Heads UP!

FVBIA is funded in part by FHA’s ABI Program, UWFV, Chilliwack Bingo and the Prov. of BC

Page 1 of 6

March/April 2011

Fraser Valley Brain Injury Association

Invites you to Celebrate the

Third Annual Pathway to Hope Gala

Saturday, the Second of April

Two Thousand and Eleven

Reception at six o’clock

Dinner at seven

Northview Golf and Country Club

6857 168th Street

Surrey, BC

Tickets $100.00 per plate

Proceeds to benefit FVBIA Services

Presenting Sponsor: Executive Sponsor:

Special Guests:

Rick Cluff, CBC Radio, Audrey Robertson, ICBC

Representatives from the BC Lions

Special thanks to Bourquin Printers and Frivolous Kate

Events

Are You Planning to Increase Your Charitable Donations or Doing Estate Planning?

Fraser Valley Brain Injury Association has set up an endowment fund through Abbotsford Community Foundation (ACF) to help support future FVBIA services. For further information to donate to our organization, please to click on the following http://www.abbotsfordcf.org, then on advisors and fund options. You can also donate online at http://www.abbotsfordcf.org/index.html?action=cform_output_form_new&formid=889 or contact ACF for more information at (604) 850-3755. An Endowment Fund allows donors to make donations in the short term or the long term. It even expands the donor base to people who find it diff icult to make a donation, but can make long-term plans for asset-based donations through estate planning, insurance premiums, and financial instruments such as stocks and bonds or real estate.

Abbotsford Community Foundation makes it possible for this kind of giving to be easy because they have the templates that make it as simple as one piece of paper. They have developed relationships with the all ied professionals who give advice for tax, legal, estate planning and other f inancial benefits.

Heads UP!

FVBIA is funded in part by FHA’s ABI Program, UWFV, Chilliwack Bingo and the Prov. of BC

Page 2 of 6

March/April 2011

Thank you to all

of our advertisers!

With their help, we have been able to expand

our Newsletter and offer you more

information.

FVBIA welcomes

submissions and advertising. Please call us at 604-557-

1913 for advertising

rates.

The content of submissions or editorials does not necessarily reflect the views and opinions of the FVBIA and may be edited

for length.

Ads in this newsletter are

not an endorsement of

services provided by the

advertisers.

If you prefer to have your Newsletter

emailed to you, please call 604-

557-1913 or Toll-Free 1-866-

557-1913 or email

info@fvbia.org FVBIA #204-2890 Garden

Street, Abbotsford, BC

V2T 4W7 www.fvbia.org

Heads UP!

FVBIA is funded in part by FHA’s ABI Program, UWFV, Chilliwack Bingo and the Prov. of BC

Page 3 of 6

March/April 2011

For information on Stroke Recovery

Groups and activities in British Columbia

Stroke Branches contact

info by Region.doc

Stroke Easter Seal Camp Poster April 2011.pdf

If you are having a hard time getting through to our office or reaching other staff in April and May, please be patient as we are teaching pedestrian and bike safety to hundreds of cute little Kindergarteners and Gr. 3’s.

Remembering Amie

Sometimes it takes losing something precious to fully realize the value of what you had. Our Brain Injury Drop-in Group learned that lesson this past December when we heard the news that Amie Ramsay, one of our long time members and a treasured friend, had passed away. It seemed like a bright light had gone out in our group and it caused us all to look at life a little differently. You see, each member of our Drop-in group struggles with an acquired brain injury. Some suffer more effects than others, but brain injury is known for being a disability that is hidden. You could take one look at most of the members of the group and never know that they had a disability at all, but Amie’s brain injury was much more visible. It had confined her to a wheelchair and made her completely dependent on others for her needs. Unlike most of us, no one would doubt, at one glance, the fact that Amie had a disability. The funny thing is that those disabilities didn’t seem to keep Amie from making a powerful impact on everyone who encountered her. With one word, Amie could have us all slapping our knees and laughing hysterically. She had such an infectious sense of humor. It was her zest for life that made us all thankful for each breath we were here to take. It was the way she celebrated every achievement she could manage, no matter how small or seemingly insignificant, that made us all realize that we could try harder and do more. It was the way she accepted each and every one of us, no matter what kind of mess we were in, and loved us unconditionally, that caused us to embrace each other, flaws and all. All these things seemed to make Amie one of the most powerful people in our group in spite of the fact that she was also one of the most profoundly affected by her acquired brain injury. That realization has changed us. How could someone who is seemingly powerless, have that big of an impact? If she could do it, could we? Amie made us believe we could all make a difference.

