Second Avenue, Kamloops, BC V2C 5W1

T: 250.372.1221 TF: 1.800.558.1933E: hmz@hmzlaw.com

www.hmzlaw.com

David Marr Q.C. Kevin Cowan Danielle Leslie Joseph Zak

“We care about your future”

Communities Who Care

President of the board of directors David Marr with Kamloops Councilor Tina Lange with the declara-tion of June as Brain injury awareness month in Kamloops.

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Dr. Gur Singh and BMO executives accepting a thank you for being the event sponsor; Manju Singh is on the far right.

Many donors are willing to make a donation, or make funds available, to an organization for a specific program. Donors appreciate getting their name on a project—a new kitchen, updated com-puters or a specific program such as emotional management. That is indeed wonderful, but it is in the area of operational costs that nonprofits have the most difficulty raising funds. However, you would not have known this to be true on May 27, 2011, at Thompson Rivers University when the Singhs hosted the fifth annual Celebrating Survival dinner. Highlighting Indian culture with decorations, entertainment and food, the event was sold out before the tickets were even printed!

BMO was the event sponsor, while there were no less than five platinum sponsors: Daley & Company, Chartered Accountants; HMZ Law, MJB Law, Plat-inum Realty and Zimmer Autosport.

Patrons not only bought tickets, but they also went above and beyond by each bringing a bottle of wine to include in the wine auction. They also supported the silent and live auctions to the tune of $24,000!

Of course it is only fair to point out that the 5th An-nual Celebrating Survival dinner was not your aver-age run-of-the-mill dinner. Attendees were greeted with a special cocktail and a sumptuous display of Indian appetizers. Following the reception everyone was entertained by Manoranjan—a cultural program that featured classical Indian dancing; an Indian folk group from Punjab—Dhamarka Punjaban Da Group, and by the Fata Morgana belly dancers from Let’s Move Studio.

Following the entertainment, guests were treated to a truly excellent Indian meal with authentic recipes created by specialized chefs who know how to amaze the palette.

In the end, everybody won: the guests had an amazing evening to remember, the sponsors were recognized and KBIA received the funds it so des-perately needs in order to supply the brain-injured survivors of Kamloops the services they so rightly deserve.

Through community support, the heart that is Kam-loops grew just a little larger—and of course, guests have already started reserving their tickets for next year!

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Bolton who talked about his struggles as a survi-vor.

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Sarah Ward, M.S., CCC/SLP of The Center for Executive Func-tion Skill Development, located in Boston, Massachusetts, will be speaking in October at the BC Association of Speech/Language Pathologists & Audiologists Conference in Victoria, BC. Ward

has extensive experience in diagnostic evalua-tions, treatments and case management of children, adolescents and adults who live with a wide range of developmental and acquired brain based learning difficulties and behavioral problems.

Ms. Ward will be speaking on Executive Func-tioning Skills: Practical strategies for assessment & intervention with adults and youths. Ward explains, “Executive Function is used to describe a set of readiness skills that includes goal setting, planning, organizing and fulfilling or implementing steps to successfully complete a task.” In her Victoria pres-entation, she will address a broad audience of pro-

fessionals including rehab specialists and special educators on the core definition of Executive Func-tion Skills and the development and implementation of practical strategies that are not complicated and are quick and comfortable for the client to use.

A survivor of brain injury experiencing difficulties in executive function skills may lack initiation, or demonstrate an inability to manage time, be flex-ible in their thinking or unable to complete tasks. A client will benefit from learning strategies to improve motivation and task initiation, time management, and how to set reasonable and achievable goals.

Ward’s professional expertise is backed up with personal experience. Her husband sustained a brain injury when he was hit on his bike by an 18-wheeler. He has experienced challenges with memory and executive function skills as a result.

For more information on the conference or to regis-ter, visit www.bcaslpa.ca/about-us/conference.

BOSTON SLP DEDICATED TO DEVELOPING INNOVATIVE TREATMENT STRATEGIES SPEAKING IN VICTORIA THIS FALL

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Cheshire Homes Society of British Columbia

Acceptance, Empowerment, Independence, OpportunityProviding Transitional, Slower Stream and Apartment Based Rehabilitation Programs for Acquired Brain Injury since 1984.

