Cognosco is a quarterly newsletter produced by Brain Care Centre to provide the community with information about acquired brain injury and updates on our organization and what is happening in our community!
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Spring 2013 Issue 2 In this issue >>> Brain Injury Awareness Month Superhero Social Brain Matters Golf Tournament The BIG Brunch, Edson Event Cognosco Cognosco Extreme Sports & BI>>> pg. 4 Depression & Wellness after Brain Injury>>> pg. 6 New Remand Centre>>> pg. 8 Profile>>> pg. 11 BCC Calendar >>> pg. 12&13 Edson News>>> pg. 17 What’s APP? >>> pg. 18 Advertise with us! >>> pg. 21 Acknowledgements>>>pg. 22 Get Connected! Like us on facebook! www.facebook.com Follow us on Twier @BrainCareCentre Check out our Website: www.braincarecentre.com Building Capabilities after Brain Injury & Stroke In honour of those impacted by traumatic brain injury and to show our support during Brain Injury Awareness Month, the Brain Injury Interagency of Edmonton are distributing symbolic green ribbons throughout the month of June. In June, as part of our awareness campaign, we will be giving these green ribbons out for a “pay what you can” donation. Money raised will go to maintaining the edmontonBIAM.com website for people to access information on the brain injury interagency organizations who help those impacted by acquired brain injury. Please read on in this issue of Cognosco for more information about upcoming events and awareness campaigns happening in north western Alberta throughout the month of June. We hope you will stop in to Brain Care Centre and pick up your green ribbon. Join us in the community to show support of those impacted by brain injury and stroke. Wear your ribbon with pride! Knowing what we do! Knowing what we do!
Transcript
Spring 2013 Issue 2
In this issue >>>
Brain Injury Awareness Month
Superhero Social
Brain Matters Golf Tournament
The BIG Brunch, Edson Event
CognoscoCognosco
Extreme Sports & BI>>> pg. 4
Depression & Wellness after Brain Injury>>> pg. 6 New Remand Centre>>> pg. 8
Profile>>> pg. 11
BCC Calendar >>> pg. 12&13
Edson News>>> pg. 17
What’s APP? >>> pg. 18
Advertise with us! >>> pg. 21
Acknowledgements>>>pg. 22
Get Connected! Like us on facebook! www.facebook.com
Follow us on Twitter @BrainCareCentre
Check out our Website: www.braincarecentre.com
Building Capabilities after Brain
Injury & Stroke
In honour of those impacted by traumatic
brain injury and to show our support
during Brain Injury Awareness Month, the
Brain Injury Interagency of Edmonton are
distributing symbolic green ribbons
throughout the month of June.
In June, as part of our awareness campaign, we will be giving these green
ribbons out for a “pay what you can” donation. Money raised will go to
maintaining the edmontonBIAM.com website for people to access
information on the brain injury interagency organizations who help those
Service Coordinator - Edson Laura See (780)712-9789 [email protected]
Brain Care Centre is proud to announce our title sponsor for the inaugural BRAIN MATTERS Charity Golf Tournament, thank you to the
Royal Alexandra Hospital Foundation for their contribution to the concussion program and commitment to inner city health by becoming
the Title sponsor of this year’s tournament. The inaugural BRAIN MATTERS charity golf tournament is set to take place on Thursday,
August 29 at Lewis Estates Golf Course in Edmonton.
We would like to invite you to participate in the inaugural BRAIN MATTERS Charity Golf Tournament on August 29, 2013. All proceeds from
the tournament will be dedicated to launching Brain Care Centre’s specialized concussion education and support program.
Through extensive research efforts and community partnerships, BCC has developed a comprehensive program that addresses the
pressing issue of mild traumatic brain injury such as concussion in our community. Through this fund raising effort to raise $30,000, BCC
will be ready to expand prevention education programming for youth, offer an information line for callers affected by concuss ion and
other forms of mild traumatic brain injury, and offer important support services to those experiencing prolonged and debilitating post
concussion syndrome symptoms. For more information contact Andrea, Events Coordinator at Brain Care Centre 780-477-7575, or go to
our website www.braincarecentre.com. We hope to see you on the greens in August!
BCC Gets Title Sponsor for Inaugural Golf Tournament!
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“Extreme Sports” and Brain Injury: A Growing Concern>>> By Evan Stait, Online Volunteer
The problem of brain injuries has been well documented in highly publicized cases in sports such as hockey and football. Canada has paid very close attention, and with good reason, to the ups and downs of Sidney Crosby’s journey through concussion problems. We all held our breath at the thought of the great Canadian icon being forced into early retirement. We exhaled a sigh of relief upon his return, hoping that he can once again solidify a gold medal for our country in the upcoming Sochi Winter Olympics. We've also heard a great deal about the growing concerns regarding the effects of repeated impact to the head of professional football players. After all, we are now witnessing, at a scale never seen before, the long term ramifications that multiple concussions are having on a generation of retired football players and their families.
