Success Stories With Funding From The Brain Injury Alliance

Brain Injury can happen to anyone, anywhere, anytime. For people living with Acquired Brain Injury, their lives have changed forever. A brain injury can affect every aspect of someone’s life, but is not always visible on the outside. The ability to perform activities of daily living and routines can be hugely impacted if you have difficulty remembering or when your ability to make decisions and problem solve a situation is affected. A speech impairment makes it hard for people to communicate with others. Fluctuating changes in mood and personality changes often affect the brain injury survivor’s relationships with family and friends.  […]

With staff and client safety and well-being always our first priority, NBIS closed our doors and started working remotely on March 17, 2020. Our staff didn’t skip a beat getting set-up at home offices, communicating with clients, volunteers and key stakeholders. A summary of our activities follow. Navigator Program NBIS Community Navigator, Mick Trimbell (photo right), has been busier than usual during this time frame working with existing and new clients and family members affected by ABI. The nature of the support provided by the Navigator has moved from largely centred around brain injury and resource connection to include a […]

When the Victoria Brain Injury Society closed its doors to the public due to COVID-19, our volunteer Peer Supporters came to the rescue. Before COVID-19, Peer Support volunteers provided support to brain injury survivors from Monday – Wednesday 10-3 and Thursday from 10am – 8pm. Last year the team were visited over 2500 times. Individuals use the service for socializing and feeling part of the community as well as emotional and practical support. This drop-in service is extremely popular and cancelling the sessions seemed inevitable, until the Peer Support volunteers stepped up and moved the drop-in sessions to a virtual […]

We closed our Drop-In Centre on March 16, 2020. All our group programming ceased that day. Our staff and board were committed to continue to provide services and support to our clients. Because of the generous funding from the Province of British Columbia through the Brain Injury Alliance, we were in a position to carry on, albeit in a different looking format. We needed a solid support plan as everyone was having difficulty processing the information which was coming in at lightning speed, often from different directions. Right away, we met with our Head Gardener who is a client of […]

As I sit down to reflect on this past month, I find myself in a bit of a fog. It is truly unbelievable to think we have only just begun this journey, this new way of life and even though the future is uncertain, I know we will get through it – together. I want to take a moment to thank the Brain Injury Alliance for being a stable and reliable entity during this time of crisis and uncertainty. It is because of this funding we were able to act quickly and adapt our programs to serve our member’s when […]

The Comox Valley Head Injury Society provides programs and services for acquired head injury survivors and their families. To do this, particularly in these uncertain times due to the COVID – 19 pandemic, CVHIS has relied on their staff team to be flexible, constantly adjust to change and look at new and innovative ways of supporting clients. Many Changes Occurred Within The Organization Due To COVID-19 At first the changes were small. Right away we went into ‘clean mode’ making sure everyone was using hand sanitizer, washing their hands, social distancing at the office and during activities. We served food […]

Hubert Hacking was referred to NBIA in June of 2017. He had sustained multiple acquired brain injuries, including a trauma from a car crash. When he came to us, he was living alone, being victimized, and his health was deteriorating resulting in frequent trips to the hospital. Hubert’s case manager, Tekah Sabal, worked closely with him and other community partners and health services to get him into a long-term care facility in Terrace, and to get the supports and protections that he needed. Hubert is now living in a safe and secure environment where he has healthy social interactions. He […]

Amanda McFarlane has worked at BrainTrust since 2011. She is passionate about advocating for people with acquired brain injury and is fascinated by neuroscience and brain function. Over the years Amanda has developed a strong understanding of the needs of persons with acquired brain injury and helps her clients maximize their potential and thrive. Amanda supports clients to identify goals and achieve them which gives clients a great sense of accomplishment and self-worth. Amanda says “Our clients are very inspiring; they teach us how to be resilient and overcome adversity. They help me put things into perspective which is very […]

The COVID-19 pandemic has definitely changed the way the Fraser Valley Brain Injury Association is offering programs and supporting our clients. In mid-March, we started switching from in-person contacts and groups to remote case management services, video conference group meetings, and finding ways to keep members connected. This has required some creativity on the part of our staff and some significant adaptability on the part of our clients. FVBIA’s Pay it Forward: Healthy Lifestyles for ABI program focuses on a holistic approach to physical and mental well-being with an emphasis on volunteerism and giving back to your community. In spite […]

Guy had a Stroke in early 2016 and has been involved with the South Okanagan Similkameen Brain Injury Society (SOSBIS) for several years now. He lives with his sons in subsidized family housing operated by the Society. He is doing an amazing job as a single parent since his ex-partner left the family shortly after his stroke. Guy experiences physical limitations due to muscle weakness and limited movements in some parts of his body. He is still living with brain injury effects including memory problems and retention of new information. SOSBIS Case Management has helped him to get all of […]