Cheshire Homes Society of BC, Head Office #202 – 625 5th Avenue New Westminster, BC, V3M 1X4 Phone: (604) 540-0686www.cheshirehomes.ca a member of the Leonard Cheshire Disability Global Alliance

BRAINTRUST CANADA WELCOMES NEW CEO

BrainTrust Canada wel-comes Maribeth Friesen as their new CEO, effective October 3, 2011. Maribeth is re-locating to Kelowna from Lacombe Alberta,

where she has been employed as the Executive Dir-ector of Lacombe & District Family and Community Support Services. Maribeth has maintained strong ties to BrainTrust Canada and the Okanagan since working with the organization formerly as a Case Manager from 2000-2002 and is excited to have the opportunity to return to the organization in this new capacity. Maribeth holds degrees in Family Studies and Social Work and has worked for over 20 years in the not for profit sector, primarily with organiza-tions providing various supports for individuals and families.

BrainTrust Canada is a community rehabilitation association dedicated to being a leader in brain injury prevention, as well as maximizing independ-ence for persons with brain injury. The association has served persons with brain injury in the Oka-nagan since 1986, and over the past five years has taken on the role of injury prevention nationally. This includes the award winning protectyourhead.com social marketing program; national concussion program with the Canadian Ski Patrol; sponsormy-head.com online contest for youth; and A Run to Remember, a national initiative in which David McGuire, who sustained brain injury in 2005 and was told he would never walk again, is running a marathon a day across Canada in support of brain injury awareness - visit www.runtoremember.com for more information.

Maribeth can be contacted at BrainTrust Canada after October 3rd at (250) 762-3233.

Ending a FriendshipEnding a relationship is never easy. Even when the ending is by mutual consent, it still can leave you feeling raw and wounded. It is not uncommon after an individual has sustained a brain injury for the per-son to experience a shift in their friendships. Some relationships grow and expand while others wane and eventually fade away all together. While this isn’t fair, it is a reality. Here are some suggestions to con-sider if a friend has ended their relationship with you:

• It isn’t always about you. More often than not, the person leaves the relationship because THEY are unable to cope with the changes they see.

• It is extremely easy to take it personally, and if you are, it would be wise to discuss your feelings with a trusted friend or family member or professional.

• Ask for feedback – but you need to be ready for the answers when you ask the question. Am I socially inappropriate? Have my social skills changed since I was injured? What could I do differently?

• Significant changes in our life bring about transformation. As we transform, we may see changes on many levels: in our home, friends, and community connections. Sometimes the transformation brings about wonderful opportunities that you would not have otherwise been given.

• It’s important to not write yourself off!!! You are a worthwhile person and although your feelings may be hurt, there will be new friends who will come into your life. You need to prepare for that by having an open mind and heart, and do your very best to steer away from negative thinking.

• Remember… there are others like you who are experiencing the loss of companionship and they too, would like a new friend. Hold your chin up, smile, and do something nice for someone else today. You never know what rewards there may be.

Raincoast 

Community RehabilitationServices where you live, work and play

2392 Kingsway tel: 604.444.3770Vancouver, BC fax: 604.444.3729V5R 5G9 toll free: 1.800.535.9988info@raincoastrehab.ca www.raincoastrehab.ca

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Suite 400 - 601 West BroadwayVancouver, BC V5Z 4C2toll free 1.800.590.SALTt. 604.871.4306

healthGroup Homes Support Home Sharing Rehabilitation

www.saltgrasshealth.com

It’s just one foot in front of the other...for 6 hours a day! This is what David McGuire has to remind him-self of as he runs across Canada to raise funds and awareness for brain injury. Since leaving St. John’s, NL on March 31, 2011 David has run through tre-mendous physical, mental, and environmental barriers - as well as 3317km! - to reach his current location of Barrie, ON.

In case this is your first introduction to this inspira-tional journey here are the quick facts:

Runner’s Name & Age: David McGuire - 38

ABI: Subdural Hematoma - 2005

Starting Date/Location: March 31, 2011 - St. John’s NL

Ending Date/Location: November 30, 2011 - Victoria BC

Estimated km:

7230km

There are good days and not so good days...days of extreme physical pain, mental pain, or both! The one thing, however, the whole run team has learned to count on these days are bugs, heat and humidity (oh my!). David would love to share all of the stories - funny, inspirational, and down right bordering on ‘too much information’ - but in such a small amount of white space he decided to pick out a few of of the team favorites so far (to read more about the daily journey visit runtoremember.com).

April 8, 2011: The Moun-tain Man - Clarenville, NL

Excerpt from David’s Blog

“So there I am on the first part of my run. I am prob-ably 5 km or so. This guy comes running out and is waving at me. He hands me $10.00 and says he read about me in the paper. This was just a totally awesome thing, and it made my day.” Upon arriving at the local school later on and telling them of his encounter David is informed this man is known fondly as Boonie.

