Success Stories With Funding From The Brain Injury Alliance

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 […]

At the time had “Norm” had connected with the Nanaimo Brain Injury Society he had just recently suffered a stroke and was living in a motel with recurring seizures, difficulties with managing the symptoms of his brain injury, and rapidly declining financial means leading to him facing homelessness. Through the support of the Navigator Program, Norm was able to meet with him and his caregiver to assist in addressing the emotional stress of his situation and provide information regarding strategies for healthy recovery from brain injury. The Navigator was also able to connect him with a supported living facility with […]

At the age of 12, Alex was walking in the community of Logan Lake when she was struck by a truck, sustaining a serious brain injury and multiple body fractures. As an FVBIA case manager, I first met Alex in August of 2016 at a local coffee shop. It was a very hot summer day. I had no idea about Alex’s story, but she showed up for our appointment after walking in the afternoon heat for 45 minutes. That was the first indication of just how strong and motivated she was to get on with her life. She shared a […]

When Dan was building his own deck, on a spring day in 2019, he suddenly couldn’t move the right side of his body and he fell down. The ambulance was called and he was rushed to the hospital where he awoke 8 days later to learn that he suffered from a massive stroke. Dan said that he was unable to speak when he woke up and the things that he said made no sense. When he found out that he was paralyzed on one side of his body realization kicked in and he knew that his life had changed forever. […]

The day that Eric M realized that something was wrong with his brain started out like any other day. As a child growing up in Alberta, Eric was diagnosed with ADHD. Then in 2007, after he had moved to BC, he was diagnosed with a bipolar disorder. But it wasn’t until the day that Eric, working for UPS at the time, parked his truck one day and freaked out. “I didn’t know what it was, but I knew something was wrong with my brain and I knew it was not bipolar.” Eric saw a doctor and for two days did […]

An individual who has benefited from Alliance-funded services is Audrey, a renowned award winning stone sculptor. Audrey suffered her first ABI as the result of an equestrian accident, from which she recovered. Her second ABI occurred when her vehicle was struck from behind by a semi-trailer truck, resulting in catastrophic brain injury and debilitating physical injuries. Until the second injury, Audrey was living her dream life as an accomplished artist. The accident robbed her of her physical health, her successful life and much of her memory. Audrey discovered NOSBIS slightly more than one year ago when she was desperately searching […]

Joy Nash has been with the Campbell River Head Injury Support Society for over a year as a client. Joy stated, “Due to recent life events, I have changed my life views and I am working on turning a new leaf being positive as you don’t know if you have a tomorrow”. She looks forward to Mind Over Matter classes often getting organized and ready the night before. She really likes to come; it gives her a sense of purpose. Joy especially enjoys watercolor class and yoga class. It feels like a safe space with lots of support, kindness and […]

In November of 2016, I received another traumatic brain injury while doing high risk support and outreach when I ended up being assaulted by two individuals, putting me in the hospital. I did not know what day or year it was or even my own name. I carried on with untreated Post Concussion Syndrome for over a year (May 2018), before I was put in touch with a Case Manager (CM) from NBIA in Terrace. I was scheduled for a tribunal to defend my PWD (Persons with Disability Pension) application that had been denied. CM coordinated a team of community […]

Gordon had always been into highly physical contact sports including hockey, MMA and boxing. Playing these sports meant his brain was continually sustaining trauma from repeated hits. Throughout his life, Gordon was involved in 2 major car accidents which added to his brain trauma. Doctors suspected that Gordon was suffering from persistent concussion symptoms and potentially had chronic traumatic encephalopathy. This news was devastating to Gordon and left him with feelings of extreme anxiety about the future. No one in his life truly understood what he was going through which made him feel alone and unsupported. Gordon tried to find […]

“An off duty fireman and an off duty respiratory therapist kept me alive.” Interviewed and written by Ovey Yeung. Edited and formatted by the Brain Injury Alliance. Can you tell me a little bit about yourself? I grew up in West Vancouver and went to Hillside Secondary. I am the youngest of five. After being a Registered Nurse for 38 years (almost 25 years at St. Paul’s Hospital and 14 years at the NurseLine) I retired in 2018. I have been [living] in Cloverdale since 1992 and moved from my house into a townhouse, 5-minutes away, in 2014. I love […]