Amanda McFarlane has worked at BrainTrust since 2011. She is passionate about advocating for people with acquired brain injury and is fascinated by neuroscience and brain function. Over the years Amanda has developed a strong understanding of the needs of persons with acquired brain injury and helps her clients maximize their potential and thrive. Amanda supports clients to identify goals and achieve them which gives clients a great sense of accomplishment and self-worth. Amanda says “Our clients are very inspiring; they teach us how to be resilient and overcome adversity. They help me put things into perspective which is very […]

The COVID-19 pandemic has definitely changed the way the Fraser Valley Brain Injury Association is offering programs and supporting our clients. In mid-March, we started switching from in-person contacts and groups to remote case management services, video conference group meetings, and finding ways to keep members connected. This has required some creativity on the part of our staff and some significant adaptability on the part of our clients. FVBIA’s Pay it Forward: Healthy Lifestyles for ABI program focuses on a holistic approach to physical and mental well-being with an emphasis on volunteerism and giving back to your community. In spite […]

Guy had a Stroke in early 2016 and has been involved with the South Okanagan Similkameen Brain Injury Society (SOSBIS) for several years now. He lives with his sons in subsidized family housing operated by the Society. He is doing an amazing job as a single parent since his ex-partner left the family shortly after his stroke. Guy experiences physical limitations due to muscle weakness and limited movements in some parts of his body. He is still living with brain injury effects including memory problems and retention of new information. SOSBIS Case Management has helped him to get all of […]

Michelle acquired a traumatic brain injury at the age of twelve, while playing with her cousins. The injury resulted in significant neurological and physical challenges that created a life of fear, anxiety, exclusion and seclusion. As an adult, Michelle moved to Salmon Arm and discovered NOSBIS. Since receiving the encouragement and support through the Support Worker Program, which is funded 100% by the Alliance, Michelle has successfully completed numerous courses at Okanagan College. She is a very active volunteer with NOSBIS, providing regular on-call assistance at our reception desk. Michelle volunteers at NOSBIS’ many fundraising activities and serves on the […]

Darryl Kiseyinewakup (Kiss-in-yee-wake-up) is originally from Big Island Lake, Saskatchewan. In 2018, he heard about the Prince George Brain Injured Group (PG BIG) from a therapist at a healing village in Chilliwack and moved to Prince George looking for answers as to “why he was the way he was” after receiving a blow to his head. Darryl became a regular at BIG, wanting to attend any class he could, so he attended Introduction to Brain Injury. Fascinated by the knowledge he gained, Darryl wanted to learn more so he attended PG BIG’s (6) month Rebuilding after Brain Injury program to […]

Writers abound within the Fraser Valley Brain injury Association (FVBIA) membership so the FVBIA Writer’s Bullpen was created to provide a place for writers with brain injuries to come together to hone their craft and share ideas. In 2017, individual writers began submitting pieces to the FVBIA Newsletter as a means of sharing their thoughts and ideas through the Pay it Forward: Health and Wellness for ABI program, funded in part by the Brain Injury Alliance. Feedback amongst readers was positive and more submissions were requested for future newsletters. Individual writers wanted an opportunity to meet with others sharing an […]

I had a stroke in 2005 and was left with some deficits. At first, I was hesitant and unsure of what to expect when I went to Kootenay Brain Injury Association. I remember at the first meeting the worker went around the table and asked how everyone was doing. I thought to myself, “I’m not sharing to a group of strangers.” After three people shared, I found myself relating to total strangers and joined in conversation. Many years have passed since my first encounter with KBIA and hundreds of meetings and hours of support since. I am considered the mother […]

The night of her birthday in 2009, Toni’s life changed forever. She had just moved into a new house and was looking forward to looking after her son, hanging out with him at the park and taking care of him. She laid down in bed with a huge headache. After getting into bed she doesn’t remember what happened for the next few months. Toni had an aneurysm in the brain stem, unable to breathe for herself Toni was put on a ventilator and her wife was told to prepare for the worst. Luckily for everyone who knows Toni, she is […]

Art Therapy at the Comox Valley Head Injury Society, (CVHIS) has been a big success for many of our program participants. There are several that stand out but one in particular is Ed Odgaard, who has benefited from the Art Therapy program and has now begun a journey related to that success. Ed is a long-time program participant with the Comox Valley Head Injury Society, he has been an active participant in our Wellness, Gardening, Cooking Program and our Art Therapy Program. One of his passions is photography, and since beginning the Art Therapy Program at CVHIS he has been […]

Ken is one of NOSBIS’ most active members. He consistently lends his time to fundraising efforts, participates in groups, and attends almost every event NOSBIS puts on. However, this was not always the case. As a result of his brain injury, Ken has dealt with PTSD, anxiety, depression and short-term memory challenges on a daily basis. At times, his anxiety was so debilitating that Ken would not leave his house for 3-4 days. With the encouragement and help of the Support Worker program at NOSBIS, Ken has been able to feel comfortable enough to venture into the community to grocery […]