We are heartbroken at the loss of our dear friend and colleague, Freddy O’Brien. Freddy managed the FVBIA Office, organized our events, booths and Young at Arts Summer Camp so she touched many lives over the past 20 years with us. You are missed dear friend. Freddy O’Brien, beloved mother, aunt, and friend, passed away … Read more
Contributor: Don Lewis Caregivers of brain injury patients often carry a load that doesn’t clock out: constant vigilance,shifting moods, and decisions that have real consequences. Over time, caregiver fatigue andstress can start to feel like the “new normal,” and many caregivers quietly judge themselves forneeding a break at all. Self-care isn’t a reward for doing … Read more
Contributor: Don Lewis Entrepreneurs with disabilities in the Fraser Valley, including brain injury survivors and the family members supporting them, often carry real business ownership aspirations alongside daily limits other founders don’t have to plan for. The core tension is simple and heavy: a strong idea can collide with fatigue, memory gaps, unpredictable symptoms, and … Read more
Contributor: Don Lewis For hiring managers trying to fill roles and families supporting a loved one after a brain injury, work can feel like a closed door that never fully explains itself. Employment barriers often hide in plain sight, applications that punish slower processing, interviews that reward speed over skill, and assumptions about reliability, leaving … Read more
The Coss Family One Phone Call That Changed Everything In 2006, my wife Suzie and I were living peacefully in our hometown of Quebec City. Surrounded by family and friends, enjoying fulfilling careers, and looking forward to retirement in just a few months. It felt like life was unfolding just as we’d hoped. Then came … Read more
Contributor: Don Lewis Introduction Finding meaningful employment can be a challenging journey for anyone—but for people with disabilities, it often requires navigating additional layers of complexity. From identifying supportive employers to ensuring workplace accommodations, the process demands both preparation and strategy. This guide explores practical steps, rights awareness, and career-building tips that empower people with … Read more
By Don Lewis abilitylabs.com Initiating a venture when navigating the responsibilities of parenthood and the nuances of a disability presents an intricate landscape. Yet it’s precisely these intricacies that can help you carve out an entrepreneurial niche characterized by your own resilience, innovation, and uniqueness. This article from Fraser Valley Brain Injury Association offers some time-tested … Read more
By Dr. Douglas Lee One of the most common effects that occurs for individuals with brain injuries is brain fatigue. We have all likely had occurrences of this in our lives where we have had to manage too much information within a certain period of time and get to the point that we just can’t … Read more
By Dr. Douglas Lee Autonomic arousal is typically defined by the following symptoms: (1) Palpitations or pounding heart, or accelerated heart rate. (2) Sweating. (3) Trembling or shaking. (4) Dry mouth (not due to medication or dehydration). This is not a typical outcome of a brain injury but can happen. Such arousal is controlled by … Read more
By Dr. Douglas Lee For individuals with moderate to severe brain injuries it is oftentimes very challenging to be able, particularly in the moment, to see their role within the context of an event. This can be observed as them not anticipating that their actions may lead to a problem and/or not seeing themselves as … Read more
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
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
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
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
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. Registration is limited so please contact Chuck Jung Associates at admin@chuckjung.com or 604-874-6754 for more details.
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
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
The FVBIA Pub Night has been CANCELLED. Our apologies for any inconvenience. Please keep an eye on this page as we hope to reschedule this event to Spring 2027! CANCELLED
Thank you to ICBC and Robin Newbery/Chris Gledhill for sponsoring FVBIA’s Brain Injury Awareness Picnic taking place on Saturday June 17, 2023.
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