Acquired Brain Injury and Nutrition

Brain Injury may change the way you relate to food.  For some survivors, memory problems may affect food intake.  Damage to the brain can cause an inability to feel full or hungry, causing you to eat too much or too little without realizing it.  You may have a changed or absent sense of taste or … Read more

Healthcare Providers After a Brain Injury?

After a brain injury, every person’s need and abilities are different. Many people will have a rehabilitation program programmed specifically for them. Rehabilitation programs often will involve many types of healthcare providers such as: Counsellors: Counsellors help you solve problems and develop problem-solving skills by helping you clarify issues and explore your options. Family Doctors: … Read more

The Silent Suffering of Canadians Living with Traumatic Brain Injury

National Figures Expose the Nationwide Neglect of Individuals and Their Families August 2023 Today, a significant collaboration between Brain Injury Canada and the Canadian Traumatic Brain Injury Research Consortium (CTRC) called for moderate to severe Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) to be officially classified as a chronic condition in Canada.This move would significantly enhance nationwide healthcare … Read more

Brain Injury Disproportionally High Among Indigenous People

Fraser Valley Brain Injury Association acknowledges that we work and gather on the traditional, ancestral and unceded territory of the Stó:Lō and Coast Salish People. Thank you to Jody Jones, First Nations Health Authority for connecting FVBIA with Indigenous Elder Amelia (right with Chilliwack Brain Injury Centre Manager Esther Tremblay). Elder Amelia shared stories, sacred … Read more

Virtual Caregivers Group

For parents and partners of people with acquired brain injuries The family support group offered by Chuck Jung & Associates has room for new members. Sessions are virtual and will be 1x/month starting in September 2023. Registration is limited so please contact Chuck Jung Associates at admin@chuckjung.com or 604-874-6754 for more details.

Concussion Resources

Fraser Health Concussion Services Fraser Health’s Concussion Services is an early intervention and follow-up service for clients living with the effects of a recent concussion/mild traumatic brain injury (mTBI). https://www.fraserhealth.ca/Service-Directory/Services/Clinics/concussion-services#.YG9twmRKhaQ Canadian Concussion Centre The Canadian Concussion Centre has YouTube videos on the UHBToronto Youtube channel. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Kfa8npYcDj0 https://www.uhn.ca/Krembil/Canadian-Concussion-Centre CATT (Concussion Awareness Training Tool) The Concussion Awareness … Read more

Broken Brain, Broken Families

By Frances McGuckin Did your brain injury rip your family into shreds? Being post-injury of 17 years, I still reel from the effects of how my car accident and subsequent traumatic brain injury tore our family apart. Today is no better than 17 years ago. I have lost my daughter, my little princess who could … Read more

Practical Tips for Fighting Burnout as a Caregiver

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

Are you Prepared for an Emergency?

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 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

Young at Arts Summer Program

FVBIA holds an annual summer day camp for children with acquired brain injuries, siblings or children who have a parent with an acquired brain injury in August. This is an in-person day camp at the Blue Heron Reserve in Chilliwack, BC. Contact info@fvbia.org or 604-557-1913 for more information. Children that require 1:1 support must be … Read more

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

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

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

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