Much less awareness exists for the so called “extreme” sports. These are sports such as skateboarding, dirt biking, skiing, snowboarding, and a host of others growing in popularity. Many extreme sports are showcased each summer and winter on the “X Games”; a large contest for multiple extreme sports, hosted by the sports network mogul, ESPN. The X Games have grown in popularity and have given a bigger stage for extreme athletes to exhibit their talents. However, even with the growing publicity for the sports themselves, the celebration of the recklessness inherent to extreme sports acts against growing a general awareness for the brain injuries that can result from extreme sporting activities. There is a lack of regulation, protocol, and documentation when it comes to “extreme sports”. Perhaps this is due
to the bravado and immaturity of the sports themselves. This lack of regulation in extreme sports with regards to protocol stands in opposition to highly organized and regulated sports like hockey and football. For example, there is a protocol in place in the NHL that must be strictly adhered to when a player suffers a concussion or exhibits the symptoms of one. This kind of regulation is nonexistent in the “extreme sports” as it used to be in the NFL, NHL, etc. A harrowing tale in this regard is the case of Kevin Pearce, a once promising young professional snowboarder whose life was forever changed due to brain injury. Pearce had his career ending injury just months before the Vancouver Olympics. As a half-pipe snowboarder, Pearce was pushing to become one of the medal contenders, but his life changed abruptly. In a practice run he suffered a hard blow to the head, but this wasn't the injury that ended Pearce's career. That injury came less than a month later when, as he put it in an interview with USA today, "It's because my head was not healed and I shouldn't have been snowboarding again," he said. "That was the dumbest thing I've ever done in my life was to take that next run. For the consequences and how dangerous it was, it's a joke that I even thought about doing that." Pearce is one of many cases where the lack of a concussion protocol for athletes in extreme sports had devastating effects.
Pearce is not alone, as pointed out in a story by the Neurological Rehabilitation Institute at Brookhaven Hospital. After the Winter X Games of 2012, “roughly a dozen athletes were asked about their brain injury experiences. Only three said they had endured less than four concussions.” Astoundingly, this means that up to 75% of professional winter extreme sports athletes have had more than four concussions in their career. Extreme sports are fueling what doctors are referring to as the “silent epidemic.” As it is reported in the Knowledge Network's documentary “Wipeout”, extreme sports are now the leading cause of death and permanent disability in men under the age of 35. Whether you're at a local ski hill or skateboard park, you're bound to witness a lot of talented youth, but you will not see them all wearing helmets. Even though helmets are mandatory during most competitions, many of the individuals who take part in extreme sports recreationally do not wear helmets. This problem is tied up to the nature of the sports themselves. Extreme sports are defined by “thrill seeking” behavior. Extreme sports consist of an activity that involves attempting a maneuver, called a “trick”. At the level these sports are at now, whether snowboarding, skiing, or otherwise, “tricks” can consist of launching yourself two to three storeys in the air, spinning in rotation and flipping at the same time. The idea is to land the trick in the face of the risk, which allows the adrenaline rush and sense of euphoria due to the accomplishment. And therein lies the rub. Once the trick can be repeated multiple times, it no longer fetches the same euphoria and adrenaline surge. New, more difficult and risky maneuver must be performed to achieve this.
"It's because my head was
not healed and I shouldn't
have been snowboarding
again…It was the dumbest
thing I’ve ever done in my
life was to take that next
run.” "
Continued on page 19...
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Message from Executive Director >>> After acquiring a brain injury and healing from the acute phase, it is important to focus on
building capabilities. In essence, this is what the Brain Care Centre does every day with
every client. The BCC’s mission is : To be a source of hope for those impacted by brain injury,
in providing a compassionate continuum of brain care services from prevention to
reintegration. The building of capabilities focuses on what the client can do and taking them
beyond what they perceive are their limitations. This process is different for each client and
the timing of the milestones is individual. It is my observation as the Executive Director of
Brain Care Centre and my own experiences as a brain injury survivor, that no matter what
the cause of the brain injury, there are key milestones that all survivors experience. The
survivor’s progress is measured by how they deal with each challenge and whether we are
willing to move to the next challenge in the journey. The staff at brain care is very
experienced in tailoring services and programs to assist each client to defy limitations. This
could involve cognitive retraining, group support, memory device aid training or counselling.
The Brain Care Centre has an exciting array of events planned for the 2013 year. One such event is the inaugural Brain
Matters Charity Golf Tournament. It is my great pleasure to announce that the Royal Alexandra Hospital Foundation has
agreed to be the major sponsor of the inaugural Brain Care Centre “Brain Matters” Charity Golf Tournament on August 29,
2013 at the Lewis Estates Golf Course. This tournament proceeds will support the concussion program at Brain Care Centre
and will bring awareness to the great work that the RAH Foundation is doing in the area of Inner City Health.
Dr. Garnet Cummings Executive Director
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Depression and Well-being After Brain Injury>>>
By Carolyn Dallimore, Online Volunteer
There are a lot of words you might
associate with an NFL sportsman. Maybe you're a fan, in which case you might call a professional football player athletic, talented, strong, competitive. The less charitable among us may instead say overpaid, overindulged, mediocre, vain. One person might fondly remember cheering for their team during the big game, watching their hero lead the town to victory, and think, glorious, heroic. Another might suffer flashbacks to the high-school jocks, Hollywood bullies, stupid and violent in equal measure, and think, wincing, more brawn than brain.