May 18, 2011: Halifax Kicks Butt! - Halifax, NS

Excerpt from David’s Blog

“I headed out to run about 10 km with the Police motorbike escort blocking traffic. It was so amazing. Stopping traffic letting me run through red lights, blocking intersections. Then we hit the highway.

A Run To Remember Bugs, Heat & Humidity (Oh My!)

~ Melissa Wild

A Run toRememberDavidMcGuirei

s

raisingawareness

acrossCanada

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Neurogenesis: Hope for

Regeneration?Page10

BRITISH COLUMBIA’S VOICE FOR THE BRAIN INJURY COMMUNITY Summer 2011

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Pacific Coast Brain Injury Conferencewww.pcbic.org

BC Brain Injury Associationwww. bcbraininjuryassociation.com

Campbell River Head Injury Support Societywww.crhead.ca

Fraser Valley Brain Injury Associationwww.fvbia.org

Brain Trust Canadawww.braintrustcanada.comwww.protectyourhead.com

Comox Valley Head Injury Societywww.cvheadinjury.com

Nanaimo Brain Injury Societywww.nbis.ca.

Powell River Brain Injury Society www.braininjurysociety.ca

Prince George Brain Injured Group Society www.pgbig.ca

Brain Injury Resourceswww.braininjuryresources.org

Ontario Brain Injury Association www.obia.on.ca

Brain Injury Association USAwww.biausa.org

South Okanagan Similkameen BI Societywww.sosbis.com

Victoria Brain Injury Societywww.vbis.ca

The Perspective Networkwww.tbi.org

The TBI Chat Roomwww.tbichat.org

G.F. Strong Rehabwww.gfstrong.com

BC Epli lepsy Societywww.bcepilepsy.com

Headway CentreHowe Sound Rehabil i tation Services Society

www.howesound.netNorthern Brain Injury Association

www.nbia.ca

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ResourcesAs I run along in the middle of the highway and not hugging the side to allow cars to pass. I own the road. It was totally surreal. We come up to incom-ing intersection (on the Trans Canada) and there is traffic backed all the way up (an on ramp) about 1/2 km of traffic. There is an RCMP car blocking traf-fic. Melissa was behind me and I motioned for her to come up. She pulls up beside me and rolls the window down as I continue running “Are they doing this for us”?

Melissa, with a huge smile says, “yup.”

The run team was truly overwhelmed and flattered at the outpouring of support in the Halifax area. Not only did the Halifax Police and RCMP come out but CBC’s Tom Murphy and Lyle Hart came out and ran along side David to get his first provincial and national interview!

July 22 & 23, 2011 - Wow What A Day...or Two! - Toronto, ON

Excerpt from David’s Blog

Friday...“I had an interview on the phone at 5:45 am with CBC Radio One Metro Morning News. Then we all crashed a little bit and forget to set the alarm to get up. So we woke up a little late at 8:00. Mel-issa got us in the car and to Tim Horton’s in record time...

...I ran 1km from Nathan Phillips Square to Union Sta-tion through downtown Toronto. There were about 14 other people running with me from the Canadian Ski Patrol, Smart Risk, Cossette and my family. My niece rode her pink princess bike along with the To-ronto Police who sent 5 officers on bikes to escort us through downtown...Then interview with Alex Ballingall from Maclean’s Magazine with a photo-shoot....Then a TV interview on Sun Media’s Right Now program with Anita, back home to have a quick meal and get ready for We Care to take care of my feet with some Foot Nurse care...”

Saturday...“Today was a little cooler and the run distance a little shorter. I ran 17.53 km until we had to stop and head to CBC News Network for my interview with Louise Martin. I am still not used to being on TV. It seems like a dream. It all goes by so

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Mair Jensen Blair LLP Lawyers

700-275 Lansdowne Street, Kamloops, BC V2C 6H6

Phone: (250) 374-3161 | Toll Free: 1-888-374-3161

Personal Injury

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We can help“If you’ve been seriously injured by someone else, we will achieve a fair resolution to properly compensate you.”

fast and even though I do have a brain injury and short term memory loss, I never remember much of the event. In fact even watching the interview afterwards I have no memory of being on the show. I know that it’s me I am looking at. Yet I can’t place the location, the event, or any of the time anywhere in my own memory. It’s very surreal.

(Later that day)...we were off to the Toronto Argo-nauts versus Winnipeg Blue Bombers game at Rog-ers Center. This experience was again so surreal. So there I am with Melissa and Mandy on the field all ready to take pic’s and videos. One of the staff tells me that I am running to the big “C” on the field

when I see my face on the big jumbo screen.

...I am running through the field where the play-ers just were. There are two cheerleaders and the President and CEO of the Argonauts, Bob Nicholson was there to hand my very own Argonauts Jersey. Number #11 with my name on the back.”