We came together at Amie’s home on the day that would have been her 30th

birthday, to celebrate her life. We stood on the grass in front of her house and in her honor released 30 purple helium balloons into the cloudless night sky under a myriad of twinkling stars illuminated by the full January moon. We watched those balloons rise in the still, cold night until they faded into the vast darkness but the brightness that was Amie and the spirit with which she lived her life will never fade. We will not easily forget the lessons we learned through the privilege knowing Amie nor will we forget the power one person can have when they really know how to live. Karin Olsen, Manager – Communitas Supportive Care Society

Abbotsford Brain Injury Drop-in Program

What are the warning signs of stroke? Know that not everyone gets all of the following warning signs. Sometimes these signs can go away and return. Treatments are most effective if given within one hour of when the attack begins. If you or anyone you know have any of these symptoms, call 911 right away!

Sudden numbness or weakness of face, arm, or leg, especially on one side of the body.

Sudden confusion or trouble speaking or understanding speech.

Sudden trouble walking, dizziness, or loss of balance or coordination.

Sudden severe headache with no known cause.

Blurred or double vision, drowsiness, and nausea or vomiting.

What is a stroke? A stroke is the sudden loss of brain function caused by the interruption of blood flow to the brain or when a blood vessel in the brain bursts. This interruption of blood flow or the rupture of blood vessels causes the brain cells in the affected area to die. Your brain needs the oxygen and nutrients supplied by the blood to keep your body and systems functioning properly.

The Chilliwack Safety Village

Heads UP!

FVBIA is funded in part by FHA’s ABI Program, UWFV, Chilliwack Bingo and the Prov. of BC

Page 4 of 6

March/April 2011

John Simpson Editorial These are the comments and thoughts of John Simpson not necessarily shared by the Board and the staff of Fraser Valley Brain Injury Association

Families: I have written many, many times about the tremendously important role family plays

in the rehabilitation of an individual with an acquired brain injury. This role does not last for a month, a year but a lifetime. Families can also be split apart. For example, a mother and wife spends too much time with the injured child, some husbands get very jealous and the marriage breaks up and this can happen in reverse as well. There are also times when the child grows up, but is still living at home and puts tremendous guilt and sometimes even physically abuses the parents. A great deal of the problems can be alleviated with the appropriate education/information and counselling for families but very often this only becomes available after the fact. This is particularly true when there are no fee payers involved such as ICBC, WorkSafe etc. In other words, the majority have no available funding in a timely fashion for rehabilitation. This can trigger alcohol and drug abuse as they self-medicate, all too often with serious consequences.

I have met many men whose brain was injured as a child and nothing was done about it. For some, the brain injury was caused by abuse in the home or possibly sports. The child and family received absolutely no help and the child got involved with alcohol first, then drugs at ages 9, 10, or 11. With so many families living in poverty in BC at this time, access to services and supports is certainly limited for children and families in present times as well

With these thoughts in mind, I was pleased to hear our new Premier, Christy Clark, dwells so much on family issues. Let us all hope that she will follow through on her commitments to families and see that there are improvements on how the Ministry of Children and Family operate as well as the Ministry of Education. Without support for families, nothing will change and this goes for other disabilities as well for families as they play such a key role in care

giving. (You can send Premier Clark a personal message about your experience with acquired brain injury and emphasize the need for dedicated funding for Acquired Brain Injury through Twitter, Facebook or on her webpage at http://www.christyclark.ca/premier )

Congratulations to Jane Mason, Beverley Armstrong, Jan Bulman, Karen

Shrimpton, Shara Gutsche, Leone Steele, Sharon Poulet and instructor Lalita Hamill of the Langley ArtWorks program on a successful opening reception for their art show. Artists, family, friends and FVBIA staff attended a standing room only (at times) evening with the artists on March 3, 2011 at the Watershed Arts Cafe (corner 88th and 204th in Walnut Grove, Langley). The work will be

on display until March 31, 2011 so stop in, have a great cup of coffee and enjoy the many pieces on display from these talented artists.

Stay tuned for information on upcoming programs and events.

Community Mentors Program

If you have been thinking of getting

involved in employment and have put it off, you may want to change your mind! This program may be ending at the end of the year so now is your chance! Are you over the age of 19 and have a career that you have always wanted to know more about? Why not check out our CMP program! This is a program designed to help people living with an acquired brain injury explore different careers, explore what the options out there are and meet some people who already work in that field! This is not a job placement program but an opportunity to match your skills and strengths to an area of employment that interests you. For more information, call FVBIA at 1-866-557-1913.

Our thoughts and condolences

go out to the family of

Jerry Hart.

Chilliwack Drop In Centre

Do You Need Help With Income Tax?

As the tax filing deadline approaches, the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) would like to remind Canadians with low or fixed incomes that volunteers are available in the community to assist with the preparation of tax returns through its Community Volunteer Income Tax Program.