Whatever your personal opinion of professional athletes may be, chances are you didn't think the word depressed at any point. What have they got to be depressed about, with their good health and money and legions of fans? Yet recent research has shown that a full quarter of former NFL athletes suffer from prolonged depression, a number significantly higher than you'd find in a random sampling of fans from the bleachers.
The culprit? Researchers speculate that this unexpected professional risk is down to the frequent mild brain injuries football stars suffer from. Concussion: the word that plagues the NFL, the NHL, and likely countless other sporting organizations. These injuries don't appear too troubling at first – take a day off, take some painkillers, you'll be fine – but gradually the minor damage builds. The structure of the brain is altered; some cells are lost, some blood flow is reduced. Researchers aren't quite clear yet how these changes lead to depression, but it seems certain that they do. The home of mood is in the brain, after all.
What is true for concussions is all the
more relevant for severe brain injury. As many as half of all patients recovering from TBI show symptoms of major depressive disorder at some point, though less than a quarter receive treatment. Major depressive disorder is in turn associated with poorer recovery, poorer cognitive functioning, mobility problems, aggression, and anxiety. Depression can emerge at any length of time after the injury, though it is in the early months that a patient is most vulnerable.
At this point, it might be worth answering a question no one is asking: what is depression, anyway? Most of us think we know – it's feeling sad, obviously – but the reality is a lot more complicated than that. Depression is a long term condition that usually involves a low mood, but the absence of sadness is not the absence of depression. The aforementioned NFL athletes did not show this most typical sign. They did not feel especially blue and did not cry often, which meant that they did not realize what they were experiencing and did not seek treatment. Instead, they suffered in silence through some less stereotypical symptoms of depression: constantly decreased energy, low motivation, and problems with sleep and appetite.
Other symptoms include feelings of worthlessness or guilt, difficulty concentrating on tasks or conversations, restlessness, and thoughts of death. Depression is not always life threatening (though there are counsellors and helplines available for anyone plagued by suicidal thoughts), but it is always quality-of-life threatening. Nobody, given the option, would choose to experience life sad, tired, unmotivated, and uninterested in pleasure. It is the opposite of the ideal.
For those recovering from TBI, depressive disorders can be especially damaging. The associated lack of energy and motivation hinder recovery in all ways, physical as well as psychological. Patients with both TBI and depression also tend to have lower mobility and more pain, greater anxiety and worse social functioning, than their non-depressed counterparts. Most find it difficult to resume their pre-injury activities. It's not clear yet whether this poor functioning is caused by depression, or whether it causes depression, but the end result is the same: TBI patients with untreated depressive disorders simply do not recover as well as we might otherwise hope. Treatment is essential, and making it available early would likely have an enormously positive effect on quality of life.
Apart from a career in professional sports, there are several other risk factors for developing depression following TBI. For obvious reasons, patients with a history of mood disorders are most at risk, along with those who had previously suffered anxiety disorders. Age also has some effect: the 18-30 crowd is much more likely to develop depression than those sixty years or older, for example. Long-term alcohol dependence leaves people especially vulnerable; it's possible that other types of substance abuse would have a similar effect. At the moment, researchers are unsure whether the type or location of injury makes a difference, although it does seem that the risk of depression increases regardless of the severity of the injury.
Continued on page 7...
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Continued from page 6...
Perhaps, after such an unhappy topic, it is best to end on a positive note. Recently, researchers have been focusing on ways to increase well-being following traumatic brain injury. Leisure activities seem to be of utmost importance, particularly those which involve social interaction; friends, teammates, and even cheerful acquaintances all make a positive contribution to well-being simply by being around. Those hobbies which the patients excelled at tended to be the most beneficial; confidence and self-reliance are fantastic mood-boosters. To feel capable is to feel good; as a side effect, these self-assured patients tended to have higher life satisfaction and marital satisfaction. It's no wonder they ranked their own well-being so highly.
Such happiness should not be denied to anyone. Some might require extensive psychotherapy and antidepressants to gain a more positive outlook on life; these are useful treatments and should be seen as no different from treatment for diabetes or asthma. Others can keep in good spirits by getting out into the world, participating, contributing. The end goal is the same: happiness is attainable, however winding the path may be.
Brain Basics Centennial Room
Stanley Milner Library , Edmonton AB (main library on Churchill Square)
June 12, 2013 from 12 – 1 pm
Please RSVP to Shamim @ (780)477-7575.
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4. Lots of ability for the Corrections staff to provide
privileges, and remove them as well.
5. The opportunity to receive medical help by visiting
the Remand’s very own, on site Alberta Health
Services clinic where detox, x-ray and bone setting,
cut/bite cleansing and stitching, or recovery from
illness are possible.
What happens when one of BCC’s clients is charged and
remanded? If their brain injury is on their AHS charts, and
they exhibit behaviours which may cause them difficulty with
others in the general population, they will likely be placed in
the unit dedicated to those with mental health issues. This
would be greatly to their benefit, according to the Remand
staffer we spoke to, as there they would receive daily visits
from psychologists and social workers, and their medications
will be administered appropriately. It is in this sort of
controlled environment where those with acquired brain
injury actually manage better.
With Alberta investing over half a billion dollars into this state
of the art facility, we feel optimistic that the New Remand can
provide better outcomes for both those staying and those
working there. BCC’s Julie Hanson, who leads the SUBI group,
is certain that she will soon be back working her way through
the maze to the right interview rooms, helping out “our guys”
who end up there.
