Celeb ates 10 Y ars W th A N w Location!

POWELL RIVER BRAIN INJURY SOCIETY

~Debbie Dee, BMT, FAMI Executive Director
I still remember getting the phone call telling me I was the successful candidate chosen to set up a non-profit society in Powell River for adults living with acquired brain injury. We opened our doors on September 10, 2003. Until then, there had been a monthly evening support group founded by Penny Mebs and Eunice Boser. There was no schedule or programming, there was no office or office equipment, and there was no website or website design team. There was a donated computer and desk, a couple of book shelves and a kitchen table used as the resource centre. A decade later the Society operates many programs through a 5-day per week drop in Centre and an office, which provides support services and counselling. Over the years there have been many changes, including the number of clients, the number of staff, the members of the board of directors, the number of volunteers and the budgetjust to name a few. We have become as a family. One of our dear client members, Stan Williams, who has since moved back Ontario, coined the term Brainiacs and we are now affectionalty know all over the area as the Brainiacs. He said that it had two meanings: brain inaction, or brain in action. The clients adopted that name and it stuckthey love it. We recently moved to a new location, which we consider now to be our permanent home. This is the second move in ten years and I cannot believe all the stuff we have collected. We operate on the What Ever It Takes model (Dr. Barry Willer) and that has allowed gathering whatever it took for client participation and growth. I would be remiss not to thank several people by name: Sheri Fenton, for believing in our dream, Liz Baron of Vancouver Coastal Health Brain Injury Supports for allowing us to continue our dreams over the years, James Richards for being our constant supporter, Janelle Breese Biagioni for believing in what we do and the local United Way and Province of BC for funds. I also need to thank the board of directors for allowing me the autonomy to set up and operate the Society in the manner that we do, the many and varied volunteers and the clients themselves; for providing the motivation each and every day that makes coming to work a joy. I have never seen a group of people more accepting of each other and accepting of the challenges that they now live with. You are all truly inspiring.

Maestro Arthur Arnold, conductor of the Moscow Symphony Orchestra pays a visit to the Centre, and calms us all with his beautiful cello.

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Saying goodbye to the Canada World Youth Students, Cahn and Anna Mariafar left and seated beside Josh. We have two students annually who come and spend three months.it is a highlight of the year.

newfound knowledge and some good ol fashioned hard work we are all determined to create this sustainable space so that we may all utilize and enjoy the results of our gardens. This project is of great importance to all members and therefore, none shall be left out, whatever barrier may intrude; a pathway will be constructed for the wheelchair bound and those with difficulty walking, raised beds for the plants for those with back or knee issues, and more. There is now the option of preparing our meals or snacks in the office, in a fully operational kitchen, which is a feature many of our clients love to have available to them.

There is a lot more freedom available to the clients; and when living with a disability, for most hidden, any freedoms are a much appreciated and a yearned for thing. As a client of seven years, the Powell River Brain Injury Society and its staff have given me so much. They could never begin to realize how much my time spent with the group means to me. Richard Langlois: In 1999 I was involved in a car crash. I received a brain injury as well as many physical injuries. The physical injuries have for the most healed. The brain injury hasnt. I am getting help from the staff of the Society to write this blurb because I still have trouble with making sentences and thinking clearly. I didnt know about any brain injury centres or help that I could get until my doctor referred me to the PRBIS. This has become my home away from home. I have been a member now for almost two years and the thing I notice the most is that even though I cannot really carry on a conversation very well, everyone here is patient and helps me and I am able to actually talk with people here. Since coming here I have made lots of good friendswonderful friends actually. The programs are very helpful and the weekly fitness program has made me stronger and because of that I dont suffer from things like cramping in my feet like I used to. The social activities are fantastic, with things like community potluck meals all the time and the annual

Stacy, Anna Maria and Lindachocolate making day.yum!!

