Annual Conference of the Brain Injury Association of Canada
September 26-28, 2012
National Arts Centre, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada

Call for Abstracts (pdf)

All of the presentations below are in PDF format.

1. Empowering Family Members when there is a mild TBI, a personal perspective
2. Alcohol and Injury in Atlantic Canada
3. Executive Function deficit
4. Reaching out to Canada’s Last Frontier – Brain Injury Prevention in Nunavut
5. Improving Quality of Life for Canadians living with a Brain Condition
6. Strategies for managing sleep disturbances and fatigue following traumatic brain injury
7. PTSD and Mild Traumatic Brain Injury: Issues, Controversies and Psychiatric Management
8. The Unrecognized Widow
9. Concussions, Seeing the Invisible Injury, A three-dimensional visualization of sport-related concussion
10. Concussion in Sport – Current guidelines
11. Brain Gym and Brain Injury Dr. Jennifer Drover BSc DC Core Insight
12. Women’s Health, Outcomes after Traumatic Brain Injury
13. Music Therapy and ABI

Conference Presentations
The BIAC 2011 Conference Schedule and Speaker’s Bios (pdf-3MB)

Brain Injury Association Conference
August 24-26, 2011
Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island, Canada
Registration, Airline, Accommodation, Car Rentals, Call for Abstracts and Sponsorship Information

The BIAC 2011 PreConference Schedule-Study Participants Needed (pdf)
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Registration Fees for Conference
If financial assistance is required please contact your local and provincial ABI Association and sponsors.

• Professionals and Health Care Providers (After June 30, 2010): $425
• Survivors and Family / Caregivers (After June 30): $225
• Registered Student or Senior (over 60): $275
• Single Day: $100
• Student / Senior Single Day: $80
• Survivor Single Day: $70

Fee includes conference and nutrition breaks, breakfast, lunch and dinner (commencing on Wednesday breakfast and up to and including Friday Lunch) for those who are staying in the residences at UPEI.

Registration commenced on January 18th, 2011

You may register in one of the following 3 ways:
Option 1 ONLINE (preferred) This is a 2 step process.
Step 1: Please complete and submit the form below.
Step 2: After submitting the form above please select the appropriate button or buttons below and make your payment through PayPal. You don’t have to have a PayPal account. You can use a major credit card.

cforms contact form by delicious:days

-Professionals & Health Care Providers: $425

-Survivors, Early Bird: $225

-Family/Caregiver: $225 (when accompanying a survivor)

Registered Student or Senior (over 60): $275

-Single Day: $100

-Student / Senior Single Day: $80

-Survivor Single Day: $70

Option 2 FAX: Download the Registration Form, complete it and fax it to: 613-782-2228.

Option 3 MAIL: Download the Registration Form, complete it and mail it with your payment to: The Brain Injury Association of Canada 2011 Conference, 440 Laurier Ave. West, Suite 200, Ottawa, Ontario, K1R 7X6.

Conference Official Airline is Air Canada
Air Canada is the official airline for the Brain Injury Association of Canada Annual Conference. Conference activities will commence on Monday, August 22, 2011 with our first annual golf tournament, with the conference being held Wednesday August 24th-Friday August 26th, 2011. The promotion code can be used for travel from August 15 – September 3, 2011. This a promotion code for the convention product. To book a flight with the promotion code, access aircanada.com and enter the BIAC-ACLC promotional code, FNU6BY91 in the search panel.

Residence, Hotel Information and Reservation Procedure
University of Prince Edward Island
Rooms at UPEI will be guaranteed until July 24th, 2011. Reservations can be made by calling (902) 566-0442 or by email to conference@upei.ca. If you are booking your room by phone mention that you are part of the Brain Injury Association of Canada Annual Conference

Residence Rates
New and Modern Andrew Hall
One Bedroom Suite: $115.46 per night taxes included
Two Bedroom Suite: $121.36 per night taxes included
If shared with another person or couple: $60.68 per night taxes included
Three Bedroom Suite: $147.27 per night taxes included
If shared with two other people or couples: $49.09 per night taxes included
All bedrooms have a double bed, TV, cable, internet access, and are air conditioned

Blanchard Hall
Two Bedroom Apartments, each bedroom is equipped with two twin beds: $113.11 per night taxes included
If shared with another person: $56.56 per person per night taxes included
If shared with 4 people: $28.28 per person per night taxes included

Each apartment features a TV, cable, and internet access. Visit http://www.upei.ca/conference/ if you wish to view the campus and accommodations. There are nominal fees if you wish to use the Fitness Centre and / or the Aquatic Centre. A 4 day pass for the Fitness Centre is $25 and a book of 10 admissions for the Aquatic Centre is $58.50 for adults.

