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Lloydminster, SK S9V2A4
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June is National Brain Injury Awareness Month, with a goal to educate Canadians about brain injuries.
The Lloydminster and Area Brain Injury Society (LABIS) is doing its own work to try and break the stigma involved in brain injuries.
“It’s bringing awareness to the many ways injury can affect a person, and the looks are different on every person who has sustained one,” explained Michelle Neufeld, executive director of LABIS.
Brain injuries can happen from a wide variety of things. Those include motor vehicle incidents, strokes, concussions, and much more.
“We are hoping the more people can educate themselves about what a brain injury is, we hope it can break the stigma attached to it,” said Neufeld.
An acquired brain injury can be defined as a non-degenerative and non-congenital insult to the brain.
It may result in diminished or altered state of consciousness and results in impaired cognitive, physical, emotional and/or behavioural function.
Brain injuries can look different on everyone, there is no mould that fits all injuries.
“That’s where the stigma is attached to it. Everyone thinks a brain injury looks one way, but even knowing someone with a stroke who has acquired a brain injury, that person is functioning completely different than somebody in that car accident,” said Neufeld.
She added brain injury is the number one cause of death and disability worldwide among children, youth and those under the age 84.
Neufeld said the promotion of helmets, seat belts, hardhats and sports safety is always a key aspect to help deter some of the preventable injuries.
“In sports, especially, there is no denying concussions are everywhere in the media, and sports related injuries. It’s the safety that comes from sports, and helmet safety is huge,” she added.
As well, she suggested kids who do play in contact sports make sure they use regulated helmets, which properly fit.
Brain Injury Canada reported there are more than a million Canadians living with the effects of an acquired brain injury.
“It’s definitely important to raise awareness (on brain injuries) … and educating yourself about it, and how it looks so different. There are so many different ways you can acquire a brain injury. Some of the symptoms may be the same, but it looks so different,” said Neufeld.
Recovering from an injury can take a lifetime, as the effects of the damage differ from each person.
“It’s learning to become that new you, and how it will look on you may look different on somebody else,” said Neufeld.
LABIS is a place that provides programming, support and resources for those dealing with an acquired brain injury and their families.
“We mainly think that fellowship and being with other people who may have similar symptoms, and knowing you are not alone is huge in a recovery process because isolation is one of the big factors that affects someone assisting with a brain injury,” she said.
LABIS provides nearly 5,000 programming hours throughout the year.
To help out, Neufeld said people can provide donations, even articles of clothing to the LABIS Store-Second Chance Clothing, and shop there.
“All funds directly fund our programs here, and everything we get from our organization stays right here in the community and supports those from our community,” she said.
Brain Injury Canada reported 160,000 Canadians sustain brain injuries each year, and it continues to rise, and nearly 50 per cent of all acquired brain injuries resulted from falls and motor vehicle incidents.
“I’m sure everyone knows somebody who’s acquired a brain injury, especially because people don’t know strokes are one,” said Neufeld.