For more insights on the offerings of the new facility from Edmonton Journal writer Elise Stolte visit http://www.edmontonjournal.com/news/edmonton/Grandmothers+children+turn+Edmonton+Remand+Centre+tour/8110664/story.html
How will “our guys” fare as Inmates at Edmonton’s New Remand Centre? >>>
Valerie Oczkowski, our featured Breakfast speaker, was born and raised in Calgary with her twin and two other sisters. She grew up in a close-knit family and went to Bishop Grandin High School. During high school she joined her sisters, Judi & Joanne, working at a hard ware store, with nuts, bolts, screws and fasteners and she even learned to drive a forklift. Revelstoke never knew what hit them! She just loved it! It was apparent even back then that she had a thirst for knowledge and loved to share that knowledge with those she knew. Upon completion of her High School Diploma she joined a Modeling Agency and began modeling. Valerie also began studying Engineering and Geology at Mount Royal College. She eventually joined Fluor Canada Engineering to get a true sense of the industry; she was the only girl on the entire office floor and soon realized it just wasn’t for her. Fortunately for us, Isometric Drawings were not her future. She continued modeling with Elegance Modeling and moved to Edmonton to continue her career. But Valerie maintained a passion for reading and learning about current events. Searching for a solid career that fit her personality and wanting to do something more relevant in life, she enrolled in the Radio & Television Arts Program at NAIT. Here, she found her true calling. Her television practicum was with ITV Lethbridge. After completing her practicum, she was hired by RDTV in Red Deer as the late night anchor and weather girl. Less than one year later well-known CFRN News Director Steve Halinda called and offered her a great opportunity to work on a business show on CFRN Edmonton.
It was not long after that Valerie was moved into the News Room. She loved the new opportunity, as it allowed her to meet so many
different people and get to the truth behind every story, but even better was the opportunity to share the news with the entire City.
In 1993 CFRN promoted her to ‘People Helper’; a few years later CTV renamed the segment to what we all know now as ‘Consumer Watch’ and it quickly became Valerie Oczkowski’s Consumer Watch program. She assisted thousands of disgruntled Edmontonians to resolve unfortunate situations. Valerie kept up to date on product reviews and ratings and was the go- to-girl in solving almost any sticky situation. It was a perfect match; she loved helping people and consumers loved calling her for help.
In the fall of 2006, Valerie began feeling ill; she was not herself. She'd been irrational, aloof, anti-social. There were quiet roomers beginning to surface about her behaviour. Was it because of alcohol abuse or perhaps misuse of prescription drugs? She further realized that her behaviour changes were starting to get her into trouble. Her condition was getting worse, and Val in turn was becoming more and more reclusive. Friends who were closet to Val knew she needed help, whatever the reason. In the spring of 2007, a brain scan revealed a significant physical problem. The medical tests found a Brain Tumor. With her family and dear friends at her side, Valerie began the fight that would change her life forever. After the surgery, back to her normal, cheerful self, Val did the most courageous thing. "She wanted to pay back her friends, family, neurosurgeon Dr. Max Findlay and his team and ‘How do we this, as
journalists, repay people? We tell stories.’ " says CTV news director Glenn Kubish.
The Glenrose Hospital together with NABIS (Northern Alberta Brain Injury Society) became an important part of Valerie’s life. Their support and understanding was unconditional. Valerie claims “at times even my family didn’t understand my condition People often don't realize that families need as much education as patients do”. Valerie adds “this is one area that Brain Care Centre offers tremendous support”. Valerie has embraced this great organization and believes people need to know more about them. Through her miraculous experience, Valerie empathizes with people with brain injuries. She states; “ There is a stigma and it has to be broken. We are everywhere and even though some of us appear high functioning, there is a process to recovery and we need understanding, help and empathy to get there. Brain Care Centre offers this, they are truly invaluable.” She continues: “we will all know someone with a brain injury or a disorder at some point in our lives, it’s best to prepare now and help where you can”. Val has been on a long road to recovery, a path filled with challenges and uplifting circumstances. Today she shares her intensely personal story as a keynote speaker; a story which will no doubt change your perception of life and inspire you. Helping and caring for people, whether through sharing her health challenges and experiences, or offering consumer advice, remain Oczkowski’s passion. We welcome her as our keynote speaker at our 22nd Annual Brain Injury Awareness Month Breakfast !
Profile >> Valerie Oczkowski
“ There is a stigma
and it has to be
broken.”