Four months into this journey David and the run

team are going strong raising funds and spread-ing the message that brain injury is more common than most people realize; in every group of people David speaks to he is hard pressed to find someone who’s life hasn’t been affected by brain injury - so many people just don’t recognize it. “...she hit her head falling off her bike...he had a stroke......it’s just a concussion.” These are just some of the common phrases we hear every day but how often do we re-mind ourselves that that stroke and that concussion are brain injury? We may have fancy words for it but at the end of the day it is brain injury and every one is serious no matter how it is labeled.

Every 3 minutes someone sustains brain injury; that is a lot of Canadians just in the time it has taken you to read this article.

Be a part of the movement and inspire change in Canada.

Make a donation! Become a sponsor! Share your story!

Donations can be made in the following ways:online through PayPal at www.runtoremember.com*by texting ‘brain’ to 45678 to donate $5 on your cel-lular phone billby mail to BrainTrust Canada11-368 Industrial Ave, Kelowna, BC, V1Y 7E8in person to the run team en-routeor at any Scotiabank across Canada* Please quote account # 801500051020*

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It was a Monday night, over a candle lit dinner with music softly playing in the back ground, when my partner of ten years informed me that we needed to separate. I was shocked and devastated. “Separate? For how long?” I asked. “Permanently,” she simply stated. “Then that’s the equivalent to a divorce?” I asked, tear stream-ing down my face. “Yes.” My head began to spin. “When,” I asked. Suddenly, over what I had thought was a romantic dinner for two, I discov-ered I was fired with a few weeks’ notice as friend, lover and life partner.

She got the parsonage, the congregation, and almost everything we had come to own in the past ten years. I fought for Tucker. “You’ll never find a place that will let you have such a large dog.” She seemed almost threatened. “You can have the cats. I’m not giving up Tucker.” I knew, in addition to my Dad’s death when I was in college, then the closed head injury in the prime of my theater career, the end of my relation-ship, which I saw as a marriage, rounded out the three most difficult circumstances of my life. I knew I was going to need all the help that I could get. I knew I was going to need Tucker, more than ever!

Tucker and I started our new life together in January 2000, just more than three and a half years after my head injury, even though I wasn’t officially diagnosed until after a year had passed. Apparently that is not that unusual. I knew immediately that something was terribly wrong, but I didn’t know how to explain what had happened or why everything seemed different.

In my case, “I saw the light”. No, not the theatrical lights above the stage, but a bright overwhelming light and the presence of my dead father. I com-municated to him that my play was being done at the church and that I couldn’t go with him. He began to slip away, as I began to return to the stage. Chris, a co-worker, asked if I were okay. “No,” I answered, “Take my next cue.” I didn’t tell anyone about that experience for years.

Dogs are pretty smart, especially border collies, and Tucker was exceptionally intelligent and extremely handsome. Tucker knew intuitively that something was very wrong, and he helped me out over the years in so many ways. I had already relearned many

things: I forced myself to use my right side more often, struggled through correct word finding, slept more as needed, turned down late night work, tried to deal with memory issues, and I was taking medications for the first time in my life for depression.

We might forget to eat, but dogs never forget to eat. Tucker would bark at me, or nudge at his bowl, or do

whatever he could to make me understand he was hungry and wanted to eat. But one day, I put Tucker’s food in his bowl and he just sat there. He sat there and stared at me, not budging to eat. I stared back quizzically trying to figure out what he wanted. Tucker barked at me. I tilted my head, just like he sometime tilted his head at me. Still, he didn’t eat. Instead he nudged his bowl at me. That was weird. He nudged the bowl again, more insistently. This time I finally understood his message to me.

I was top dog in our now reduced pack, and I had stopped eating and was losing a lot of weight. Tucker wasn’t going to eat until I ate. That’s the way it’s sup-posed to be in the wild, and that was the way it was supposed to be in our new home. So I poured myself a bowl of cereal, sat down with him, and then we both ate. That became our daily ritual. I would have a bowl of cereal, while he had a bowl of dog food each morning.

Then I started buying cold cuts for sandwiches. Tucker would watch me make my lunch, knowing if he were a good dog then he would get a treat. At night, I’d fill his bowl again. And if I didn’t eat, Tucker wouldn’t eat. So I’d make myself something and al-ways give him some leftovers. Eventually, we’d have night snacks together. I’d have a bowl of ice cream and Tucker would lick the bowl clean. We’d share popcorn, which Tucker loved catching in the air.

