Our community blog page is a collective of stories, articles and important discussion topics put forth by the Headsup Concussion Advocacy Network. We are so grateful to have so many amazing advocates and writers who are passionate about sharing their experiences and perspectives of concussions. Our blog is an amazing lived experience resource that touches upon several different aspects of the concussion recovery experience. Each story will provide you with a unique perspective that may help people going through an brain injury of their own. Please feel free to leave comments on each blog post and give feedback on how the article may have helped you or stimulated curiosity in a new area. Happy reading!
Katie Mitchell is a clinician-scientist in the Department of Kinesiology and Physical Education at Wilfrid Laurier University. Her research interests involve factors that influence recovery of concussion in athletes. She is the founder of Thrive NeuroSport, providing clinical education and consulting.
Read MoreOver the last 3-5 years, there has been extensive change in the treatment and support of pediatric concussion. So, what does this mean for our children? How can teachers better support kids with concussions in returning to and succeeding in school?
In this episode of The Sharing Experiences With Concussions/TBI podcast, Ryan Sutton sits down with Stephanie McFarland, an Occupational Therapist at Holland Bloorview Concussion Clinic, to talk about how to effectively accommodate concussions in the classroom. As one of the leading experts in the field of pediatric concussion, Stephanie works with students every day to build strategies for their recovery.
We asked teachers and educators across Ontario to submit their questions and experiences regarding concussion support in the classroom. Listen in as Stephanie answers these questions while busting myths and highlighting her best tips and advice for educators on creating accommodations in the classroom.
Read MoreIn this episode of The Sharing Experiences With Concussions/TBI podcast, Caron Gan, a Registered Psychotherapist and Marriage and Family Therapist, welcomes Anne Sanger, Stacey Campbell, and Madeline Roitman to talk about what life is like for families whose loved one has suffered from a traumatic brain injury (TBI).
Listen in as they share stories and experiences of caring for their spouse, brother, and child who are recovering from brain injuries. They highlight their initial thoughts and feelings after the injuries, the most significant impacts the injury has had on them and their families, how existing healthcare systems can better prepare families for life after brain injury, and how roles, responsibilities, and communication dynamics have since changed.
Read MoreIn this episode of The Sharing Experiences With Concussions/TBI podcast, Simon Kardynal welcomes May Machoun, Ryan Carey, and Blair Hennessy to talk about brain injuries and head trauma in the military and veteran community.
Listen in as these veterans shed light on their experiences with concussion and TBI, the systemic healthcare problems veterans are facing in Canada, and how we can continue advocating for better treatment of veterans with TBI and improving TBI education throughout the military. Whether you’re a veteran, a medical professional, or a family member of a concussion survivor, you have the power to make a positive change, so let’s do this together!
Read MoreAre you aware that every three minutes, a traumatic brain injury occurs in the life of a Canadian citizen? This number equates to over 455 Canadians experiencing a traumatic brain injury daily each year, meaning that 165,000 people in Canada experience a traumatic brain injury every 365 days. Traumatic brain injury is prevalent in Canada at a rate 100 times more than that of spinal cord injury.
Thankfully, action is being taken by the Headsup Concussion Advocacy Network (HeadsupCAN) and the Ontario Brain Injury Association (OBIA) to combat these concerns. That is where the "Sharing Experiences with Concussion/TBI" podcast comes in!
Read MoreLogan shares her history with concussions in the hopes to provide more awareness and education towards this invisible injury! Read this article to learn more about our newest Concussion Advocate!
Read MoreIn this bonus episode of The Sharing Experiences with Concussions/TBI podcast, we bring all of the facilitators from the series together in a conversation to share their insights and perspectives on these invisible injuries.
Read MoreBecky Moran, Occupational Therapist with the Acquired Brain Injury Outpatient Team at Parkwood Institute facilitates this discussion about adapting to a new way of life following a concussion. Some of the topics this episode explores are the challenges of pacing oneself, relationships, and changes in identity.
Read MoreDr. Lesley Ruttan, a Neuropsychologist, and other professionals who support persons with concussions and brain injuries gather together in this episode to talk about their experiences and the challenges associated with accessing supports and services for their clients.
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