Dennis’s Story – Will Always Be A Cowboy (KBIA)

After he left home at 15, Dennis moved between Williams Lake and Cloverdale. It was while he was on the road that Dennis learned to ride bulls. He turned pro soon after and had an official rodeo card to ride the rodeo circuits in Canada and U.S.A.

His cowboy ring name was Wyatt Earp after the legendary gambler, investor, and law enforcement officer. Dennis won six buckles from his rodeo days in the U.S.A. and Canada, as well as six saddles and endless trophies. Dennis also garnered 17 concussions.

Dennis does not recall when he finally realized that he had a brain injury, but he did hang up his bull riding saddle once he turned 30. Dennis then raced stock cars and rode his motorbike often, despite the blurred vision, headaches, and memory loss that persisted. He also found it more and more difficult to control his emotions and became very angry quite easily. It was later on that he found KBIA.

“Coming to KBIA taught me a lot” said Dennis in an interview. “It is all coming back slowly” he says. “Too slowly really”, sighs Dennis, but he keeps at it. KBIA has assisted Dennis with memory strategies and emotional management, which helped him flourish in KBIA’s facilitated groups and events over the years. Oftentimes, KBIA helps Dennis with simpler things, like grocery shopping and recycling. Recently, KBIA guided Dennis to lifesaving
medical care and continues to advocate for him during his doctor visits and tussles with CPP paperwork.

Dennis will always be a cowboy, so bureaucracy is not his forte. But, KBIA can help him with that!