JUNE IS BRAIN INJURY AWARENESS MONTH

By Donna Summerville, BIAFE, June 22, 2023, VOL. 4 ISSUE 22

Published Article

The Head Injury Association of Fort Erie (changed to Brain Injury) was founded in 1987 by two local moms Jackie Denham and Shirley Athoe in response to a need by families in the Fort Erie area having to cope with the trauma of injury to the brain.

The Brain Injury Association of Fort Erie (BIAFE) is one of 22 associations in Ontario and an affiliate with the Ontario Brain Injury Association.

The Brain Injury Association provides the impetus to create community support and services that enable persons who have acquired brain damage, and their families, to continue, as fully as possible, a full and active lifestyle.

The goals of Brain Injury are to provide support to individuals with acquired brain injury, their families, and friends. The Brain Injury Association’s goal is to also provide social and recreational activities, and increase awareness. encourage independence, and provide information for rehabilitation.

Brain Injury operates 3 days of programming a week which includes life skills, individual initiatives, fitness, garden club, crafts, social outings, and music and pet therapy.

Other supports include peer support, one on one appointments when appropriate, budgeting, resources, referrals, application for disability, housing and other needed documents, community participation, and regional and provincial supports.

BRAIN INJURY CAN HAPPEN TO ANYONE

Brain injury affects everyone, individuals. families, friends, employers, school, and community emotionally and financially.

Each year BIAFE identifies an average of 12 new cases of brain injury in the Fort Erie area severe enough to cause permanent disabilities. At present BIAFE supports 178 members and their families.

 Traumatic brain injury (TBI)is the leading cause of death and disabilities, with long-term effects. Many individuals do not return to work therefore loss of income independence and self.

Causes of brain injury are blows to the head, falls, foreign objects, anoxia (loss of oxygen), cardiac arrest (lack of blood supply to the brain), disease or tumor, shaking baby syndrome drugs, and stroke.

Symptoms may include physical disability, fatigue, paralysis, depression, memory deficit, anxiety, agitation, irritability, seizures, lack of motivation, Impaired judgement, and personality and behavior changes. loss of senses, and inability to cope.

THERE ARE MANY WAYS TO MAKE A DIFFERENCE

Volunteer for special events, fundraising, client support for programs, bingo volunteer for games, maintenance, technical support, guest speaking, and knowledge in grant writing.

Brain Injury is not government funded therefore our revenue sources are from Fort Erie bingos, grants, donations, and fundraisers. For further information call Donna or Becky at 905-871-7789.