There is no charge for parking.

Best Western Charlottetown
Rooms at the Best Western Charlottetown will be guaranteed till July 22, 2011. Reservations can be made by calling 1-902-892-2461 or 1-888-422-6232.
Hotel Rates
Standard Two Queen or Double Beds 1 or 2 people: $147.27 per night taxes included
3 people: $159.05 per night taxes included
4 people: $170.83 per night taxes included

One Bedroom Kind Bed Suite with pullout
single or 2 people: $194.39 per night taxes included
3 people: $206.17 per night taxes included
4 people: $217.95 per night taxes included

The hotel has free parking, high speed internet, fitness facility, indoor pool and the rooms are air conditioned.

BOOK YOUR ACCOMMODATIONS TODAY!

Discount Car Rentals on Prince Edward Island
At this time of year, the best rates available are what is shown online at www.discountcarspei.com
Contact: Jeff MacDougall, General Manager, Discount Car & Truck Rentals – Fleet First Auto Sales, 185 Brackley Point Rd, Charlottetown, PE, C1A 6Z2, Phone: 888-551-0381 / 902-393-5450, Fax: 902-368-8076, jeff@discountcarspei.com, www.discountcarspei.com, www.fleetfirstautosales.com

Call for Abstracts
Annual conference of the Brain Injury Association of Canada Call for Abstracts (pdf)

Sponsorship Prospectus
The Brain Injury Association of Canada 8th Annual Conference Sponsorship Prospectus (pdf)

National Awards
BIAC created national awards to recognize the significant contribution of an individual, group (i.e. fundraising committee) or organization (i.e. medical research facility, brain injury association, corporation etc) in appropriate categories dedicated to advance the cause of acquired brain injury in Canada.
National Awards 2011, Deadline July 15th, 2011, 5pm.

Notice of Meeting of Existing Directors # 1
Date of Meeting: Tuesday, August 23, 2011
Time of Meeting: 3:00 pm
Location of Meeting: Andrew Hall Room 142 on the Campus of UPEI, Charlottetown, PEI
Attendance may be by phone or physical presence
1. Appointment of Chair and Secretary for the Meeting
2. Confirm that notice properly given and quorum present
3. Verify Minutes of the Meeting of May 27th, 2011
4. Approve Bylaw 3 (New Bylaws)
5. Approval of the Financial Statements of March 31, 2011
6. Call Annual Meeting
7. Other Business
8. Terminate Meeting

Notice of Annual General Meeting of Members # 2
Date of Meeting: Tuesday, August 23, 2011
Time of Meeting: 3:30 pm
Location of Meeting: Andrew Hall Room 142 on the Campus of UPEI, Charlottetown, PEI
Attendance may be by phone or physical presence
1. Appointment of Chair and Secretary for the Meeting
2. Confirm that notice properly given and quorum present
3. Verify Minutes of the Meeting of the Previous AGM Saturday, October 2nd, 2010
4. Confirmation of Bylaw 3 (New Bylaws)
5. Financial Statements as of March 31, 2011
6. Confirmation of Prior Acts of the Directors and Officers
7. Set number of Directors
8. Election of New Directors (Remaining Directors, Renewed Directors, New Directors)
9. Appointment of Auditors for 2011-2012
10. Other Business
11. Terminate Meeting

Notice of of Meeting of Directors ( including newly elected directors) #3
Date of Meeting: Tuesday, August 23, 2011
Time of Meeting: Immediately following the Annual General Meeting
Location of Meeting: Andrew Hall Room 142 on the Campus of UPEI
Charlottetown, PEI
Attendance may be by phone or physical presence
1. Appointment of Chair and Secretary for the Meeting
2. Confirm quorum present
3. Appointment of Officers
4. Admit New Members
5. Resignations of Members
6. Insurance and T3010
7. Committee Reports
a) Bylaws Committee
b) Vision Committee
c) Conference Committee
d) Executive Committee
8. Other Business
9. Terminate Meeting

Sponsorship Prospectus
The Brain Injury Association of Canada 8th Annual Conference Sponsorship Prospectus (pdf)

Annual conference of the Brain Injury Association of Canada, Call for Abstracts (pdf)

By Jenn Vanriper, The Leader-PostOctober 27, 2010

Barb Butler said it’s important to raise awareness about brain injuries because most people have misconceptions about the term.

“They think a knock on the head, you recover from that like you recover from a broken bone. But a brain injury is forever,” explained the vice-president and newsletter editor of the Brain Injury Association of Canada (BIAC).

“When people hear brain injury, I think in their heads they hear brain damage. The term brain damage is much more severe,” said Butler.