Eventually, Tucker knew that the leader of the pack was back and all was well again. Then I didn’t even have to eat first. I could just say, “Goodnight, Tucker!” and he’d get ready for bed knowing he’d get a dog treat after I brushed my teeth. I didn’t know how I was ever going to survive the death of my Dad, my head injury, or the end of my relationship. At each turning point in my life, there was always someone there to help. This time it was Tucker. Thank God. Amen.

TUCKER TAUGHT ME… Don’t Forget to Eat! By Marie G. Cooney, © May 19, 2011

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email : ddoig@daviddoig.com

Suite 1450

1188 W Georgia Street

Vancouver BC V6E 4A2

• Free initial consultation

• Serving clients worldwide who have been injured in BC

• Flexible appointment times & locations convenient for you

• Handle all legal expenses

Tel: 604.687.8874

Fax: 604.687.8134

Toll Free: 877.687.8844

Regaining Your Quality Of Life is our goal. We work together with your rehabilitation team to ensure that you receive the best possible rehabilitation while at the same time securing full, lifetime compensation for you and your family.

Our experienced team offers specialized expertise with a human touch. Give us a call and then decide.

traumatic brain and spinal cord injury

specialized expertise with a human touch

After a successful and inspiring Conference in 2010, the 22nd Pacific Coast Brain Injury Conference (PCBIC 2012) will be held February 15 - 17, 2012 at the Sheraton Vancouver Wall Centre Hotel with two satellite conferences held simultaneously at the Uni-versities in Victoria and Kamloops, BC. The theme for 2012 is: Real People with Real Lives: It takes a Village.

Mark your calendars for two days of education, encouragement, networking and solidarity with individuals from all aspects of the brain injury com-munity. Survivors, family members, heath-care

22nd Pacific Coast Brain Injury ConferenceFebruary 15 - 17, 2012, Vancouver, Victoria, and Kamloops

Register at http://www.brainstreams.ca/conference before January 16th and Save up to $200!

professionals, researchers and legal and insurance professionals will join together to bring the issues, challenges and solutions to the forefront for all im-pacted by brain injury.

Choose to attend the Conference live in Vancouver or in Victoria and Kamloops via a two-way audio and video feed. The satellite venues will have a lo-cal speaker presenting live to Vancouver.

Conference ProgramBeginning Wednesday evening and ending on Friday at noon, the program will feature keynote

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presentations with question and answer sessions after each speaker. Visit the PCBIC 2012 website for more information about the confirmed speakers listed below and other updates to the program as speakers and sessions are confirmed.

Wednesday, February 15Val Lougheed, Med, RSW, CCRC, MCVP, CVE, RRP, President of Northern Lights Canada

Session Title: Trauma, Rehabili-tation and Recovery – It Takes a Village

Session Description: On September 9, 2003, Val Lougheed almost died in a head-on collision. She sustained catastrophic orthopaedic injuries as well as a brain injury. Ironically, Val – Social Worker, trainer and author – had been working in the field of rehabilitation herself for 25 years, and was in her 18th year as President and CEO of Northern Lights Canada, a large vocational rehabilitation/case man-agement company.

Val will share her story in the narrative tradition of staying true to the events as she experienced them. She explains that for her, recovery meant becom-ing a new person – something she calls ‘the re-organization of self’. Join Val at PCBIC 2012 for her presentation entitled “Trauma, Rehabilitation and Recovery – It Takes a Village”.

Thursday, February 16 Dr. Catherine Mateer, Associate Vice-President Academic Planning, the University of Victoria

Session Title: Neuroplasticity, MRI and Recovery

Session Description: Dr. Mateer, with the assistance of Dr. Ryan

D’arcy, will review their research on the impact of neuroplasticity in the brain injury recovery process featuring Capt. Trevor Greene as a case study.

Friday, February 17Lois McElravy, Keynote Speaker, Humor Expert, Brain Injury Thriver, President of Lessons from Lois

Session Title: Navigating through the Complexities of Life and Brain Injury

Session Description: Twenty-one years ago, Lois McElravy was living a life she loved when a utility truck violently crashed into her car and shattered her promising future. Even though her situation felt hopeless, Lois never gave up trying. Twelve years post injury her brain function improved. Lois deliv-ered her first keynote talk in 2005.

Lois will motivate, inspire and entertain attendees at PCBIC 2012 with her playful sense of humor and personal stories. Her presentation entitled “Navi-gating through the Complexities of Life and Brain Injury” will leave participants believing you can do anything you set your mind to and explore how you can build your own village of support.

Call for AbstractsBe part of the program and submit a poster ab-stract. You may submit up to two poster abstracts per author and you can choose to have your poster on display at one or more of the conference venues. The submissions deadline is Monday, November 28, 2011 at 17:00 PST. Submission and display guide-lines can be viewed at the PCBIC 2012 website or downloaded here.

