It is estimated that thousands of Canadians incur a traumatic brain injury each year—the majority being young adults
Brain injury occurs suddenly, without warning. In an instant life is changed, forever. Every day we participate in activities that produce endless risks for sustaining a brain injury; events include a car accident while driving to the grocery store, a fall from a bike, or a blow to the head. Although each individual is unique, the effects resulting from a brain injury often have similarities and can include difficulty with memory loss, impaired reasoning skills, and tendency toward “one track thinking.” Emotional and social effects can also follow.
Brain injury affects a significant number of people each year and the numbers are reaching epidemic proportions. Brain Injury Awareness Month—which is marked in June each year—is an important opportunity to draw awareness to the daily challenges faced by the brain injured and their families, and to share information, knowledge and inspiration to improve their quality of life. [source: The Brain Injury Association of Canada]
We speak with Mark Busby, executive director of Nanaimo Brain Injury Society, and with Tony Van-Biert, who is marking ten years as a brain injury survivor.
