Supporting Those with Brain Injury is a Challenge

November 15, 2018, Kitchener, Ontario

Posted by: Robert Deutschmann, Personal Injury Lawyer

Life after brain injury is difficult. Victims of TBI often speak of not recognizing the person they have become.  A great resource for caregivers is the Brain Injury Association. We are fortunate to have the BIA of Waterloo – Wellington supporting people here. They are a not-for-profit providing support and advocacy to survivors of brain injury.

They currently have an exhibit at THEMUSEUM in Kitchener called Unmasking that focusses on brain injury. They hosted a evening featuring Ben Fanelli earlier this month, and will be hosting a second session “Traumatic Brain Injury 101: Understanding the Basics and How to Help” with Lin Haag. The event is free, but registration is required.

The BIA offers free support group meetings for anyone who has a brain injury or who is supporting a brain injury survivor as well. You can read all about their programs and resources here.

It is important to recognize that the changes in your friend or loved one following an acquired brain injury may or may not be obvious to them. They cannot control the changes which may result in a decline of physical or cognitive function, and which may manifest itself in changes in mood and temperament. The injured person may not even be able to express their needs which increases frustration for everyone.

According to the BIAWW :

Acquired Brain Injury

Of all types of injury - brain injury is the most likely to result in permanent disability or death. The brain is the centre of the nervous system and the most complex organ. The brain is the boss of our body; it runs the show and controls everything we do, even when asleep. The annual incidence of acquired brain injury is greater than that of Multiple Sclerosis, spinal cord injuries, Alzheimer, HIV/AIDS and Breast Cancer combined. 

Acquired brain injury occurs when the brain becomes damaged because of an event that happens after birth. Each person's brain is unique. Different parts of the brain have different functions and the damage depends on which part of the brain that has been injured. The effects range from mild to severe and the severity of the injury is a good predictor of recovery. Generally the more severe the injury, the less likely it is that the survivor will return to normal. It is not an acquired brain injury if the survivor is injured at birth. The damage must be a result of an injury or an illness. This does not include illnesses that degenerates with time, such as Alzheimer's or Multiple Sclerosis. 

Brain injuries can happen to anyone at anytime. They occur suddenly and without warning and in an instant life is changed forever. Every day we participate in activities that produce endless risks for sustaining a brain injury. They can happen while driving a car, riding a bike, playing sports or walking down the street. Many things can damage the brain; a blow to the head, brain tumors, lack of oxygen, brain infections, strokes and aneurysms can all cause brain injuries. 

Resources for Acquired Brain Injury pages are from the following websites:
Ontario Brain Injury Association www.obia.ca
Canadian Brain Injury Association:www.biac-aclc.ca
Brain Trust Canada: www.braintrustcanada.com
Brain Injury Association of Nipissing:http://dawn.thot.net/brain/     

 

I am a proud sponsor of events at  the BIAWW and wholly support the good work they are doing for many people in the community.

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.