Our brains play a critical role in our health and wellbeing. It’s easy to take your brain for granted, but have you ever thought about how your life would change if you suffered a brain injury? Today, I’m pleased to interview Donna Henri of the Brain Injury Association of Waterloo Wellington (BIAWW).

We’ll hear Donna’s personal story of living with a brain injury and how it has affected her life. Then, we’ll look at the services and support provided by BIAWW, and how you can learn more or get involved.  

Before we get to the interview, let’s start with some background information.

Facts about brain injuries

(Source: Brain Injury Canada)

Acquired brain injury is any kind of damage to the brain that occurs after birth and is not related to a congenital or degenerative disease.

Over 1.5 million Canadians – or about 4% of the population – live with an acquired brain injury. Chances are, it affects someone in your family, or a neighbour, friend or co-worker.

There are two types of acquired brain injuries – non-traumatic and traumatic.

Non-traumatic injuries are caused by illness or something inside the body or introduced into the body. This includes things like stroke, meningitis, drug overdose or a brain tumour.

Traumatic brain injuries are caused by external factors. They happen while people are going about their everyday lives – working, driving, playing sports, or even walking. The stats are alarming. 456 Canadians suffer a traumatic brain injury every day. That’s one every three minutes.

Let’s keep in touch! Join my mailing list and I’ll email you when I add a new post.

Brain Injury Association of Waterloo-Wellington

Stats only tell part of the story. Brain injuries affect every aspect of a person’s life. From cognitive effects, to physical, behavioural and emotional changes. It’s hard to imagine if you haven’t been through it. Hearing from someone living with a brain injury is the best way to understand the far-reaching impacts.

My interview with Donna

My friend Donna Henri, is one of the 1.5 million Canadians living with these effects every day. Donna is the Brain Hub Coordinator at the Brain Injury Association of Waterloo-Wellington. 

Donna, tell us your history and how you came to be involved with BIAWW

About a year after my motor vehicle accident, my occupational therapist was at my home for a visit. She could see how anxious and lost I was and she asked if I would be open to going to a concussion support group. I was very excited and immediately said yes, as I felt I needed to be around people who could understand how I was feeling and what I was struggling with. It turned out the support group met at a plaza very close to my house and it frustrated me that I had never heard about it before.

The first night I went, I signed in and the director gave me a rubber bracelet that said “be patient, I have a brain injury”. I immediately started sobbing. I had been longing for understanding for so long! At the same time I felt this was exactly where I needed to be, I also felt that I didn’t belong and that I was taking up a chair that someone worse off than me might need. There were so many variations of brain injuries in the group. Lots of them had visual symptoms, so you had no question they had a brain injury. There I was, sitting, looking around and thinking others must be wondering what I was doing there, because I had very few visual clues that I had a brain injury.

I went back every month for the meetings and also got involved in the card making art therapy program and participated in the unmasking project. It felt so amazing getting back into art and getting my creative juices flowing again. I was to a point that there were times I didn’t want to live anymore and I couldn’t handle living this new life I was forced to take part in! BIAWW literally saved my life with the programs and support they offered.

How has your life changed since your injury?

So many things I enjoyed before my accident, I cannot do anymore.

I have had a constant headache for 5 and a half years, random shooting pains through my skull and temples, light and noise sensitivity, and vision issues that required weekly therapy in Guelph for a year and a half. In addition, dizziness comes on very easily, and overstimulation leaves me nauseous and exhausted. I have trouble sleeping, and I experience short-temperedness, mood swings and on-and-off moderate depression and PTSD.

When I returned to work, I had to modify and lessen the amount of hours I work. I can no longer enjoy our theatre room, as it is too overstimulating. Bowling, gardening, rides at Canada’s wonderland, baseball, and more, are no longer a part of my life!

However with all of this, I refuse to let this injury define me!

What’s your role at BIAWW?

I started as a member and volunteer. When the opportunity came up to work part time as a volunteer and program coordinator, I applied and got the position. I was in that role for two years and then a new role was created for me as Brain Maker.

In the Brain Maker role, I manage the online store and find talented survivors who can make and sell their products on our online store. This provides some financial support for them where they otherwise cannot return to work.

I also take card kits to survivors to work on at home and we meet weekly on Zoom to make cards. Before COVID, we would meet in-person weekly. When they are done those card kits, I pick them up and drop off more for them to put together at their leisure. I stock up cards at various vendor’s businesses and they sell them for us, giving back the full profit.

I now also offer support to other survivors and they are grateful for that.

Tell us about BIAWW and the services you provide

BIAWW is a charitable organization that provides advocacy, education, connections and empowerment for people living with acquired brain injury in the Waterloo-Wellington area.

In addition to a vast selection of educational resources on our website, BIAWW offers several programs.

• Lidz on Kidz is a community prevention program to promote wearing appropriate protective equipment.
• Resources for caregivers including Care to Share – a support group for caregivers.
• Brain Connect helps members use technology to enhance their lifestyle and rehabilitation journey. This has been especially important during the pandemic.
• Brain Access helps brain injury survivors navigate and access assistance programs, tax credits and other financial supports.   
• Support groups to help individuals cope and connect with other survivors. 
• Peer Support Program connects individuals living with the effects of a brain injury with a mentor who can provide help and support.
• Art Therapy Programs, like the unmasking and card-making programs I mentioned earlier, where survivors get involved with creative projects with local artists.

How can community members help or get involved?

There are several ways you can help.

• Visit the online store to purchase hand-made items – all made by brain injury survivors.
• Get informed and stay connected by becoming a member of BIAWW. 
• Make a tax deductible donation or be a corporate sponsor.
• Volunteer! There are lots of ways you can get involved.

Where can we learn more?

Click any of the links in this article for more information on a specific program, or visit www.biaww.org.

Thanks, Donna, for taking the time to share your story with us. It’s an important reminder of how our lives can change in an instant.

Readers in the Waterloo-Wellington area, please take the time to learn more about BIAWW, and show your support for this great organization.

Did the stats around brain injuries and their impact surprise you? Tell me your thoughts below.