The 22nd Pacific Coast Brain Injury Conference took place on February 15th-17th in Vancouver at the Sheraton Wall Centre. By all accounts it was an inspiring and very informative few days. The line-up of speakers was fantastic. For more information visit: www.brainstreams.ca
Can a play affect the way health professionals deliver care and improve the quality of life for people who are living with brain injury? After the Crash a play about brain injury written by Julia Gray as part of a Toronto Rehab Institute and University of Toronto research project led by Drs. Angela Colantonio and Pia Kontos is proving that drama is indeed a meaningful way to translate new knowledge. Their final research paper is in the process of being published and will be available for review soon.
The human brain is continually altering its structure, functions and connections as a direct result of everything we do, experience, think and believe. Used well, this process referred to as ‘neuroplasticity’ can go on well into our twilight years. Harnessed following brain injury, neuroplasticity is an important adaptive mechanism in the ‘life by re-design’ process.
Carla Henderson presently lives in one of our CONNECT Langley homes. Valentine's Day was a very special day for her when her boyfriend Paul proposed to her. Carla is quoted "We don't need luck. We have each other" in the Surrey Leader on February 14th, 2012.
“Creating change from within empowers people with something as valuable as hope- the ability to choose a happy, healthy, contributive future.” Lou Tice
“At any stage in the journey of recovery, hope, belief in self and resiliency are essential.” The Pacific Institute
On Monday February 13, Dwayne Lambert came one step closer to realizing his dream of creating a Healing Circle for people with brain injuries and those who care about them. He hosted a gathering of residents, staff and family at CONNECT Langley to talk about their experiences with brain injury.
CONNECT's culture and philosophy reflects the belief that all people are naturally creative resourceful, whole and wise. So, that’s what we say. But do we live it? Can you see it?
Hi everyone! My name is Chris & I have been working as the Physical Coach at CONNECT since Jan '10. I started with the CONNECT family in Lake Country, but am now temporarily relocated to the Lower Mainland so I am working at CONNECT Langley. I will eventually make my way back to the Okanagan. My family is my husband, Mike & my cat, Patchie.
CONNECT Communities is a fascinating and exciting place. When my colleague, Mary Ellen Sanajko, and I first met Patti Flaherty, CONNECT's Executive Director and the leadership team, we knew they were amazing, special people with a huge vision and lots of ideas to improve the lives of people with brain injury.
Take JP Forest and Michael Coss, two men who have experienced brain injury in very different ways. They met as housemates at CONNECT Langley and subsequently became friends. They have combined their respective talents and have come up with some pretty amazing ideas.
JP recently came into the Langley office with a DVD he had prepared for us. The following is an excerpt from a letter he wrote sharing a dream that the two men intend to make come true.