Butler is a survivor of a brain injury she got from a car accident in 1993, a year after moving to Saskatchewan, and then joined a support group in Regina. Butler later joined the Saskatchewan Brain Injury Association board and then BIAC.

This year, Butler won the volunteer of the year award at BIAC’s national conference in Regina — the first time the conference was held outside of Montreal.

“To win the award in my home province, in front of basically a hometown crowd, just made it so much more exciting,” said Butler, who previously won the award in 2008.

Harry Zarins, executive director of BIAC, said Butler was a major part of the success of the Regina conference.

“She almost works every day, eight hours a day, on supporting her community and making sure that people are aware of the things that are happening,” said Zarins.

The national organization gets together at the annual conference. BIAC supports the provincial organization and focuses on spreading awareness across Canada.

The provincial organization runs support groups, a weekend camp for families and weekend conferences for survivors.

Butler was a teacher before the car accident, but the effects of her injury changed that.

“My memory skills are almost non-existent. I function by use of a day planner to remind myself of where I have to be, what I have to do.

“(My) energy levels are not what they used to be — I could not teach in a classroom full days,” Butler said.

“Your whole thought process gets scrambled. Before you could go from point A to point B. Now you may have to go from A to C to B to D,” explained Butler.

“You usually end up getting the job done, but the thought process isn’t the same.”

Butler said her accident was a result of the other driver’s inattentiveness, something that couldn’t be prevented, but she said most brain injuries can be prevented by taking precautions, such as wearing a helmet.
© Copyright (c) The Regina Leader-Post

REGINA, SASKATCHEWAN

The Brain Injury Association of Canada (BIAC) announces its successful national Annual Conference in Regina, Saskatchewan, staged jointly with Brain Trust, the Annual Conference of the Saskatchewan Acquired Brain Injury Partnership Project. The Conference was attended by survivors of acquired brain injury with their family and support members, as well as professionals devoted to service to those persons, plus researchers into various aspects of prevention and treatment.

The Board of Directors of The Brain Injury Association of Canada comprises the designates from each provincial Brain Injury Association, plus several at-large directors.

The Board of Directors of The Brain Injury Association of Canada is pleased to announce its new executive: Larry Carlson (SK), President; Jeannette Holman-Price (NL), VP; Barb Butler (SK), VP Administration; Pauline Lute, (NB), Treasurer; Shelly Wieser (AB), Secretary and Shirley Johnson (BC), Past President. Harry Zarins (ON) is the organization’s Executive Director.

Teleconference speaker Trevor Greene, severely injured by head trauma while serving in Kandahar, with the great support of his wife, Debbie, showed heroism on the arduous road to recovery after a brain injury tragedy.

Special recognition went to the Saskatchewan ABI Partnership Project; Award of Merit volunteers Ken Murnaghan (Charlottetown, PEI), Dennis Prouse (Ottawa, ON) and Marina White (Mount Pearl, NL); Research Award recipient Dr. Angela Colantonio, Ph. D., and many others listed at www.biac-aclc.ca. Special recognition for raising awareness of acquired brain injury went to cyclist Brad Cownden who cycled across Canada this past summer and Saskatchewan’s Barb Butler as BIAC’s Volunteer of the Year.

2010 BIAC Award Recipients
2010 Conference Presentations
2010 Conference Program
2010 BIAC Annual Report

About Our Cause: Acquired Brain Injury
In an instant a life is changed, forever. Every day, 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 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 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.

Medical and safety research is another key to addressing ABI. The Brain Injury Association of Canada endeavors to support and promote research in Canada and internationally.

About BIAC and its 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.

For more information, please contact
Harry Zarins, M.Ed.
Executive Director
236-5208 Ex. 202 or (613) 762-1222
harry.zarins@biac-aclc.ca

Regina, Saskatchewan

The Brain Injury Association of Canada is pleased to announce outstanding Canadians and supporters.
Barb Butler and Brad Cownden lead the way for the Brain Injury Association of Canada as recipients of the Association’s major awards.

Award of Honour is granted to an individual who has exhibited through an extraordinary and heroic contribution to advance the cause of acquired brain injury in Canada. This year’s recipient is:
Brad Cownden wanted to bring awareness to acquired brain injury and he did so through BrainstormRIDE, a cross Canada solo bicycle ride. He started his ride on June 1 in Victoria, BC and completed it on August 12, 2010 in St. John’s, NL.

Volunteer of the Year Award, the highest award of recognition within the Brain Injury Association of Canada created in 2004, is granted to a volunteer who distinguished herself or himself by making an outstanding contribution to promote and advance the cause of acquired brain injury in Canada. This year’s recipient is:
Barb Butler for her outstanding contribution in volunteer time to lead the organization by chairing the 2010 BIAC Annual Conference which took place in Regina, Saskatchewan and for her efforts as Communications Chair which included coordinating the association’s newsletter, Impact. Over and above that Barb held the post of Secretary to the Board of Directors.

