Brain Injury Association of Canada encourages widespread common sense

OTTAWA _ The Brain Injury Association of Canada invites Canadians to keep their heads up over the holidays and avoid close calls that could turn catastrophic. “Making sure that Canadians are aware of their surroundings,” said Harry Zarins, executive director of the national nonprofit. “Drive safely, be aware of icy conditions in a vehicle and on foot, and wear a helmet for all winter recreational sports.”

Of the 18,000 hospital stays every year due to traumatic brain injuries, 6,500 Canadians are permanently disabled, with total costs estimated at more than three billion dollars.

Youth, young adults and seniors are most at risk. In the majority of cases there is no turning back.

Heads Up Holidays 2011-2012 Audio

Zarins said hockey and sport has created an opening for dialogue that allows for freer discussion about a wide spectrum of brain injuries and the often far-reaching effects.

“It takes a long time to recover … and we do still have a lot to learn.”

Harry Zarins
Executive Director
Brain Injury Association of Canada
613-762-1222
info@biac-aclc.ca

The Vancouver Film School Digital Design students teamed up with the Brainstreams.ca team in the Spring to put together this one-minute video outlining the key facts and risks associated with brain injury in Canada.

Dear Friends,

My name is Troy Adams. I’m a 24 year old male, currently living in Exeter, ON. I grew up just outside of Watford, ON. I’ve spent the past few years travelling with my job as a News Anchor and Reporter. I’m currently working for myFM as a News Director/Ops Manager.

On August 11, 2003 — I was involved in a MVC. To this day — I suffer from many body functioning injuries (sore joints/swollen back/heals/bad knees) as a result from this crash, but most importantly, I battle each and every minute of my life, the repercussions of my brain injury. Whether it’s depression, anxiety, bouts of OCD, anger issues, memory loss etc – running seems to be the one thing that can always ease my mind. It allows me a moment of Zen – where for a few minutes, I am once again in complete control of my thoughts. I’ve always enjoyed running and I use it as therapy.

Starting in April 2012, I will be starting my Cross Canada Run, raising money and awareness for Brain Injury Awareness, Education and Research. “Troy’s Run: Hope, Prevention, Education”, will raise money for the Brain Injury Association of Canada.

Every step and every mile count in this journey. Together we will help people understand and become better educated on topics surrounding Brain Injury. I’ll be starting my journey in St John’s, NL and will finish in Victoria, BC.

This journey will only be completed by the help of volunteers and sponsors. I will take the biggest load, but I’m hoping there are others who would like to become involved. Whether financially, emotionally, or spiritually – everything is needed and will help.

Please visit my website at www.troysrun.com for information on how you can become involved. There’s also video links, interviews, pictures and blog postings.

I’m on Facebook under Troy Adams, ‘Troys Run’ and ‘Cross Canada Run’. I’m also on Twitter @troyadams23

Together, we can be the change that’s needed.

Troy Adams
226-377-4565
Troyadams23@gmail.com
www.troysrun.com
www.facebook.com/crosscanadarun

Part 1 of 2

Part 2 of 2

Kitchener Rangers Team Captain Gabriel Landeskog, Defenseman Ryan Murphy, Ben Fanelli and Assistant Coach Troy Smith

Almost everyone knows about Lance Armstrong’s battle through cancer to prove that nothing can slow him down. His story has become one of inspiration to many around the world, including the Kitchener Rangers’ Ben Fanelli.

That is why Ben in partnership with the Kitchener Rangers has developed HEAD STRONG, Fanelli 4 Brain Injury Awareness: a program designed to raise awareness about brain injuries.

“Lance Armstrong overcame something that no one thought was possible and I want to replicate that in a different way with my injury,” Ben says. “I planned to run this triathlon months ago because I needed another goal. I decided to turn it into something bigger and found an association I would like to support.”

That would be the Brain Injury Association of Canada (BIAC). Ben will be collecting pledges online and raising funds through the sale of a HEAD STRONG t-shirt, $20 including tax available at the Outpost, the official store of the Kitchener Rangers, with proceeds going to the BIAC and its programs.

On June 5, 2011 Fanelli will swim, bike and run his way through the Subaru Triathlon being held in Milton, Ontario. He will participate in a 750m swim, a 30km bike ride and a 7.5km run and is asking for your support in raising funds for the Brain Injury Association of Canada (BIAC). Pledges for his cause can be made online or in person at the Kitchener Rangers office.