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Edmonton, Alberta
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May 2013 Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday
1 Men’s Group 1:30-3pm
2 Self Esteem 1:30pm-3pm
Caregivers 7 -9pm SUBI 3:15-4:30pm
3 Women’s Group 10-11:30am
YAG : Young Adult Group SUBI: Brain Injury and Addictions Group
6 Self Esteem Workshop
Leduc Stroke and Recovery Association 7pm-8:30pm
7 Self Esteem 1:30pm-
3pm Caregivers Skills Training 7pm-9pm
8 Club Connect 1:30-3pm
9 Self Esteem 1:30pm-3pm
SUBI 3:15-4:30pm
10 Women’s Group 10-11:30am
13
14 Caregivers Skills Training 7pm-9pm
15 Men’s Group 1:30-3pm
16 YAG 7-9pm
Caregivers 7 -9pm
SUBI 3:15-4:30pm
17
20 Victoria Day
OFFICE CLOSED
21 Stress & Worry
1:30pm-3pm Caregivers Skills Training 7pm-9pm
22 Men’s Group 1:30-3pm
23 Stress & Worry 1:30pm-3pm
24 Women’s Group 10-11:30am
27 28 Stress & Worry 1:30pm-3pm
Caregivers Skills Training 7pm-9pm
29 Club Connect 1:30-3pm
30
Stress & Worry 1:30pm-
3pm
SUBI 3:15-4:30pm
YAG 7-9pm Caregivers 7 -9pm
31 BCC BIAM Breakfast 7am-8:30am
Ramada Inn & Conference Centre
June 2013
Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday
3 4
Memory & Attention 1:30pm-3pm
5
Men’s Group 1:30-3pm
6 Memory & Attention 1:30pm-3pm SUBI 3:15-4:30pm
7 Women’s Group 10-11:30am The BIG Brunch Edson 11am-1pm
10
11
12Club Connect 1:30-3pm Brain Basics 12-1pm @ Stanley Milner Library
13 SUBI 3:15-4:30pm Caregivers 7-9pm YAG 7-9pm
14 BIAM Education
Day, Glenrose Rehab. Hospital 9am-12pm
17
18 Dr. Gabor Mate, Hinton
AB 7pm—9pm
19 Men’s Group 1:30-3pm
20 SUBI 3:15-4:30pm
21 Professional Development Day
OFFICE CLOSED
24
25
26 Club Connect 1:30-3pm BCC’s AGM 630-8pm Bill Black Auditorium, GRH
27 SUBI 3:15-4:30pm YAG 7-9pm Caregivers 7-9pm
28 BIAM Community Picnic, Kenilworth Community Hall 11am-2pm
(Edmonton)
******************************* Brain Care Centre Wellness Week **************************
AABIS Artist Reception
6-8pm Nina Haggerty
13
July 2013
Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday
1 Canada Day
Office Closed
2
3
Men’s Group 1:30-3pm
4 SUBI 3:15-4:30pm
5 Women’s Group 10-11:30am
8
9
10 Club Connect 1:30-3pm
11 SUBI 3:15-4:30pm YAG 7-9pm Caregivers 7-9pm
12
15
16
17 Men’s Group 1:30-3pm
18 SUBI 3:15-4:30pm
19 Women’s Group 10-11:30am
22
23
24 Men’s Group 1:30-3pm
25 SUBI 3:15-4:30pm YAG 7-9pm
26
29
30
31 Club Connect 1:30-3pm
YAG : Young Adult Group SUBI: Brain Injury and Addictions Group
BCC Services >>> Service Coordination: Brain Care Centre
coordinates services for individuals
(aged 18 or older) and families who are
affected by brain injury. Our service area
not only includes the greater Edmonton
region but also communities west of the
city including Drayton Valley, Edson,
Hinton and Jasper. During the intake
meeting, the Service Coordinator and
the client identify areas of need in which
service provision will be required. The
outcome of the intake meeting is to
formulate an Individual Service Plan
(ISP) which serves to assist people with
injury to connect with community
resources and services. Some common
goal areas include:
Housing
Financial
Education
Health
Vocation
Cognitive strategies
Physical health
Adjustment support
Social skills training
Co-existing diagnoses
Advocacy
Support Facilitation: To further enhance
and support an ISP, Brain Care Centre
offers a Support Facilitation program.
This service includes one to one
counselling sessions designed to assist
individuals, couples and families with
discovering and utilizing resources and
strategies for maximizing wellness after
brain injury. This process may include a
review of intake information, identifying
personal strengths and needs for
support, goal setting, and information
about brain injury, introduction to
coping strategies and educational
resources, and/or referral to community
resources. For those needing additional
support in building new skills in the
community, Service Coordinators can
refer individuals to the Supports for
Community Living Service (SCLS).
Occupational Therapy: Our
rehabilitation professionals assist clients
and families with managing cognitive
changes after brain injury. Focus is on
enabling participation in the community
and independence in life. Therapists
meet individually with participants to
set goals and work on skill development
and applying strategies in real-life
situations. Goal areas may include using
public transit, self-care skills and more.
Formal assessments help staff create
tailored plans with clients. These include
independent living skills, cognitive
ability, general ability, memory,
vocational interest, social and
communication skills, and performance
in domestic activities. Referral to
community rehabilitation services can
be made through a Brain Care Centre
Service Coordinator.
Information & Education: Brain Care
Centre offers comprehensive, up-to-
date information related to the effect of
brain injury on individuals, families and
the community. Please contact the
office for information on how to
arrange an education session.
Brain Basics: An Evening of Education
and Understanding is a course offered
once per month to parents, spouses,
caregivers, siblings, friends of people
affected by brain injury, community
members, volunteers and professionals
who would like to learn more about
brain injury and its effects. The session
runs Tuesday evenings. Please contact
Brain Care Centre’s Office Coordinator
for information and registration.