Registration InformationTake advantage of Early Bird rates until January 16, and save up to $200! Registration fees remain the same as last year and a daily attendance option has been added for 2012. Visit http://www.brainstreams.ca/conference for more information and to register today!

Conference InquiriesPlease contact the Conference Secretariat, Sea to Sky Meeting Management Inc. via phone at 1-604-984-6448 or via email conference@brainstreams.ca with inquiries.

community therapists Building skills. Empowering people.TM

604-681-9293, Ext 153 #207-5740 Cambie St. Vancouver, BC V5Z 3A6

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• Community Integration• Driver Rehabilitation• Vocational Rehabilitation• OTs, PTs, SLPs, RAs• GVRD, Fraser Valley, Van. Island, Sea-to-Sky

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Take a Break D R G U L J T D S E S S A L C V G M I Z W S N N U L S F S H I E V W D G Z Q Q J A V O B M M D K B Z N K J Q D O R X G S V D I R J U Q S F L D V W T J E T N Z T C D T V E I T O C P O A L Q B T I T P Z V M A X E P P U E G O R J M K T S N R Y Y L U W N V A N A U R I E K I T R F U D E M D A H N S P W U L T B R I Z J A H I D M A L H Y Z R C E P H W T N E D U T S U Q R L S E E R G E L M U X T W Y I C U C G G A V H O N S Z S E F C B U S J N P A Z Z F C S I T S Z Z T K I F O V I T L T I V A S D U T A A O I E S F E F Z C A I A E W A D S K C C U C D U X O U H W N O T A E Y T E J O A T X I M R H I F L N N L R S U X J X A D I E S M B K F U B E K N S C H O O L A E N W T R K U N N I R J H X U G C V O E M G D U J G C P M L X A S D N E I R F J I S G O Y H C P M T K N S K O O B F R U C F U M I F A L X V P

Find the following hidden words: ACADEMIC FALL PENS ARITHMETIC FRIENDS PLANNER ART GRADUATION READING AUTUMN GYM SCHOOL BOOKS INDOOR SEPTEMBER BUS LUNCH STUDENT CLASSES MUSIC STUDY CROSSWALK OUTINGS TEACHER EDUCATION OUTSIDE UNIFORM EXAM PAPER WRITING

One of the difficulties in life is to know our limits. Following a brain injury, it is extremely important to know your limits so that you can manage stress, an-ger outbursts, and emotional and physical fatigue. Yes, it is important to build up stamina and to work hard in recovery, but pacing yourself to increase your abilities will actually work in your favour.

Here are some suggestions to consider:

• If multiple conversations or lots of extraneous noise (e.g. dishes, utensils clanging in a restaurant) are difficult for you then plan to visit or socialize in small groups or one-on-one in quiet surroundings.

• It’s great to complete tasks; however, pacing is important. You may have to stop short of using up all your energy, take a small break and then complete the task later. Failing to stop when you have depleted yourself emotionally and physically can result in feeling unwell, anger outbursts, and putting your safety at risk. Sometimes falls increase, or people make impulsive decisions when fatigued or they don’t see, hear or think clearly and it can result in a mishap.

• Communication with others is important. People will understand if you explain that you need to take a break from an activity or gathering so you can rejuvenate yourself. It’s difficult for them however, if you just leave or walk out of the room or don’t show up for something without an explanation. Let them know in advance what your tolerance is for numbers and noise.

• Understand that recovery is a process – not an event. What you may not be able to do today does not mean that you won’t be able to do it tomorrow, next week or next year or five years from now. You may be able to do it exactly as you had before or you may need to acquire some strategies or techniques to allow you to do it, but differently. Take your time and do a little more each day.

Know Your Limits

• Don’t let your brain injury define you. You are still you… your essence is still here and yes, life is different, but it can be good. You are a deserving being who can continue to contribute to society in a meaningful way.

• Remember… it was the tortoise who won the race!

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Heads UpWHAT’S HAPPENING

AROUND THE PROVINCE

BULKLEY VALLEY BRAIN INJURY ASSOCIATION (BVBIA)BVBIA offers case management services, and assist-ance with accessing rehabilitation programs, one-on-one emotional support, family support, and social and recreational activities. For more information, call 250-877-7723.

CAMPBELL RIVER HEAD INJURY SUPPORT SOCIETYCRHISS provides education, advocacy, support, and fellowship. For more information, call 250-287-4323.

