Emergency Preparedness Topics

by

FVBIA has created a reader-friendly emergency preparedness package geared towards people with acquired brain injuries, learning challenges and other cognitive challenges. For more detailed information about specific topics, please click on the links below. Emergency Preparedness Checklist How to Prepare for an Emergency What to Include in Your Emergency Kit How to Expand Your Emergency … Read more

Succeeding in the Business World as an Adult with a Disability

by

By Don Lewis abilitylabs.com Image through Pexels Success in the business world depends less on an individual’s physical capabilities than their acumen, effort, and experience. If you are trying to find a path in life that you can pursue while living with disabilities, a career in business could be the right choice for you. Just … Read more

Practical Tips for Fighting Burnout as a Caregiver

by

Being a caregiver for someone living with a brain injury is no easy task. You have a lot of responsibilities, and it’s easy to get overwhelmed. But if you don’t practice self-care and keep your dreams in sight, you’ll be doing a disservice to your patients and yourself. The Fraser Valley Brain Injury Association has … Read more

Young at Arts Summer Program

by

We still have spaces in our Young at Arts Summer Program for children with acquired brain injuries, siblings or children who have a parent with an acquired brain injury. Activities include virtual art sessions with local artist John LeFlock and virtual education sessions with a teacher throughout the summer, activity hampers and an in-person day … Read more

“I learned to love and accept the new simplified me”

by

The year before my accident, mom was in hospital with a suspected heart attack. I was caring for a rebellious teenage daughter, mom, a two-acre property with horses and animals, plus my professional speaking and writing business, with two books on their way to be published in the USA in spring, 2005. I then had to deal with all this and a serious contra-coupe traumatic brain injury.

Getting Back to Normal

by
After brain injury

When can normal activity resume? This will depend on the seriousness of the injury. Be sure to wait until all symptoms are gone. After a mild concussion, some people can resume normal activity almost immediately. Ask a doctor how long to wait after symptoms are gone. POTENTIAL DEFICITS Physical Impairments Physical Impairments Speech, vision and … Read more

Preventing Brain Injuries

by
head injury prevention

Most injuries can be prevented by sitting quietly at home – but people don’t want to live their lives that way. But a few simple steps can drastically reduce the risk: Don’t drink and drive. Wear a helmet when biking, inline skating or snowboarding. Wear a seat belt in the car and make sure children … Read more

What to do in Case of a Head Injury

by
Treat a brain injury

Many mild concussions don’t require more than rest and monitoring. Someone else should watch for signs of more serious injury, though. Sometimes the symptoms of a serious concussion, a contusion or hematoma may not show up for days. Monitor when the patient does not appear to have any signs of serious injury. Make sure the … Read more

Symptoms of a Brain Injury

by
Symptoms of ABI

Symptoms can range from none to mild pain at the site of the injury, bleeding or lack of consciousness. Indications that the injury needs medical attention include: Loss of consciousness. Continued headaches, and headaches that get worse. Nausea and vomiting, particularly in adults. Seizures. Confusion. Loss of memory of events surrounding injury. Drowsiness or lack … Read more

Types of Traumatic Brain Injuries (TBI)

by
concussion contusion hematoma skull fracture

The four main types of head injuries are: Concussion: a mild brain injury that is usually temporary. Contusion: a bruise on the brain. Fracture: broken skull bones. Hematoma: a blood clot caused by a blow to the brain. The head and brain can be injured whether or not the skull is actually damaged. A hard … Read more

Common Causes of Brain Injury

by
Cause of brain injury

Car accidents are a major cause of serious head injury. Other causes are falls, sports and assaults. You don’t have to be hit on the top of the head – a blow to the jaw or side of the head can also cause a brain injury. People who have had previous head injuries are believed … Read more

What is Acquired Brain Injury (ABI)?

by
What is abi

The World Health Organization (WHO) defines Acquired Brain Injury as an injury to the brain which is not hereditary, congenital or degenerative. Some of the causes of brain injury include a blow to the head, whiplash injuries, seizure disorders, tumors or anoxic/hypoxic events (cardiopulmonary arrest, carbon monoxide poisoning, airway obstruction) infectious diseases and toxic exposure … Read more