Life Skill Classes
Understanding Brain Injury: This four
session course is designed to offer
information to individuals with acquired
brain injury who are interested in
learning more about the brain, brain
injury and strategies for positive living.
Self-Esteem: This course uses proven
cognitive techniques to help individuals
learn how to control the self-critical
inner voice and build up a healthy sense
of self worth. You will leave this four
session course with useful skills that can
easily be applied to your day to day life
and strategies to use when you face
situations in which your sense of self
worth is challenged.
Effective Communication: This course
will discuss how brain injury can affect
communication and social skills. You will
learn about types of communication,
effective listening, and perspective
taking. Practical strategies for conflict
resolution and assertiveness will be
taught and practiced in this 6-class
course.
Memory & Attention: Does your
memory need a boost? Do you find it
hard to pay attention or concentrate?
This two day workshop provides
practical suggestions for how to
manage changes in memory and
attention after brain injury or stroke.
Open to new and returning clients.
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Groups
Women’s Group:
Focuses on issues related to women,
health and wellness, and provides
opportunities for peer support.
Members of this group will have the
opportunity to explore the many
successes and challenges associated
with living with brain injury.
Men’s Group:
A peer support group for adult males
with acquired brain injury. This group
focuses on issues related to health and
wellness, changing roles, employment
issues as well as the grief and loss
associated with brain injury.
Young Adult Groups:
The Young Adult Groups (YAG) are for
young adults between the ages of 18
and 30. These groups focus on support,
personal growth and community
inclusion. In collaboration with
Networks Activity Centre, these groups
include a recreational component.
Brain Injury and Addictions Group(S.U.B.I.):
This support group is for individuals living with the effects of brain injury and who are having some problems due to drug or alcohol use.
Caregivers’ Group:
This group is designed for caregivers
who are providing support to someone
who has sustained a brain injury. Peer
support is encouraged to assist
caregivers in developing a stronger
sense of their ability to cope and feel
connected with others experiencing
similar challenges.
Club CONNECT Communication Group:
This group promotes peer connection,
healthy living and provides
opportunities for discussion. Come and
join us for a lively hour and a half of
learning and discussion. Snacks
provided!
Workshops
Time Management:
Participants whose time management
skills have been affected by a brain
injury will learn new strategies and
techniques to improve their current
time management systems as well as
new systems as needed.
Expressive Art Therapy:
This group uses art, music and
photography as mediums to help clients
work through issues surrounding grief
and loss.
Stress and Worry: This group
offers strategies to help clients
develop more effective coping
skills.
Caregiver Skills Training
Workshop: This four week
interactive workshop is
designed to educate caregivers
on how to help their loved one
to become more independent in
functional activities. The
methods you will learn are
researched based and widely
used and trusted by
professionals.
Electronic Devices Assistance
Community Living Program
Computer training and 1-1 assistance
with iPhone, iPad, and most other
personal electronic devices.
Group classes include Facebook, Skype,
Internet Safety and Identity Theft.
Please contact Jean, Community Living
Coordinator at 780-477-7575 ext. 26 for
more information.
Classes and Support Groups are offered
to individuals with brain injury.
(Brain Basics and Caregivers’ Group are
offered to caregivers of people living
with Brain Injury.)
PRE-REGISTRATION and/ or an
ASSESSMENT IS REQUIRED for all groups
and classes offered at Brain Care Centre.
Space is limited so please register early.
Dates may be subject to change.
Please see the calendar for specific
dates.
Drayton Valley BI Group First and Third Monday of each month
at Mitch’s #102 4341 50 Street, Drayton Valley
1:00pm- 3:00pm
Edson Support Group First and third Wednesday of each month
at Brain Care Centre Edson office 524- 50 Street, Edson
1:00pm – 3:00pm
For more information on these groups or
services provided in
Edson and Drayton Valley
please contact Brain Care Centre
Toll Free at 1-866-712-7560.
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Upcoming Events >>> JUNE IS…
Brain Injury Awareness Month “BIAM”
Building Capabilities after Brain Injury / Stroke
Brain Care Centre presents: the 22nd
Annual “BIAM” Kickoff Breakfast
May 31, 2013 7:00am – 8:30am
Ramada Inn & Conference Centre
11834 Kingsway NW, Edmonton, AB T5G 3J5 Tickets: $45.00 RSVP by May 21, 2013 Guest Speaker: Valerie Oczkowski Emcee: Marni Kuhlmann, CTV News Anchor For more information or to purchase tickets visit www.braincarecentre.com Sponsored by James H. Brown & Associates
Media Sponsor: CTV News
BCC Edson & Reflections present:
The BIG Brunch
June 7, 2013 11:00am – 1:00pm
Edson Recreation Complex; Edson, AB
Tickets: $45.00 RSVP by May 31, 2013 Guest Speaker: Dr. Garnet Cumming
Emcee: Patti Shea Morning Goddess, The Eagle Radio Edson, Hinton, Jasper and Grande Cache, Alberta
For more information or to purchase tickets visit www.braincarecentre.com
Networks would like to extend a HUGE thank you for all the support from everyone who donated to and attended our first annual Spring Fling event. We were able to raise over $5000 and will be able to purchase new tables and chairs for the Centre! Networks looks forward to the summer months and will be co hosting our annual Bar-B-Q with Stroke Recovery Association on June 28th at Kenilworth Community Hall. Tickets will be sold for $2 and will go on sale May 31st out of Networks. Please contact KRiS for tickets 780-474-3363.