COMOX VALLEY HEAD INJURY SOCIETY (CVHIS)CVHIS hosts a weekly drop in luncheon for a nominal cost to survivors and their families. For more informa-tion, call 250-334-9225 or visit, www.cvheadinjury.com

FRASER VALLEY BRAIN INJURY ASSOCIATION FVBIA offers programs, drop-in sessions and support groups. For more information on FVBIA, call 604-557-1913 or (toll free) 1-866-557-1913 or email info@fvbia.org.

KAMLOOPS BRAIN INJURY ASSOCIATIONKBIA offers many services and programs, including case coordination and life skills support. For more information, call at 250-372-1799.

NANAIMO BRAIN INJURY SOCIETYNBIS offers rehabilitation and case management ser-vices, disability benefits assistance, and workshops focusing on issues ranging from trauma recovery to life skills strategies and anger management. For more information, call 250-753-5600 or visit their website at www.nbid.ca.

POWELL RIVER BRAIN INJURY SOCIETYPRBIS www.braininjurysociety.ca provides support and services for persons with acquired brain injury, spouses, family members and caregivers included. For more information, call 604-485-6065 or toll free 1-866-499-6065.

SOUTH OKANAGAN SIMILKAMEEN BRAIN INJURY SOCIETYSOSBIS provides the following services: Case Manage-ment, Psychosocial Recreation, Peer Support – Cogni-tive Enhancement, Family Support, Stroke Recovery Support, Education, Personal Support, Women’s Sup-port and Prevention and Education. For more informa-tion, visit www.sosbis.com

TRI-CITIES BRAIN INJURY SUPPORT GROUPAs months have gone by, Tri-Cities Brain Injury Sup-port Group continues to have its meetings every 1st Thursday of each month from 2 - 4 pm. At our meet-ings, friends get together and discuss interesting topics and do fun activities. We meet at the Coquitlam Public Library - Poirier Branch on 575 Poirier Street. For more information, please contact Sandi Caverly at 604-916-5027 or stcaverly@shaw.ca or Martin Granger at martin_granger2007@hotmail.com. New members are welcome!

VICTORIA BRAIN INJURY SOCIETYVBIS offers individual and group programs to survivors and their support system. Programs offered include: Peer Support, ABI 101, Coping Skills, Personal En-hancement, Creative Arts, a Family Support Group and Education & Awareness seminars to community groups. For more information call 250-598-9339 or visit www.vbis.ca.

Personal Injury • ICBC Medical Negligence

Bill Morley

Tenacity Persistence Determination

Free home andhospital visits

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604 631 3127

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Focused on your needs

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ReflectionsBy Janelle Breese Biagioni

“I never came upon any of my discoveries through the process of rational thinking.”

~Einstein

Sudoku Solution Page 3

1 9 6 2 8 5 7 4 3

7 3 2 1 4 9 5 6 8

4 8 5 7 6 3 1 9 2

8 1 3 5 9 4 6 2 7

9 6 7 8 2 1 4 3 5

2 5 4 6 3 7 9 8 1

3 4 1 9 5 2 8 7 6

5 2 8 4 7 6 3 1 9

6 7 9 3 1 8 2 5 4

People often think of meditation as some form of ‘way-out there’ activity. It isn’t. Medi-tation is a wonderful way to relax, to help you get focussed and to quiet the chatter in your mind.

I have dabbled in meditation over the years and when I allow myself the time to do it, I really enjoy it. I have friends who have developed a daily practice of meditation and they garner tremendous benefits from it.

I admit getting my mind quiet is a challenge and when I first started meditating, I often fell asleep. That’s okay. I don’t usually fall asleep now, but rather go into a deep relaxing state. Learning to just sit, relax and allowing myself the time to do this has been the most difficult for me. I tend to be a person who goes, goes and goes, rarely allowing myself any downtime. That’s not healthy.

Here are some simple tips to help you get started meditating:

• Find a quiet place with no distractions. Turn off telephones and the television.

• Play some soft instrumental music quietly in the background.

• Light a candle and/or place essential oils nearby to enjoy a beautiful fragrance.

• Find a comfortable chair to sit upright in; shift your weight so you can settle in for at least 10 – 15 minutes.

• Decide on your purpose for meditating. Do you want to relax? Do you need to gain clarity? Do you need to quiet the mind?

• Close your eyes and relax your body beginning at your toes and slowly moving up to your head.

• Begin breathing mindfully – slowly breathe in and then out, focussing on your breath as you take air in and as you release.

• As you breathe in gently, you can silently say something like… “I breathe in (joy, goodness, or happiness) and (as you breathe out) I release (stress, unhappiness or sadness). Just keep breathing in and out and repeating this as it will help you to stop other thoughts from taking over.

