A profile of some of the thousands of Canadians who live with brain injuries.

Canadians have plenty to say about what their health care system should look like, and they’re not shy about saying it.

Within a month of the CMA’s launch of an online public dialogue about the future of Canada’s health care system, the Health Care Transformation campaign website has received more than 630 comments about the original three discussion points, and visitors had launched new forums on 22 different topics.

“One thing that’s clear from the response,” said CMA President Jeff Turnbull, “is that Canadians get pretty passionate about their health care system.”
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Featuring Mac Graham & his band: The Outfit
Saturday, February 26, 2011
London Convention Centre

To order now go to: www.braininjurylondon.on.ca

For more details see attached flyer: Mac to the Future (pdf)

In this issue:
Forming Alliances
Knowledge Mobilization Series Notes
4th National SCI Conference Notes
Getting the Picture
Work it Out
Toronto ABI Conference Notes
Back to School
Neuromatters- Winter 2011, Issue 13 (pdf)

Books purchased from the BIAC E-bookstore support the Association!

As soldiers and combat veterans have returned from the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan traumatic brain injury (TBI) has been identified as the “signature injury” of those wars. TBI is also in the news on a daily basis due to sports injuries. This new edition of Textbook of Traumatic Brain Injury has been thoroughly revised and updated from the 2005 first edition to reflect the exponential expansion of research and clinical data amassed in the intervening years. Each chapter was written and reviewed by the foremost authorities in neuropsychiatry, neurology, rehabilitation medicine, and the other specialties who assess, diagnose, and treat these patients.
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Brain Injury Association of Canada – Our Cause: Acquired Brain Injury
In an instant a life is changed, forever. Everyday we participate in activities that produce endless risks for sustaining a brain injury: car accidents, a fall from a bike, or a blow to the head. It is estimated that thousands of Canadians incur a traumatic brain injury (TBI) and mild traumatic brain injury (mTBI), also known as a concussion, each year, the majority being young adults. Statistics indicate that the incidence of brain injury is two times greater in men. The Brain Injury Association of Canada (BIAC) strives to raise awareness of the incidence of acquired brain injury (ABI) in Canada.

A brain injury may make it necessary for the injured person to require full time assistance. Families often become the primary caregiver and support person. Many families are left to cope on their own. They sometimes have little understanding of the effects of the injury and the demands that will be made of them by an injured family member. Families need support from others who understand the effects of acquired brain injury. The Brain Injury Association of Canada (BIAC) provides a shared forum for the support of both families and survivors. BIAC also advocates for the enhancement of support services.

Prevention through public education, and safety legislation is the key to the reducing the occurrence of ABI amongst Canadians. The Brain Injury Association of Canada engages in extensive public education initiatives through its many local community associations across Canada.

Neuroscience and injury prevention research is another key to addressing ABI. The Brain Injury Association of Canada endeavours to support and promote research in Canada and internationally.

Brain Injury Association of Canada – Our Mission
At the founding meeting in July 2003 in Montreal, members from brain injury associations from across Canada, representing survivors, families, medical and research professionals identified the need to create the Brain Injury Association of Canada.

Our mandate is to improve the quality of life for all Canadians affected by acquired brain injury and promote its prevention. BIAC is dedicated to the facilitation of post-trauma research, education and advocacy in partnership with national, provincial/territorial and regional associations and other stakeholders.

BIAC is incorporated as a national charitable organization under the Canada Corporations Act and the Canada Revenue Agency.
Make an online donation / gift to the Brain Injury Association of Canada

February 4, 2011, Park Hyatt Toronto

This conference will focus on the challenges and controversies surrounding research that is being conducted on Mild Traumatic Brain Injury (mTBI). It is the third in a series of leading-edge and interactive conferences that explore the management of this complex condition.

Contact Conferences at 416-597-3422 x.3693 or conferences@torontorehab.on.ca.

For more information, please visit http://www.torontorehab.com/Events/Corporate-Events/mild-brain-injury.

Regards,
Jason Almeida
Sponsorship & Business Development Officer, Conference Services
Toronto Rehabilitation Institute
439 University Ave.
5th Floor, Rm. 118
Toronto, Ontario
M5G 1Y8
P: 416-597-3422 ext. 3866
F: 416-597-6202
E: almeida.jason@torontorehab.on.ca

By Richard Vivian January 17, 2011
The challenges of living with an acquired brain injury (ABI) are being addressed closer to home, thanks to last week’s official opening of an Orangeville location for Peel Halton Dufferin Acquired Brain Injury Services (PHDABIS).

“For a lot of families and ABI survivors, this will be their lifeboat. I’m not exaggerating when I say that,” Al McMullan, PHDABIS director of operations, said.

“The actual opening of a day services program that has the kind of facilities that we’re going to have there is almost unheard of. For us to be able to do that, based on scale, scope and size of the community, we are incredibly grateful.”
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LISA QUEEN Inside Toronto January 16, 2011

Brain injury prevention champion recalls cousin's ordeal. Howard Brown, left, Brian Sieber, Barry Brown and Rob Brown gather around Steven Sieber, seated, in December 1981. Photo/COURTESY

North York’s Steven Sieber was a bright university student with hopes of a career as a computer science supervisor when he was hit by a car, a catastrophic event that left him with a severe brain injury for almost a quarter-century before he died nearly a decade ago.

Just 21 years old when he was hit by a car while crossing the street to catch a bus in July 1977, he spent several weeks in a coma.

When he emerged, Sieber and his close-knit family discovered his world had changed forever.
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Media personalities, survivors and Ontario Transportation Minister to headline

(TORONTO – JANUARY 12, 2011) – It’s time to chuck your winter gear and grab grass skirts and Hawaiian shirts. There are only days left before a winter warm-up is set to take place at Toronto’s historic Miller Tavern at 3885 Yonge St. The Brain Injury Association of Canada’s (BIAC) premier fundraising event, the Hawaiian Oyster Odyssey (HOO) is set for January 24th from 6 to 9 pm.

For the 7th year running, this Hawaiian-themed event will be jam-packed with oodles of oysters, mystery prizes, fancy tropical cocktails and stories from brain injury survivors and plenty of mingling with medical experts, community leaders, public figures, business professionals and the media.

“Brain injury is Canada’s leading cause of death and disability for Canadians under 45,” said Larry Carlson, BIAC president and the first survivor of a brain injury to ever hold the post. “The Hawaiian Oyster Odysseys are our main source of funding to spread our message,” he said. Carlson will be a special guest at the Toronto event.
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