Mission
The Nanaimo Brain Injury Society believes that all persons affected by an acquired brain injury have the right and the ability to lead their own recovery process. Those impacted often do not know where to turn for support or how to access essential services. Our Society exists to meet the unique and diverse needs of all persons affected by acquired brain injury through responsive and innovative rehabilitation and prevention programs.
Annual General Report 2005/2006
- Every year over 50,000 Canadians are hospitalized for traumatic brain injuries
- More than half of the injuries to adults occur during car crashes and more than half of the persons who have an injury are under thirty years of age
- Every year, over 5000 children will suffer serious brain injuries in bicycle accidents
- In BC alone each year 14,000 people will acquire a brain injury
- Once injured, a person has a 40% chance of acquiring a second brain injury
Of the 14,000 recognized British Columbians who sustain a brain injury each year, we know that between 10 – 15% of these individuals will need community-based support for the rest of their lives. The majority of injuries occur to young people between the ages of 16 – 24; therefore, these individuals can expect a relatively normal life span and it becomes obvious that support systems are needed.
BC has a two-tiered health care system for people with brain injury. Extensive professional community-based rehabilitation and support services exist for people who can afford to pay. People who do not have personal resources (i.e. Third party funding) must access severely limited hospital-based services or charitable services, which are virtually non-funded for essential care needs. In most cases extended hospital stays, long-term care institutional and extended care settings are inappropriate for people with brain injury and institutional care in the majority of cases, provides little or no rehabilitation, which results in a decrease in functional capacities and decreases the likelihood of a normal return to community.
The Nanaimo Brain Injury Society exists to serve these individuals through innovative, community based programs that assist them in achieving quality of life, rehabilitation and reintegration into their communities.
Values
The core values of the Nanaimo Brain Injury Society guide the effective delivery of services in the workplace and the community.
We believe that persons with an acquired brain injury can achieve the greatest independence with the least amount of professional support(s).
We believe that most people want to continue to be a part of their community following injury.
We believe in a holistic approach to recovery by involving “natural” supports such as family, friends, peers and volunteers whenever possible.
We believe that all persons with an acquired brain injury are due respectful personalized support that reflects their uniqueness and importance of addressing their needs
We believe that effective service delivery begins with the recognition that individuals with disabilities are reflective of the diversity of the human community.
We believe in providing opportunities for people with an acquired brain injury to experience life in a typical way, with emphasis on the individual's abilities.
We believe that a supportive atmosphere and appropriate supports are essential to facilitate freedom of choice in the least restrictive way possible.
We believe we are accountable to every person we serve and for the quality of professional services we provide.
We believe in treating all persons with an acquired brain injury with equal value and respect affording “dignity of risk” and the right to self-determination.
We believe that the majority of acquired brain injuries are preventable and the most cost effective approach to the problem is the development of effective prevention strategies.
Community Partnering
In addition to developing partnerships with family, friends, care providers and volunteers, NBIS partnered with other Mid-Island Agencies and Services to increase and enhance overall service provision to the people we serve. Additionally, partnering with other agencies enables NBIS to provide educational information to other professionals who are working with persons with an acquired brain injury and their families.
Agencies/Services NBIS partnered with in 2005 – 2006 were:
- Ministry of Children and Family Development
- ICBC Rehabilitation Department
- Forensic Psychiatric Services Commission
- Nanaimo Family Life Association
- Victoria Head Injury Society
- Comox Valley Head Injury Society
- Vancouver Island Health Authority Brain Injury Program
- NETWERCC Rehabilitation Training
- POV-NET
- WRAP Around Program
- Vancouver Island Vocational Rehabilitation Services
Library Development
- In 2005 – 2006 NBIS added 13 new publications on rehabilitation and 5 new videos on survivor stories to our Library.
- A volunteer, Lynn Dillon categorized our library and created an electronic database of resources.
Community Education
NBIS believes that the majority of acquired brain injuries are preventable and the most cost effective approach to the problem is the development of effective prevention strategies. Over the past year NBIS has promoted the prevention of brain injuries in the following ways:
- Brain Injury Awareness Month (June, 2005) had display tables at NRGH Rehabilitation Dept. and Nanaimo Regional Library
- Open House - fall of 2005
- Educational material – mailed out written material to family members, survivors and other services and agencies upon request
- Proclamation - June Brain Injury Awareness Month by City Hall
- Participated in the Parksville Canada Day Parade
- Newsletter- produced, published and mailed out the NBIS Newsletter
- Website – continue to update and develop an online newsletter
- Presentations - at various service clubs and agencies
- Presented – at the Annual Comox Brain Injury Conference on how to create a volunteer program