Hon. Hedy Fry (Vancouver Centre, Lib.): Mr. Speaker, last month, I tabled a motion to officially recognize June as Brain Injury Awareness Month and I stand today to draw attention to Canadians who sustain cerebral concussions because they do not wear CSA-approved helmets when engaged in recreational activities where there is risk of head trauma.

Acquired brain injury is a silent epidemic. In Canada, it is the number one killer and cause of disability of persons under the age of 44 and there is new research linking repeated brain injury to Alzheimer’s. The social, economic and emotional consequences of brain injury are devastating, not only to survivors but to their families. They may seem physically untouched, but can lose cognitive abilities and intellectual potential.

Currently, a young man named Brad Cownden is cycling alone across Canada to raise awareness of acquired brain injury. I urge the government to amend the Hazardous Products Act to add CSA-approved helmets for ski and snow sport. All it takes is a stroke of the pen.

From Longwoods.com Health and Healthcare News

Media Release
June 3, 2010 Charlottetown, P.E.I. –
June is Brain Awareness Month and parents are being reminded of the importance of helmet safety. Wearing a helmet can significantly reduce the risks of brain injuries in many sport and recreational activities, such as skiing, biking and in-line skating.
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In recognition of June as Brain Injury Awareness Month and BRAININJURYFORUM.com‘s ongoing commitment to Advancing Brain Injury Awareness and Supporting Prevention, we will be sharing a five part informational segment each week during the month of June in order to help others understand how a brain injury could change yours or someone you loves life forever.

Read it at the BRAIN INJURY FORUM BLOG
“A brain injury doesn’t just change the life of the individual, it changes the lives of everyone around them.”

Throughout the month of June, the Brain Injury Association of Canada will be putting a face on acquired brain injuries through their ‘Every picture tells a story…” poster campaign. One of those stories is that of Larry Carlson, Manager of Programs for Adults With Disabilities at AEEL.

In his own words, here is Carlson’s story:
It was one of those glorious late autumn days when the sky was clear, the sun was shining and winter hadn’t begun. For no particular reason other than curiosity, I chose a different route than the usual to leave the city. As I was crossing an uncontrolled intersection, my car was hit broadside. The next thing I remember is that the
other driver was standing next to my car and asking if I was hurt.
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The Brain Injury Association of Canada, its partners and community of survivors, caregivers and health professionals, designates June as National Brain Injury Awareness Month in Canada to highlight awareness on the effects and causes of acquired brain injury across Canada. It is estimated that close to 4% of Canadians are living with an acquired brain injury.

As incredible as this may sound, brain injury in Canada is a silent epidemic. In Canada, brain injury is the number one killer and disabler of people under the age of 44. Statistics further indicate that incidences are two times greater within the male population.
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