If you or someone you know may be interested in attending programs at Networks, please call Chelsea for more information or to book a tour.
BCC Edson News >>> By Tannis Arsenault, Service Coordinator
Brain Care Centre Edson is proud to announce our Event Sponsor for the inaugural BIG Brunch happening June 7, 2013 at the Eds on Recreation Complex in Edson, Alberta. Thank you to Conoco Phillips for their contribution and commitment to helping those impacted by brain injury in the
Yellowhead region. This e vent presented by Brain Care Centre and Reflections in Edson, will feature keynote speaker Dr. Garne t Cummings. He will
speak about his experience of surviving a near -fatal car accident and how his life has been transformed. For the past two years Dr. Cummings has
served as Executive Director at Brain Care Centre. The event will also feature CFXE -FM 94. 3 The Eagle morning show host Patt i She a as our special guest emcee. We hope to you see there!
BCC Edson will be partic ipating in the Dr. Duncan Murray Safety Fair on June 05th 2013 in Hinton, AB! The S afety Fair in Hinton has been
running for approximately ten years and BCC Edson has partic ipated every year providing information about our services and br ain injury to over 2,000 people whom visit the BCC display booth. The Brain Care Centre booth has a large display and a separate table for the “The Brain Game Wheel”
to grab peoples’ attention. BCC staff have visitors, mostly children, spin the wheel and land on var ious pictures which ind icate the many potential
results of brain injury. This interact ive game and large display is a great tool for generating a lot of talk about safety habits, we aring helmets and s afe
play. This year the Fair happens on June 5th, r ight at the beginning of Brain Injury Awareness Month so the t iming is perfect. Each ye ar the Safety Fair brings in new clients to our agency from all over our service are a of Edson, Hinton and Jasper. We extend our community capac ity building through
the contacts that we make and strengthen at the fair. If you are in Hinton on June 5th, do stop by; we guarantee you will learn a lot and you may
even take home a prize or two!
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Remembering tasks and items can be a
huge challenge. The following apps are
useful for general note taking,
scheduling, groceries and passwords.
Evernote is probably one of the most popular note taking apps and it works on iOS and Android devices, as well as desktop computers. You can write or record notes, take pictures and make screen captures of what is on your computer screen to store for access later. Evernote has a very simple word processing program, so though you can’t make sophisticated documents on it, you can take notes and share them with others. Evernote also allows you to group associated notes, as well as pictures and recordings, into notebooks. Each note can be sorted with tags that provide a simple filing system. In addition to the note taking system, Evernote also produces a web clipping plugin which allows users to store web pages and sections from the page, which can help with research, as well as a program called Skitch or taking pictures that you can doodle on with memory prompts. Evernote is probably one of the most well-known
productivity apps and it is available in both free and a for-fee premium version. Daily Routine, which is available only as a paid app, allows users to create repeatable routines that can be distributed over several days, weeks or months. Single routines, a distinct routine for a specific day, can also be created. The system is a little complicated to set up, but the service offers several videos on their website showing how to edit and adapt the routines for their calendar. The Daily Routine calendar will sync with the iOS calendar and it works on both iPhones and iPads. When overwhelmed by selection, it is easy to forget what you originally went to the grocery store for. You can make a grocery list using Evernote and share it with your partner or family members. If you share shopping duties, you can use OurGroceries, which lets you share a list with a partner, so if you forget something or need to add an item for the other shopper, you can edit a shared list. OurGroceries works on iOS, Android and Blackberry. The very clever http://
buymeapie.com/Buy Me a Pie works on the same premise but it also has support for 8 languages other than English, though it is only available on iOS devices.
If you have a hard time remembering passwords, especially if you have made more secure passwords, take a look at Passwordgear. Available for iPhone, and on iPad, you create a secure password on the app and the app teaches you the password by using an associative story. Passwordgear prompts you with a series of images that are related to your password and can be deciphered into your complex password. For example, if your first letter of your password is “C”, Passwordgear prompts you with the image of a cowboy, as in “C for cowboy”. The next item in the chain could be a verb or another noun based on the original story you created. Passwordgear does rely on stereotypes and encourages the users to make outrageous stories to remember the passwords, but if the app can help you remember secure passwords, the increased security might be worth the ridiculous factor.
