Caregiver's Corner

Together We Meet the Challenge

It is estimated that 1.5% of Central Vancouver Island 's population (pop of 140,200) sustains an acquired brain injury each year. This would mean that an estimated 2,103 persons in the Central Vancouver Island area suffer from acquired brain injuries each year. The Nanaimo Brain Injury Society is the only free resource in the Central Vancouver Island area that specifically supports this population, their families, friends and care providers.

The family and friends of the victim feel the psychic repercussions of the head injury acutely and caring for an injured family member can be very demanding and result in economic loss and emotional burdens. It can change the very nature of family life; the resultant emotional difficulties can affect the cohesiveness of the family unit. Typically, the emotional damage is intense, affecting family and friends for years afterward and sometimes leading to the breakup of previously stable family units.

The Nanaimo Brain Injury Society (NBIS) is a federally registered charitable organization providing services and programs to individuals with an acquired brain injury (ABI), their families, friends and care providers since 1988. The Society has obtained program specific funding from several sources, including the Vancouver Island Health Authority Brain Injury Program, the City of Nanaimo, Provincial Gaming funds, the Vancouver Foundation, United Way, individual donations, services and gifts offered in kind.

The agency is staffed three days a week by the Executive Director, Reception, Intake Worker, Disability Assistance Worker/Bookkeeper, Group Facilitators, Outreach Rehabilitation Worker, Coordinator of Volunteers and Volunteers. Our programs are tailored to meet individual needs as we strive to assist people to achieve maximum quality of life and independence with the least amount of professional intervention.

Our programs and services are inclusive regardless of age, ability, ethnicity, gender, religion, income or sexual orientation. The office is located in a building that is wheelchair accessible and is situated in downtown Nanaimo with easy access to public transportation, free parking and other community resources. Our programs and services are free of charge, except when people are eligible for support through WCB, government sponsorship or insurance coverage.