The Award of Merit is granted to recognize volunteers who have exhibited exemplary leadership and made significant contributions to advance the cause of acquired brain injury in Canada. This year’s recipients are:
Ken Murnaghan from Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island for his efforts to bringing awareness to Acquired Brain Injuries to politicians and the community at large and for promoting its prevention through programs such as Operation Headway, Town Halls and by speaking to school groups.
Dennis Prouse from Ottawa, Ontario for his efforts to bring awareness to Acquired Brain Injuries to politicians as an active participant and organizer of the Hawaiian Oyster Odyssey over the last few years.
Marina White from Mount Pearl, Newfoundland and Labrador for her efforts and dedication in providing social programs to adults living with Acquired Brain Injury through her weekly group call A.B.L.E. – Adults with Brain Injury Living Everyday.

The Research Award is granted to an individual, group or organization for their outstanding contribution in research to advance the cause of acquired brain injury in Canada. This year’s recipient is:
Dr. Angela Colantonio, PhD from Toronto, Ontario for her efforts and leadership on a number of research fronts including and not limited to traumatic brain injuries in the construction industry, homelessness and acquired brain injury and women and traumatic brain injury.

The Prevention Award is granted to an individual, group or organization to recognize the significant support of educational, standards certification and prevention programs to advance the cause of reducing acquired brain injury in Canada. This year’s recipient is:
Jeannette Holman-Price from Portugal Cove – St. Philips, Newfoundland and Labrador for her efforts in promoting prevention of brain injuries through school visits and in promoting helmet use for all recreational activities. She was the force behind one of the largest helmet giveaways of bike and skateboard helmets to 500 children and youth throughout the province during Safety Week 2010.

The Fundraising Award is granted to an individual, group or organization for their outstanding efforts in fundraising to advance the cause of acquired brain injury in Canada. This year’s recipients are:
The Saskatchewan Brain Injury Association has demonstrated leadership in its fundraising by organizing successful events in particular the Hawaiian Oyster Odyssey Dinner which raised more than $25,000 and their Annual Walkathon which raised close to $15,000.
Howard Brown from Toronto, Ontario continues to raise funds for the Brain Injury Association of Canada and grass root organizations through Hawaiian Oyster Odyssey and Executive Networking Events throughout Canada.

The Communication Award is granted to an individual, group or organization for their outstanding efforts in promoting, advertising or communicating to advance the cause of brain injury in Canada.
This year’s recipient is:
Profile Direct Marketing from Vaudreuil, Quebec for their efforts in producing our newsletter, conference program and a multitude of other information pieces for the Brain Injury Association of Canada.

Special Recognition Award is granted to an individual, group or organization for their outstanding support, devotion or friendship to advance the cause of brain injury in Canada. This year’s recipients are:
The Saskatchewan ABI Partnership Project for their support of the Brain Injury Association of Canada conference and for their support and care of all those with acquired brain injury in Saskatchewan.
The Brain Injury Society of Toronto for their support of BIAC through Toronto Hawaiian Oyster Odyssey event and for providing support to those with acquired brain injury in Toronto.

The Corporate Leadership Award is granted to corporations for their leadership in sponsoring an event or a program to promote and advance the cause of acquired brain injury in Canada. This year’s recipient is:
The Insurance Bureau of Canada came to the assistance of BIAC this past year when prime office space was required to support the government relations efforts of the association. Their continuous financial support to the association is greatly appreciated and it allows the Brain Injury Association of Canada to carry out its mission.

The National Partner Award is granted to a corporation or organization in recognition of the special, significant contribution to promote and advance the cause of acquired brain injury in Canada. This year’s recipient is:
The Ontario Neurotrauma Foundation in recognition of their ongoing support of acquired brain injury research and of BIAC.

For further information, contact Harry Zarins at 613-762-1222 or at harry.zarins@biac-aclc.ca

Global Regina: Saturday, October 2, 2010

Researchers, patients and doctors from across Canada have been in Regina for the last few days to hold discussions about brain injuries.

A national convention being held in Regina aims to find ways to improve the lives of Canadians affected by brain injuries.

Researchers, patients and doctors from across Canada have been in Regina for the last few days. Discussions have ranged from safety and prevention to the latest research about the treatments.

Organizers stressed the importance of both research and awareness.

“A brain injury is serious and certainly all the research that’s coming out with regards to mild traumatic brain injuries, concussions, multiple concussions, are starting to bring that to light as well,” Harry Zarins from the Brain Injury Association of Canada said. “Concussions don’t just happen on the sports field.”
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