Continued from page 4... Every maneuver performed in an extreme sport is an accomplishment of the body and mind. The “trick” is learned by an athlete by challenging their limitations, both in terms of what the body is capable of doing and what the mind is capable of realizing. Once a trick or maneuver is determined as possible by an athlete, the athlete then needs to test this theory. The only way to see the trick through is to put the body at risk. Perhaps this explains why we are now, rather than 10 years ago, dealing with what might be considered a crisis. 10 years ago, when extreme sports were still at their early stages, the level of progress was not the same as it is today. Tricks were not as difficult and the standard did not demand the sheer velocity and height of the maneuver, nor the difficulty. As such, the risk and the danger inherent to the sports have increased by volumes. Not only this, but helmets, though increasingly being worn, are still not as commonplace as they should be. In short, what needs to
change is the culture within the sports themselves, which is as tricky as it gets in terms of problems to be addressed because the culture doesn't like to be told from outside what to do. There is a current of counter culture that runs through the core of these sports. However, this stubbornness has to somehow come to grips with the reality that ignoring the facts is putting individual lives and well being at risk. It seems that the growing problem of brain injuries in extreme sports, then, must be addressed on many levels. On the one hand it needs to be addressed culturally, from within the group itself. More role models and professionals, who the aspiring young participants look up to, need to become ambassadors and promote safety and the wearing of protective equipment. On the other hand, at the professional level committees and protocols need to be established so that young professionals like Kevin Pearce have an outlet and a channel to go through to avoid being put in a situation where they are competing
while still suffering from post concussion effects. After all, if the decision to compete is left solely up to the athlete who is competing for a spot in the Olympics, as in the case of Kevin Pearce, many athletes will not heed the advice of their body, their head or even their doctor. Unless regulations are put in place akin to those in the NHL and NFL, athletes will continue to be at risk and devastating brain injuries will continue to occur at alarming rates. Referces: The USA Today, Head Injuries Rising Danger for
Brain Care Centre is so thankful for our amazing volunteers and their contributions to our organization. Last year, over 3200 volunteer hours were recorded. WOW! What a successful first year for the volunteer program. To celebrate this awesome achievement, we decided to start an annual recognition event to say “thank you” to all those generous enough to donate themselves to our cause. The Superhero Social is our way of giving back to our greatest supporters! The inaugural Superhero Social was held during National Volunteer Week on Tuesday April 23rd, 2013 and we are happy to report it was a great success. Awards were presented to Nathan LaRoche for Outstanding Service to BCC, Hanhmi Huynh and Justin Quedado as Leaders of Tomorrow and an honorable mention to Cat McDonald for her amazing work with BCC. Thank you to all those who participated and to those who were there in spirit. You are all so special to us and we appreciate you!
Volunteers Rock!!
A special Thank You to Julie Hanson
for cre ating the amazing photo
booth backdrop, Alina Stinson and
Michelle Furlong for taking
photographs, all of our door prize
donors, and Aldon Brewer and Ido
van der Laan for providing the
awesome tunes, Graeme Bell for
speaking, and the Brain Care Centre
Staff for all their support.
Leader of Tomorrow Award Winners
Hanhmi Huynh & Justin Quedado
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Advertising Space Cost Per Issue Cost Per Year (4 Issues)
Business Card (0.125) $100 $300
1/4 Page (0.25) $200 $600
1/3 Page (0.33) $270 $810
Half Page (0.5) $400 $1,200
Full Page (1) $800 $2,400
Distribution of this publication is
anticipated to be a minimum of 1100
copies per issue. The distribution area
reaches from Edmonton and
surrounding areas to Jasper and
surrounding areas. Cognosco is not only
printed, but hosted on our website
(www.braincarecentre.com) and posted
on our social media sites.
Brain Care Centre
Annual General
Meeting
June 26th, 2013
Dr. Bill Black
Auditorium (GRH)
6:30pm-8:00pm
Snacks provided
Everyone Welcome!
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Human Services - Disability Policy
and Supports Division
Brain Care Centre Platinum Sponsor Donations were received to honour:
Walter Semeniuk
Brain Care Centre acknowledges the gracious ongoing support from:
Alberta Health Services; Alberta Human Services – Disability Policy and Supports Division, ATCO I-Tek Epic Committee, City of Edmonton – Community Services, Royal Alexandra Hospital - Employees' Charitable Donations Fund Royal Alex Place – Kathy and Kevin
Whitham - for their facilitation of the 2013 City of Edmonton Property Tax Rebate, TELUS Employee Charitable Giving - Bruce Mathewson, University of Alberta Hospital – Staff
Charities Committee, Edwin and Betty Brantlett, Tony and Linda Csilics, Wanda A. Despins, Warren Hurt, Sharon and William Kassian, F. Rose Lupul, Marguerite and Edward Redshaw,
Eugene and Adeline Sapiuk, Douglas Semeniuk, Hilda Tsobanis.
Brain Care Centre would like to thank the following for their generous donations to our Superhero Social:
100.3 The Bear, Alleykat Brewery, City of Edmonton, Community Services
Department, Cafe DeVille, Cheesecake Café, Comic Strip, ConocoPhillips, Cookies By George, Costco 154 Dr. Garnet Cummings, Edmonton
Symphony Orchestra, David’s Tea, The Dish & Spoon, Fabutan, Famoso
Downtown, Famoso St.Albert, FC Edmonton, GMCR Canada, Shirley Hall, International Cooling Tower, The Majeed Family, Old Strathcona Farmer’s
Market, Rene Oswald, Andrea Papirny, Rapidfire Theater, Sweet
Confetti, Mike Tremblay, Two12Social Co., Dale Ulrich
Heartfelt thanks to the following who have
designated Brain Care Centre through the United Way of
Alberta Capital Region Campaign:
John Demers, Kathy Doan; Mr. & Mrs. David Duggan, Virginia Gillen, Soren
Jensen, Dean McCurdy, Anton Mitrovic, Karen Reiter-Stecyk.