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resilience. Rather, individual service providers can make changes, such as being multi-level and ecologically complex in their delivery to positively impact those they serve. Dr. Shaun Gray, Associate Professor and Director of the Division of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation in the Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry at the University of Alberta, discussed the many and varied behavioural changes associated with brain injury. These include frustration intolerance, impulsivity and depression among other changes. One study showed that 66% of individuals with brain injury had at least one personality change after brain injury. He also discussed the complexity of treatments for such behavioural outcomes including pharmacology, behaviour-based treatments such as CBT and environmental interventions. He acknowledges that to date evidence to guide practice in this area is sparse. It is important that practitioners gain an understanding of the issues of behavioural outcome and treatment as people experiencing them are at greater risk of difficulties such as incarceration and self-harm in the community. Dr. Al Condeluci is the Chief Executive Officer of UPC CLASS, a community based organization in Pittsburgh, PA dedicated to persons with disabilities and rooted in the philosophy of creating a community where each belongs. He spoke on the topic of social capital - the value and benefits associated with a persons relationships in the community. Dr. Condeluci advocates for the non-labeling of individuals with disabilities of any kind. He explains that social problems stem not from individual differences, but from the failure of society to accommodate the differences, and he proposes that the basic needs for anyone in life are simple: a job, a house and a friend. Yet, sadly his studies show 76% of people with disability are unemployed and only 6% own their own home.

The Pushor Mitchell Okanagan Conference on Brain Injury, hosted annually by BrainTrust Canada Association, took place on June 13th & 14th at the University of British Columbias Okanagan campus in Kelowna. BrainTrust Canadas primary educational initiative welcomed over 100 people for two full days of information, social connection and networking at this exciting new venue replacing the former Naramata location. The theme, Living Well - Cultivating Hope and Resilience after Brain Injury, was promoted through keynote presentations and workshops delivered by an impressive array of speakers from Canada and the United States. The conference kicked off with an inspirational and moving keynote address by David Roche, actor, published writer, humourist and activist from Vancouver Island. David reminded us how important it is to be accepting of each and every individual, as everyone has their own challenge in life whether it is visible or not. David faces his life journey with grace, humour and courage. Other highlights of the conference included: Dr. Michael Ungar, a family therapist and Professor of Social Work at Dalhousie University in Nova Scotia, discussed the concept of resilience in terms of how well individuals, families, communities and service providers work together to help vulnerable people navigate their way to the resources they need for well-being. He explained the importance of providing people with brain injury with what they want and need in order to create well-being and a powerful identity, with benefits being increased self-esteem and risk reduction. He also discovered that greater numbers of services does not necessarily translate to greater levels of

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Book Review: The Courage to Come Back: Triumph Over TBI--A Story of Hope
by Denise Cambiotti, specialized kinesiology practitioner by Michael Coss, Traumatic Brain Injury Survivor

The Courage to Come Back: Triumph Over TBI--A Story of Hope

This book published in 2011 by an expert author comes five years after Michael Cosss car accident and resulting brain injury. In these five years, Michael has had a variety of unusual experiences due to this unfortunate incident. From coma to reawakening and relearning to walk inch by inch, Michael has been determined to regain his full health--all while keeping a smile on his face. While Michael is passionate about hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT), which he credits with reawakening him from his coma, he has also spent countless hours pursuing other therapies to regain normalcy in his life. Many hours have also been spent raising funds for the Rick Hansen Foundation for spinal cord injuries and beginning his own foundation to help pay for HBOT for children. Sales of his book are being directed to the Michael Coss Brain Injury Foundation for this purpose. This book covers his experiences with Watsu, speech therapy, the Lokomat machine and specialized kinesiology--most of these therapies are not yet well known. He mentions his energizing experiences with the seminar Discovering the Power In Me from the WorkSafe BC program, Stand Up for Mental Health and Wheelchair Curling. Michael also shares information about his experience living in a group home environment and the support he received there. Michael includes words of advice to other TBI survivors as well as their families. It took a few years to complete, yet, letter by letter on the keyboard, Michael crafted this book. It parallels the way he has gathered a team of therapists and pieced together a life that includes sailing, horseback riding and celebrating special events with his friends and family. Most recently he set

a goal to train for and complete a one-kilometre walk for the Terry Fox event and he did it in under one hour! I have always believed Michael could walk again, even when he wasnt able to yet. What I wasnt prepared for was the incredible inspiration he has become for so many. I would recommend this book if a brain injury has affected you or someone in your life. While the therapies he mentions may not be convenient to your location, they are worth knowing about!

