You only have 1 brain: keep it safe! | – South Peace News

June is Brain Injury Awareness Month

Chris Clegg South Peace News

June is Brain Injury Awareness Month.

Normally, Blue Heron Support Services [the Alberta Brain Injury Network] would be out at local schools making presentations to teach children how to be safe. They would be hosting, or co-hosting, bike roadeos, and taking part in the Gotcha Being Good Campaign when it runs [it involves rewarding children when they are seen practicing good safety rules].

But then this COVID pandemic hit so staff cannot visit the schools for presentations, so they are looking at other ways print and social media to get the word out.

Michelle Hill is one of the Brain Injury Network Service co-ordinators, she is based in High Prairie. The others are Kira MacPherson and Ruth Styles in the Nampa Peace River area. Hill also covers Smoky River.

Staff not only works with children to promote safety and prevention of brain injury, but with clients.

We just want to let people know if they suffered a brain injury they can contact us, says Hill.

They are adults with an acquired brain injury.

Although offices are closed until further notice due to the pandemic, staff still meet clients, and answer phones, texts and e-mails.

Their aim is to gain insight into the needs of adults with acquired brain injury, maximize the use of existing services, and, identify and advocate for the needed resources in the region.

They assist survivors and their families/caregivers in determining and addressing their personal support requirements.

Some supports include developing and maintaining daily living skills on an as needed basis to promote and maximize each individuals independence.

Workers provide training to adult survivors of brain injury who wish to reside in their own homes. They provide follow-up support to survivors for whom short-term support in required.

Possible areas of service provision include:

Be a Safe Rider

By the numbers

2% The total weight of the brain in an average human body. 20% The amount of energy consumed by the human body. 30% The number of brain injuries in Canada suffered by children and youth. Acquired brain injury is the leading cause of death and disability among young children. 80% Eight of 10 provinces currently have helmet laws. Saskatchewan and Quebec are the exceptions. 85% Research has revealed that bike helmets decrease the risk of brain injury by this amount.

Did you know?

Parts of the Brain and their functions

Frontal lobe: Thinking, memory, behaviour and movement. Parietal lobe: Language and touch. Temporal lobe: Hearing, learning and feelings. Occipital lobe: Sight. Cerebellum: Balance and co-ordination. Brain Stem: Breathing, heart rate and temperature.

Contact the Service Co-ordinators

Michelle Hill 1-780-536-7085 Kira MacPherson 1-780-933-1157 Ruth Styles 1-780-933-5342

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You only have 1 brain: keep it safe! | - South Peace News