Inspiring Grass Roots Effort in Orangeville

August 17, 2023, Kitchener, Ontario

Posted by: Robert Deutschmann, Personal Injury Lawyer

The Orangeville Citizen recently reported a great story about the Headwaters Acquired Brain Injury Group's initiative to make meaningful change and connections.

I’ve summarized their article here and thanks to their great local reporting you can read the whole article on their online site.

The Headwaters Acquired Brain Injury Group (HABI) has emerged as a beacon of hope for those whose lives are altered by sudden brain injuries. With around 165,000 Canadians facing significant brain injuries annually, leading to potential long-term disabilities, HABI's establishment in 2009 has become a vital support system.

Founded by individuals directly affected by brain injuries, HABI is a non-profit organization that aims to provide assistance to survivors and their families. Kindrey Rowland, a co-founder and a speech pathologist, emphasizes the importance of cognitive communication in enhancing the quality of life for brain injury survivors.

Central to HABI's success is its role in fostering connections among survivors. The group organizes various activities, workshops, and social events, creating a platform for survivors to share their experiences, form meaningful relationships, and exchange coping strategies. By breaking the cycle of isolation that often accompanies brain injuries, HABI provides a safe environment for open discussions, mutual support, and enduring friendships.

HABI goes beyond emotional support, equipping survivors with tools to overcome challenges posed by brain injuries. Through personalized coaching, educational resources, and skill-building workshops, survivors are empowered to regain their independence and confidence, addressing cognitive, emotional, and physical hurdles.

Notably, HABI contributes to public awareness by collaborating with healthcare professionals, conducting educational initiatives, and engaging with the broader community. This proactive approach helps foster a society that is more understanding of brain injuries and committed to their prevention.

The personal stories of HABI members underscore the organization's transformative impact. Survivors like Michael "Pinky" Cloutchier stress the importance of protective measures, drawing from their own experiences. Similarly, individuals like Sarah Briggs and Michael Cloutchier, who have overcome brain injuries, have found solace and connection through HABI, enabling them to thrive despite their challenges.

Tanya Nolan's story echoes the sentiment of finding understanding and validation within the group. As a mild traumatic brain injury survivor, Nolan initially questioned her suitability for the group, but her experience at HABI dispelled those concerns. Her journey exemplifies the diverse spectrum of brain injury survivors finding empathy within the community.

HABI stands as a testament to the resilience of survivors and the transformative power of community support. Through connections, resources, and advocacy, HABI empowers individuals to transcend the limitations of brain injuries, becoming a beacon of hope, resilience, and triumph for survivors and their loved ones.

About Deutschmann Law

Deutschmann Law serves South-Western Ontario with offices in Kitchener-Waterloo, Cambridge, Woodstock, Brantford, Stratford and Ayr. The law practice of Robert Deutschmann focuses almost exclusively in personal injury and disability insurance matters. For more information, please visit www.deutschmannlaw.com or call us at 1-519-742-7774.

It is important that you review your accident benefit file with one of our experienced personal injury / car accident lawyers to ensure that you obtain access to all your benefits which include, but are limited to, things like physiotherapy, income replacement benefits, vocational retraining and home modifications.