• Other thoughts will drift into your mind. You will think about chores that need to be done, appointments … or other ‘stuff’ that takes up your day. When that happens, silently tell yourself… “Thank you for the reminder” and then go back to focussing on your breathing. This takes great discipline and is not something accomplished overnight. Practice, practice, practice.

• Before opening your eyes, take a big breath in and let it out. Slowly begin to move your body, gently stretching and changing positions.

• You can resume your day at this point. Or for further exploration and relaxation, journal about the mediation for the day or use coloured markers to create a drawing of your thoughts and insights. Photo Credit: Danhttp://www.freedigitalphotos.net/images/view_photog.php?photogid=587

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Abbotsford Carol Paetkau 604-557-1913 TF 1-866-557-1913

Acquired Brain Injury Society of the Yukon Anne-Marie Yahn 867-668-5283

Alberni Valley Head Injury Society/Port Alberni Linda Kenny 250-724-6772

Barriere/Merritt Terry-Lynne Stone 250-372-1799

British Columbia Brain Injury Association Deborah St. Jean 1-877-858-1788

Brain Trust Canada Laurie Denton 250-762-3233

Brain Trust Canada - Vernon Contact Marcie McLeod 250-307-6064

Bulkley Valley Brain Injury Association Joan LeClair 250-877-7723

Burnaby Chinese Brain Injury Support Group Angela Kan 604-877-8606

Campbell River Head Injury Support Society Shelley Howard 250-287-4323

Caribou Brain Injury Society Stacy Turcotte 250-392-7772

Chilliwack FVBIA 604-557-1913 TF 1-866-557-1913

Comox Valley Brain Injury Society Dixon Hiscock 250-897-1255

Comox Valley Head Injury Society Jeremy Coombs 250-334-9225

Cowichan Valley Head Injury Support Group Barb Grantham 250-748-9338

East Kootenay Brain Injury Association Dawn Widdifield 250-417-6220

Fraser Valley Brain Injury Association Carol Paetkau 604-557-1913 TF 1-866-557-1913

Golden Brain Injury Support Group Donna Madden 250-344-5688

Kamloops Brain Injury Association Terry-Lynn Stone 250-372-1799

KBIA - Salmon Arm/Shuswap Contact Teresa Wolfe 250-833-0369

KBIA - Barriere/Merrit Contact Terry-Lynn Stone 250-372-1799

Langley/Aldergrove Brain Injury Support Group FVBIA 604-557-1913 TF 1-866-557-1913

Maple Ridge Support Group Ian Moore 604-944-9030

Mission FVBIA 604-557-1913 TF 1-866-557-1913

Nanaimo Brain Injury Society Mark Busby 250-753-5600

New Westminster Headway Gabrielle Pape 604.520.0130

B.R.A.I.N. (Brain Resource, Advocacy & Information Network) Tina Suter 604-540-9234

North Okanagan Shuswap Brain Injury Society (Salmon Arm/Shuswap) Robyn Coatta 250-833-1140

Northern Brain Injury Association Carmen Jose 1-866-979-4673

Peace Country Society for Acquired Brain Injury Linda Proctor 250-782-7519

Powell River Brain Injury Society Deborah Dee 1-866-499-6065

Prince George Brain Injured Group Society Alison Hagreen 250-564-2447 TF 1-866-564-2447

Sechelt/Sunshine Coast Brain Injury Support Group Susan Goddard 604-885-8524

South Okanagan Similkameen Brain Injury Society Dave Head 250-490-0613

Terrace Brain Injury Support Group NBIA 1-866-979-4673

TriCities Support Group Sandy Caverly 604-916-5027

Vancouver Headway Leah Pentilla 604.732.4446

Vancouver Survivors Support Group Lillian Wong 604-873-2385

Victoria Brain Injury Society Barbara Erickson 250-598-9339

West Coast Support Network Wanda McAvoy 250-726-7459

West Kootenay Brain Injury Association Kim Johnson 250-304-1259

*Please email name and phone number changes to headlinenews@shaw.ca to ensure this list is kept as up-to-date as possible.

BC BRAIN INJURY ASSOCIATIONS &*This list updated Fall Issue, 2011. Support Groups

PM40981507RETURN UNDELIVERABLE CANADIAN ADDRESSES TO5851 Kittiwake DriveRichmond, BC V7E 3P1

Home.An experienced brain injury lawyer can make it happen.

Winning complex brain injury cases for more than 30 years, Webster & Associates is a leader in the field of traumatic brain injury law. We help our clients and their families reach their personal and financial goals.

Call us. We can help. Webster & AssociatesVancouver/Richmond:6047138030

Victoria:2505898030

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