“A concussion is a brain injury now. In my area of life, which is hockey. I want to make it known that there’s a way to help”, says Ben.

Something that has definitely helped keep Ben motivated with these plans is the support he has had, starting with teammates Gabriel Landeskog and Ryan Murphy. “The three of us talked about it and (Murphy and I) said we can help you out and we can be your trainers,” Landeskog explains. “It’s one of those things we all wanted to do, and it’s really exciting.”

And when it comes to training, the three of them are always at it. “We’re probably the last ones leaving the rink,” Murphy laughs. “I am the vocal guy out there that keeps him going – Gabe is the guy who can work out with him. But we do our part and can’t wait to see him running, swimming and biking.”

Ben participated in his first triathlon a couple weeks ago, and now knows how hard he will need to push. “I know my body isn’t meant for triathlons, I’ve trained for hockey,” he says. “But everything I’ve done in my life I try to come out on top. I’m going to go as hard as I can the whole race.”

Ben also knows he has more than just the support of his family, coaches and teammates as he strives to achieve his goals, but also that of the Kitchener fans.

“It’s absolutely amazing to feel the support. I can’t even find words to describe it because of the respect I feel and the adrenaline it gives me to work harder, it’s amazing. At the same time, I need to show everyone that I will be back.”

So focusing on what he can do now, and helping a cause so close to his heart is what Ben is set on doing. He is proving what determination can do, just like his idol. And like Lance Armstrong, Ben is hoping this leads to something great.

There are 2 ways to help Ben Fanelli raise funds for the Brian Injury Association of Canada: CanadaHelps and PayPal. Please click on the images below to donate.

Written By: Frank Toral
My Child Has a Brain Injury, What do I do now? (pdf)
MyChildHasaBrainInjury.com

Brain Injury Forum’s Flickr Photo Stream

With June “Brain Injury Awareness Month” now behind us, BRAININJURYFORUM.com encourages continued mindfulness of the potential risks for head injury and physical upset as everyone begins to engage in various activities throughout the summer and months that follow. If there is something that each of us can take away, it is that “Prevention” works and it is a great place to start, followed by “Awareness” and “Understanding” as our guides.

Participating in any sport, whether it’s recreational bike riding, skateboarding or Pee-Wee league softball to football, it can teach our kids to stretch their limits and learn sportsmanship and discipline. However, each activity and/or sport carries the potential for injury. By knowing the causes of sports injuries and how to prevent them, you can help make athletics a positive experience for a child. Kids can be particularly susceptible to sports injuries for a number of reasons. Kids, particularly those younger than 8 years old, are less coordinated and have slower reaction times than adults because they are still growing and developing. In addition, kids mature at different rates. Often there’s a substantial difference in height and weight between kids of the same age. And when kids of varying sizes play sports together, there can be an increased risk of injury.

Most injuries are predictable and preventable. Through “Prevention, Awareness and Understanding” we can seize the opportunity to reduce the number of head and brain injury incidents before they occur! It is a truly unfortunate incident when any individual young or older suffers a brain injury. It is even more difficult when it hits close to home and a parent or family member receives that heart dropping phone call informing them, that their loved one has “sustained a head injury”.

So with that said, here are a number of ways that everyone can contribute to the reduction of head and brain injuries through being mindfulness and prevention awareness:

• Wear a helmet regardless of age or experience and/or sporting activity.
• Make sure to inspect and update your child’s helmet regularly as they grow and play, making sure it properly fits and does not have any cracks or previously incurred damaged.
• Share the road with other drivers, cyclists and motor bikes.
• Slow down in mall and plaza parking lots and watch for pedestrians young and old.
• Think twice before blowing through a red light or busy intersection
• When driving, take your foot off the gas versus pressing harder.

It is estimated that about 1.4 million people in Canada are living with a brain injury; that is close to 4% of the Canadian population. We encourage greater and continued awareness for the benefits of everyone’s personal safety all year round. The information presented during Brain Injury Awareness Month should be familiar to most, and is provided as a reminder to take a common sense approach to living safely and keeping your loved ones safe.

Read the full version and follow our previous weekly segments at BRAININJURYFORUM