To determine if you are eligible for this service, call the CRA toll-free at 1-800-959-8281 or visit www.cra.gc.ca/volunteer for a complete listing of volunteer tax preparation clinic locations in your area.

You may also be eligible for a disability tax credit. Check out CRA’s website to see if you might be eligible http://www.cra-arc.gc.ca/disability

Heads UP!

FVBIA is funded in part by FHA’s ABI Program, UWFV, Chilliwack Bingo and the Prov. of BC

Page 5 of 6

March/April 2011

Chuck Jung Associates – Psychological and Counselling Services

Vancouver: (Main Office) Surrey: Abbotsford: Chilliwack: Langley

1303 – 750 W. Broadway 101 – 8501 – 162nd

St 260 – 2655 Clearbrook Rd 101 – 45625 Hodgins Ave. 401-21183 88th Ave.

Vancouver, B.C. V5Z 1H1 Surrey, B.C. V9N 1B2 Abbotsford, B.C. V2T 2Y6 Chilliwack, B.C. V2P 1P2 Langley, B.C. V1M 2G5

Tel: (604) 874-6754 Tel: (604) 874-6754 Tel: (604) 852-7885 Tel: (604) 792-7177 Tel: (604)-874-6754

Fax: (604) 874-6424

Other locations in Port Coquitlam and Richmond

Website address: www.chuckjung.com

Contact us at one of our locations for more information or to book an appointment.

Brain Injury Classic – click on the following link for registration and sponsorship details Sponsor/Golf Registration Package

Be Sure to register before April 30, 2011 to get the early bird discount

The weather is bound to warm up soon, so start warming up those golf clubs and get ready to join us at the annual Brain Injury Golf Classic on Thursday June 16, 2011. This is a Texas Scramble format event so every golfer has a chance to win some of our outstanding prizes including Callaway Diablo drivers, Callaway FTIZ hybrids, Adams Golf hybrids, TaylorMade Fairway woods, Nike golf bags, jewelry and more! Stay tuned for more information about other great prizes! Presented by ICBC Rehabilitation, the Brain Injury Golf Classic will take place on Thursday, June 16, 2011 at the picturesque Newlands Golf and Country Club in Langley, BC. Join us at noon for registration, lunch (sponsored by ICBC Rehabilitation) and the exciting putting contest! FVBIA tournaments have raised more than $90,000 since 2002 to support local drop in programs, art and photography classes, children’s camps, community recreation programs and support groups for people with acquired brain injuries. This event will continue to support these valuable programs and services provided by the Fraser Valley Brain Injury Association! We hope you will support us again this year by sponsoring, donating prizes or joining us for a great round of golf! We look forward to hearing from you. Do not forget that we are offering an early bird registration rate of $130 if

you register and pay by April 30, 2011. Please contact Fraser Valley Brain Injury Association at 604-557-1913,

1-866-557-1913 (toll-free) or info@fvbia.org for more information.

Join us for a chance to win a package for two, at the beautiful Resort at Port Ludlow in Washington, US. This

package includes a three-night stay at the beautiful Inn at Port Ludlow, golf for two at the Port Ludlow Golf Club

and kayaking. (Generously donated by Port Ludlow Resort) http://www.portludlowresort.com

Heads UP!

FVBIA is funded in part by FHA’s ABI Program, UWFV, Chilliwack Bingo and the Prov. of BC

Page 6 of 6

March/April 2011

Langley: Art & Photo Clubs Contact Mary McKee at 604-897-1452 Chilliwack: Drop-in: Contact at 604-792-6266 Tues 10am- 1pm, Thurs.12- 3pm Lunch at 11:30 on Tuesdays. 45966 Yale Rd, Chilliwack Support Group: Contact 604-557-1913; Toll-free 1-866-557-1913 Hope: Community Leisure Program: Contact 604-869-9494 Wed & Fri 1p.m. – 3:30 at 19855 Owl St. Silver Creek

FVBIA Support Groups & Drop-ins:

Abbotsford/Mission: Support Groups: Will meet on the 2

nd and 4

th Monday of each month at

at the offices of FVBIA 204 – 2890 Garden St. Abbotsford. Contact Mary McKee at 604-897-1452 Abbotsford: Drop-in: Contact Communitas at 604-850-6608 Wed & Fri 4 – 7 pm. Meal at 5:30pm Wednesdays, #103-2776 Bourquin Cres. W., Abbotsford Art and Photo Clubs: Contact Mary McKee at 604-897-1452. Drop In/Leisure Programs and Support Groups funded in part by Fraser Health ABI Program and ICBC.

The updated 2011 FVBIA Resource Manual for the Greater Vancouver area can now be found at www.fvbia.org.