Meantime, what you can do is model Michaels process: Keep exploring Commit to something and really work at it

Have an inspiration that keeps you getting up every morning, too!

Build a team that works well with each others therapies

And most of all, believe that things can improve. Every inch adds up!

Book review by Denise Cambiotti, specialized kinesiology practitioner located in Coquitlam, BC. (604) 936-5463

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BC BRAIN INJURY ASSOCIATIONS &

*This list updated Fall Issue, 2013
Abbotsford Acquired Brain Injury Society of the Yukon Alberni Valley Head Injury Society/Port Alberni Barriere/Merritt British Columbia Brain Injury Association Brain Trust Canada Brain Trust Canada - Vernon Contact Bulkley Valley Brain Injury Association Burnaby Chinese Brain Injury Support Group Campbell River Head Injury Support Society Caribou Brain Injury Society Chilliwack Comox Valley Head Injury Society East Kootenay Brain Injury Association Fraser Valley Brain Injury Association Golden East Kootenay Brain Injury Association Kamloops Brain Injury Association KBIA - Barriere/Merrit Contact Langley/Aldergrove Brain Injury Support Group Maple Ridge Support Group Mission Nanaimo Brain Injury Society New Westminster Headway B.R.A.I.N. (Brain Resource, Advocacy & Information Network) North Okanagan Shuswap Brain Injury Society (Salmon Arm/Shuswap) Northern Brain Injury Association Powell River Brain Injury Society Prince George Brain Injured Group Society Sechelt/Sunshine Coast Brain Injury Support Group Semiahmoo House Society Acquired Brain Injury Services South Okanagan Similkameen Brain Injury Society Terrace Brain Injury Support Group TriCities Support Group Vancouver Headway Vancouver Survivors Support Group Victoria Brain Injury Society West Coast Support Network West Kootenay Brain Injury Association

Support Groups
604-557-1913 867-668-5283 250-724-6772 250-372-1799 604-465-1783 250-762-3233 250-307-6064 250-877-7723 604-877-8606 250-287-4323 250-392-7772 604-557-1913 250-334-9225 250-417-6220 604-557-1913 250-344-5674 250-372-1799 250-372-1799 604-557-1913 604-462-9392 604-557-1913 250-753-5600 604.520.0130 604-540-9234 250-833-1140 1-866-979-4673 1-866-499-6065 250-564-2447 604-885-8524 604-592-1006 250-490-0613 1-866-979-4673 604-916-5027 604.732.4446 604-873-2385 250-598-9339 250-726-7459 250-304-1259 Local 230 TF 1-866-564-2447 TF 1-866-557-1913 TF 1-866-557-1913 TF 1-866-557-1913 TF 1-866-557-1913 TF 1-866-557-1913

Carol Paetkau Anne-Marie Yahn Linda Kenny Terry-Lynne Stone Deborah St. Jean Laurie Denton Marcie McLeod Michaela Slipp Angela Kan Shelley Howard Stacy Turcotte FVBIA Cathy Stotts Karen Stermer Carol Paetkau Debbie Gudjonson Terry-Lynn Stone Terry-Lynn Stone FVBIA Nora Chambers FVBIA Mark Busby Gabrielle Pape Tina Suter Robyn Coatta Carmen Jose Deborah Dee Alison Hagreen Susan Goddard Office Dave Head NBIA Sandy Caverly Leah Pentilla Lillian Wong Nicole Nelson Wanda McAvoy Kelly Johnson

*Please email name and phone number changes to headlinenews@shaw.ca to ensure this list is kept as up-to-date as possible. Powell River Brain Injury Society is moving to new digs. Please note our new address: #101-7020 Duncan Street Powell River V8A 1V9

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