After 15 years in operation, Powell River Brain Injury Society continues to provide vital services and help improve the lives of those living with acquired brain injuries
Executive director Debbie Dee says the not-for-profit society offers a wide range of services to meet the broad scope of need for clients in the community. It is supported by Vancouver Coastal Health, the province of BC and other generous patrons, including law firm Harper Grey LLP, and helps to improve social connections and employment skills of its clients. All programming is provided free of charge.
"A lot of clients are not able to go back to the jobs they had before their injury," says Dee. "We try to get them alternatives to traditional employment."
One way to do that is to help clients build on their personal strengths by having them create small businesses around their interests. Dee says her clients have experienced real success developing and selling a number of products, including Brainiacs Hot Sauce, One Smart Cookie cookies, paintings and other arts and crafts sold locally at farmers’ markets.
One client has created a line of spices and dry rubs and has been quite successful with that, too, says Dee.
"We're happy we've been able to have a small role in helping them to realize their potential," she adds."We try provide our clients with the things they need to gain a higher quality of life."
Dee adds that the employment skills services have been greatly assisted by a nine-month Service Canada grant to the society.
The society operates a drop-in centre that is augmented by specialized programming. The centre is a vibrant and bustling hub of activity five days per week, says Dee. The society has more than 200 clients and over 25 visits every day to its centre for programming, she adds.
Everyone is welcome to stop by and see what the society offers, says Dee. She adds that most clients come to the society through referrals from doctors or lawyers.
The society’s clients need to be formally diagnosed by a physician. If clients are looking for a specialized service, such as help developing employment, Dee says the intake process will also include a goals segment so she and others at the society have a better understanding of what the person needs and is looking to create.
"A lot of the time people just want to come in and have a coffee and a game of crib," says Dee.
Programs include fitness, reading and writing, memory, art, anger management, community education, psychosocial support, plus cognitive enhancement. There are also therapies such as music, art and reflexology.
Additionally, there is focus on activities such as cooking, gardening and nutrition. Dee also provides individual and group counselling sessions.
Dee says the gardening and nutrition program was created so clients who are socially isolated and have trouble being in groups of people can still putter around in the garden and be part of the whole while still working on their own.
According to data from the society, acquired brain injury is a leading cause of death and disability in children and young adults worldwide. Approximately 70 per cent of survivors are between ages 18 and 28.
Males are twice as likely as females to acquire a brain injury. Half of all brain injuries are the result of motor vehicle collisions and falls. The remainder are commonly caused by sport injuries (30 per cent), work-related injuries, assault, illness or firearms.
For more information on brain injury and Powell River Brain Injury Society, go to the society’s comprehensive website at braininjurysociety.com, drop by the centre at #101-7020 Duncan Street, or call 604.485.6065.
The centre will be open this summer on a modified schedule. It will be open for drop-ins from 9 am to 4 pm on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays and for appointments only on Mondays and Fridays.
